Day 11A - A Good Morning

To those of you who suffered through my poorly edited post earlier this morning, my apologies.  Wrist slapped, head bowed in shame … won't happen again.  Actually, it might.  I pulled off a solid C+ in elementary school spelling.  I am afraid things haven't gotten much better with time.  (Insert sad face)

After all of that nonsense, what was today's theme you ask? The five senses he says. What do you see, smell, feel, taste, and hear? In my haste this morning, I think I missed taste.  But no more edits, it stands or falls as it is.

So here I will try to make up for this morning’s disaster. Let me know if I missed anything:

A Good Morning

(Jaquith, 2012)

I’m a comin’, I’m a coming

Now keep it down you

Yes, yes, I can see you

Big green eyes for me today

"Are you lookin’ at me punk?  Are you lookin' at me?"

Now, now hush there little guy

Let your Momma sleep

You had her up all night

What's with the face?

Oh my, so that was the problem!

Feeling better now?

Man! What has your mother been eating?

There now, all cleaned up

Let’s go down stairs and get you a bottle

There, just the right temperature

Yes, Daddy knows how to do this

Yes he does … oh yes he does

Don’t tell your Mother though, it’s our little secret

There now, settle in

Tastes good little man?

Well aren't you getting strong

That's it

Don’t you ever let go -

Don’t you ever let go -

I will always be here for you Dude

Any time you need me

Oh, I hear your Mom

Should we go see?

No, no, we’re OK

You go back to sleep

Yup, I’ll get you in an hour

Or two … yes she’s funny isn’t she ... or three or four

A woman needs her beauty sleep

So they can take care of us silly men

OK now,

Perfect,

We have the TV all to ourselves

What should we watch?

Charle's Angels? 

OK, sounds good to me

Now don’t you let me fall asleep
I wouldn't want to miss a second of this.

Day 23 - Nothing Significant

Today's theme was to write something about a famous painting.  Maybe not famous in the classical sense, but most beer drinkers will be familiar with this one.  Artist unknown (to me), but I fell in love with this wonderful image from Moretti the first time I saw it.  A wonderful beer.  Nothing of significance today .. just a moment in time.

My friend.
You know what my wife said to me?
Do you know what she said, to Me?
Forty years of marriage,
and this she says to me.
Forty years of marriage.

Day 22 - There

There

(Jaquith, 2012)

I put my happiness in a bottle,

And put it on a shelf,

Hoping it would sustain me,

Keeping it to myself,

Won’t you tell me now?

Won’t you tell me how?

What is this measure of a man?

I thought I used to know.

What is this measure of a man?

Is there room to grow?

I hope I find you there,
I know I'll find you there.

A lonely road ahead,

With you beside me now,

The distance we will travel,

Closer than we are now,

I hope I find you there,

I know I'll find you there.

The touch of a silver whisper,

The caress of a lonely man,

I knew I'de always love you,
This will never end,

I know I'll find you there,

I will find you there.

Day 21 - Happy

Happy

(Jaquith, 2012)

When I was young

I did whatever Momma wanted

Her smile made me happy

I met a beautiful girl

With a sing song voice

Her smile made me happy

I got good grades

And that made Momma proud

Her smile made me happy

Then one day I fell in love

I gave her everything I could

And her smile made me happy

This is the measure of a man.

Day 20 - Embers of Me

Embers of me

(Jaquith, 2012)

Embers of me,

Nothing left to see,

Mixed among the sand,

A lost and lonely man,

Where did he go,

The one I used to know?

Strong, brave and clear,

His future always near.

Day 19 - Mum

Mum

(Jaquith, 2012)

Let the darkness surround me

No light in

No light out

No more children’s smiles

No more daily trials

Calm these voices that surround me

No more crying

No more laughter

No more fears

No more tears

Take it all away

The painful rasp of every breath

The agony of every movement

No more please

Take it all away

No wait ... !

Don’t leave me now!

Stay with me

I can’t breath
Hold me close

Kill the pain

Take it all away

Oh baby,
Please take it all away ...

