OPEN MIC ENCORE II
MARCH, 2004

OPEN MIC ENCORE I MARCH, 2004

OPEN MIC ENCORE III MARCH, 2004

 

THE LOST PARADISE
Sarala Itty
Those days of amusement
Those days of fulfillment
Peaceful night and serene dawn
Whistling breeze and greenish lawn
Ringing cowbells and drizzling rain
Farmers sweat not in vain
Nature’s music in nightingale’s song
No humans with serpent’s fang
Those days have gone away far away
 
Blithe moments everywhere
Children grew with love and care
Bestowing respect each other
Caste and creed, no bother
Village girls singing around
Family values tightly bound
Great souls were born here
People moved without fear
Those days have gone away far away
 
Today’s World is full of crime
None in their happy prime
Terrorists nursed by bureaucrats
Politicians, alas! Born hypocrites
Life is not a cakewalk
Showering rain is also fake
Everywhere bubbling communal riots
The lost paradise, once the land of saints
 
Cleanse your body and your soul
Spread ‘love’ that is the ultimate goal
And chant the enchanting ‘mantra’
Om Shanthi! Shanthi! Shanthi!

-0-

3planes
Nikul Patel
a corner of my room,
where i have slumped time after time,
the meeting of three planes,
the coldest sanctuary that never fails,
never grows warmer,
never mocks,
never confuses,
never changes,
 
Its taken time for me to appreciate the corner,
when has such a small place taken soo much joy filled grief,
it is my control,
the messiah to my relationships,
Never repeating,
Never forgiving,
Never reliving,
Never forgetting,
 
a corner of my room,
is all it is,
one of four,
unremarkably awe inspiring,
Never wavering,
Never varying,
Never letting go,
Never needed,
for now i have you,

-0-

Gamblers Lament -Leaves of glass  
Pearl J. Nestor

                                                                                                     Leave nothing to chance, and there is no hope. Leave not a dream and there is no joy. There is life in dreams, and dreams in wine. A pence is only a trifle lost with time. But  fortunes are spent and treasures are kept; there are greater differences, and there are not--with time.     

-0-

Cantos
(Cate Espener 03-04)
 
As you have measured out your life in coffee spoons
So I have measured mine in afternoons
And asking why, why can’t the clock ascend
I pose a question
Must it bend and coil and turn eternally
Circumscribed, plotting, pointing
An empty cup of bitter leaves
Love’s fortune in tatters
 
Now the city stinks of chemistry
And honey bees drenched in oil
 
So play me a tune on your old car radio
 
Cantaloupe, when sliced on Sunday
Is a ritual pleasure
With music in the early morning hours
And a semblance of bed
The sun swerving down across my head
The luxurious smell of coffee grinds and
Mixtures of cheese and wine and biscuits
In the afternoon
 
Soon it will be spring

So play me some jazz and Beethoven
At the same time
 
The scent of money disturbs this sordid hour
(the rent is due)
Will I make the rent?
Yes sir, no sir
I think, small wonder, that a penny saved
Is a penny earned
What infidel has sapped this river dry
A silent smudge to walk beside
 
Oh me, oh my, oh bank accounts
 
Over there, in the distance
An iceberg cloud curses the sunset
 
Makes me think of the time we drove and drove all day
And pointing towards freedom, we fell in love
Let’s not be cross with one another
Time, time, time
The appraiser interferes with the measurement of
My serendipitous point of view
Gardens are constructed on a daily basis
By flower arrangers, not pleased with this disarray
 
Flowers, arranged row by row
Need to grow undisturbed ­ wild
 
A wet chrysanthemum sits at my doorstep
Placed there like a pastoral dream
With wet leaves flattened against concrete
by rainwater
They were there yesterday
Like Beethoven’s 9th.

-0-

TOWERS OF LIFE
by Margaret Peirson
 
                  Her statue grounded
                  now comes alive
                  as she turns to see
                  the smoldering sight
                  which once held
                  the towers of life
 
                  She bows her head
                  in sadness and tears
                  and vows that we will
                  not live in fear
 
                  Then slowly she raises
                  her torch above
                  and with all her strength
                  with all her might, cries
 
                  We will be strong!
                  We will go on!
                  for freedom will never die

-0-

For years I have yearned to find peace inside;
to end this battle of emotions I've always tried to hide.
 
I try to make the people around me laugh and smile;
in hopes of subsiding their battle if only for a while.
 
Is there peace in this world, or is it meant to be this way;
is this just our tests leading us to the lord one day?
 
If so, will we make the right choices to get us through his gates;
or will we doom ourselves to something worse than this world's fate?
 
I feel that the sin of the world is poisoning my soul;
and I don't understand how to cleanse it or make my life whole.
 
