All them big ice drips shining big cold.

All them be freezing, and not growing old.

The sale one season, all half price or sold.

Sunshine is pleasing, the end truth be told.

Down by the gutter I listen to all the big waves…

Makes me shudder how, all of these close shaves.

They all be preaching here, all about how Jesus saves.

Keep desire down low, all hoping they can behaves.

They be chirping round here, all the birdies can do.

They be telling of their fears now, all to me and you.

The sound of the voices sometime all they say get through.

Keep on talking now, until all they turning all blue.

They line them up all, making those rows on shows.

That is how it is here, yeah that is how it all goes.

Line them up tall, tell them all, all of their big knows.

Don’t you be talking down here, about all the garden grows.

Someone’s gotta wash the dishes.

Someone has got to mop the floor.

In this world of dreams and wishes.

Doesn’t matter rich or poor.

Someone’s got to wash the bed pan.

Someone’s got to bake the bread.

In this world of could or can.

It’s more do, than what is said.

Dennis Mantin

That girl offered me some happy. I said, “Got all that I can use.

When the pushing came to shoving, She was gonna blow a fuse.

I was in the bowels of the Bowery. A place I knew too well.

Where when your words are flowery. There many a wise man fell.

My baby, my Queen Jemma, she showed up just in time.

She sussed out my dilemma. Said, “Asking ain’t no crime.

There is going and there’s coming, and someone’s gotta go.

Took the offer off the table. Where she went, don’t need to know.

There are offers and refusals, there are yes’s and some no’s.

Not everything is good or bad, its just sometimes how it goes.

This has been up until now a fabulous week. I was awarded sole custody of my daughter. I have completed writing my first novel. Possibly, I have found a literary agent… And lastly I am getting paid for being home and writing and being a stay at home Dad! Priceless!!!

I could get no higher.

Then that summit that we climbed.

I swear there was a choir

Singing joys and words of kind.

There were trials, tribulations.

There was blue and fresh clean air.

Like some drug induced sensations.

No more need to stand and stare.

All over but the crying.

Now is the time to say so long.

I just got sick of trying.

It’s not the singer, it’s the song.

I have a goal to make this fear we all have into a turnaround.

We seem so afraid of facing our own souls.

What good could come from that avoidance?

I enjoy this life and want to spend more time here. Please don’t get me wrong. I just don’t want the dread that comes with what can’t be avoided.

Oh to be blessed with that kind of courage!

Dennis Mantin

I was awake when she said it. “I think you are off the hook.

I felt like I was floating, and so my time was all it took.

And some money and my pain, but I make that everyday.

Today they let me off the hook; at least that’s what they say.

I’m still a little frazzled, my nerves are raw and worn.

I’m not saying I won’t recover but I’m battered bruised and torn.

I’d like to thank the jokers and that Lady in my dreams.

I was dying there of laughter, almost bursting at the seams.

I was wakened with the alarm.Which is rare.

I was deep somewhere else. There were at least 3 others…

2 men that I can’t remember whom, and a beautiful Asian woman in a blue dress.

She had a sister too or a friend…Ah to dream. Got my kid back to school!

Now I know I dream in color.

She is having trouble sleeping.

I know that feeling of frustration .

Lying wide awake pretending

Wishing it was otherwise.

And then finally it happens…

Quiet fading darkness.

She will be tired and difficult to wake.