Grateful Dead

In afternoon, sunbecomes more precious, spare near evening, as it falls toward that spot, there on the mountain. That far spot, where trees thin and shale shows through. You can see the shape of the world there at the curving edge of sky. In the last moment sagebrush burns red. Then stars. Pale and countless as dust as ashes. - Sharon Brogan

In a week I tried to be almost like a goat;Eating all leafy food. And in a day, I tried to be like a vampire Eating a half cook liver pork I tried to become like those two creatures in one person

I want to hold your hand,my Michelle and Eleanor Rigby, in a sea of green in a yellow submarine in strawberry fields forever in a boat on a river with tangerine trees and marmalade skies while I'm fixing a hole where the rain gets in and stops my mind from wandering where it will go from Dear Prudence to mean Mr. Mustard to polyethylene Pam who knew that all you need is love, and always remembered that in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make. - John, Paul, George, Ringo, thc, and lsd.... Another fantastic combination of nouns.

laying the mind outon a white sheet sometimes in modest bedclothes sometimes naked flabby and flatulent sometimes in a dark shroud look at it there pennies on the eyes breasts nuzzling the armpits waiting to be washed - Sharon Brogan

One failure onTop of another - A.R. Ammons

Here, on fine long legs springy as steel,a life rides, sealed in a small brown pill that skims along over the basement floor wrapped up in a simple obsession. Eight legs reach out like the master ribs of a web in which some thought is caught dead center in its own small world, a thought so far from the touch of things that we can only guess at it. If mine, it would be the secret dream of walking alone across the floor of my life with an easy grace, and with love enough to live on at the center of myself. - Ted Kooser

Each morning I remind myself what day this is, to place myself within the human community. These calendars, these dates are not real things, but merely human impositions on the sun, the moon, the stars, all of which follow their own paths whether we name them or not. These weeks past our blue earth's path is changed by its own deep spasm. We walk along its surface pretending not to notice that it can dispose of us at a whim. It reclaims us millimeter by millimeter, loose flesh and slow bones, smoky dusks and brilliant noons -- all sacrificial celebrants. - Sharon Brogan

the moon is neverout of fashion pregnant belly curved blade ladle bowl pulling the ocean & our own red seas sparking darkest lunacies ~ the moon is never retro - Sharon Brogan

Simple Blessings Ain't got no money Ain't got no girl Ain't got no home In this world But I got Faith That it's all-right The Son will shine After the night I'd like to have A good ol' time But suffering is All I find I'm in the bottom One percent And everyday I Pay the rent But I love Jah And I love you Just need a dollar Or maybe two And I'll be fine Another day Until the Good Lord Lets me play And I'll remember you And how you helped to pull me through While I sing my blues away I feel the sunshine On my face I hear the birds Stating their case We're spinning here In outer space Love one another Amazing grace And I'll remember you And how you helped to pull me through While I sing my blues away

Shine & Rise rise oh rise, we're spirits in disguise rise oh rise, so let your beauty shine rise oh rise, love is a gold mine So dry your eyes on the wind rise oh rise, above the hate and lies rise oh rise, for peace the greatest prize rise oh rise, like thunder in the sky We're dancing in the rain rise oh rise, you might find a surprise rise oh rise, one you can't deny rise oh rise, we build a nest then fly and rainbows never end

Good things here. Thank you everyone. Nice writing trailbird!

one fine daywarm and bright I tried to hitch a ride but no one's passing by and suddenly I saw the light took to the river and I floated out of sight into the forest where rhythms rhyme it's peaceful here but there's a jungle in my mind I floated up to the spring of wine and raised a toast to all the friends of summertime Here's to laughter and songs in the trees Here's to love on a warm summer breeze Here's to those who were born to be free us and them , you and me one fine day so make it right this ol' world could use some afternoon delight it's time to climb the great divide so come on everybody to the mountainside and let us dream away the night hand in hand we need to Dream with all our might Here's to laughter and songs in the trees Here's to love on a warm summer breeze Here's to those who were born to be free us and them , you and me