There have been so many times I've given into temptation;
only increasing my chances of an eternal damnation.
 
I only pray lord that you will help me find you;
please send an angel to guide me in everything that I do...

Aaron Jones

-0-

WHAT I FEEL AND WHAT GOES ON IN MY MIND
By AnDreA HuRtAdO

i had a bad day and i knoe everything gonna turn out to be ok every think happens for a reason but i still ask why..some people can't handle it and wished they would just die..
 
i try to ignore all the unhappyness that i go through but all i can seem to think about is all the lies and the truths can i just act and pretend that i'm happy not to seem to care if my hair is nappy
 
walk out and look at the sky wondering to myself when i'm gonna die...not like i want to any time soon...juss wondering when  it's gonna be the last time i see the moon..
 
and say bye to all the people i love...and
 just before my last breath give everyone a
 hug...but if i were to be asked by God if i
 wanted to go i'd shrug and say "if it's my
 time then i'll go.."
 
not act like some drama queen and put on a
 little show cry'ing for attention screaming
 for eyes all i know is that i will be at
 peace when i can no longer open my brown
 eyes.
 
i'll miss all the people i got to
 know in my life but we'll be back together
 in a place some where higher then the sky.

-0-

Freedom

Dominik Larsen 
Freedom. 
It's something we automatically gain by being born on this earth.
We shall not fight for it.
We shall not sign papers for it.
We shall do what we please.
By existing we are "freedom"
I do not want to socially acclaim myself.
I do not want to get a decade of education.
I will not be called an "outsider".
They are the outsiders.
They have all lost the meaning of life.
To live, reproduce and enjoy ourselves.
Why must we work together to acheive an economy.
Why, by law am I obligated to do what the government tells me.
What is Freedom?
                                           
                                  Existing...

-0-

Riding Roller coasters
Cayla

I get so nervous
While I am in line
I see the people
Zoom by
Screaming
I am waiting
Suspenseful
Excited
Scared
All at the same time
It is finally my turn
I get in my seat
And we go clicking up into the air
Suddenly
We fall
Hundreds of feet
And go twisting and turning
And then its over
So fast

-0-

"As I Walked Along the Ocean"
Tiff 

As I walked along the ocean
I could feel the warm sand
between my toes
And as I walked
I could hear the sound of seagulls
all around
The cool ocean water
ran upon my feet
as I searched for seashells
along the side
When the day
turned to night
I left
But I
Could still remember how great
the day was
Even though
it went by so fast.

-0-

Crash and Burn
Jason Watts

Anything that moves
Can crash and burn
Stock Market
Air planes
Jason's head on the sidewalk
He always tries to to take off
But has engine problems midway
Crash and burn
Even Macaroni pictures are out of his league
He's playing T-ball
and its little league
Crash and Burn
Skating is to complex
Like Geometry
To a second grader
Crash and Burn
But no road rash
Crash and Burn

-0-

Peanut
Megan Burns
                          She's black and brown.
                          She's the most spoiled dog.
                          Sometimes she thinks she's a human.
 
                          She knows how to smile,
                          But only if you talk sweet to her.
                          She loves to snuggle,
                          And have her belly rubbed.
                          She will do anything for attention.
                          She's the baby of the house,
                          And everyone loves her.
 
                          She loves to tease our other dog,
                          Even though she's half her size.
                          She never plays.
                          The only thing that she really does,
                          Is lay on the furniture and sleep.
 
                          She's only four years old,
                          But she acts like an old dog,
                          And her hair on her chin is turning gray.

 

-0-

"Great Times!"
Allison Mays

Great times with my best friend,
praising God with my hands!
Singing,
dancing,
and crying.
Great Times!
Getting closer to Him
and my heart filling
full of love!
Of his great love for me
and the rest of the world!
Great times!

-0-

Coochie Power
Carrie Dickerson
From across the room I noticed your beautiful eyes
Something unfamiliar set you apart from other guys
Through you hellos and good-byes
I’m not too fond of the club scene
So you walk me to my car
And with you
I didn’t mind being seen
My car is there in the cut
But if you walk with me
You can get the number
 
He’s right on point with the way he talks
But making me feel kinda uncomfortable by the way he’s touching me
Tryna get under me
Kissing me roughly
Gliding fingers through my hair
I’m getting scared
And I would call for help
But no one else is around to hear
The music is bumping loud
And the po-po is more interested in the crowd
Waiting for something to pop off
As he popped off my buttons
And his tones are no longer soft
Shoving his fingers in places
Getting off on my “please stop” faces
Telling me how much I want it
And it would be worth it once he’s through
 
Now finish with me
Leaving me to be found by my left behind crew
Who never knew why I cocked an attitude
“What’s wrong with you?”
He didn’t know me well enough to get the coochie
Didn’t even first offer me a movie nor some Gucci
I’ve been violated
Taken advantage of
Tryna ease my mind
But quite often I see you givin’ other girls a hug
When you come up to me
I reject you
You insist that I still want you
 Tellin’ me I only cried because it was so good
 
You took your time to take me
 No one ever noticed or ever could
Foggy windows on a Saturday night is always good
Especially in the hood
I didn’t leave you to bleed
I left you in need of affection
So even if you never came back
You’d sit back and think about the situation
And cry over me at night……….

