There was something in the water.

Not icecubes or alcohol.

Was something in the air last night.

Felt like Rome before the fall.

There were whispers in the shadows.

And fear upon the vine.

I checked the beach for trespass.

Was just you that crossed the line.

The stars were out in fury.

Burning bright in yonder sky.

I had so much to tell you once.

That time has passed us by.

There’s this feeling that’s just so nearly…

Like the battered and the bruised.

I wonder if I heard clearly.

Deep down, I’m just confused.

There’s a man who’s screaming something.

In the face of that sad clown.

There’s a juggler in the spotlight.

That didn’t use the right pronoun.

The siamese twins grow tired.

Two heads can not agree.

Cooperation is required.

No discernments they can see.

The wives they seem so angry.

The husbands have that look.

Doesn’t much matter which way I go.

Either way, I’m on the hook.

And the men

I tried the changes slowly.

The way the old go out in rain.

All in vain with not much Holy.

In the end, seemed quite insane.

We will batten down the hatches.

And will keep the powder dry.

I’ll keep praying here for something there.

As we sail for bluer sky.

N

I was driving down the road. Then I stopped here for a bit.

Nothing against the whitelines. Or the dashboard that was lit.

I was thinking about something different. Like a job and then a child.

I kept my eyes on that potential. I took that chance on eyes that smiled.

I overplayed my hand. Betting large, I got the girl.

She had bets there on side. Less mama, more gold and pearl.

I’m back traveling on the highway. My kid smiling at my side.

There is more to life than hollering. We laughed so hard we cried.

There is a heart shaped carve in rosewood.
There’s a line drawn in the sand.
I pray there on grace and wonder,
and there’s a baby, she’s in my hand.

There’s a virtue called forgiveness.
From a force we can’t see.
It’s how I deal with darkness.
Of how I feel when you’re with me.

I struggle now to hear you.
Seek approval in your eyes.
I hate you for your beauty.
Like I love you for your lies.

It’s a sad sad situation
Department sad but true.
You fear that they are coming
And you fear what they will do.

It’s a sad sad situation
Under heading sad but true
You fear that they are coming
No one is coming for you.

Dennis Mantin

I was shocked into submission.

A freak of nature, strange and cruel.

Such sensation and humiliation.

To give such props to such a fool.

These are moments almost glowing.

In my memory, a three act play.

Where I smile in the knowing.

And live to fight another day.

I appreciate the touch of love because of those times when I was without…

That spark in the darkness is such a wonderful torch.

I am grateful now for the comparative experience that I didn’t appreciate then.

I walked into Tolkien’s Night.

With a gaze of warm and cool.

Each stroke and step is well in sight.

Nearer the deep end of the pool.

I came back from Tolkien’s Night.

With a look less cool than hot.

Each time, there is something new.

It’s more like being more than not.

I was walking in the shadows.

Cause I kinda like the cool.

Mama never liked the heat that much.

And would walk right past the pool.

I’m not inclined to leave that fast.

Sometimes, I like to stick around.

Spent some time there in the deep end.

Where some sinners felt they drowned.

There are sharks, and there are minnows.

There are vices, keep us froze.

I saw you dancing with your demons.

Smiling, spinning on your toes.

In the darkness, there was laughter.

In the night, I heard you cough.

I changed gears, started walking.

Was my time for stepping off.

I’ve been working on this nightmare.

The kind that smiled in your dreams.

So many ways to tell a story.

And not much is what it seems.

Was told a story that was kinda sad.

It was short on facts that just didn’t add.

Smiled inside, I think my cover was blown.

I didn’t hide. I think I heard a groan.

I hung my head, you know I didn’t see…

If that groaning came from them or me.

Cry some tears. Can hear that groan.

Things are bad. Can I give a loan?

Anything more than the weather is nice.

I just nod my head, and I don’t think twice.

Sure is nice. Sure is sad.

Oh, poor you. You have it so bad.

Sure is nice, yeah, if it don’t rain.

Can I help you? Sure once again.