He’s a mover and a shaker.
A real man about the town.
Spectacular difference-maker.
A center stage prime spotlight clown.
All ego, gall, and arrogance.
With that winking sort of eye.
He will dance and leave you breathless.
No more truths; it’s all a lie.
The bitter cold has lifted, the snowflakes melted wet.
The winds are more forgiving, we are huddled with feet set.
On ground as hard as clay now, under sky as white as bone.
We are humbled and forgiven, yet we feel so all alone.
Maybe it’s just the season, it might be something more.
We are waiting on deliverance, in that distance there’s a roar.
The voices they were moving.
On the water and in the air.
In her head was far from soothing.
And your name was everywhere.
She was holding onto sanity.
By a needle and a thread.
Her thoughts? Not worth a mention.
Except some mumbled words were said.
Something happened somewhere.
Was a child, and then she grew.
Lived in the pain of “that’s not fair.”
Then she set her eyes on you.
In the gravity of her attention.
You were savior on white horse.
For her, not worth a mention.
You just failed… of course. Of course.
All those tears, ‘not worth a mention.’
Because you know she has to cry.
Now that I have your full attention…
You can stay or wave bye-bye.
I was broke at the beginning.
In the middle was just bent.
On the horizon is the ending.
And the kid was heaven sent.
All tallied, I owe nothing.
There are demons at the door.
And I sleep with peace descending.
No regrets or want for more.
I was attracted by her beauty.
Even read the things she wrote.
In her diary of private thoughts.
She said I wouldn’t get her vote.
I feel no guilt or shaming.
Even if somehow I got caught.
Don’t care about your feelings.
Because I know you can be bought.
There’s a quiver in the ether.
A faint hint of rich fresh air.
I will use this little breather.
Just to plan and scheme and stare.
You said you wanted feelings.
With a longing for deep truth.
You said you wanted Superman.
He’s on a cellphone by the booth.
He said he doesn’t like you.
He’s not into girls no more.
We are living in a brand new world.
And I’m by the exit door.
When we are young…
With little or nothing to compare with:
Our experience was to each of us; normal.
Only later, when we are informed by the others, do we discover how abnormal this experience really was…
Here lies the opportunity
Embrace this and accept that view!
To quote Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull.
“All the wise men don’t know what it’s like to be thick as a brick.”
I do.
NEW BOOK RELEASE!
Look Them in the Eyes
Dennis Mantin. Friesen Press, 2023
There are thirty-two ways to write a story, and I’ve used every one, but there is only one plot—things are not as they seem.
Jim Thompson
Following the birth of his daughter, Jackie, middle-aged Zach MacIver is determined to stop what he terms “intergenerational transmission of family dysfunction” from plaguing his family. Over the course of two years, from the time Jackie is eight until she turns ten, Zach recounts his life experiences to her while attempting to navigate the obstacles created by her mother, Tina, who is experiencing her own version of intergenerational transmission of family dysfunction. The story begins during the COVID-19 pandemic when the world and its inhabitants face mounting daily trials and life-altering decisions. From there the narrative proceeds in a non-linear fashion as Zach recounts the roots of his own dysfunction and how his love for his daughter and his desire to be a good father forced him to face his difficulties head on. American author Jim Thompson once wrote, “There are thirty-two ways to write a story, and I’ve used every one, but there is only one plot—things are not as they seem.” This story is a great reminder of that.
Available now to purchase in eBook, paper, and hardcover from Amazon, Friesen Press, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Google Play, and Kobo.
ACCOLADES
Book I wish I could read again for the first time!
Dennis Mantin’s clean characterisation breathes life into the narrative, the realistic portrayal adds to the reader’s understanding of the book’s profound messages on life and people. What’s compelling about the novel is the the Protagonist’s journey, his perspective on “intergenerational transmission of family dysfunction” and how he’s determined to stop that from plaguing his family. The story is neatly told from Zach’s( the protagonist) perspective. It’s a non linear narrative with characters virtually jumping off the page. The characters, their presentation and Mantin’s unique writing style offer readers a fresh and deep perspective.
—Anuradha Basu, Amazon, November 21, 2023
I remembered everything dramatic until I didn’t. I let that shit go, which is a monumental gift.
However, I remember certain individuals from my childhood who, at the time, I thought were unreasonably cruel. Now I realize they were just human. Nothing more or less. So, to those people that I criticized on the eastcoast!,
“All Apologies!”
Dennis Mantin 
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