-0-

The Paradox
Sevak K.
As if, as if, as if all shrouded in the blue.
The vision distorted by an insatiable sensuality,
The seldom surprisingly-sabotaged sense of vision senselessly slaughtered,
Slowly fading, the blue, slowly… lowly… owly…
The distortion challenged by the inevitability of the physical,
The essence of the enigma that is existence,
The forever misunderstood struggle:
Matter versus spirit.
The challenge of balance.

-0-

FEBRUARY 21st
By: Lisa Nazario
 
We met on this day,
Never did I imagine the
things that would come my way.
 
You leaned towards me and
gave me a kiss. That's one
kiss I can't help but miss.
 
For you I didn't mind to
do anything, I'd give you
all you needed and wanted,
I mean EVERYTHING!
 
I opened up and gave my heart
to you, not knowing what you'd do.
 
My heart fell too fast,
and before I knew it, I
was part of the past.
 
In a few ways I can say
you did me wrong. Never
could I hate you though,
my feelings were too strong.
 
You hurt me so much by the
way you treated me. This is
the reason why I tried to
walk away, and let you be.
 
Yet, when it came to you,
somehow just walking away wouldn't do.
 
Don't get me wrong it wasn't
always bad. Only when you lied,
and treated me wrong, was when
it turned sad.
 
Before all that, you brought
me a lot of great things,
Happiness, Security, Knowledge,
and my much needed wings.
 
You made me feel so much emotion,
That's why I loved you with devotion.
 
All I ever wanted was to be loved
by you. Now, I understand that's
something you couldn't do.
 
I think of you day and night,
but ending this seems so right.
 
Can't believe it's been a year.
Can't believe I'm living what I fear.
To love someone,and not have them near.

-0-

If life was so simple perhaps we wouldn't cry,
If life wasn't so complicated, perhaps we would never ask why.
If we would go without sighs as days go by,
If only we only find truth and not a single lie.
 
If life was so simple perhaps we wouldn't laugh,
Because the beauty of a smile shines through when times are tough.
If we would go on without days that are rough,
We would never value the smoothness of life's graph.
 
If we could easily find happiness and true love,
Perhaps we wouldn't thank him who is above.
If our life was a simple smooth curve,
If we never had the experience of a sudden swerve.
 
If we always got what we so much want,
If we never had to take a much needed stand.
Perhaps we wouldn't work hard or be able to understand,
Perhaps we wouldn't value what we find or consider it as brand.
 
If we never had people who admire us so much,
If we never had someone to love as such,
If we couldn't smile at our much yearned for catch,
If we couldn't meet a single thing within our match.
 
If I didn't know you as you are,
If I didn't spare a thought for you or come this far,
If I would let my pride get in the way,
Perhaps I wouldn't be writing this poem -no, not this day!
 
If life was so simple perhaps we would never ask why.
If life wasn't so complicated, perhaps we wouldn't cry,
If I would let this lovely day go by,
Perhaps you wouldn't have known that these words are not a lie!

chao mbogho

-0-

WHAT IS LOVE?
Copyright © February 20, 1998  Singleton Tate
A FOUR LETTER WORD, WE USE AT WILL.
TO SEDUCE, TO PERSUADE, TO CONQUER, TO KILL!
THE WEAPONS, OF LOVE, ARE SHARP, BEYOND COMPARE:  LOOK, BUT DON’T TOUCH, TAKE CAUTION, BEWARE!!!
WHAT IS LOVE?
 
THE PIERCING, OF THE HEART AND BLINDING, OF THE SOUL.
THE AGELESS, CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE, HAVE NEVER BEEN, FULLY TOLD.
YOU ESCAPE, WITH A SCAR, ON YOUR HEART, THIS TIME, LOVE, IS SEARCHING, FOR MORE, PUTTING YOUR ALL, ON THE LINE!!!
WHAT IS LOVE?
 
FOR LACK, OF A BETTER WORD, YOU SEE, LOVE, IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED, VERY EASILY.
LOVE, IS BEING PUSHED TO THE SIDE, ALONE AND UNWANTED, REKINDLED, ENCOURAGED, TO LOVE ON AND THEN TAUNTED!
WHAT IS LOVE?
 
