He sits outside the liquor store day after day greeting and cajoling spare change; telling all who pass to have a wonderful day or wishing them the best for whatever upcoming holiday is arriving. He’s healthy and personable and appears to have the gift of gab and a memory for names.

I can’t help myself from wondering how one arrives at a career choice like this. Does it come on gradually or did he just wake up one day and say, “I’m going to be a bum.”?

This falls under the category of question that I can ask and feel satisfied at not ever getting an answer.

Dennis Mantin

We circle in the darkness and we’re waiting for the sun.

And the fever has been broken and a new day has begun.

Nothing has been promised just expectations of some light.

Somewhere between faith and hope and will be a welcome sight.Dennis Mantin

What started out as a wonderful tool for people of like ideals and ideas to connect and share information…

Has transformed into a machine that isolates individuals while allowing a shared insanity lacking in spiritual principles or virtues…

What a ride!

What could go wrong?

Dennis Mantin

The Mathematicians brother was senseless… thick as a brick.

They couldn’t be related was the talk they laid on thick.

We watched them add the numbers to be certain they were sure.

That someone must have played around, the numbers far from pure.

It’s not a perfect science this family side of life.

They couldn’t blame the numbers; so they blamed the mathematicians wife.

Dennis Mantin

For 40 years I have worn a mask and I am no longer interested in catering favor.

Chris Rock and many others say that women don’t like nice guys.

Once again, I’m doing this for you ladies as much as my own fading abilities to tolerate bullshit… my own included. Dennis Mantin

She felt no urge to cry and purge. The tears had left her alone. To never feel that lonesome surge. Staring with eyes as dry as a bone.

She felt like death with every breath. Said, with me there’s something wrong. I have never feel that gift of loss. Or to know you don’t belong.

I just am here and feel so clear. Feeling nothing, not even alone. Except contempt for failure to tear… With these eyes dry as a bone.Dennis Mantin

Loved her from a distance and took her from the cold.

She left me for another and left me feeling old.

She left me in the passions, my balls were turquoise blue.

I had finally passed the test of learning nothing new.

Is no harm in trying, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I have learned I am human, no wisdoms are obtained.

Dennis Mantin

It is difficult at best to be constantly dealing with someone else’s insanity.

It is exhausting and far from anything enjoyable.

The only possible way to deal with this in a civil manner is to bring as many adults into the situation as possible; no matter the cost.

Dennis Mantin

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