I'm looking for a rhymeI'm looking for a reason I'm checking out the times and the Pulse of the season You could ask me why? But I don't need a reason I'll do it all for Love Ain't worried 'bout the money Don't care about the fame Baby I just want to be a Part of the game We got the right coach and the team and the name We could go all the way You need a smart offense You need a tough D You need the right plays to make some history You're gonna need some help from the special teams Just play for Victory I know that we'll see snow I know that we'll see rain And we'll enjoy the good times and we'll battle through the pain Don't worry 'bout the time Just keep moving the chains And don't forget to pray

I'm sitting on the couch watching the evening newsSeeing all the mayhem just gives me the blues I'm waiting for a story that'll make me smile I know it's gonna come but it might take awhile How I wish the earth was just a big dance floor And everybody knew there's nothing holy about war I say a little prayer that it'll be that way Then turn off the TV and make my getaway I got to find some dancing room Underneath the summer moon So come and dance with me and we'll all let it be And hope the world starts dancing too Time to hit the road and leave the fog behind There's a party up the river after dinnertime The boys are gonna be there doin' what they do And you can bet the girls will be there doing it too I'm looking for ten thousand of my closest friends I know they're in the field just up around the bend I feel a little tingle going in my toes And when I hear the music it's just gonna grow Dancing to those country tunes There's a smile growing wider on the moon So come and dance with me in the land of the free And hope the world starts dancing too Little girl don't cry about the things you're told We're gonna grow up but we don't got to grow old You can spend a lifetime looking for a truth But music and laughter are the fountain of youth We're dancing to those country tunes Underneath the summer moon So come and dance with me at the hootenanny And we'll hope the world starts dancing too

line 16 should read : And you can bet the girls will be there doin' it too my bad

I've been enjoying your work. Note: there is edit capability. If you are so inclined, tap the handy dandy 'edit' button. Keep up the nice work. It is a delight to read. :-)

thank you wilfredjones, didn't know about the edit button !

Well some say I'm goodAnd some say I'm bad Some say that I'm smart Some think that I'm mad Some say that I'm right Some say that I'm wrong But all that I ask Is that we get along Some say that it's false Some say that it's true Some can't figure out just What they should do Some want me to stay Some want me to leave I'll let you decide What you want to believe It's getting hot around here And it's not just the time the of year The winds begin to blow Which way are you gonna go? Some say I'm a friend Some say I'm a foe Some say that I'm fast And some that I'm slow Some think that I'm nice Some say that I'm mean And sometimes they miss me The days in between Some say that I'm gone Some say I'll be back And some want to pray And some to attack Some look to me But I look to you Whatever you ask Is what I will do It's getting hot around here And it's not just the time of the year The winds begin to blow Which way are you gonna go? Well some like to rock And some like to roll And some want to keep it All under control Some like to sing And some like to dance Some play it safe And some take the chance Some live for love And some love to hate And sometimes it's early And sometimes it's late Sometimes we're rich And sometimes we're poor And sometimes we just Put our foot in the door It's getting hot around here And it's not just the time of the year The winds begin to blow Which way are we gonna go?

In the garden of Eden sat Adam,massaging the bust of his madam, he chuckled with mirth, for he knew that on earth, there were only two boobs and he had 'em. -Ann Ahneemus

In the Garden of Eden wept Adam A half-eaten apple beside 'im "It looked good on the tree", He cried ruefully, Said Eve, "You wouldn't follow directions if you had 'em", "Oh, wait..." /k