LOVE, IS A FOUR LETTER WORD, WE USE, IN ANY CONTENT,
TO KEEP GOING THROUGHOUT LIFE PROCLAIMING, “I LOVE YOU, NEXT!!!”

-0-
Could it be a coincidence,
When an angel sheds a feather,
We join our hands together,
Is it simply nonsense,
When we ask for a sign,
That our paths intertwine,
 
Handled carelessly the romance of the poet's heart,
Overflowing, Never knowing where to end or start
You have moved me to fashion for you a hall,
With your name written differently on every wall,
You are legend, I am the chronicler of your immanence
Even when I die, Ever will I be held on high
Never to be forgotten in history or all existence
 
Could it be coincidence,
That the last laugh is ours,
Dancing in Elysium's flowers
Is it simply nonsense,
When we never speak a word but the people are inspired,
By a nameless union where two souls quietly conspired

Adam Thrush 

-0-

Every time that I close my eyes, there I see your beautiful eyes, I think about the time you were there, I think about the time you cared, You gave strength when life was hard, You held my hand when I couldn't go on, I used to be alone, if only I had known, that not every guy is the same that not every guy is lame, So every day of my life, I thank god that I'm alive, cause without you, I think I would die.

Gabbee 

-0-

LIFE
ANGIE GALLINARES

WHAT IS LIFE? THE GIFT OF LIVING, THE ABILITY TO LOVE AND BE LOVED,
THE ABILITY TO SURVIVE IN A JOURNEY THAT HAS NO DESTINATION.
STEPS YOU TAKE FORWARD WITHOUT LOOKING BACK, NOT REALLY SURE WHERE YOUR GOING OR WHAT YOUR LEAVING BEHIND. WHO OR WHAT LIES AHEAD, ONLY MEMORIES AND A PAST WITH NO EXPLANATION. QUESTIONS UNANSWERED, LESSONS YOU LEARNED FEELINGS OF JOY AND UNBEARABLE PAIN, SUCCESS AND FAILURE, VICTORY AND DEFEAT, NEW BEGINNINGS AND TRAGIC ENDINGS, HOLDING ON AND LETTING GO, ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER BREATH, ANOTHER BEAT. ONE HEART THAT CONTROLS YOUR DESTINY, THIS IS THE KEY THAT YOU'VE LONGED TO FIND, TO OPEN THE DOOR THAT WILL SET YOU FREE, THE ONLY QUESTION THAT HAS AN ANSWER, THE FINAL CHAPTER TO THIS UNSOLVED MYSTERY, THE FINAL END OF A NEW BEGINNING, A TIME TO REST FOR ALL ETERNITY, THAT'S WERE LIVING ENDS AND LIFE REALLY BEGINS, THE ANSWER TO WHAT IS LIFE, CANT BE FOUND IN THE STEPS YOU TAKE, ITS WHERE THOSE STEPS WILL TAKE YOU, THAT YOU'LL FIND LIFE AND WHAT IT MEANS.

-0-

A FUTURE SISTER
Written by Mariam D. Mababaya
 
Patiently I shall wait for her,
My only hope sent from above.
For the coming years I shall wait ­
For a future sister to love.
 
I care not if she'd be the last,
As long as a sister is there.
If my sons must come before her,
At least I'd have a sis to care.
 
My future daughter shall be my ­
Sis, whose tears I shall wipe each night,
My future sister shall be the
Angel who'd gift my soul with light.
 
Like a sister, I shall listen
To her problems she'd face each day.
As her mother I shall guide her,
And not let her be led astray.
 
She'd be a sis whom I could hug
And whose company I shall keep.
She'll be my second heart, that if
She'd shed tears, then I too would weep.
 
She'll be a grand blessing from God,
Always beautiful to my eyes.
I'll try not to hurt her feelings
As she would be my greatest prize.
 
I shall love her ­ for who she'd be,
And I pray that she'll love me so.
While days and nights would alternate,
I shall watch her as she would grow.
 
Right now I anticipate the
Time ­ my first daughter shall be born.
With a child to treasure, I would
Neither be downcast nor forlorn.

-0-

I Thought You Were Different.
Cassie Marie Roach
Why did you do this?
I believe we had something,
I thought You were different.
Why did you throw it all away, why'd you
think it was nothing?
 
Just because you had someone else,
 you forgot about me,
I thought you were different. After all this time,
I'm still bleeding for you, and I still
loved you.
 
I thought you were different.
After all this time i still want to be your freind,
But you dont.
I thought you were different.
I forgive but I wont forget what you did to me,
After all this time I still can't believe you.
I thought you were different.
I thought you were different.
I'll be over you, I'm already forgetting you.

