Got bored with the same old same old. It’s a tired road that truth be told. The signs are crooked, the smiles cold and the banter stale and boasting bold…

It’s clearer here the bill is not paid. Came way before me, foundation laid. Dancers dance while the music played. The quitters left the stubborn stayed.

Made a stand and faced these fears. Apologies were made to peers. Smiles sometimes gave way to tears. Same old same old gratitude years.

Dennis Mantin

Chinaski said, “All the greatest men are the most alone.”

It seems to me one would need to be drunk or a child to be that narcissistic.

But maybe he’s right… Maybe he’s earned the right to write it the way he sees it…

He said, “It’s hard to dance when you drink and it’s hard to drink when you dance.”

I believe I was a dancer when I was a drunk.

Dennis Mantin

Zylia, who is 7, asked me… “You ever think about what our pets think about when we leave them?”

“As a matter of fact I was just thinking about that yesterday and I don’t know if they think about anything other than eating… what do you think they think about?”

“I think they hope we don’t bring home any more pets.”

“Brilliant!”

Dennis Mantin

The problem for me has always been.

Expression is heard, seldom seen.

It’s left of right and inbetween.

She looks so sweet, sounds so mean…

I don’t know, is mantra queen.

She holds the match, the kerosene.

I hold my tongue, eyes do glean.

Nothing now but couldofbeen.

Dennis Mantin

The teacher wrote something on the blackboard…

David said, “You make a better door than a window even though you are a pane.” (Pain was the intention.)

I laughed until tears streaked down my face. Never seen anyone show such disrespect and get away with it.

Rumors began to swirl that day that I was on drugs.

The quote I remember was, “Nobody laughs like that.”

I was 15 and had never taken drugs, and yes I laughed like that.

Dennis Mantin

I have a new role for which I have zero knowledge… Diplomacy is a trait I lack due to early experiences with a fascism family and neighbors expressing their collective will in a ‘my way or the highway’ methodology.

I took to these teachings like a fish to water which led to a brief career as an angry dictator, however that was long ago and far away.

Before she came along and instructed that it is not all about me…

Ah… so much to learn.

Dennis Mantin

I felt the rage rise and give voice to ancient songs about rights and first world problems.

Taking pause and wise counsel I have asked the questions: Are we safe? Are we blessed?

I will take the necessary steps to be put into the loop and leave frothy discourses to those more qualified.

Dennis Mantin

It was the innocence that had to go

Replaced by a savage truth

We needed a moment to catch our breath…

Processing took some time

I know what fears haunt them

I’ve seen those 1000 yard stares

Whispers in the dark that find no takers

Just a longing for yesteryears…

When things were simpler

When we were children.

Dennis Mantin

It’s dark and cold

Hope is high for lights warm glow

Lake ice holds fast

There’s so much I’ve yet to know.

Dennis Mantin

I’ve seen him for years, maybe decades… Something is wrong, maybe mental illness… He’s digging through a trash bin in Chinatown, looking for…

I offer him a 10, thinking he might want to eat.

He looks at the money and emphatically says, “NO!”

This is a first… and although I don’t understand his methods, he has my respect. A modern day Diogenes?

Reminds me of what Captain Willard said about Kurtz…

“I don’t see a method. ”

Dennis Mantin