hubris

there are times
silence speaks
louder than words
blind hubris
continues driving her
to much greater
feats of stupidity
she continues
her endless quest
for what lies just
beyond nowhere
leap frogging toward
the finish line of life

SIGHT

if I should ever lose my sight
one thing I should not have to study
I think I would remember light

having embraced you in a field of white
I will recall its folds around your body
if I should ever lose my sight

how to forget this frantic flight
should I ever learn to hold steady
I think I would remember light

as you refining day from night
with that promise held ready
if I should ever lose my sight

I might be given one dark night
a subtle glow from thoughts so pretty
I think I would remember light

yet small gods continue their spite
larger ones share a heartfelt pity
if I should ever lose my sight
I will always remember you as light

 

tsunami

my words have garnered response from another
uncounted miles lie between, so where to now?
an emotional tsunami raging across a bleak sea

silent screams drowning out my frantic plea
all this while I continue to be amazed at how
my words have garnered response from another

unexpected acknowledgement from this other
brings a tense wrinkling to my fevered brow
an emotional tsunami raging across a bleak sea

a roiling darkness through which I yearn to see
a single glimpse inside those thoughts tell how
my words have garnered response from another

whose outreach I fear that I am fated to smother
should anything worse than empty words follow
an emotional tsunami raging across a bleak sea

bringing more unwarranted emotions that bother
this hint of forbidden thoughts I should never allow
my words have garnered response from another
an emotional tsunami raging across a bleak sea

HEAVEN: a villanelle

often we hear of this place called Heaven
much time we spend dreaming to be there
yet, when all is said and done we walk away

what should we expect on that final day?
would one want to give up this home so fair?
how sad a plight for one to miss Heaven

man struggles to make his own heaven
refusing to admit his ways will not spare
when deeds we have done turn us away

as sadness falls much too heavy to weigh
none is there with which we could share
this bitter taste of using a Pharisee’s leaven

false security that provides no safe haven
takes away all from those who would care
enough not to turn and walk away

a promise is given to all who wish to stay
in a beautiful Book written for all where
we read of this wonderful place called Heaven
missed by all who turn and walk away

CHOICE

Why this dreadful choice I must make
depression and heart go hand in hand
I have no other road to take

a life like mine is only a fake
physical pain I can withstand
why this dreadful choice I must make

there is no magic power I can wake
this cursed bottle becomes my wand
I wish there were another road to take

against this thirst I cannot slake
no will is left with which to stand
why this dreadful choice I must make

coals of hell I must always rake
this coward’s life was never grand
I sought no other road to take

deep inside my soul begins to quake
I lift my gun with a trembling hand
what a dreadful choice I must make
there should be a better road to take

TIME IN A DREAM

The past is not so far back as it might seem
Time cannot be bound in long forgotten ages
Yet it was yesterday we met in our dream

True, the years go by in a steady stream
While life stumbles along in awkward stages
The past is not so far back as it might seem

Years flow past and vanish much like steam
From a kettle while the boiling water rages
But it was yesterday we met in our dream

These written words are just an empty scream
Of frustration over all those wasted voyages
The past is not so far back as it might seem

We travelled together until the years should deem
It necessary to free us from cold tarnished cages
Yes, it was yesterday we met in our dream

We, as moths are drawn to that distant flame
Until it is time to ride our curtained carriages
The past is not so far back as it might seem
And it was yesterday we met in our dream

~~~~~~Jerry Marks

TASTE OF THE SKY

You cannot describe the taste of the sky
To one who will not feel the touch of a rainbow
Unless both are strong enough to fly

If that spirit deep inside gives forth a silent cry
While the heart within your breast beats slow
You cannot describe the taste of the sky

As long as words can be found to deny
There can be no will to swim against the flow
Unless both are strong enough to fly

Should you never gain the strength to pry
Against those bitter winds that blow
You cannot describe the taste of the sky

We will never be able to reach so high
Unless there is contentment here below
You cannot describe the taste of the sky
Until both are strong enough to fly

~~~~~Jerry Marks