Introduction
This is my first book and I chose to do something difficult: poetry! As you well know there are poems and then there are poems. Gathering enlightened poems to put in a book is like trying to catch fallen leaves on a gusty fall day; unless you are a little kid, this is a most convoluted business. Fortunately for me, my wife is built of Irish common sense (she is from County Cork, Ireland!) If something is truly dumb, I can count on her to tell me. I knew I was on to something when she read one of my poems and she was moved to tears. She only gets that way when watching really emotional movies. It is good to know that I can compete with poignant Hollywood movies for invoking tears in my wife. Also in completing this work, other things have gotten in the way: my regular work (active duty warrant officer in the U.S. Army), my family (a wife, two kids, and a cat), the computer game that unfortunately resides on the same machine as my manuscript; and the best one of all, my own doubts and fears about rejection. I realized though that rejection doesn't really matter to me. Writing a book was one of the hundred things I wanted to do in my life. I did it. I hope you enjoy my foray into this most beautiful literary form. Thanks.
Bench
I come from a different world from you Your comfort and privilege My chaos and insecurities I will never feel the solace you know I have only the wish for the peace you have.
I move along this self-made road, Smelling the self planted flowers, Hearing the wind move the trees, They grow by my road.
Yet I feel the sweet sadness knowing That you will never be the same as me Realizing that what I feel Is understood only by me.
When you open your heart To me at that place where our paths cross We can erect a beautiful sturdy bench Where we can sit embraced And share the view of our world.
Tree
There is this tree in front of where I live When the wind blows it moves And is still when the wind is not
I am like that tree For me to move it seems I need a wind to caress my tired limbs
And then when there is no wind I am still like that tree In front of where I live.
Come Back
You have shown me the reality of love A touch, a kiss, an embrace Shows me the intimacy of our love
I have no fears as you sleep In my mind and in my arms
As your voice echoes in my ears
I cry out to you
I see your coming
I await your return.
Standing Next To You
I don't intend To make you Nervous
I only want to Stand next to you
To see your breath To feel your heart To touch your skin
Pulsing Beating Throbbing
Next to mine.
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