I have some say in all this thing…

I choose what I do and become!

Not everything is predestined and ordained by higher powers.

I think that’s true.

I believe.

Things are clearer in the rearview.

Objects are closer than they appear.

It’s all in how you catch the lights.

And treat those myths of yesteryear.

They say that memories are faulty.

As for me I can’t be sure.

I forgot so much from bygone days.

My past is clean and pure.

The devil is in the details.

It’s calm at eye of storm.

I’m not looking in the rearview.

Right now is true to form.

The source of her cruelty seems to be a deep well of weakness…

Known for its unforgiving tones and dark shadows that swallow light and chokes anything not strong enough to say ‘NO.’

I tried to love her…

Poor judgment might be to blame here I confess… I thought I could make it work and welcomed the challenge.

I imagine sometimes what circumstances could have turned this tale from what it is… Into something else more pleasant and yet it is here where I and all who’ve preceded me, have failed.

I keep an open mind and in this have been granted a view on life that I could not have known otherwise and in this there must be value…

I will just keep looking; Thank you!

It started with a smile and a kind soothing manner…

I didn’t know what it was at first and when this awareness came raining down around me; I naturally thought that it must be a Con.

I thought about Hannibal Lecture when he said, “You can’t disect me with that dull tool Clarice.”

Then I thought about Bukowski when he said, “I’ve had so many knives stuck in me that when they hand me flowers, I can’t make out what they are… it takes time.”

You cannot forgive your parents?

They were not born with that winning formula for success…

They hold that trauma of broken Dreams and hearts too.

And yet, they carried on to have you And now you have and carry this Awareness

More than enough to break that cycle…

And you cannot find enough humility to Forgive?

Grow

She’s healthy and she’s smiling.

The rain is falling down.

Those tears might be from laughter.

And prayers have not left town.

I stand firm in my protection.

She grins at my expense.

I get now what I prayed for.

In a way that makes no sense.

Have no questions and few answers.

A bit too much for some.

Just counting out the blessings.

I’ll take them as they come.

The bee’s are drunk on pollen.

And no one’s keeping score.

It’s true they caught me laughing.

And no one knew what for.

She was here.

Her story fast.

Came and went.

A troubled past.

Waved goodbye.

Cried a tear.

That’s a lie.

My eyes are clear.

I don’t know.

And that’s ok.

Nothing more.

I care to say.

Dennis Mantin

It’s lonely and it’s timeless. Those shores of sink or swim.

With memories playing volleyball, it’s either her or him.

He said he  could remember the day that he was born.

There was a slap, a light so bright and an oath that he had sworn.

It’s how they get er done down there, the fiddler he gets paid.

The dancers are all worn out from the sacrifices made.

I dropped by for a visit, just to see who I might know.

The graveyards are all manicured with grass that’s green and low.

Now she travels with me. That much was a plan.

I tell her all the stories from those shores that house her clan.

The air is still.

Dark and cool.

I’m by myself.

Tis the rule.

And there’s nothing really going on.

I’ve had my fill.

Played the fool.

On the shelf.

Was the mule.

And there’s nothing really going on.

Remember love.

Full and warm.

And speaking of…

Braved that storm.

And there’s nothing really going on.

Sometimes…

I see the most beautiful of women… Oblivious to me or anything else in their immediate surroundings…

Usually staring into something on that horrible little screen and I will joke to my daughter…

“Do you think I stand a chance?”

And she will laugh,

“Dad, she doesn’t even know you exist.”

“Yes… I’m guessing we should keep it that way. “

“Yes.”