I Don’t Believe in Love (You Move Me)

I see something sinking here.

Drifting… gone away.

Sinking to that bottom there.

No more light of  day…

Lately, I’ve been drinking here.

I’ve had so much to say.

There’s been all this thinking there.

I have to turn to look away.

It’s just these dreams. That I’m thinking of.

Oh, it’s not what it seems. I don’t believe in love.

Standing here at skies edge there.

With nothing but today.

Walking there on that ledge here.

Don’t you look the other way!!

Some days I just get things right here.

When I hear the  song you play.

Moves me to where I can see you there.

And not look the other way.

You move me… You do.

You move me, you do.

Its just those dreams, that I’m thinking of.

Oh, it’s not what it seems. I don’t believe in love.

Dennis Mantin

Alagory Mystery

I’d been searching for the answers… When finally she came along.

Preforming miracles, curing cancers. Giving music to the song.

She taught and gave directions. Even when I didn’t ask.

She let me know my fortune. In her sunshine I could bask.

She showed me my misfortunes. And how little I evolved.

I felt criminally unworthy, so I left her. Mystery solved.

Dennis Mantin

Bitter Cold

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, 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.

Dennis Mantin

The Rich Nights

The nights are longer now and my head aches almost constantly when I’m not sleeping…

Bill says we are killing ourselves with these long hours, and I tell William that lawyers aren’t cheap.

I need a vacation and one is coming soon. I have a difficult time sleeping past 6 hours and always wake up tired.

Thank God my dream world is rich and private.

Dennis Mantin

The Alley

I’ve been living in the Alley.

My best friend is a cat.

There is nothing in the cupboard.

No one is getting fat.

There are moments of sheer terror.

Followed by a deathly calm.

Not much happens in the Alley.

The nights are cool and long.

Dennis Mantin

Best Advice Ever

Only once in my life have I gone to a fortune teller… It was in Vancouver in 1985 which means I was 26.

The Fortune Teller was an Asian man not more than a decade older than me and didn’t offer one piece of fortune telling prophecy.

Instead, what I remember was he told me to take care of myself, take care of my teeth, go to a dentist, eat fruits and vegetables, meditate, get proper rest and things of this nature.

All of it good advice however at the time I felt ripped off because I was expecting something different.

In hindsight what he was telling me was, “Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself… Which is about the best advice I’ve ever received.

Dennis Mantin

Deep End of the Pool

Their smiles came so easy. I was awestruck… just amazed!

To wonder what it must be like to feel that unfazed.

To grow up with a knowing trust; that you’ll never be let down.

That someone’s looking out for you, and is here and not left town.

I felt I shouldn’t warn them of their fates, I’m sure will come.

Cause I kinda like their happy talk, You know it really works for some.

So I smiled insincerely, tried it on, felt like a fool.

I’ll just stick to what I know, in the deep end of the pool.

Dennis Mantin

Can’t Get With The Times

My friend she was smiling.

We got stuck with the filing.

Another job, she always loathed.

She said, “Can’t you get with the times?’

I said I make contemporary rhymes.

Where the Emporeress is still clothed.

And then time becomes memory.

Fade away here like luxury.

I’m lost here. Is it just me?

Fading like waves to a sea.

And my friend, she is naked.

A bad habit, she can’t break it.

Another job I never loathed.

Changing lamps for the surgery.

To see inside. Only away from me.

And the Emporeress is not clothed.

And then the times become memory.

Fades away here like luxury.

I’m lost here. Is it just me?

Fading away like waves to a sea.

Think I will stay just where I am.

Another man without a plan.

Another job I always loathed.

Changing lamps for the surgery.

To see inside just away from me.

And the Emperoress is still not clothed.

And time becomes memory.

Fading away here like luxury.

I’m lost here. Is it just me?

Fading away like waves to the sea.

Dennis Mantin

Us in a Post Covid World

Back at work, post covid. Not everyone has returned.

It is quieter now. The voices in my heart are not as loud.

I have vowed to be less expressive.

Time to step aside and let go.

Acceptance is the key.

The rains here in April are in full bloom, and my energy has returned. I am listening, and adjustments are all the rage.

I feel like I’ve missed something, and I’m far from alone, and that maybe we all might not be as informed as we think we are??

Dennis Mantin