-0-

Shiny Black Shoes
sam 
Little girl
Big office
Moms at the doctors office for the third time this week
Shiny black shoes tap floor tiles impatiently
The door opens
New people walk in
A little boy
His eyes are all crooked and he walks like a duck
He is emitietly surrounded by lots of white coats
Then taken away
Little girl wonders if her mommy knows that little boy
The door opens again
This time no one comes in
The door stays open
This could be her escape
Little girl thinks about running away
Shiny black shoes speed toward the exit
Big nurse asks her what she thinks she's doing
she says nothing
That's what she's doing
Nothing
She goes back to her stupid green chair
Covers her face with her hands and stares at the ground
Those stupid shiny black shoes
Doing nothing, always waiting to do nothing.

 

-0-

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING
                          Rebecca Hoopingarner
 
Stormy nights
Bring comfort to my soul
As the wind blows
It cools the fire in my heart
As the stillness comes
My mind has a chance to rest
Then the thunder rolls
Breaking the silence
Bringing me back to reality
The lightning strikes
Showing my sins to the world
No more hiding
When the rain begins
It washes away my mistakes
Bringing the chance of a new day
And a promise
Of a rainbow.

-0-

Dreams are Real
Jessica 
I had a dream one night
One that didn’t seem right
It began early one morning
A ring from the phone had woken me
I heard my daddy telling his no
My mom came in my room
She asked me if I would wake my sisters
I got them up and told them to get some clothes
I hugged my mom and asked her what was going on
She hugged me tighter and said “Uncle Joey was shot”
I looked at her and asked if he was okay
She looked away and said, “yes he is in a better place”
Were on our way and the Next thing I know
I’m standing looking at his lifeless body
 As I stand there I try to smile
Bit it took me awhile 
I think about his two kids
His pride and joy he would always say
The funeral was so beautiful
He was remember by everyone
One thing I’ll never forget
Zoey’s cry for her daddy
We all tear up
Knowing what she don’t
He is not coming home
But one thing we all know
Including her too
That Joey love her more than life itself
At the cemetery it was final
We said out final good-bye
And let him rest in peace
What seems like a dream?
Isn’t always a dream?

-0-

The morning is so beautiful,
As the sun shines on all the living.
The birds chirping rejoicing Jesus name,
The joy it brings to live another day.
To see my son's face.
His eye's glow revealing his innocence.
His laughter puts aside all pain.
He gives me joy to say his name.

          L.R 012504

-0-

For a friend(1982 ­ 2003)
MERIN ELIZABETH KURUVILLA
Why does dawn nibble away at the edges of a sensitive shroud
Of night, and the sunbeam not be smuggled away behind a cloud
In sympathy? And the air rammed full with the breath
Of bird calls & sunlight, that ring louder than death?
 
And why does this strangely smiling earth not mourn?
And the wraiths of memory not leave the day forlorn?
Of how enchantment bound hours once used to wend
Into but more rout & revel…now crushed to an end.
 
Only when the concept is so abstract does its heel
Come crashing down out of nowhere to steal
Youth away, and all its strength. Thus they will the day
To wear their pain, & songbirds to flute desolation into a gray
Expanse, desolation that cannot run too deep
To those, baffled by empty queries, who weep
For dreams that run into ashes now, for years
That are his no more. But all their tears
Fail to rouse pity. Time doesn’t trip up at all
In its obstinate march & the day shall not be his pall.
 
There is still laughter, despite all their pain,
Just a shadow beyond, on this very plane.
And there is still that naked glow of energy that flits about,
For all their tears have failed to scrub the colours out.

-0-
Passionate But True
The Enbay
I am passionate,
Yes it is true.
 
I am a love,
What can I find in you?
 
How do I explain myself?
About things I know we can do?
 
I treasure each moment,
In deep thoughts of being here for you.
 
Passionate but true,
No, you are special to me.
 
Passionate but true,
my soft voice of reason is only for you.
 
You feel so sad,
That the world is not yours to grab.
 
But to me,
That world is mine as well.
 
With time spent together all good things come to pass.
You ask, how long will this last?
 
As long as I am your passionate lover,
There is no end to a brighter day coming to pass.

