I Can’t Believe

I can’t believe I was
Afraid of nothing.
I can’t believe I was
Intimidated by nobody.
I can’t believe she never
Told me anything.

I can’t believe how many years
It’s been since everything.
I can’t believe through
The years and tears
Without fears
She’s gone.
Can you believe it?
I still can’t.

J.G 5/30/06

When I Swim

Doing strokes through
The crisp, clear blue water
Makes the water
Start to massage every inch of my body,
From fingertip to toe.
A relaxing intensity develops
And after a good swim,
A calm, endorphin rush
Puts my head in the clouds.
And when I take a nap,
It feels like I’m resting in heaven

J.V.
8/8/06

Nothing Can Get in My Way

Nothing can get in my way.
Only I can get in my way.
Sometimes I feel like
There isn’t enough me
To deal with me.

I get lonely
And I call me
To tell me
I love me.

Shorty 7/18/06

Not Here

At the beach
By the water
Seeking refuge
From the hot.

The sound of water
Lapping at the shore,
Melodic and relaxing sounds
Putting me and
Easing me
Into a meditative state.

Breathing deeply—
Inhale—hold
Exhale—slowly
Drifting—away
To my special place.

Away from distraction
Of the world.
Peace is upon me—
I am one with nature
One with the water

I’m floating but
Not swimming;
Alive—but not working.
I listen with my inner ear.

All is calm until
The noise
The traffic
The phone
The job
The kids
The bills
The problems
Frustrations
Procrastinations
Failures
The squawking
The questions
The pain
Bring me back
To reality
Until I go back to the beach again in my mind.

TW 6/20/06

I Recall

I recall a time—
When TV was in black and white;
When colors weren’t as vivid, or as many;
When Ricky and Lucy slept in twin beds.

I remember a time—
When the world seemed new
And I was adventurous;
When people were love children.

I remember a time—
When government out of control
Was exposed.
Now corruption is covert.

I remember a time—
When everyone had
A home, an apartment, a kitchenette;
When politicians made promises
Of a chicken in every pot
And a car in every garage.

I remember a time-
When the American dream was
Definable, nameable

Now, Americans are homeless,
Sick, unemployed, in prison,
Oppressed, spied on.

I long for a time
Reminiscent of time long ago.

T.W. 7/18/06

I Recall a Time

I recall a time when
I wasn’t in the situation I am now;
I was once gainfully employed
And with place of my own.
I’ve actually owned three homes.
Can’t believe I’m homeless—
What happened?!

C.B. 7/18/06

How Do You Think I Feel

How do you think I feel
When you said
I can trust you,
But it wasn’t true.

How do you think I feel
When you said
I’ll never hurt you,
And you did.

How do you think I feel
When you said
I’ll help you,
And you didn’t.

How do you think I feel
When you said
You loved me,
And you don’t

Well, I’ll tell you.
This is how I feel;
All that shit
And you know what—

I don’t feel so good.
How do you think I feel?
The answer is—
I don’t.

Shorty 8/22/06

A Place

Today I’d like to be in a place
Far away from the everyday
Stressful situations
That fill me full of doubt.
To a future I’m trying to get to.

But only by getting through
Til the unpleasant situations
Are finally solved,
Will I be in a place
Where I can find
My peace.

L.D. 4/11/06

In a Place Called New Zealand

I’d like to be in the midst of
Towering trees and cliffs
With waterfalls that look so unreal
You feel like the place
You are is a dream
Or fantasy.

The aqua blue clear rushing
and gushing waters
Embraced by the lush green forest
That towers around you
With the flowers that add
A dash of excitement
In minimal places
That pop out of the surroundings
As bright as laser lights
In a laser show.

The water’s color seems to glow
Like florescent color
Under a black light.
And you only wish to immerse yourself
In such a fantasy world
That you learn to discover exists
In a place called New Zealand

J.V. 6/20/06