Random Poetry

[Guest joe0117]

Hate and horror make me cower

guns and knives give men new power

but the stars still shine in the midnight sky

late flowers blossom and open wide

autumn blazes with gold and brown

pure snow will blanket the snowy ground

as far as I can see

as far as I can tell

we've been given the gift of heaven

but we live in hell

the brown dove hides in the evergreen

where pain and heartache can be grieved

and sends to God her mournful cry

for loved ones stolen from the sky

as mighty eagles take to flight

to quash the terrors of the night

reluctant warriors pray for peace

the day when hate and terror cease

as far as I can see

as far as I can tell

we're searching for heaven

but still living in hell

while the stars that shine in the midnight sky

and the flowers that blossom and open wide

and the leaves that blaze with gold and brown

wonder why peace has yet to be found

Joe

[Sally]

That is beautiful Joe,

I would tell you that it brougt a tear to my eye but nowdays so does the phone book.

The message is so clear and the imagery so sad, we are in heaven but we have made it hell.

So well written and so sad.

I would love to see more of your work.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest joe0117]

Broken bones, cancer, AIDS, Lymphoma

abortion, death, Oklahoma

logic, free will, all gifts of reason,

falter, fail, and fade into treason

humbled and shattered, reduced to insane

by the rape of a child, unrelenting pain

would you silence my tears, be deaf to my cries?

deny me a last shred of self, tell me why?

no question at all of faith or belief

just lifelong endurance of innocent grief

useless is heaven, and callous tomorrow

tormenting, denying my pain and my sorrow

Joe

[Guest joe0117]

I wrote these for my brother Caleb who was murdered by my step monster when he was four. He died in my arms. I keep him alive in my heart.

It was an umistakable splash of red

in the light of the summer sun

on the cold concrete

I turned and ran

to hold the scarlet mass

the still barely warm body

saw the last vestige of brightness

fade from black eyes

mourned the last unsung sound

quieted before his time

He was cute and he was four

in a holy place

but he heard not a word

of God or grace

his dollar was folded

in an airplane fin

when they passed the basket

he flew it right in

now some might have scolded

a child and his toy

but my sadness lifted

and I filled with joy

at the presence of God

in an innocent boy

Joe

[Sally]

Joe,

I don't know what to say, the work is so beautiful and so moving but your life has been so shrouded in tragedy.

How I wish that I could in some way ease all of your pain and suffering but I can not, I can only offer you my love, support and understanding, you are a strong testiment to the will to survive to make things better and live in peace.

You will never really know how much I admire your inner strengtt but it is an inspiration to me.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Joe...

I can't say anything...

He died in my arms. I keep him alive in my heart.

You say it for everyone...

My GOD... how can this world be so cruel!!!

Lizzy

[Guest joe0117]

Thank you Sally and Lizzy!

I loved my brother. I have lost four brothers but Caleb and I had special bond. He was deaf and didn't meet the criteria by my step monster to be the oldest male and carry on the family name. It's a small concellation but my mother only gave him daughters after that. He never got another son. I miss him terribly. I try very hard to be positive but I do lose my way occasionally. I used to lose my way a lot more often. I guess that is progress. Thank you for the kind words.

Joe

[Guest joe0117]

A tragedy to even survive

to barter your time just staying alive

a soul before it's bones interred

from dreams denied by dreams deferred

it may be soul sacrifice

a hero in disguise

but there is still a grain of grief

in every dream that dies

Joe

[Guest joe0117]

Little brown bottle of amber bliss

open mouth greeting my frothy kiss

answer to all my Friday night schemes

fill my heart with amber dreams

be my partner for tonight

chase away this empty fright

of nowhere left for me to hide

of no one standing by my side

little brown bottle now drained of bliss

shining in the morning's kiss

did you also tell me lies

of emptiness in amber disguise?

Joe

[Sally]

Joe, I am so sorry for all of the troubles in your life.

My Inspiration

by Sally Michelle Jackson

As I read your poetry and feel such pain

and I wonder how it is that I can complain.

My life has been like a sail on a quiet, calm lake

while yours lived in upheavals like an earthquake.

I sit and feel oh so sorry for myself but I look and then I see

what makes a true hero, a survivor and such an inspiration to me.

I search for words but can hardly express my deep feelings of admiration and love

for a soul so tortured but still full of love, shinning like a halo with a light from above.

You are my inspiration Joe!

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest joe0117]

Oh Sally,

I am truly touched - that is the sweetest thing that anyone has ever said to me and from someone I admire so. That is such a beautiful poem and to think that you had me in mind when you created it is truly an honor. I honestly don't think very much of my writing. I enjoy it and find it cathartic but it doesn't measure up to your talent. Thank you!

