Lepers in the Graveyard

The lepers spent their time in graveyards because their options were somewhat limited.

Ancient social distancing.

We are asked to stay at home and some of us are fortunate enough to have one of these.

Upon healing the 10 lepers, one returned to thank Jesus,which begged the question where were the other 9?

The math still stands.

Dennis Mantin

Purging of a Bowel

The sentence was death by boredom. The virus spread the earth.

Madness rained down upon them. Like some monsters giving birth.

They handed out free money. The kind that makes you soft.

And nearly jumped out their skin. When someone smiled and coughed.

Then Dylan put out an album. With a song called Murder Most Foul.

That sounds as disgusted as I feel. Like the purging of a bowel.

I’ve learned to take the blessings and take them as they come.

He is at another level, a bit too much for some.

Dennis Mantin

The Allure of the Dangerous Minds

Often

In my youth

I found myself

Falling and following

The Allure of Dangerous Minds

Never once did this work for my benefits

Time has done her humbled job…

Providing seeking understanding

I avoid the dangerous ones now

I seek a kinder softer touch

They play at the edges

With young writers

Learning

Woe

Dennis Mantin

Pride & Bastards

I risked losing her.

For Pride.

Then I came to my senses for maybe the first time…

I grew up being a bastard. I’ll always be a bastard at the core. I might get farther. Maybe not. However, I will always have the bastard foundation.

I am not going to mix with Royals or Aristocrats or High Status individuals. Really, why would I? Why should anyone really?

The benefits of being a bastard arrive later in life. Long after, they’ve exposed their souls. Long after, they’ve stopped speaking freely around me as if I was invisible or didn’t exist.

No, I will not lose you, Lê. You be free to be you. I will accept you for all you are. It is a joy and a privilege to be around such freedom!

Dennis Mantin

Breathing Fumes

Breathing fumes down at the gas plant.

He smiled, “You can graduate to shift.”

I paused and said, “No, I just can’t.”

Then, down that road, I drift.

There is something in not knowing.

That beats the pain of 2 small pairs.

Seems I’m coming now or going.

There’s no one left who cares.

The bright lights they sure is pretty.

In the night they show there’s more.

Another train, a plane, new city.

In the distance, is why what for.

I don’t need your Shaman Healers.

Just some meaning to the light

Left the table and all the dealers.

Choose the day and sleep the night.

Dennis Mantin

Tea and Oranges

We dined on tea and oranges.

On the sand down by the sea.

There were possible storm warnings.

That escaped both you and me.

The dingy left the harbor.

The sail snapped by noon.

The winds grew dark and heavy.

Under far too soon, typhoon.

They’ll be no more tea and oranges.

Or walks down at the park.

The dreamers dream is heavy now.

And faint hopes are growing dark.

Dennis Mantin

Not Worth A Mention

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.

Dennis Mantin