Zylia said, “Mom can’t read a room.”

I thought to myself, ‘How can you read a room when you never shut up?”

When Zylia laughed, I realized I had said that out loud.

The passion of Kevin Clark was apparent and written in charcoal black letters at his sidewalk home at Adelaide and Bay in Toronto in 1999.
“You’re standing on my home.” Kevin said to me as I waited for the light to change with the others.
“How would I know it’s your home?” I asked.
“Because my name is written right there.” He pointed to the letters written on the sidewalk.
N.I.G.G.E.R.
Kevin smiled as he watched the look of shame that crossed my face…

Rising from some ancient conscience.

He said, “What nigger means to me is probably different than what it means to you.”
“What does it mean to you?”
“Never is God giving evil respect.”

Dennis Mantin

Jack was a career criminal at a time when him and his associates lived by rules and codes…

He was north of 60 when I met him and he swore he wasn’t going back inside.

Jack told me, “Everybody thinks they can go through life and not live by any rules. I’m here to tell you that you’re going to have to live by at least 2 rules.

Everybody knows knows rule # 1; however, very few know rule # 2; and… Rule # 2 is never shit in your own nest.”

It’s been 40 years since I’ve seen Jack and I like to think he managed to stay true to his rules.

I learned to meditate in prison from an old convict named Jack Miller. When I could melt the bars away, he taught me the rules of life. He said.

” Everybody goes through life thinking they don’t have to live by any rules…
“I’m here ta tell ya, yur gonna have ta live by 2 rules.
“Everyone knows rule number 1. However, very few people know rule number 2.
“Rule # number 2 is never shit in your own nest. ”
“What’s rule number 1?” I asked.
” I’m glad you asked.” He answered.

“It depends on what you are. If you’re a criminal like me, then it’s never get caught. If you’re a civilian, then it’s some version of do no harm to others.”
I confessed. “I think I’m a civilian. ”
Jack smiled, ” For you, my friend, I think that would be wise.”
Neither one of us ever went back. I was 20, and Jack was 60.

Dennis Mantin

It’s hard to explain. How time flies.

Felt an older pain of some sad  goodbyes.

That couldn’t push away. You know I tries.

Memories fade faster than no dry eyes.

I was wrong. You were/are the best.

To know you, I was so blessed.

Thanks again, and now I confessed.

Letting go now is off my chest.

A rich man drives a taxi.

A poor man drives a Ford.

But my old man

Goes down the street

With four wheels on a board.

MARGARET MANTIN

I have a rule at home that goes something like this. I don’t care what you tell them out there in the world, but here at home; you tell me the truth.

If I find out that I’ve been lied to, then I usually react in a frothy emotional outburst.

I have noticed that my reactions have neither slowed down the rate of the lies or changed anything.

Therefore, I am beginning to believe that truth is a myth we tell ourselves. Clearly, I don’t know the answers for certain. However, since I used to be physically beaten as a child in an attempt to stop me from not telling the truth; I see this development as steps in the right direction.

Hence, the frothy emotional outbursts have ceased…

An old man was meandering up the sidewalk with a cane, and the button on his tweed hat read ‘ Peace begins with a smile ‘
I thought to myself, “So does deception; but it was early, and I hadn’t had my coffee.”
Dennis Mantin

I remember a time before the internet.

Before we knew how people really thought.

Previous to everyone’s published opinions.

A time when the credo was, “If you don’t have something nice to say, then don’t say it. ” or “Shut the fuck up!” 

Now, people hide behind the safety of internet anonymity or don’t understand the consequences of writing every thought, and statistics indicate that most people are alone now.

The internet has facilitated the destruction of the relationship.

I’m tired in a good way.

A drop of love and pinch of hope.

A tender mix of courtesy.

Laid off the pills and dope.

Prayers for peace and understanding.

I see a twinkle in those eyes.

I am prepared for most anything.

Except psychotic pain and lies…

I’ve been thinking about a future.

One for sure I can’t predict.

Keeping armed and smiling warmly.

Have my degree in high conflict.