-0-

Penny for your thoughts
Nickel for your dreams
Tell me again
Why nothing is what it seems
Are we in love?
Or are we comfortable
Do we make love?
Or do we have sex
Can a broken heart truly be made anew?
Or is just mended with the crack still visible
Time has given us knowledge
But has that knowledge made us wiser
Or are we just knowledgeable fools.
Can you answer?
Or do you know?
Does anyone know?
Yeah he knows   

H.L. Williams

-0-

REST IN PEACE
GABRIELLA GIBSON
 
Rest in peace my dearest one
For your smile I'll see in the morning sun
Your laughter I'll hear in the sweet spring breeze
Your warm touch I'll feel in the summer sea
And when autumn leaves begin to fall
Our grand adventures I'll recall
With a smile on my face and love in my heart
We shall never be far apart
And when the rains of cold winter come
I will not cry, just wait for the sun
Then I'll see my dearest one

-0-

Once
Shannon Meddock

All it takes is once and all of a
sudden its gone,
your gone
      I get a call
        you died
why am I still here?
    All we did is drink
and smoke weed
         But all it takes is once
Then all I see is your face
     Your smile
         Your cry
              Your scream
     I ask why
What did you do that
     I didn't
We've done it a billion times before
And then all it takes is once
        And you were gone
gone forever.
   All over that one time

-0-

Life
~Angeliana M Troutman
A dozen roses
Red as blood
Sitting on my shelf
The petals fall
Disintegrate
All the roses are gone
Save one
Pink with red edges
Growing from leftovers
I’ve never seen it
Yet it gives off
The sweetest smell
The prettiest light
The head never drops
The petals never fall
Off this rose
The prettiest of all
 

-0-

 Dreams
Choua Lor

Go and catch a falling star in the night
The pitch black sky is what behold your dreams.
Regard that shining star and hold it tight.
Keep that glistening star and let it beam.
 
For dreams glow just as brightly as the star.
For dreams they give you an inspiration.
For nights promotes you dreams to go so far.
For nights they give you an admiration.
 
Take the path, your dream should lead you away.
Take the chance, for the road you come along.
Make the dream true, before its gone by day.
Make the dream true, before something goes wrong.
 
Broken dreams create shatter memories.
Release the dreams they are only theories.

-0-

 How could you?
shannon
    How could you come and ruin our land?
 Was it just because yours is so bland?
 If so thats not a good enough reason why,
 You made innocent people suffer and die.
    How could you tear this country apart?
 Was it just because you have no heart?
 Some kind of evil made you that way,
 You took over 2000 the very first day.
    How could you destroy so many lives?
 You took thousands of people from their husbands ans wives.
 What sick thoughts were running through your head/.
 Dont you realize, those people are dead?
    How could you go and hurt us all?
 Didnt you know this nation will never fall?
 Aparently not,for if you had,
 You wouldnt have made the U.S.so mad.
    How could you think you'd get away with it?
 You had to know we wouldnt stand for it.
 If we dont catch you, you know God will.
 He'll get you the day your heart stands still.
    How could you run like a little rat?
 No honest man would ever do that.
 Well, you cand run and you can hide,
 But we know youre totured deep inside.
    How could you think you were so cool?
 To tell you the truth,Sir,you liiked like a fool.
 Right now you think you got your own way,
 But you just wait 'till judgement day.
    How could you think you were number one?
 When everyone else knows its God and His Son.
 So, how are you going to answer when Jesus asks you:
 "In the name of our Father,just how could you?"

-0-


The single eye
Lauren Elizabeth Mitchell
The barn burns red, a fire on green clover
which stipples the lawn with flecks of purple.
In town, the mills churn sawdust and boards
for schools and courthouses. The summer bears
its weight down on the plains. Its drone
dull heat pulses lazily, drawing the sweat
from the brows of workers.
 
Somewhere a farmer is shoeing his horses
unaware of the hollow-eyed boys in the
trenches. Somewhere a mother is singing
her child from a fever.
 
The sinewy threads of agriculture
bind the men to the land. As the hand
of commerce sweeps money through the
fence posts and into the mattresses.
 
The child awakens, the tide of sweat-soaked
delirium subsiding. The horses hoove the green
their muzzles drawn to purple blossoms.
The barn door is drawn shut, and the sawdust
is bagged and sent out for pulp.
 
The fates fight over their single
eye. One to watch the clover,
one to watch the mother,
the last to watch the war. 

-0-

LOVE
Ronald Christopher McKito
 
                  Love is blind to those who cannot see it.
                Love is a word to those who cannot reach it.
        Love is God which means there's one love, and we need it.
               Just reach out for help and you'll find love.

-0-

"First Love Lost"
Roxy amarie

The only feeling that could last,
Was the love I have for you,
As these three years have passed,
You've moved on in your life,
But I'm still stuck on you,
My feelings have lasted through our strife.
I can still say I care for you,
More than any other,
And I'd take you back if you want me to.
I dwell on what we had,
I wish we could have it back,
Everything I've lost drives me mad.
I wish you saw me,
The way you used to,
Before she took you from me.
I miss you more than you will ever know,
I'd do anything to have you back,
And not worry for you to go.
The first love is what you are to me,
If only I could rekindle our flame,
You could be able to see,
I'm still deeply in love with you,
You're all I can think of,
Please come back and make my dreams come true.

