They said if I stared long enough into that haunting dark abyss.

That I could break the darkness and see light, I couldn’t miss.

You see, I have this peace of mind, and when I close my eyes.

I’ve made friends with the darkness; to my horror and surprise!

My mother told me repeatedly that if I didn’t have anything good to say about someone, then it’s best to say nothing.

This is also the same person who said about a couple that she didn’t particularly like: “It’s a good thing they married each other… because it would be a shame to ruin 2 homes with them!”

I’ve been looking at the world we have.

And I’ve got this peace of mind.

Except when I am seeing you.

There’s no peace for me to find.

It’s all the drama and confusion.

I think it’s best that I’m alone.

If all consciousness is illusion.

I’ll stick to writing on my phone.

There’s no need for conversation.

I’ll just smile, sometimes wave.

All the memories are salvation.

They’ll be some I’ll even save.

The rain fell down for hours.

The gloom it rose for days.

My dreams were from another time.

When we were parting ways.

To be stubborn is so human.

I can see it in the kid.

I see it more in you than me.

But I know what we both did.

You see, I found forgiveness.

I left you in that room.

I was dealing here with living.

You were wallowing in doom.

There was something in the water.

Not icecubes or alcohol.

Was something in the air last night.

Felt like Rome before the fall.

There were whispers in the shadows.

And fear upon the vine.

I checked the beach for trespass.

Was just you that crossed the line.

The stars were out in fury.

Burning bright in yonder sky.

I had so much to tell you once.

That time has passed us by.

There’s this feeling that’s just so nearly…

Like the battered and the bruised.

I wonder if I heard clearly.

Deep down, I’m just confused.

There’s a man who’s screaming something.

In the face of that sad clown.

There’s a juggler in the spotlight.

That didn’t use the right pronoun.

The siamese twins grow tired.

Two heads can not agree.

Cooperation is required.

No discernments they can see.

The wives they seem so angry.

The husbands have that look.

Doesn’t much matter which way I go.

Either way, I’m on the hook.

And the men

I tried the changes slowly.

The way the old go out in rain.

All in vain with not much Holy.

In the end, seemed quite insane.

We will batten down the hatches.

And will keep the powder dry.

I’ll keep praying here for something there.

As we sail for bluer sky.

N

I was driving down the road. Then I stopped here for a bit.

Nothing against the whitelines. Or the dashboard that was lit.

I was thinking about something different. Like a job and then a child.

I kept my eyes on that potential. I took that chance on eyes that smiled.

I overplayed my hand. Betting large, I got the girl.

She had bets there on side. Less mama, more gold and pearl.

I’m back traveling on the highway. My kid smiling at my side.

There is more to life than hollering. We laughed so hard we cried.

There is a heart shaped carve in rosewood.
There’s a line drawn in the sand.
I pray there on grace and wonder,
and there’s a baby, she’s in my hand.

There’s a virtue called forgiveness.
From a force we can’t see.
It’s how I deal with darkness.
Of how I feel when you’re with me.

I struggle now to hear you.
Seek approval in your eyes.
I hate you for your beauty.
Like I love you for your lies.

It’s a sad sad situation
Department sad but true.
You fear that they are coming
And you fear what they will do.

It’s a sad sad situation
Under heading sad but true
You fear that they are coming
No one is coming for you.

Dennis Mantin