Fraser

My older cousin Fraser whom I haven’t seen in decades doesn’t remember me.

It’s a little unsettling to not register to someone’s mind when they’ve been so important to my memories.

Ah, further motivation to leave my mark with a wee bit more force.

Dennis Mantin

The Delusional Dog

She said her Chinese sign was the dog.

“Determined, trustworthy loyal to a fault.”

I have learned to let things slide in the moment. Some would refer to it as avoiding confrontations or being dishonest…

I think much like her I have an entertaining inner life! I just keep my nonsense more private.Dennis Mantin

Dead End Cinema

She exaggerates like that drunken bum in the park who if you listen carefully is bragging of better days… in his youth when men were men and sheep were nervous and it wasn’t as grand as he claims; just bearable.

She exaggerates to keep her voice from going silent while searching for ears who haven’t turned deaf to to her moans of complaint and bitter disappointments and possibly drowning out the noise of the voices in her head.

It’s a lot to contend with and having escaped from this selfish prison I can tell her that you can’t begin to learn to listen until you stop talking.

Dennis Mantin

I Don’t Exist

My therapist told me that I don’t exist. Not in her eyes.

I am a safety valve! My purpose finally revealed. ..

When I was a child, I wondered what it would be like to be invisible and now I know.

He said, ” And if you’re a good man, you wouldn’t be much of a safety valve. It’s important that she demonize you. ”

Dennis Mantin

Darkness Fell

Darkness fell, it wasn’t mood, it was just the time of day.

Said, “Oh well” I should include, I slept the night away.

The sun did rise, same as before, I knew was just for me.

Closed my eyes and heard the roar of an angry distant sea.

I heard of tales, happened long ago, long before our time.

Of people who had lived and loved with hearts of faith and rhyme.

Dennis Mantin

In Defense of The Fool

The story goes that a tornado ripped apart a town leaving the townsfolk in total ruin.

A young boy looked at his mother upon returning to the shambles that once was their home and commented:

“Look Ma, ain’t it great! The winds stopped blowing. ”

Thus he was labeled ‘ The Fool. ‘

In his defense I would like to point out that his joy at being alive is perhaps buoyed by the sheer wisdom that if you are alive and well, he can always start again.

Dennis Mantin