A King In My Skin

Hello everyone. I hope you all are in great health and even better spirits. As you may have guess, it's that time again, lol. Back with another piece that you all will hopefully enjoy. Now, I must admit, after the initial inspiration struck me for this one, I had to sit with just a few words on the page, for a few days. For some reason, the rest of the words wouldn't come. I kept trying different ideas, but in the end, I was just spinning my wheels. And as always, when you try to force things, it just doesn't come out the way you'd like them to. So I deleted everything, but the core idea, and saved it for a rainy day, so to speak. And the other night, I revisited the idea, and finally, the words began to flow. And there was a few times the other night, where I had to stop, and fight with it a bit, but in the end, I'm pretty pleased and pretty proud of this piece. The genesis for this piece was in a conversation with my good friend, Rashad. And basically what I was telling him was, that from here on out, I was going to only worry about improving myself. I was going to work hard on getting better as a man and not being so focused on the trivial things in life. And I told him that I basically wanted to get a point where I was happy, secure financially, and where I felt like "a king in my own skin." And after he told me he thought my words were powerful, I made a mental note, that this would become my mantra of sorts. So the poem, is written from the perspective of, realizing things haven't gone the way you've liked them to. But in spite of this, you have reached deep down and inside and found the strength to continue, and you will not tolerate anything less than what you deserve. So there you have it. I finally stop rambling, and let you get to the poem now. Thank you all for reading this. It means more to me than you will ever, ever know.

"A King In My Skin"
2013

I've learned that castles in the sand
Are the minions of the tide
And what I'll never understand
Are the opinions some provide
But it's from here on out
That I will only listen to
Words distilled from lies
And placed in statements true
'Cause I've faced the consequence
Of an all consuming doubt
And this new found confidence
Has helped me tune it out
'Cause my will has turned to armor
Forged inside the flame
And my wants are now demands
So you all must bare some blame
Oh, my sword is made of flesh
Made to please my chosen queen
And my throne's inside my bones
So let me tell you what I mean
There's a king within my skin
That's now begun to rule
Without a need for counsel
He's grown too wise for fools
And this king within my skin
Would never hide behind a shield
'Cause the world is on his shoulders
So he can't afford to yield
I've learned the weak will moderate
And fools will just consume
But he who rules himself
Can always stop and then resume
And yes, the brave are dying young
And the timid dying slow
But I have far too much to see
To not know which way to go
So I've taken doubt by storm
And pushed it to the ledge
'Cause I'm fed up with the norm
So I pushed it off the edge
And I've come to find the view
Is better standing tall
'Cause hanging your head down
Will make it easier to fall
But now my will has turned to armor
Forged inside the flame
And my wants are now demands
So you all must bare some blame
Oh, my sword is made of flesh
Made to please my queen
And my throne's inside my bones
So let me tell you what I mean
There's a king within my skin
That's now begun to rule
Without a need for counsel
He's grown too wise for fools
And this king within my skin
Would never hide behind a shield
'Cause the world is on his shoulders
So he can't afford to yield
Yeah, it's hard to see this crown
That often feels like thorns
Knowing all men have a devil
Within them hiding horns
But pitchforks have no use
When your enemy is seen
In mirrors once seduced
By reflections far from clean
But behind these castle walls
Are the emptiest of halls
For the ravens bring no words
And the phones bring no calls
So maybe silence has been sown
In the fields I used to plow
While hoping I would be shown
The way beyond the here and now
And if I found that path
I'd wipe the sweat from off my brow
And fight to blaze a trail
That would illuminate the ground
And now my will has turned to armor
Forged inside that flame
And my wants are now demands
So you all must bare some blame
Oh, my sword is made of flesh
Made to please my chosen queen
And my throne's inside my bones
So let me tell you what I mean
There's a king within my skin
That's now begun to rule
Without a need for counsel
He's grown too wise for fools
And this king within my skin
Would never hide behind a shield
'Cause the world is on his shoulders
So he can't afford to yield
I watch my castle kiss the clouds
It's held by pillars made of stone
Knowing the world I choose to rule
Will only be my own
And the moat the flows around
Seeks to remind me of
The water I used to tread
When this world denied me love
But in time they've come around
And they seek to be the ones
Around the fabled table round
To get their hands on all the crumbs
But my circle's stayed the size
That it always used to be
So as I conquer more than doubts
My knights will be right next to me
'Cause my will has turned to armor
Forged inside the flame
And my wants are now demands
So you all must bare some blame
Oh, my sword is made of flesh
Made to please my chosen queen
And my throne's inside my bones
So let me tell you what I mean
There's a king within my skin
That's now begun to rule
Without a need for counsel
He's grown too wise for fools
And this king within my skin
Would never hide behind a shield
'Cause the world is on his shoulders
So he can't afford to yield
And now that I have found
What I thought forever lost
You should know that sound
Is the preparing of a dish best served with frost
And my friend, I've paid the price
For being far too nice
But I will follow my own advice
And make sure that I avoid being the next one on a cross...

