She was happy then…

Anything but joy seemed improbable.

Glowing, beaming, radiant Joy!

Ah the memories.

Dennis Mantin

Jay walks Into traffic SCREAMING! Pointing, staring, sharing.

I see him in quieter times sitting on the sidewalk pointing his lit cigarette at various items strewn around his area, as if keeping some sort of tally or order to them. Smoke trails over niknaks and things. He mumbles incoherently.

He’s as far gone as anyone you will see on the streets unsupervised.

He got in my face as I waited for a streetcar. “Are you going to give me some money?” Looking in his eyes seemed to set him off. ” Yes I’m a dummy. I was born this way. I’m mentally fucked!”

He went off cursing and bumming and I let the streetcar pass. I caught up to him and put a 10 in his hand

Jay said, “Thank you. ” And opened his hand to show me his niknaks of which one was a child’s mittens.

” Those are my sons.” He beat his chest with his fist.”My sons!… Don’t you forget !! My son!”

Dennis Mantin

It’s sunrise and September.

The grass all wet with dew.

It’s Autumn in my lifetime.

Regrets I’ve had a few.

My past I often ponder.

I’ve stayed there way to long.

So many more things to do.

The future holds no wrong.

Dennis Mantin

It’s 4a.m. on a Tuesday.

I’m driving not to you.

It’s quiet and it’s peaceful.

No drama coming through.

I left you at the airport.

Our eyes were clear and dry.

It feels like it’s over.

I’ll walk and watch you fly.

Dennis Mantin

I said it’s now or never.

To the voices in her head.

I heard some noise and her lips moved.

But I turned to me instead.

I flagged the waiter, paid the bill.

And bid a fond adieu.

I whispered that’s French goodbye.

But I’m pretty sure she knew.Dennis Mantin

Her legs went on forever.

Her eyes were pools unclear.

Didn’t mean to hit me in the balls.

I bought her shots and beer.

Her legs went on forever.

I knew she’d be unkind.

I couldn’t find the words to say.

So I let her read my mind.

Her legs went on forever

I tried so hard to please

She helped me get to know myself

Helped me off my knees.

I never got to thank her

Kind words for her to tell

That was many moons ago

My memories not so well.

Dennis Mantin

I loved her for her beauty.

She was crazy, not for me.

I couldn’t fix that business,

From nineteen eighty-three.

Never said she danced with demons.

There were monsters in her head.

We don’t know Myth from fiction.

So we dance with lies instead.

She sure is nice to look at,

Maybe that’s the curse.

I’ve settled on alone for beauty

It couldn’t be much worse.

Dennis Mantin

It started on a Sunday, this idea I’m alone.

No one seemed to notice, all were busy on the phone.

I decided not to fight it, no sense in tempting fate.

Intimacy lacked sincerity, with conversation all debate.

She said that she found someone, I laughed meant as a grin.

I shouldn’t be so happy, but this loss feels like a win.Dennis Mantin

The city eats them up.

They lose their way here…

It shows in their faces that their brand of bullshit isn’t working; not with this lot.

Their eyes aren’t focused on anything other than the fear.

They will go down unless they find another way to think and be.

The city eats them up.Dennis Mantin

You know that rush you feel when you unexpectedly get off work 3 hours early at 3:15a.m. after being on the clock for 14 plus hours and you just might get 7 hours sleep before ya gotta get up again?

I do.

Good night muchachas!Dennis Mantin