This is not how it should be

This is not how it should be

This is not,

how it should be.

Day 18 - What you thinkin’ Dad?

Today’s challenge was to write a lullaby.  Not really where my head is at these days.  So I will share with you the words that I penned the night my Father died.  They helped me sleep.

What you thinkin’ Dad?

(Jaquith, 2012)

What you thinkin’ Dad?

Is this where we meet?

Somewhere between night and day,

A drink in hand and a tear in the eye?

Was there something I should have done?

I know I can’t ask you now.

Was there something left to do?

I will just have to wait.

I can’t figure whether to cry or to smile.

This is what you wanted.

You wanted to see her again.

I hope she meets you with a smile.

We aren’t the smartest,

Us men folk,

But it was enough to keep her happy,

Least most of the time.

There were secrets,

Things left unsaid,

Half truths,

Left to lie in the corners.

But I am OK,

I would rather leave it that way,

The truth only dims my image of you,

My idol, my strength,

Not sure I ever said that.

You taught me how to work,

You taught me how to care,

You taught me the value of love,

You taught me, how to be me,

I love you Dad,

I miss you,

I hope she holds you tight,

My boys will miss you.

Day 17 - June

Today's prompt is complicated.  You will have to look it up.

June
(Jaquith, 2012)

A message to my reflections,

I hope you are listening this time

I don't want to repeat this sad little line

I know it don't matter and I can't make it right

She won’t be coming home tonight

No, she ain’t coming home tonight

I hope you are listening … I'm trying to be nice

You know I don’t want to say this twice

You had it good boy and you let it go

She ain’t coming home tonight boy

No, she ain’t coming home tonight

Apples and oranges make a bitter mix

This is something that you just can’t fix

You had it good boy and you let it go

She ain’t coming home tonight boy

No, she ain’t coming home tonight

Johnny loved June

Their music crossed a silent room

“Sooner or later, God’s gonna cut you down

Sooner or later, God’s gonna cut you down.”

No, she ain’t coming home tonight

Cardinal Leger crossed a mighty road

Into a new country they were sold

Across the sea and far away

She ain’t coming home tonight boy

No, she ain’t coming home tonight.

Day 17 - Where is my boy today?

Where is my boy today?
(Jaquith, 2012)

Where is my boy today?
I want to go and play
I haven't seen you in awhile
I want to see you smile

Where is my boy today?
I have so much more to say
I can feel you in the room
I can see you in the moon

A world we shared together
I thought it was forever
Where is my boy today?
Please come back and play.

Day 15 - She Comes to You in the Night

She Comes to You in the Night
(Jaquith, 2012)

She comes to you in the night
As she always will
Emerging from the darkness
A close and welcome friend

You have been waiting for her
To bring you back to life
To wash away your tears
To save you from your world

A dark and mysterious smile
A quiet and playful laugh
A desire that challenges your pride
A loneliness you cannot quench

You whisper her name
And draw on all your courage
She won’t leave you tonight
She will stay with you this time

But the rising shadows hide her eyes
The mists of morning collect her sole
The sounds of day quiet her song
The sun steals her warmth

You are left alone again
Clinging to her memory
Searching for her face
Who will watch over you today?

Day 14 - Taking it Easy

Taking it Easy
(Jaquith, 2012)


Beer bottles, slight breeze, hypnotic melody.

Day 13 - A Trace of Me

A Trace of Me

(Jaquith, 2012)

Woke up this morning and looked around the room, everything out place,

Too tired to move, but I find my feet, in the mirror I see, a trace of me,

The streets are bustling with bodies, all with hopes and dreams, quiet plans and distorted schemes,

An old woman sipping her morning coffee, reflections in the window, I see a trace of me,

A light rain on a sunny day, the streets empty quickly, for a moment the noise of the city dims,

Check my pockets for loose change, drop some in a hat, in a tired smile I see, a trace of me.

Day 12 - Apathy's Grip

Apathy’s Grip

(Jaquith, 2012)

What do you do:

When your world shifts,

When your foundations crumble,

When the demons are screaming, and

You are left swimming in a sea of liquid sand?

