The Voice (1990)

The day the voice moved in with me, he brought his good friend fear.
Said ‘We all share your heart and soul you’ll soon forget we’re here.’
The day the voice moved in with me, peace and sleep moved out.
The addict he was at the door, and the voice he jumped to shout.

Said, ‘We like you we like it here, we know you like us too
And we know you’ll like our friends, cause true friends are so few.’
The voice would talk for hours about nothing much at all.
And all the noise would wake the fear and the drunk would wake withdrawal.

Years had passed in tears and stains and I had to kill the fear.
The voice he left in the middle of the night, said he didn’t like it here.
The voice returns sometimes when I sleep but he’s gone when I’m awake.
The strength it took to kill the fear was more than he could take.

And the drunk is with the addict and they live from coast to coast. And sometimes when I pray to God, I pray you’re not their host.
Singing, ‘We like you, we like it here, we know you like us too. And we know you’ll like our friends cause true friends are so few.

–Dennis Mantin

The Chances Store

Chances were the premium at the chances store.
Called up their proprietor and asked for just one more.
Inside information suggested relocate.
When they closed the chances store, it sealed the users fate.
With no plans for the future and the future, it is here.
Who knew that the sun would rise and whisper last nights fear?
So we headed for the highway, which ended at the light.
Looked upon arrival, no chances store in sight.
Searching for the answers that will ease the fears.
Some will stand there crying and find few are buying tears.
All are someone’s baby lost along the way.
Strangers and sojourners who have lost the need to pray.
And I say, “Pray”

Dennis Mantin

Pain and Suffer

I was left with pain and suffer, and some sales at the dollar store.

The security guard he wept last night but said he’d be coming back for more.

Saw your photo on social media. You have that gap in your front teeth.

Distinguished, grey, and dapper. No signs of struggle underneath.

I left no plans for coming back. Think that’s best for everyone.

I heard you laugh. It was the best. It sounded like you won.

It felt bad at the beginning. Now I’m numb and not do sore.

It took some time to come undone. Now I’m coming back for more.

Dennis Mantin

From 4 In The Morning… (Sometime in 1979) [When I was barely 20]

I seldom worry about the event.Just your opinion. I can’t control what happens. However, your feelings I try to.

Perfection is my problem. I never seem to achieve it. But I know I’ll be bored if I ever do.

First impressions are the worst. Especially if they’re bad. It may not be difficult to make a mountain from a molehill. However, it’s impossible from a hole.

Dennis Mantin

Suicide (1979)

Walked in silence on the snows hard crust. My mind it roamed from wrong to the just. I watched an eagle swing from the sky… The silence was broken with his mighty cry.

He looked so proud. He looked so tough. His freedom, his kingdom. His only musts.

Then, a mighty thrust that shook the air. In seemingly gloom and much despair. His blood fell on his rocks from our of the air… And the silence was broken beyond repair.

No doubt nine times out of 10; Suicide is killing yourself in spite of yourself.

Dennis Mantin