-0-

 "Tears of the Reaper"
Christopher the Great

 

Slowly he crept closer with his foreboding embrace,
whispering the silent serenade; he wears the crown of mace.
 
Carrying his scythe he creeps through the night,
causing the mortals before him to flee in fright.
 
Wading through the river Styx; his unholy dance,
freeing hearts; freeing souls; the holy lance.
 
They keep marching on; the ones who had to pay,
they are the ones who will take you away.
 
They work for him; the Fiddler of the lake;
He's so lonely; he just wants some friends to make.
 
These are his last words; he needs to rest,
Wait in the white room; with ruined mirror blessed.
 
Smashed; Crystals in his eye; in the sky,
the shards drip into the pond; bone dry,
 
Without a shimmer; a silent scream,
They are corrupted and die; seems a dream.
 
The Fiddler sobs without any fears,
Sobs into the pool of blood, dreams, and tears.

-0-

FOR THOSE WHO CRY ALONE
- FROM 'The Backdoor of my Heart': http://www.altivoe.com,
by NAVNEET MAHAJAN
 
One day I cried alone
Pain sat over my heart crushing me
"Why" my soul cried
 
Why alone when the world is full
Why alone when everything is so beautiful
What wrong did I do?
I cry.
 
What is the point? Of love
What is the reason? For life
To live, and love, and die
in Pain?
 
What dastardly will keeps the world
going round and round?
Why do those who cry,
cry alone?
 
I cried and cried
How can I feel alone in a maze of life?
I object.
 
Can there be something my eyes don't see
But my heart can feel?
Can there be a love that goes
on invisible strings from heart to heart?
 
Inspite of empty walls,
and hot nothingness,
I believe.
 
Then from the alien maze of life
A thought flew my way,
and landed on my heart.
 
A word travelled timeless distances
and rekindled my inner fire..
I love.

-0-

                          Pulling Back The Veil
                                 by Ray Cormier            

No longer can I
Stand aside and watch these
Savages rape the Innocence of Earth and
The Spirit of Gods' lost flock
Everything within I will be done to
Bring about the Justice so deserved
From the Sacrifice of not only one but by
 
All of our Christs
Nailed to a cross
Hung from a tree
Locked in a cell
Dying to be free
Oh Father why have thou forsaken
Your Sons and Daughters
Lost in a system which
Leads them to Spiritual slaughter
 
I will attend no feast where the wine is
Bitter and the apples rotten
Her Pain and His Passion
Will not be forgotten
I will Rise out from this pit with
A noose around my neck and
Iron through my wrists
 
Together We Will Rise from out of this Pit
With a Free Mind and Open Heart
To Destroy this machine that will
Never tear us apart
Again

-0-

Lose your self
BY Wanita James
 
Lose your self
Let the Holy Spirit take control
Let Jesus love drench you
Drown your self in him
 
Let him pore out upon you
The blood has been spilled for your sins
You are forgiven
No more hate no more pain
Lose your self
Allow him to have favor with you
He is that ice-cold cup of water on that 105-digree day
He is your relief
He is the head lifter
He is the pain reliever
Jesus is his name
Lose your self in him
You must decrease allow him to increase
And what in credible things will take place
Just lose your self
Let go
Let the trinity take control
Your sole will be revises, energized
Lose control
Let Jesus direct where you should go

-0-

Death was Unnecssary
Nalin Caldera
I looked their amazed at death so real
fighting for a nations cause that that was my peril
Devoted to a cause that I thought so right
But killing another did shed me light
 
Commanders that give orders death who never faced
As we stand in a battle field half crazed
With a nations army in the battle forward paced
Many years later I see the truth and was amazed
 
Why why do we have to kill another
When God created us for each other
To live in harmony with our brother
But weapons make money so why the bother
 
Do we right now voice our concern
About right or wrong do we discern
Or wait for a tragic mistake of one person
That made all this happen b'cos of a hasty decision
 
Wars are fought with no real victory
where we fought with battle cry
But did all this time any one try
To solve this human mystery
 
Until then we will devote to craziness
And end up our lives utterly a mess
If you read articles in war veteran's press
They never could get out to live with out stress

-0-
NO WORDS
DOUGLAS GONCE
 
I STOOD THERE WHILE THEY CRIED,
NO TEARS FOR ME,
HE WAS THEIR FRIEND, NOT MINE,
NO MEMORIES,
PLEASE THINK ME NOT UNKIND,
THERE WAS NO TIME,
A MOMENT HERE OR THERE,
THEN SAY GOODBYE,
BUT PARTING FROM THE EARTH,
I KNOW NOT HOW,
TO SAY GOODBYE WITH WORDS,
BUT ONLY BOW,
AND HOPE THIS GESTURE TOUCHES HIM ON HIGH,
I HAVE NO WORDS,
AND NO, I CANNOT CRY