When they have stormed the gates,

When she is not coming home again,

When the cancer spreads, and

“Je t’aime” gets lost in the translation.

When mental masturbations,

And post hoc rationalizations,

Bring no satisfactory resolutions,

Only acceptance of what can not be undone.

What do you do when you are caught in apathy’s grip?

I have no answers to these questions.

But I know the whiskey helps me sleep,

And the sound of my waking children brings me back to life.

Bon chance … my friend.

Day 11A - A Good Morning

To those of you who suffered through my poorly edited post earlier this morning, my apologies.  Wrist slapped, head bowed in shame … won't happen again.  Actually, it might.  I pulled off a solid C+ in elementary school spelling.  I am afraid things haven't gotten much better with time.  (Insert sad face)

After all of that nonsense, what was today's theme you ask? The five senses he says. What do you see, smell, feel, taste, and hear? In my haste this morning, I think I missed taste.  But no more edits, it stands or falls as it is.

So here I will try to make up for this morning’s disaster. Let me know if I missed anything:

A Good Morning
(Jaquith, 2012)

I’m a comin’, I’m a coming
Now keep it down you
Yes, yes, I can see you
Big green eyes for me today?
"Are you lookin’ at me punk?  Are you lookin' at me?"
Now, now hush there little guy
Let your Momma sleep
You had her up all night
What's with the face?
Oh my, so that was the problem!
Feeling better now?
Man! What has your mother been eating?
There now, all cleaned up
Let’s go downstairs and get you a bottle
There, just the right temperature
Yes, Daddy knows how to do this
Yes he does … oh yes he does
Don’t tell your Mother though, it’s our little secret
There now, settle in
Tastes good little man?
Well aren't you getting strong
That's it
Don’t you ever let go -
I will always be here for you Dude
Any time you need me
Don't you forget it.

Oh, I hear your Mom
Should we go see?

No, no, we’re OK
You go back to sleep
Yup, I’ll get you in an hour.

Or two … yes she’s funny isn’t she ... or three or four
A woman needs her beauty sleep
So they can take care of us silly men
OK now,
Perfect,
We have the TV all to ourselves
What should we watch?
Charlie’s Angels? 
OK, sounds good to me
Now don’t you let me fall asleep.

Day 11: Musings

Musings
(Jaquith, 2012)

Should I tell you a story about the wonder of spring?
Tulips and daffodils and that sort of thing
Beautiful flowers and the mist on their leaves
The renewal of life, chirping birds in the trees

The new blades of grass that tickle my toes

The overwhelming earth smells that dance in my nose
The riggle of an earth worm, rescued from the road
The smile on my face or the call of a toad

Refracted light, quietly escaping the night
The dancing of shadows and all this is right
The feelings of love that flow from my chest
Another day’s lover, another day’s test …

No, I think I'll leave these words to another man ...

My muses carry daggers, hidden deep in their pockets
Their love of life, they keep safe from the prophets
Wicked smiles on their faces with sharp toothy grins
Mad stories of woe, they regale in their sins

They lead me to places of misplaced misery
To unfortunate house wives, the struggle of the free
I see smudges on the wall, water stains on the roof
Life's hidden mystery, a mistaken search for the truth

I'm drawn to the tear on an old hooker’s cheek
My eye sees the darker side, the struggle of the weak
I hear a junky slowly fading in the next bathroom stall
My mind is open but is there is room for it all?

I look around me, a happy life I should see,

Smiling faces and laughter, it's time I break free …

Now my Jenny’s muses, they dance for her in the night
Singing songs of beauty and redemption, of love ready for flight
I think I just saw one out the corner of my eye
When they smile on me again ... I must ask them why.

Day 10 - Waiting for Me

Challenge, Day 10: Take an opening line from another poet and incorporate it into something new.  Today I am borrowing the opening line from The Road Not Take by Robert Frost.

