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.

I got through the rough patch.

Nothing ventured, little gained.

I’m feeling a little underwhelmed.

And yet, so much needs explained.

From the outside looks like nothing.

Like a bum that’s lost the gold

However, all these inner dealers.

They be juggling, bought, and sold.

Someone cleaned the cupboard.

Naturally, you did come to mind.

But the silence tells another tale.

And the truth is far from kind.

Destruction of society.

They seemed to have a plan.

Bringing down the patriarchy.

Can’t say that I’m a fan.

There is something set in motion.

There’s a crash that’s going to bend.

All that happy, joyful cheering.

All that smiling is going to end.

Just be careful what you pray for.

Just in case your dreams come true.

There is something fast approaching

I don’t think you’ll like this new.

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.

She said she took the measure. But it came a little short.

It sounded much like confidence. Without the backing or support.

You know I had the warning. It was right there on my tongue.

But she wasn’t much on listening. So, no words were spoke or sung.

I was in the mood for silence . You could say all words were moot.

And she had that look in her eyes. If she had a gun, she’d shoot.

Sometimes, it’s just easier to turn and walk away.

To be the bigger person and get to live another day.