I am born by Caesarian section at 9:30 amin Princess Mary's Maternity Hospital on the 24th May, sixty years ago today, dangled by the ankle, smacked across the bum, swaddled in a blanket howling like a wheel. My big brother lain on his tip-toes hisses 'I don't like him'. He's Maradona, I'm Peter Beardsley, chasing a ball through the mud followed by the kitchen window, bellowing through the fern: 'Boys! Dinner's ready!' Dad is tuning in the telly beyond a heaving mountain of spaghetti hoops. I am nothing You are nothing Nothing important Death within a dream Petrified on the back of a pedallo in the Balearic Sea off Alcudia I can see the ghost of my uncle Derek waving to us from the beach, gently drifting out of reach, the telephone receiver swinging by its cord, a glass of broken beer expanding on the lino. My mam slips into the coffin a polaroid of his sweetheart Clutching Good-Luck Bear I peer gingerly over the side, press my nose up to the tide, and there behold a barracuda chewing on a chrysanthemum and a family of clownfish hovering in the corpse's hair. In the scullery of the cub-hut my clarinet falls into a sack of flour - a flurry of pins squashed into the leather handle a crescent moon of stricken fig-wasps. Drizzling my fingers with The Magic Sponge Dad says 'we'll probably have to chop them off'. He collapses like a canvas tent on the floodlit astroturf rent with a fibula guide-rod poking a hole through his shin There are teardrops in his moustache charging a flute of champagne down the aisle and out for a throw-in A St.John ambulance careers between the sugary pillars of the wedding cake A crystal spoon A pewter tankard these words inscribed upon the base: HAPPY RETIREMENT BEST GRANDDAD IN THE WORLD A toby jug filled to the brim with curtain hooks A sheepskin rug discoloured with tobacco smoke within it's braids concealed a rank of plastic soldiers set to burst underfoot Berwick in oils: a skiff on the swollen tweed cradling a false pearl a ceramic seraph with an astray for a brain - and I don't care about these things Why do they remain so clear while the faces of my loved ones disappear? A Rington's plate a forking hairline seam of superglue through the Black Gate a digital photoframe frozen on an blurry orange thumb I remember all these things Old karate trophies I am tethered by these things Thimbles and pesatas I remember all these things A roll of Woolworth's price stickers I can see all these things but where have all my people gone? In the end it wasn't meant to be. He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. He survived for seven days before he slipped away - Richard Dawson

#GThe day goes slow then it starts to fly And pretty soon it's gone in the blink of an eye The time is now and now it's then And everyday we start again I watch the river flowing by I see the clouds up in the sky The sun comes up the sun goes down Or maybe we're just spinning 'round Across the Universe Around the Galaxy The lights are there for us to see Ice caps melt and the oceans rise We're all in for a surprise The scientists say it's too late Nothing left to do but wait Maybe that's why we need faith It fills in the empty place Full of hope and full of grace Surrounded by eternal space Across the Universe Around the Galaxy The lights are there for us to see Blessed are the merciful And God is on the side of love And if there is one thing I've found Love needs help the whole world 'round So come on now and spread the Word 'till all have seen and all have heard Volunteers across the Earth May our love always endure Across the Universe Around the Galaxy the Light was made for you and me

i am in a dream i see a mirror a face and lights Those features are not mine but they suit me anyway i am in your dream i am mirror you are watching i give you new eyes and you will learn the language of animals and to see in the dark i am in a dream i hear someone saying "you have an owl's face so we'll take you flying with us...let's fly past that corpse, it's human and human flesh tastes bad" i am in a dream i see a forest and a glimmer of light that light is not the sun but fire i can already feel it's warmth on my skin i am in your dream i am the fire that you see i give you new arms with these you will engrave an image of a bird who builds her nest in a flaming tree - Islaja

Dream Variations To fling my arms wide In some place of the sun, To whirl and to dance Till the white day is done. Then rest at cool evening Beneath a tall tree. While night comes on gently, Dark like me- That is my dream! To fling my arms wide In the face of the sun, Dance! Whirl! Whirl! Till the quick day is done. Rest at pale evening... A tall, slim tree... Night coming tenderly, Black like me. - Langston Hughes

The River born of clay and coal Baptized in the river of souls ashes to ashes flesh to bones no ferryman to guide me return to the river of souls

Easy how a soul can fabricate, in stillness wanderSeasoned cities tethered true, a soft secret lover Midnight's sorcery, her pristine machine envelops me Intrinsic yet free, loving language, a beauties decree Universal dialect, romance of the mystique, resurrect Recycled butterfly, woven wonders nigh, wings cradle courageous wind Brilliant breeze, freedom's lullaby, her natural ecstasies, never to descend World's but a whisper, malevolent betrayal never to kiss her, one with blameless flight Beauties surrender, soulful invent, a soaring flame quells, cures winters nameless night Perhaps the world was yours all along As the sparrow brilliantly sewn to breeze Lose yourself in rapturous midnight song Ancient language, dance of souls revelries Wind blown, time flown, immaculate suggestion Do we deserve the world or her protection? -mz

blindsidedthe tether fades from sight life preserver intact accidentally worry waits it's turn patiently slivers of hope up on stage for now that old familiar feeling showing up like a dealer at your parent's house unexpected and unwelcome drifting again into the dark hoping to see the sunrise but expecting the sharks