-0-

SOUL SNATCHERS
Gloria Huff

I pour my words onto this paper soaked with continuous, raindrop tears.
they try to put words in my mouth; they keep me bound with my 3
D fears.  They keep bringing up things i used to do to trap me in my
past. HE loves me enough to erase my sin. I know that HIS love lasts
for an eternity. with him I am free. They came into my house uninvited.
They continued to tell lies. They were excited when my family members
would run around confused.  This was a carnival of deadly spiritual
corruptions. They raped my privacy. They ignored my wishes.  The
Soul Snatchers were for my soul.  inside I felt the spirit move me
to do what God wants me to do.  HE wants me to believe in HIM,
and love him.  I do. I am not running from trouble.  I will refuse
to let the Soul Snatches steal my quiet home away from home.  I approached these women and asked. Why don't you sit with us. We cant continue to let the Soul Snatchers control us. We are spiritual warriors. we are God's Son's and daughter. Peace!      

-0-

No Longer Friends
Ecaterina
I once had a friend who meant everything to me,
By my side, when I was sad, is where she'd always be.
She was my childhood friend,
Who I thought, would be there till the end.
But I guess I was wrong,
She never really cared all along.
I tried to keep her from harm,
I tried to keep her from danger in this world...
Then I realized, she's no longer a little girl.
But she took the wrong path,
And hung out with the wrong crowd.
Soon I began to no longer be proud.
Of a beautiful friendship...
Then I let go when she treated me like shit.
Now we're no longer friends,
Now she's never there.
She didn't give a shit,
So why should I care?

-0-

World Tobacco Day
Nandlal Kanjibhai Pancholi
No tobacco consumption in any form
Should be made the prevalent norm
 
And let every country ban tobacco farming
For its effects on health are alarming
 
Can't we get rid of this carcinogenic
substance When research prove its fatal consequence
Have you seen patient of carcinoma of tongue
Or observed pangs of someone
suffering from cancer of lung?
 
In every country and clime
smoking in public should be deemed a crime.
Thousands die oftobacco related deaths every year.
And yet we do not prohibit selling of cigarettes
Are our ethico-legal systems out of gear?
 
The most hazardous of all is passive smoking
Which subjects a nonsmoker to hazardous inhaling
At any cost,We must these innocent victims guard
 
 tobacco harms humanbody's every organ
so Can't we say goodbye to such deadly addiction

-0-

 

Pain
Jim Blake

Dark gloom of the day cold and rainy chilling the bone
Melancholy memories of days gone by and days to atone
 
This mood not desperate yet it's whisper calls attention
The haunting silence a reminder of secrets not mentioned
 
Deep in the cogs of seclusion are memories to be released
Surfacing the grotesque remains of the deceased
 
Mourn the anguish and pain inflicted the innocent and unknown
Let them know they are cleansed and not alone
 
The beast in us all must be conquered and slain
Inner child remembering the own emotional pain
 
Past sins are cleansed hearts renewed
Replacing this deep dark somber mood

-0-
So Blessed  
By:Kay Bug
 
You are my man
You are the one who can carry me home
When I'm falling you are there to catch me
When I'm crying you give me a shoulder to cry on
You cared of me as your sister in christthen cared of me as your girlfriend
Pushed to believe as we were baptized it the same waters
As 30 seconds from you I was duncked beneath the cleansing flood that washed away my sin, that I was born agian
Then as ou told me you understood how I felt
Then  I realized we were more now than just sister and brother.
Now you see why I am so blessed to have you.

-0-

TIME TO LET GO
Whitni White
 
Sometimes I wish I was a bird flying with the flock
Flying high above the world over ever dock
Then there are times when a ship suites me best
Times I wish I roared over the ocean through every bay
 
But I'm not these things
 
I have been damaged, you see
I've been cursed to walk alone in the black night
And though I've tried to turn back to the light
I keep getting pushed down this road of no return
 
I want to break the hold of this road
But I keep dimming the search light
To make others' bright
 
Now my whole world turns grey
So I'm leaving for a better future
 
If you can't handle this, to bad
I'm ready to be happy and not sad
 
So let me go
Let me become who I said I would be
Let me grow
But most of all, just let me go

-0-

Sunken Verse
Matt Dillinger
Almost empty but slightly full
Somethings missing from my soul
I’ll finish it off
And it will leave a hole
 
Living isn’t so nice
Dying isn’t real
Today is a Pale wish
Tomorrow I’ll take the wheel

-0-

OPEN MIC ENCORE I MARCH, 2004

OPEN MIC ENCORE III MARCH, 2004

 

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Page Copyright © AHApoetry.com 2004.

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