Waiting for Me

(Jaquith, 2012)

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

I would turn around, if only I could

One labeled “sorrow” and the other one “pain”

I’ve been here before, and here I remain

One leads to riches and the other to loss

Here’s hoping that somewhere they cross

The rain is falling, so soon I must choose

To the right or the left, what’s there to loose?

But the wolfs may be waiting, hiding in the trees

What’s around the corner, nobody sees

She said that she loved me; that never changed

We’ll move on together, a life rearranged

It’s just through these woods, not far to go

The answer to my journey, only I will know

At the end you are standing, waiting for me

Put your arms around me ... please set me free.

Day 9 - Memories of Me

Today’s theme is famous people and how they may have viewed the world.  In that theme, two songs that I remember most vividly from my youth are “Candle in the Wind”, Elton John, and “Simple Man”, Lynyrd Skynyrd.  These two songs may seem diametrically opposed at first, but the message, I think, is the same.  We all seek recognition, love, fame and fortune, but we don’t recognize the cost of being more than a “Simple Man” until the demons are upon us.  We all struggle with identity.  We all struggle to be accepted.  We all struggle to be loved.  We all struggle to find “me”, whom ever that should be.  Although, not strictly sticking to today’s theme, I hope you can find the message, keeping Norma Jeane in mind.  In that theme, there is a constant truth – “the mirror tells me lies”.  Look deep, see past yourself and find the person others see.  Don’t be a “Candle in the Wind”, be who you are.  Please go back and listen to these two songs and take from them what you can.

Memories of Me

(Jaquith, 2012)

Memories of me

Something new to see

Truth behind my eyes

The mirror tells me lies

Tell me who I am

Reach out a loving hand

Wipe away all I see

Bring me back to me

I gave you a smile, and

That will have to do for awhile

I gave you a smile

A smile, a smile

I gave you a smile, and

That will have to do for awhile

I find comfort in a lie

I find my reasons why

Bring them back to me

Stolen memories of me

Count my tears that fall

A penny for them all

Save them up for me

Why won’t they let me be?

Take me by my hand

Make me understand

A love so unreal

Help me just to feel

I gave you a smile, and

That will have to do for awhile

I find the strength to stand

Please tell me who I am

Something new to see

These memories of me.

Day 8 - The Passing of a Year

The Passing of a Year

(Jaquith, 2012)

Do you really think so?

Do you think I care?

Tell your sad song to the Old Man down the lane,

He has heard it all before,

What was that?

Something about love lost,

Memories and misgivings, a new adventure,

Tattered lies and hidden deceit,

The Old Man will understand,

He knows it all too well,

They say it was a woman that touched him,

The only one he let in,

But she couldn’t feel it,

The love that he felt,

And so, lost in the embers,

Is a story they never wrote,

I wish I could reach him,

Sooth his pain,

Renew his confidence,

Enough to feel again,

But that time is lost,

The world has moved on,

Spring time in Paris and a walk across the Rhone,

A soft gentle kiss and the sultry taste of wine,

Better left to the young they say,

These images of love,

They will find their place,

In a world of misconception and loneliness,

But to you my love,

I raise a lost and lonely cheer,

To the pursuit of a memory,

And to the passing of a year.

Day 7 - Nothing

Nothing

(Jaquith, 2012)

I’ve got nothing today

Absolutely nothing of interest to say

My mind is void

Colourless and empty

The neurons refuse to fire

No depolarization, action potentials unattainable

Neurotransmitters happily resting in their vesicles

And the few that are floating around

Appear to have missed their mark

I had a coffee today

So it’s not a lack of caffeine that is driving my nothing

The vivid colours of yesterday have

As if sucked into a black hole of inspiration

Moved on to a place unknown

They say a black hole is beautiful in its intense hunger

It appears there is one in the room, but I can’t see it

So the best I can come up with today

Is a simple rhyme

Which I have used already

That will have to suffice

Perhaps they will return to me

Emerging from the void

Words of inspiration and character

Each placed in order

Telling a tale

And singing their song.