Audible to a worthy soul,The road, Her many majestic volumes Ripple gently, eternal eve Spirited lifetime in bloom Listen, Knowing wind's whispers unfold Now say a farewell to goodbyes Burn your essence, warm promise In the light, once a strangers eyes Such a virtuous reveal All is one, wake, truly feel Steeped dreams that linger still Reckonings silhouette intertwined A harmonious invent, Pure pathways intent A righteous souls design -mz

This night, awakenedStardust senses Eternal heaven's Hallowed altar Magical, infinite When she loses Her defenses A universal pass, collapse Doorways imagined latch We are all innocent here Infinite wisdom burning near Natural, freeing All seasons come to being, Gleam angelic flown Living not existing, Surrender, pure reminiscing Realms thought unknown All soulful songs simply sewn Midnight roses, come quiet Under star, stone Timeless magic, closer home -mz

Thanks. The '60s was a decade of music, protest, and progress. I'd like to see activists come out for the July concert 'cause the country is shifting left again. I am one with the fair, common man I will stand with my working class clan I believe justice, isn't just, in this land Greed's our creed but I'd think before Ayn Rand. A court of supreme jesters aid the plan Where rule by fossil fuel is in the can Earth warmin' ain't a left wing scam Kooks cook us with oil in a frying pan. Mind eyes see the glory of the common man Oligarchs and politicians are butt grains of sand Their base is a cacophony that should be banned As we search for Eden in a gulf that is Iran. Equality will ripple throughout this land As we be Dylangent and aghast again From July forth, be a retro Garcia fan Will you be there with us my Undead friend. Time to be like the Mo' hot man To march as King to north Lincolnland To remember the poor and forgotten Please come to Chicago and take a stand.

Woot! YES. Take a stand.

I'm a poet, a nonprophet, thought set freeI'm a loner, a teacher, confusing even me I may not know myself, but does anybody. Do you have the inside straight for eternity? Sometimes we look outside to know who we are To ponder our place in the face of dark stars Wondering if light reflects on us to see afar. Does your vision still include from Earth to Mars? Free food for thought does not feed us alone We travel this forked road to choose then atone Working to nourish the seeds that we’ve sown. Will you grow to sell the only soul you will own? We humiliate those humbled by humanity When posing ideas less profound than profanity Not vanquishing grains of our own ingrained vanity. Can you help the healing, appealing to sanity?

This is not a Shakespearian Sonnet, but a Constant Sonnet in Iambivalent Pentameter. Shakespeare, famous for Cleo of the Nile Heard a young poet, whose words made him smile "Old poets may wish me into exile All sonnets, I do not dare to defile Synchronizing syllables suggest guile But many meters are meant to beguile. No poem rules, a poet is an isle." Shakespeare said suddenly, after awhile "My first act is a tame, yet shrewd, denial Rhyme without reason is what I revile Use some discipline before you compile One can not time rhythm with a sundial. I write, therefore, Iambic measured style." Not to be, a Shakespeare bibliophile.

I'm Far Sight from my First Daze.Thought it might be Pupil Haze. Blew my Fusion in Half Phase. Realized my Soul been Razed. I found God the other Night. He can Blind the Mind with Bright. Shown Within and Out of Sight. Shed the Fat and Joint the Light. Matter, in fact, Weighed a Lot! Spent my Life, Got what is Not! Purge my Loot like Pus and Snot? Lift my Life, 'fore I eye Rot? I lost God the other Day. Livin' just got in the Way. Possessions, Power, and Pay Are the Stuff of which I Prey. Such a sad, sad, sadder Day. Search no mo' fo' hopeful Rays. Lord knows no such sadder Way Least 'til comes the End of Days.

Coming soon.

