Empty Eyes

 

There’s no way out

I scream and I shout

So deep in this hole

I’ve lost all control

 

It’s taken my mind

I’ve created the crime

Sold you my soul

There is no parole

 

I’ve got empty eyes – can’t see inside

I’ve got empty eyes – let my addiction decide

I’ve got empty eyes – thirsty with greed

I’ve got empty eyes – with madness to feed

 

I just want another

Monkey blood brother

My conscience subsides

Once I’m on this ride

 

I’ll steal if I have to

To get myself through

I’ll take what you’ve got

And sell the whole lot

 

I’ve got empty eyes – toxic and angry

I’ve got empty eyes – selfish and hungry

I’ve got empty eyes – they’re on the attack

I’ve got empty eyes – they’ll put a knife in your back

 

Rules are for breaking

Life’s made for the taking

Addiction is hell

That’s where I dwell

 

Vomit and spittle

There ain’t no acquittal

Won’t be no redeeming

Just blood, sweat and screaming

 

I’ve got empty eyes – lost all remorse

I’ve got empty eyes – as a matter of course

I’ve got empty eyes – burned out from the heat

I’ve got empty eyes – doin’ life on the street

 

 

Who am I

 

Just who do I think I am

Flinching in the face of honesty

Ego flailing tentacles of wounded pride

Reeling in my self-righteous insecurity

 

Just who do I think I am

That I don’t warrant criticism

Have I arrived at evolution’s destiny

Gazing at the silvery mirror of perfectionism

 

Just who do I think I am

When someone tries to raise the bar

Do I cry foul; run and hide

Or do I strive to stay on par

 

Just who do I think I am

That I don’t deserve what I dish out

This generous slice of humble pie

Am I just ugly pride and fear throughout

 

Just who do I think I am

That I reject a simple truth

An honest gift from deep respect

Out of uncertainty retained from youth

 

 

Guitar (Acrostic, see previous entry for more info)

Gutsy instrument electric, you alone
Understand what words cannot express
In my heart and mind, your sound
Takes me to that vulnerable place inside
A world past fear and insecurity. You
Release me; with every precious note I’m freed

 

This is called Acrostic Poetry and in this case consists of the first letter in each line forming the words in the title of the poem.

Acrostic Agnostic

An acrostic agnostic crossed my path one day

Claimed he didn’t know which was the right way

Resounding arguments he’d heard as he went to and fro

Only nothing struck home, he just didn’t know

So I thought to myself what does it all mean

To me the answers are clear, I am redeemed

I’ve found a power much greater than me

Could my own experience help him to see?

 

A few years ago I just could not believe

Going nowhere, emptiness, being all I’d conceived

Now life taught me some lessons, struck down my pride

Only alcoholic ruin remained, I must confide

Salvation came when I gave up the fight

The only possible way out lies in God’s might

I don’t understand why; I no longer need to

Can you believe I believe?  I hope someday you do

 

To Rock On or to Rust

 

Chords scream and whine

Distorted, compressed

Amplified turbine

Forceful, distressed

 

A flurry of notes

Follows quickly behind

What say you my friend

What’s on your mind

 

You follow melodically

So full of pretense

And speak so methodically

So frantic, intense

 

What is the reason

For your thunderous noise

Long hair and tattoos

Defiantly poised

 

A celebration of power

A party of lust

To shake and devour

To rock on or to rust

 

Scream with a vengeance

Shout out in disgust

To rebel without reason

To rock on or to rust

 

 

Taunting the Reaper (Quite silly)

I’ve come to the point
And given in to the end
I’ve stared at his gaze
Glanced `round the bend

Seems pointless this fighting
This struggle for life
All desperate actions
In the face of his knife

Yet I’ve got one last plan
One final rebellion
I’ll cling on to this lie
And take on this hellion

I’ll tie his laces together
Poke him with a stick
I’ll put stuff in his milk
That will make him real sick

I’ll put gum in his shoes
Trip him with wire
Misplace his scythe
And let the air from his tires

He’ll turn swiftly around
Thinking he heard a sound
But he’ll just see my shadow
Feel confusion unbound

Yes, he’ll know I am near
As he pulls out his hair
But he’ll never catch me
And cry out with despair

I’ve peaked through the crack
Looked down that long hall
And seen the strange light
Illuminating the walls

But I’ve decided to stay
To fight for my cause
And try to break
That most final of laws

Now I’m taunting the reaper
He’s getting worse by degree
I am taunting the reaper
And I’m dancing with glee

Bleak harvester of souls
Will reap naught for his toils
Will not cross the river Styx
Never again see hell’s lava boil

 

 

The Tide

 

An avalanche of sea and foam

Crashes on my shore each day

Relentless in its ebb and flow

Clearing marks of toil and fray

 

Unmerciful this tireless guest

Stronger than my dwindling will

Unyielding as its timeless test

More potent then my building skill

 

Narrowed eyes awash with sun

Watch your waning innocence

Wile away the work I’ve done

While scoffing at my arrogance

 

Why should I try again today

To hope and dream anew

Creating fodder for your wrath

You demon from the ocean blue

 

Someday soon I’ll take my leave

And lay down by your side

I’ll let your cleansing summary

Take me with your tide

 

No scars or footprints left behind

Just a beach all white with sand

For history there’s naught to find

No evidence of my futile stand

 

 

Bird of Prey

 

Bird of prey circles high in the sky

Watching the plains far below

Searching for signs with its sensitive eyes

Sorting the strong and the weak

 

Outlook uncertain, at best it looks bleak

Dashing from one hole to the next

Warm furry victim so shy and so sleek

Better hide in your hole or you’ll die as you run

 

From high above a flash catches sight

Small dash of motion sets off the attack

Wings folding in, hidden by the sun light

Stealthy and silent, so deadly and black

 

Your fate drops like a rock from the sky

Your heart pounding faster, you dash ‘cross the field

Can you feel the cast shadow in the eye of your mind

Better run, better hide, find your hole, slip inside

 

The two lives collide in the blink of an eye

Feathers and fur struggling to survive

Were you pierced by the talons

Or were you able to hide

 

Seems you were lucky you’ll live one more day

As bird catches wind, climbing back to the sky

Better take heed, stay aware, yes indeed

You had better stay sharp or you’re going to bleed

 

Twenty Years

 

Spirited stallion

Galloping hard on field

A mighty weapon

For my hand to wield

 

Amplified vision

Of sorcerous yield

Thundering voice

On a staged battlefield

 

Curved body black

With a velvety feel

Always on the attack

No room for appeal

 

Mine from the start

Always ready to squeal

With feedback and fire

Electrified steel

 

After twenty long years

You still have much to reveal

And for twenty years longer

On your altar I’ll kneel

 

An Ode to My Guitar. Thanks to Jimi Hendrix for setting it free.