Predators & Housepets

Hello everyone. It's that time again. Here with another poem. I hope you all are in great health and even better spirits. As far as this entry goes, this one came together after listening to some music for awhile, and finally getting inspired. The particular piece is called, "Predators & Housepets," and it's basically a warning about someone seeming too good to be true. The title is a paraphrased quote, from one of my favorite films of all time, "Fight Club." In the film, Tyler Durden is talking to "The Narrator" about "his" ongoing relationship with a troubled woman named Marla Singer. And in a bit of advice, Tyler tells him, "That's good. Because she's a predator posing a house pet. Stay away from her." So basically, the poem is written from the standpoint of the narrator is observing a relationship on the cusp of starting, but he is warning the guy that the woman has been hurt before, so she could be out to return the favor to someone. But the guy isn't trying to hear it, because he was wanted to be with the woman for a long time. So what follows is the "conversation" of the narrator and the poor, unsuspecting guy. I hope you all enjoy it. As always, feel free to leave your thoughts, constructive criticisms, and/or experiences in the comment section below. And most importantly, thank you all for reading this. It means more than you will ever know.




"Predators & Housepets"
2013

The smile is often deadly
When flashed to a lonely soul
And it's when you're far from ready
That it's claws have taken hold
But when you're walking unaware
Ignorance is closer to the bliss
That causes suns to shine
And makes nights easier to miss
Oh, the eyes are open wide
With so many sights to see
But when you take a look inside
There's a path to misery
So you have to don your armor
To protect your better parts
'Cause once the ball is rolling
You can't stop it when it starts
And you'll have to guard your heart
Or you'll be prone to play the part
'Cause no matter what you say
We're all a form of prey
For the precious predator
In a housepet sort of wear
So if you're listening
Friend, I hope you do beware
The lips are often deadly
When they whisper compliments
And with that shade of lipstick
You'd swear they're heaven sent
And don't let them take the shape
You'd expect to make a kiss
Or else you'll be the next
Name right atop her list
But know it doesn't track the naughty
No, it'll only list the nice
Those warm and unsuspecting
Yet willing to pay the silent price
Just to be this close to love
With a beauty barely seen
On this duller side of screens
Never hearing "cut" behind the scenes
Oh, the eyes are open wide
With so many sights to see
But when you take a look inside
There's a path to misery
So you have to don your armor
To protect your better parts
'Cause once the ball is rolling
You can't stop it when it starts
And you'll have to guard your heart
Or you'll be prone to play the part
'Cause no matter what you say
We're all a form of prey
For the precious predator
In a housepet sort of wear
So if you're listening
Friend, I hope you do beware
There are birds within the trees
And flowers in the garden
But you often fail to see the spiders
That will never beg your pardon
So watch where you place your hands
For the web is unforgiving
And you could be devoured
While the birds continue singing
So the lesson you should learn
Is to never mess with nature
Because it will only take a smile
To make you forget the nomenclature
And not leave the butterflies to roam
And fly so very free
'Cause they once were caterpillars
You never took the time to see
But it's only when they blossom
Do they seek to catch your eyes
Leaving a certain kind of Jack
Completely lacking in surprise
But in the windows to her soul
Often lie the intentions of her mind
And there's a tempered wish for vengeance
That she has come to find
For being broken by the villains
Who would spark her inner flame
And leave her crying to the heroes
Who sought to save her soul in vain
But to her they were as boring
As watching paint begin to dry
So it's not devoid to reason
Why she'd seek to burn alive
But after trying out the field
She has found a sort of groove
In the space between your arms
Where it's much easier to move
And like the fool you are
You become taken by the rush
That men will often feel
When reuniting with a crush
That they have longed to have
Since they were very young
Unaware this game is won
And her subtle trap is sprung
But it's easy to be the victor
With willing participants
Yet when you look closely at the victims
You will find her fingerprints
But who am I to judge
The fool who confuses love for lust
When I'm the fool who'll never budge
From being so stingy with his trust
But these eyes are open wide
With so many sights to see
But when you take a look inside
There's a path to misery
So you have to don your armor
To protect your better parts
'Cause once the ball is rolling
You can't stop it when it starts
And you'll have to guard your heart
Or you'll be prone to play the part
'Cause no matter what you say
We're all a form of prey
For the precious predator
In a housepet sort of wear
So if you're listening
Friend, I hope you do beware...

Is The Cycle Broken?