Day 6 - When She Smiles

Today’s theme?  Go check for yourself, tell 'em Jimmi sent you:
http://www.napowrimo.net/

When She Smiles
(Jaquith, 2012)

She looks up at me and smiles
I think
It’s often hard to tell
She never really tells me what is going on in there

The dim lights of the room glimmer in her eyes
Always attentive to my needs
She knows when I am feeling lonely
When I need someone there

We talk a lot
But she never really tells me what she’s thinking
“Do you believe in God?”
“I’m leaning toward reincarnation myself.”
“Did you see the numbers?  Looks like manufacturing and soft wood lumber have adapted to the high Canadian dollar.”
She just smiles, crosses the room and kisses my wrist

I don’t think she’s ever really lied to me
Though, I’m sure she’s kept a few things to herself
In general, I think I could trust her with my life
A companion I would fight for

Although, I have to admit
She’s not the looker she was
It doesn’t seem to bother her much
Those little things in life pass her by
She’s just too happy inside
To be bothered with all of “that”

There are more that a few extra pounds
And all in the wrong places
She can’t quite keep up like the young ones do
Her breath’s not so sweet
Her tongue hangs out the wrong side
And I’m not sure how well she sees

But we’ll keep her anyway
She makes me happy when she smiles
The boys still call her “Puppy”
Our beloved "Panda Bear"
We’ve ploughed an interesting road together, you big dumb dog
But in your own way, you've helped to keep us all sane.

Day 5 - Tell Me a Story

What was today’s theme you ask?  "New beginnings ..." 

Today, however, I prefer to reflect on and cherish those things and people in my life that I can touch and feel.  My new beginnings start with what I already have.  Tomorrow will come, the winds will blow, and we will stand together and weather the storm.  All right then, off to bed with you ...

Tell Me a Story

(Jaquith, 2012)

Tell me a story,

The one that makes me laugh,

Or the one that makes me cry,

The one about the eagles,

Or the devils who forgot to fly,

The one about the man who built the world,

Or the one about the man who lost it all,

Don’t take very long,

I might lose interest,

Life is too short to waste on such things,

Sad and ominous tales of things gone by,

The dark under belly of a picture perfect world,

Should it be the soft caress of a woman?

Or the hard sting of steal?

Oh I have one,

He was a strong man,

Bright but not very talented,

He travelled the world in search of adventure,

He sleighed the dragon, fed the poor, then kissed the girl,

But the Fates were unhappy, the Gods unimpressed,

And so he was left to suffer,

All very dramatic,

A message hidden in the tale,

But it leaves me quite uninspired, somehow hoping for more,

There must be more to life than this “wake up and carry on”,

I need passion!

A reason to live!

A reason to carry on!

What’s was that my love ...  you need a kiss?

Don’t worry, it was all just a bad dream,

Snuggle in here with me and tell me all about it,

Really?  I think you made that up,

All right then, off to bed with you,

A hug and a kiss,

I’ll see you in the morning.

Day 4 - Kinky Black Boots

Today’s suggestion was to write lyrics in traditional 12 bar blues format.  If you ask any of the great guitarists of today who inspired them to play the way they do, they will all come back to the songs of the great Delta blues men such as Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters. This sound was build on and remade over and over again by the likes of Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jimmi Hendrix, and Gary Moore, to name a few, and more recently by the late great Steve Ray Vaughn.  B. B. King is notably “The King of the Blues” and his career has spanned generations.  Two of BBs signature tunes are The Thrill is Gone and You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now:

Thrill is gone, thrill is gone away,

Thrill is gone babe, the thrill is gone away,

You done me wrong baby, gonna be sorry some day

***

Oh …, baby you done lost your good thing now,

Oh …, baby you done lost your good thing now,

The way I used to love you baby, that’s the way I hate you now

Songs of Love, Loss and the Lies Inbetween (how appropriate). How do you compete with the greats?  You don’t.  You play your own tune … so here is a little something … a little up tempo from 12 bar blues, but in the same vein … best not to ask any questions on this one:

Kinky Black Boots

(Jaquith, 2012)

She’s a nightmare in kinky black boots,

She will reel you in and tighten the noose,

All you are and a little more,

You’re in over your head boy, she’s not keeping score,

It’s too late my son, nowhere left to run,

Strapped down and screaming, ‘till the rising sun,

Whips and chains, all part of the game,

The demon’s upon you, you’ll never be the same,

She’s a nightmare, in kinky black boots,

She’s a nightmare, in kinky black boots,

Better run boy, she’ll tighten the noose.