Joe

[Guest joe0117]

The grass is soft

against my face

as I lean on

your resting place

and feel what time

cannot erase

and hold what I

cannot embrace

Joe

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Joe

Where the heck did you come from?

I mean a beautiful writer and poet!

Sally says it for us: for a soul so tortured but still full of love

NEVER stop posting!

Lizzy

[Guest joe0117]

Thank You Lizzy,

Such kind words. You and Sally really know how to flatter a guy I really do appreciate such positive feedback. I do hope that I don't upset people with my writing. I wonder sometimes how I am perceived here overall. I am hoping it is just my insecurities about being unlikable You ladies are wonderful! Thank you!

The more I think

the less I know

the more it puzzles me

am I being?

am I soul?

or just complex chemistry?

Joe

[Guest joe0117]

During the long dark stretches of night

when pain awakens me

I've come to know the feeling of approaching death

it comes slowly this final sleep

that stiffens my body like a Frankenstein gait

I feel my limbs grow heavy and cold

as the blood slows to a trickle in my veins

I wonder when my mind will start to harden too

when I will lose the right to be me

and journey back to other days

perhaps that sleep of death will be no sleep at all

but freedom from the petrifying cold

and the part of me that's truly me

will run and and dance in fluid motion

dance once more without the pain

perhaps upon a cloud

Joe

[Sally]

That is beautiful Joe, I wish that you could feel better about things but you express desparation so well and so vividly.

I am always eager to read your poetry.

Well done, my talented friend.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest joe0117]

There is nothing left

but the lifeless memory

of what I hoped for

love that I barely knew

full flowered

never came to be

the sun is cold and empty

and out of place

the ungreen grass is

nothing more than lifeless hay

uncertain of spring

resenting it if it comes

minus hope

minus love

Joe

[Sally]

Well Joe,

You told me that you weren't an insspiration and that you got depressed too.

I see the depression and very vividly, but you still inspire me.

love ya,

Sally

[Guest joe0117]

Thank you Sally,

You inspire me as well. Some of the stuff I have written seems really dark to me. I have tried to edit what I have posted here. I hope you will let me know when your book is being published. I would like a signed copy. I will gladly pay extra

Joe

AKA

Your biggest fan

[Guest joe0117]

I am the child beginning to be

I am the child that no one could see

to whom no life or love is extended

barely begun and suddenly ended

I'm the rhyme that will never be written

the song that will never be sung

the soul of a life exinguished

whose time is forever undone

I am the canvas cold and white

where colors will never dance with delight

the child within who has no choice

primordial soul with gifts to give

child enfleshed who cries to live

who longs to feel you warm and near

I am the child you cannot hear

Joe

[Sally]

Joe,

You are going to have to lighten up a bit, I buy tissues by the case but I keep running out!

Another beautiful poem.

Once I publish my book, you can have a copy signed for free - just introduce yourself on the world wide book signing tour and I might just give you the book!

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest 1charlotte1]

Is it a crime

To be amazed by joe,

Might I spare a rhyme

To let him know

He rocks!!!

I am really impressed by ur writing! And u remind me of sylvia Plath (she is my favorite writer)

I don't know what to say, ur stories of what has happened makes me want to comfort u with a hug *hug* but I sense a hope in u!! *hug again* sorry for the cheese grater against ur ears up there! Lol but u do rock!

[Guest joe0117]

Thanks Sally,

I've never been on a tour of any kind. I could do security for you. A celebrity like you will need a body guard.

Charlotte,

Thank you very much. I enjoy Sylvia Plath very much. I appreciate the compliment.

Joe

[Guest joe0117]

broken battered and abused

this is not the life I'd choose

degradated innocence lost

humiliation at any cost

walls of stone surround my heart

no I'd rather not take part

splintered mind lost soul

all of this has taken it's toll

what's the point if no one cares?

I've spent my life avoiding stares

afraid of what they may know

feelings and thoughts I cannot show

drugs and drinking

trying to numb

disgusted by what I have become

what is real and what is not?

professional help it has been sought

therapy, groups, meds, and more

none of this has evened the score

what I am is damaged goods

I look back on my life and consider the shoulds

pain and sorrow I take paralyzing breaths

I wait now for my paroling death

daddy's love and daddy's protect

secrets and lies they must be kept

keep him happy and no one will know

bruises and cuts that never show

straight A student varsity sports

in my mind I hide in forts

security safety only inside

panic consumes me when we go for a late night ride

it's not like I don't know where we'll go

guys line up for a late night show

coming home late forgetting the night

nothing left in me to put up a fight

Joe

[Sally]

Joe, If you want to talk, I am here.

Love ya,

Sally