"Is The Cycle Broken?"
2013

It seems we're drawing circles
Leaving the same old motions made
And we're still treading water
Raising our heads as we wade
And it's like we each missed a dose
Of our dramamine
And it's this merry-go-round
That's the stage for our drama scene
But since someone's drawn the curtain
I'll have to man the lights
'Cause it seems we're on the path
Toward our epic fights
But as the volume starts to rise
Can you look me in my eyes
And say the cycle's broken
And have it not sound like lies
Now it seems you're building walls
So how can the fences mend
When I can't keep up construction
As you smile and just pretend
That we didn't miss a dose
Of some sweet reality
Knowing I can't quite figure out
Why you're so fucking mad at me
But someone's drawn the curtain,
So I have to man the lights
'Cause it seems we're on the path
Toward our epic fights
And as the volume starts to rise
Can you look me in my eyes
Then say the cycle's broken
And have it not sound like lies
Oh, it seems I've crossed the line
By suggesting moving on
And you can tell I'm serious
Now that what you've drawn is gone
'Cause we don't need another dose
Of those jagged little pills
That some labeled memories
Our minds have had their fills
But you just like bringing up
My every wrong in sight
Pretending every right has danced
In the shadow of the night
And I'm not laying blame
Or impersonating saints
I'm just digging for the truth
Beneath a layer of complaints
But you won't say a word
And it's as if you know
That I have some psychic powers
That I've refused to show
But we we're too old for this
And not getting any younger
So can we get back to the bliss
For which I've begun to hunger
Or is your soul content
To starve us of happiness
While neglecting all the parts
We have to clean inside this fucking mess
But someone's drawn the curtain,
So I have to man the lights
'Cause it seems we're on the path
Toward our epic fights
And as the volume starts to rise
Can you look me in my eyes
Then say the cycle's broken
And have it not sound like lies
And much to my chagrin
Not a word was spoken
So I whispered,
"Baby, tell me, is the cycle broken?
Or are those pieces from our hearts?"

A Believer's Prize

Hello again everyone. I hope these words find you all in great health and even better spirits. It's that time again. Back with another poem. It is called, "A Believer's Prize," and this one is very special to me. For starters, it was inspired by a dream a had about a week or so ago. And oh yeah, it was also inspired by listening to the new album, "Delta Machine" by Depeche Mode. But to give you a little back story, very recently I was talking to a beautiful, young woman who I cared for, and by some form of luck, she actually cared about me as well. And things were going well between us, and it seemed like we were going to progress into something more. But to make a long story short, after getting our signals crossed, I said some very, very hurtful things to her and pretty much ruined any chance I had of being with her. Which is my own fault. But in this dream I had, I actually saw her face, crystal clear, and she basically forgave me for being such a moron, and reacting so harshly. But the words that she spoke in the dream, actually harkened back to a time when we had a disagreement of sorts. See, she is a spiritual person, who believes in God, while I, myself, am an atheist. So she wasn't sure, if she could be with someone who didn't believe in God. But as I began to write the poem, it was written from the perspective that she is looking past my laundry list of mistakes, and the few that she made, and wants us to be together again. Almost just like in the dream. Except in the dream, we were face to face talking. And we shared a kiss afterwards. And I swear, after I woke up, I could almost taste her kiss. It's weird how vivid the mind can be. But I feel the poem is a beautiful tribute to her,  and I also realized the poem is basically a part two to a poem I wrote a few weeks ago. That poem was called, "If There Is Such A Thing," and was written to express the depression I felt after losing what we had. So okay, enough of my rambling now. I will let you all read it finally. But I just wanted to explain why this piece means so much to me. But it can't compare to the person that it's about. Thank you all for reading this. It means more than you will ever know.

"A Believer's Prize"
2013

Today's another day
That I was blessed to see
But much to my dismay
You weren't next to me
And when I turned around
I see the place you used to lay
The impression's still as deep
As it was on yesterday
But then I recall the words
That I once said to you
And I know they hurt like hell
'Cause I thought them to be true
But now I realize
Just how wrong I was
So now I'm calling you
And the reason is because
I don't need you to believe
In what the books might say
I just need to know your eyes
Will only look my way
So please ignore the judgments
Of those who matter not
Baby, just come back home
And give me all you've got
Now the black is bleeding in
And turning night from day
While the stars are little lights
Sparkling far away
But I'm sitting here alone
And I'm staring at the phone
While praying to a God
For the sound of ringing in my home
But then I recall the words
That I once said to you
And I know they hurt like hell
'Cause I thought them to be true
But now I realize
Just how wrong I was
So now I'm calling you
And the reason is because
I don't need you to believe
In what the books might say
I just need to know your eyes
Will only look my way
So please ignore the judgments
Of those who matter not
Baby, just come back home
And give me all you've got
See, I know you have your faults
They're clear and well defined
But I won't excuse my own
Since they've come to light in time
And opinions often differ
When people speak their minds
But my reaction was much stiffer
Than the knee-jerk sort of kinds
But what gives life it's meaning
Is when things are not the same
And I know things between us failed
And we each must bare some blame
But I hope you'll believe me when I say
That I have finally opened up my eyes
And I see that it was an atheist
That was this true believer's prize
But then I recall the words
That I once said to you
And I know they hurt like hell
'Cause I thought them to be true
But now I realize
Just how wrong I was
So now I'm calling you
And the reason is because
I don't need you to believe
In what the books might say
I just need to know your eyes
Will only look my way
So please ignore the judgments
Of those who matter not
Baby, just come back home
And give me all you've got
And now I hope you know,
I don't need you on your knees
Unless you like that sort of thing
So, won't you put my soul at ease
And give this phone a ring
No, I don't need you on your knees
Unless you like that sort of thing
So, won't you put my soul at ease
And give this hand a ring
Then we'll ignore the judgments
Of those who matter not
Oh baby, just come back home
And give me all you've got...