Much ado about something 

Shit or get off the pot

This pantomime of song and dance 

I fear is all for not.

They say it’s rags to riches 

Looks like minutes of fame 

If I don’t die of laughter 

In this rigmarole of shame. 

They say it’s now or never 

I’d say “Shut up, be still.”

If you haven’t learned to listen by now

Then…

I’m sure you never will.

Dennis Mantin 

She’s going crazy, she’s slipped again… The Morning ride is all distain…           Hanging heads are dodging pain               Mumbling words about  tears in  rain 

I’ve seen them all the crazy walks         The used to be’s and big time talks           Big time Charlie’s are cleaning clocks     And crashed ashore on splintered rocks.

The tough as nails working Mom         Lost in thought of where she’s from        A strangers promise that didn’t come    She’s heard it all, the words of some

Morning Train or rocking seas                     I close my eyes and watch time freeze     A whispered love in swaying trees.             I miss my Mom on bended knees. 

Dennis Mantin 

I said I wanted her forgiveness 

I just didn’t know what for 

I meant I wanted her to love me 

That’s when  she showed me the door 

Dennis Mantin 

I left the shore so long ago 

I wanted more  a need to know 

Instructions clear and waters deep

Sink or swim and be discreet. 

Dennis Mantin 

It’s clear to me I would do almost anything for her and she’s 6 and wants a farm. 

I was 6 almost  7, when I moved to the farm with my mother. 

I left the farm 5 years later while she left the planet. 

I’m trying to break a pattern here while giving her what she wants. History doesn’t have to repeat itself, does it?

We didn’t move to the farm when I was a kid to make my dreams a reality; twas a matter of survival I suspect. 

I suspect I will survive to retire to the farm… She’ll need that address to visit me by then. 

Dennis Mantin 

She wasn’t according to her, always the antagonist… I  created her with kindness and generosity fueled by fear.

Oh the follies of youth!

I created my own monster!

Dennis Mantin 

All children seek attention and affection… If they fail to get attention and affection  and instead receive distain and contempt,  then those children grow up damaged. 

It isn’t completely that they fail to get their needs met that’s the problem… It’s the humiliation and lack of trust that comes with this type of rejection that’s the icing on this shitty cake. 

I’ve seen them on the streets for decades…

Dennis Mantin 

As children we are dominated by desires for ATTENTION and AFFECTION.               

The basic problem with humanity is as children we get either too much or too little of this attention and affection.

When we are children we are VICTIMS.    When we are adults, we are VOLUNTEERS. 

As adults if we recognize that a behavior is wrong… The recommended action is to stop that action, and forgive yourself for being human. 

Forgiveness and compassion of self is the greatest of gifts. 

If we treated other people the way we treat ourselves we probably would have no friends. 

Dennis Mantin 

I remember that feeling as far back as it goes that I didn’t fit in… anywhere!

I certainly didn’t feel special, just seperated from humanity. 

However it’s been a very long time since I felt like that.

I have changed in that I am much more selective to what and whom I would want to be part of. 

Also if the me how I am now met the me I was when I was a kid, I’m fairly certain that I would reject me too. Who wants to be around anyone that uncertain and needy?

I have alot of compassion and love for the younger me, overcoming all that was there and I understand why I behaved the way I did… You get that understanding when you become a present parent which I am. Kids need to know more than; life is one big mystery. 

Dennis Mantin 

I never fully understood why Victor Hayes was called The Legend.

He died peacefully surrounded by family the card read.

I  will miss my friend and this one let’s me know that I am closer to the end than the beginning. 

A parting gift from the legend?

Dennis Mantin