Which commanding chief takes preeminenceOf twentieth century presidents? Think of all those who rose to prominence Crusading in rosy white residence. Look before you leap that unsecured fence As free range execs fall from innocence. Some wisdom still waxes and never relents A precious prescience over mind bents. Teddy preserved nature for present tents And Franklin's new deal made poverty dents. Ike warned of business neocon dements Then Lyndon advanced civil rights events. Last in class, with a "Tricky Dick" defense Nixon, destroyer of our common sense! I thought we'd go retro one week before the big show(s).

You Are You are my light out of the dark You are the fire to my spark You are the apple of my eye You make me laugh you make me cry You are the root that grows the vine You always love me all the time You are the filling to my soul You are the Rock that makes me roll You're like the stars that fill the sky You are the sunshine of my mind You are my hope you are my faith And it's for you that I will wait

I'm gonna take the ups with the downsI'm gonna take the ins with the outs I'm gonna take the happy with the sad And I'll take the good with the bad I'm gonna take the yes with the no Gonna take the fast with the slow I'm gonna take the right with the wrong And turn it into a Love song I'm gonna take the stop with the go I'm gonna take the highs with the lows I'm gonna take the heat with the cold And I'll take the new with the old Gonna take the thick with the thin I'm gonna take the loss with the win Gonna take the short with the long And turn it into a Love song Chorus And when the winds are blowing And the rain is pouring down I'll just keep on singing Love songs Until the sunshine comes around I'm gonna take the first with the last I'm gonna take the cries with the laughs I'm gonna take the push with the pull And I'll take the empty with the full I'm gonna take the on with the off Gonna take the found with the lost I'm gonna take the weak with the strong And turn it into a Love song Chorus And when the winds are blowing And the rain is pouring down I'll just keep on singing Love songs Until the sunshine comes around And we've got to keep on singing No matter how long it might take Just keep on singing and the clouds are gonna part And the storm is sure to break written 12/24 & 25 2015

Clergy of safe sects say they know GodQuestion their spoils, they're hot with the rod Return their bling with a knowing nod Passively aggressive, evenly odd. Did Jesus' sermon on a mount do it for you Was Buddha enlightened in sight of Kathmandu Did Mohammed move mountains as his core ran through Was every mountain climbed by just a few? Reaching the summit is just a peek at God Don't know how it started nor what's up under sod Yet the pious, sell fright to us, pushin' their prod Not even passive, aggressively odd. Dare I say, before you book me for Hell Stop, drop, and think of those that might have fell When an inquisitor tried to compel A recant in favor of their seer's spell. Advice is plentiful in search of God Some focus on the profit from the tripod Picture the world sans the Messiah squad Aggressive gets passive even to the odd. If you're looking for God, try deep inside Where the worlds of light and dark collide You, and you alone, must one day decide Are you coming along on a stellar ride?

A large red herringHad besieged Gisors On both sides And two dead men Came with great difficulty Carrying a door Without an old hunchback Who went around crying: 'A! outside' The cry of a dead quail Would have taken them with great difficulty Underneath a felt hat. - Philippe de Beaumanoir

Thought this place was for those trying to createEven if the poems can't always be great Why send nonsensical poems from long before Intending contempt while smugly obscure There's better ways to let one know you're kind Next time, tell us what's really on your mind Share with us how to be a better bard Not just references from a house of lard.

Your retort says a lot about you!

Since when does a poem need meaning to be enjoyed?! Can not the simple play of words be poetic enough?!Your judgement that I/it shows contempt is decidedly misplaced. The fact you find something smug because it is not to your taste is rather baffling. Amazing how something so gentle can draw out people's prejudices! Lighten up, mate - life's too short!

If your intent was or was not contempt, I apologize. However, you obviously have a lot of knowledge and access to better satire... in my opinion. JUST READ YOUR LONGER. AGAIN, MY MISTAKE.

What is poetry for? this...........silence - Sharon Brogan

No worries!

You still dealing, slo?

Molecular Consulting, yes... get with the times, mate ;-) (Ultraspaz - that's my Asperger's shining through; thanks for noticing).

Molecular Consulting? Smug prick.

...can't blame a guy for trying