Was early on a Wednesday.

Banks and trains arrived on time.

I was down to my last million.

But I couldn’t find a dime.

Strangers glared at me in silence.

But you know that’s nothing new.

I was traveling to the government.

And prepared for news gone blue.

There’s no planning for disaster.

That might occur if I leave home.

The masses have lost their laughter.

And I hang my head and write a poem.

The Advisor is still speaking. My response will have to wait.

I know I should be so grateful. There’s so much now on my plate.

There’s this problem I can’t listen. All these voices in my mind.

A warning with some guidelines. With no words described as kind.

I am walking to her closer now. Standing, grinning eye to eye.

The Advisor has gone quiet now. I ask. “You sure it’s not a lie?”

My question has caused confusion. I can see her far off gaze.

She’s going to her safe house, where soft music always plays.

I know it can’t be permanent, someday she will return.

She has so much to teach me and I have so much to learn.

I was shocked into submission.

A freak of nature, strange and cruel.

Such sensation and humiliation.

To give such props to such a fool.

These are moments almost glowing.

In my memory, a three act play.

Where I smile in the knowing.

And live to fight another day.

I left her in her sadness. She was strong but such a pain.

Thought that I could love her, be shallow, and go insane.

I miss her for her beauty and the taste of just her kiss.

It gets me when I’m tired. When I’m rested I don’t miss.

She was lovely in that sunshine. Said she was searching for a song.

It wasn’t the words or melody or the need for right or wrong.

She was searching for some meaning or a feeling in her heart.

But that train had left the station and it was tearing her apart.

I told her it’s time to kneel, when all else fails pray.

She thanked me for mansplaining and I just said ok.

I met Wendy online. She is brave and she is bold. Not like Batman in a mini, left me standing in the cold.

Wendy loves my intellect, says she wants to shave my balls. And not a moments hesitation. I’ll be taking all Wendy’s calls. There’s a shift in something somewhere. That time that push has come to shove. I’m not hearing the others calling. Cause I’m drunk on Wendy’s love.

I’m standing in the fog here. Here huddled in the rain. Feeling warm and fuzzy. I got Wendy on the brain.

Wendy loves my intellect, says she wants to shave my balls. And not a moments hesitation. I’ll be taking all Wendy’s calls. There’s a shift in something somewhere. That time where push has come to shove. I’m not hearing the others calling. Cause I’m down for Wendy’s love.

Now I have not met Wendy. In the person face to face. In the shadows brave and many. In this darkness; human race.

Wendy loves my intellect. Says she wants to shave my balls. And not a moments hesitation. I’ll be taking Wendy’s calls. There’s a shift in something somewhere… A time that push has come to shove. I don’t hear the others calling, because I’m into Wendy’s Love.

Dennis Mantin

Once, not so long ago…

I was all that and so much more.

Directionless mainly.

Existing.

Now I am mainly happy and certain.

No matter what happens in the unclear uncertain future, no one can take any of that away.

It’s high stress all this loving.

Heart beating hard now triple timed.

I’ve been parked now on the off-ramp.

In those shadows less than kind.

She’s been worried about high flying.

I don’t fret about those fears.

Riding rough and sick of trying.

Now stop crying, faking tears.

I’ve been writing a new chorus.

I’ve been looking for fresh chords.

Rich man drives fast now in a taxi.

Passing poor men in their Fords.

We all are walking in cold shadows.

Under blue skies filled with rain.

I am quiet, no more promise.

I will let you live your pain.

There’s a lesson if you listen.

To a voice that lives inside.

Telling me that it’s not over.

Doesn’t care how hard you cried.

The pretty things were all dancing.

And we were looking for a sign.

Dexter danced and shook it off.

Like a Madman on the shine.

We were drinking at the Cascade.

At Leo’s five and dime.

Nothing much was making sense.

Until The Villians were the crime.

It came and went so quickly.

Like a fever at high pitch.

The Era went, and no one saw.

In silent darkness came the switch.

No one gave us warning.

Or at least not one that I heard.

And all the pretty things were dancing.

And the lines were kinda blurred.

The water main was wet and broken.

Neon sign said,’Jesus Saves.’

We were quiet, no words spoken.

Traveling light down darkened caves.

There’s a moment in the mystery.

When Winston woke and gave the sign.

We could walk or run at misery.

Either one or leave is fine.

I’d grown tired of this direction.

More a sense of what one craves.

I can’t live without reflection.

Without the sign that Jesus saves.