The Offer

Not much in the offer.

Sadly quiet before the dawn.

The Madman is dodging traffic.

But not all hope is gone.

There’s a prayer, and there’s a promise.

There’s a hole in that link fence.

There’s a need to use the toilet

Not much else is making sense.

Dennis Mantin

Thursday In The Springtime

It’s Thursday in the springtime… mornings dark and new.

I can’t say I ever loved her, but my feelings kinda grew.

There’s a black cat on my rooftop. And I’ll be leaving soon.

I’ve made and packed the lunches. We all dine from bags at noon.

I’ll be driving out to Pearson. Arrivals coming from JFK.

It is Thursday in the Springtime. Waiting for the light of day.

Dennis Mantin

The Odd Exception

I have chosen work and have not considered the alternatives. I realized early that I neither have the constitution for crime or the want to do the time.

As I watch the bums ply their trade and bounce from face to face, searching for that empathic glow to dig deep and hand over; I realize I don’t have the constitution for this either. Either side of the equation.

Oh, don’t get me wrong… I have handed out my share! Hand out change, and you get attitude back. Hand out a 5 or 10, and you get smiles and a reputation. They will run into oncoming traffic to cross the street when they see you. I am retiring from bum giveaways! Spread the word.

Like retirement from work, there will be the odd exception.

Dennis Mantin

6:01 a.m.

He limps in the shadows as I wait for the approaching streetcar, dodging in and out of traffic collecting and counting change in the shifting light… when he has gathered enough, he will go to a lottery kiosk and purchase scratch tickets. After that, he will lay on his belly in an abandoned doorway and scratch.

Dennis Mantin

Understand

At first, it seems to be bad luck. But once you really look and begin to study them and their habits in their natural environments, you begin to realize that very often, some people create and, in turn, deserve their own pain.

It’s where they want to be. Maybe where they need to be. I think I understand now. I will not interfere. I will not try to help. I will mind my own business. Like a scientist observes their natural surroundings. Just letting life unfold without intervention. Dumbfounded at their findings… 

“Once again, the troubled beautiful starlet has created the perfect scenario in which to endure the maximum emotional impact. Fascinating.”

Dennis Mantin

The Dutchman

The Dutchman he was legend. He was carved at the great war.

He went where eagles dared to fly. And kept coming back for more.

He was huge in more than stature. He was the edge of sword and knife.

Left a carnage in nights silence. For the ones who still held life.

In times of peace and loving. When the healing had begun.

I found his story from the words of my friend, The Dutchman’s son.

Dennis Mantin

Highway

Sunshine rain and highway.

I was late, oh nothing new.

They are always in a hurry.

Their impatience kinda grew…

I was reaching for a chilled one.

The kind I liked to spread around.

To ease the whining and complaining.

In those seas in which they drowned.

We were standing on the shoreline.

The line was drawn in the sand.

Like a swordsman at a gun fight.

Not much more was planned.

Dennis Mantin