Day 3A - Jenny

Today's theme was "weddings".  I didn't know that until now ... I will have to check tomorrow morning before I post something.  So here is a little something before I'm off to me bed:

Jenny
(Jaquith 2012)

The old wooden floors creaked beneath his feet as he shuffled from side to side. The smell of candle wax, stale incense and the fear of God surrounded him.  This isn't how he had imagined it.  This wasn't what he wanted.  His feet hurt from his Uncle’s old shoes and his neck was chaffed by a poorly fitted, over starched shirt.  The heat of day was coming up and the slight breeze outside didn't penetrate all the way to the alter.  The angels had arranged for a beautiful day.  Momma would have liked this.  He didn’t expect Pops to come down from the lumber camps for something so simple as his son's wedding.  Her folks were gracious about everything, but he knew how they really felt about his type.  “Hard working, but dumb as sin,” he over heard her Paw say one evening after the dance.  “Better to send his kind off to war … but with the baby and all.”

He heard the carriage pull up. The snicker of horses gave him comfort.  He could feel her smile from here.  He wanted to run to her, escape the judging eyes, seek her comfort. But he knew this was what she wanted.

“’Till death do us part Jenny … ‘till death do us part …”, he could remember that line at least.  He would make her proud.  He knew Momma was watchin’ from on high and that would be good enough.

Day 3 - A Stolen Kiss

A Stolen Kiss

Jaquith, 2012

I miss your laughter

Your smile so free

I feel your sorrow

But the finger points at me

He sits here beside me

A friend I though I knew

He waits there in silence

His promise, untrue

A stolen kiss, a caress

A start of something new

No one needs to know

The privilege of a few

Her heart was open

A welcome easy prey

My heart is broken

Please stay with me today

Take me and break me

Till’ there’s nothing left to hold

No promise for the future

This lonely heart grows cold.

Day 2 - Satin Sheets and Chocolate

Satin Sheets and Chocolate

Jaquith 2011

The thunder is rolling in

I feel mist upon my face

Its time to move on again

Disappear, without a trace

The heat of your touch

And the secrets that we shared

Your kiss so warm, so sweet

I know that you cared

I can almost touch you now

I can feel you deep inside

You kept coming back again

No matter how I tried

Your Mother’s eyes

Your Father’s strength

Always looking for something new

Little did you know my love

My stories were untrue

I kept it hidden well

Played the game just right

A little lie, a little kiss

Your love I had to fight

They’ll find you in the morning

Once the skies have cleared

I’ll be a thousand miles away

The one your mother feared

Satin sheets and chocolate

The roses that you sent

I’ll miss you my love

At least,

Until the money’s spent.

Day 1 - Broken Man

Broken Man

Jaquith 2012

I don’t want to hear them

They steal away my soul

A whispered silence

A loss of control

These voices that creep

And dance in my head

These fractured images

They fill me with dread

Broken dreams and promises
Lies left unsaid

They bring me comfort

Here in my bed

A shattered scream

And nights left alone

I drove you away

Now here on my own

Bring me some comfort

A soft place to land

Reach out to me

Give me your hand

Screaming at silence

Break though the night

Your warmth beside me

The courage to fight

Evil sounds and whispers

Play inside my head

Racing toward darkness

My twisted mind is lead

Shh,

If you listen closely

They will find you too.

The beginning of something new

My wonderful wife, Jennifer Bogart, challenged me to join this years NaPoWriMo challenge.  Write 30 poems in 30 days.  Never one to back away from a challenge, here I am ... opening my soul to the world.

Enjoy.