The pressure mounts
as my breath draws short, a heavy weight on my chest, and a ringing in my ears as darkness overtakes light, my vision fades, I panic. What’s happening? My fingers tingle unable to grip, unable to hold. My skin beads, a sweaty brow, clammy hands, and a drenched shirt. The room is warped, contracting as I freeze, unable to get to my feet. I begin to fear that I’m dying, buried alive, helpless.
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From the inside out
infrastructure is decaying beneath our feet, under our home, in our faith. Out of sight, out of mind, neglected and corroded, forgotten by distractions, foundations decaying. Overpopulated cities, stretching the capacity, expanding without opening minds and closing hearts. Forget thy neighbor, it’s all about me, more and more toys, more and more technology. Lost art of conversation. Praying for wealth, not love. Praying for a spot on the team, not the team. Decaying on both knees. Empty churches, empty people. Time for a root canal. Clear the mind in three minutes thinking about the day, tomorrow, this week or the year ahead. Think about the past and reflect on mistakes in three minutes, but also consider happy times. In just three minutes, the mind can wander or focus on the dark space of silence. Three minutes of thinking can create four lines of writing, more or less, based on the distractions encountered.
I don’t care what he said.
Oh great! You don’t care! That’s not what I said, That’s what she heard. She liked what he said, Not what I said. She knows what I said is truth, What he said is a lie. Her defenses are up. He said a lie, he said he’d never. She knows I said the truth. She knows I’ve never lied. He said I don’t love her, He said I’m not always there, He said that I don’t care, He said it to make her anxious, He said things to scare her, He said things to manipulate her, He said things to control her, He said he loves her, He said a lie. Will there ever be a void
Where loss, there was once life? Will there ever be happiness Where smiles where once contagious? Will there ever be lies Where the truth was once less painful? Will there ever be peace Where there were once no struggles? Will there ever be a clear path Where there once was no fog? Will you ever know Where you are now? Three dim lights
Hovering, casting rays, Creating shadows, Like ghosts, Haunting the page, Taunting your thoughts To put quill to parchment, Blots of darkness On a virgin white princess. Be the prince, Rescue her story From the balcony, Sharing it with the kingdom, Peasants and royalty, Anticipating new hope, A glimmer of opportunity, Releasing monarchical rule, Sharing the imagination With the masses, Opening the gate To the people, Illuminating the dawn. Shorter days,
Waning rays. Cooler nights, Approaching frostbite. Dress in layers, Homeless in prayers. The fires burn, The leaves turn. A canvas of color, A season like no other. Autumn is here, Winter is near. From where I sit,
I see the sunshine On the waving leaves Of a towering palm. From where I sit, I see the salt water Crashing onto a sandy beach Glistening with scattered shells. From where I sit, Birds soar overhead Seeing what I see From a different perspective. Looking down on couples Strolling on a sandy beach, Holding hands as they Comb for perfect shells. Looking down on bathers, Tan, red, and glowing white, Relaxing in nature’s light Away from the day-to-day. Looking down at me, Looking up at them, A mutual appreciation Of the peace we share. The road is an addiction,
Hot asphalt and dusty billows. Driving along a broken line To an unfamiliar destination, No pins, no maps required. The scenery changes with every mile, The weather bright, cloudy, and stormy, Ever changing like your mental state, Your mind wandering to and fro, Where you’ve been, where you’re going. In the isolation of a four door vehicle Trapped, yet protected, with a seat belt, Secure in knowing the road is open, Gripping your tires, your imagination, Taking you on a trip, without tripping. To overcome
What weighs you down, Reach inside and Spend time alone, To acquaint with The only person Able to bring happiness To your life's journey. You are the gatekeeper, Unlocking positivity And joyous relations Within, and beyond A hinged barrier At mind and in heart. Turn the key, Opportunities await. |
Robert Stanhope
Writer and photographer. Archives
October 2023
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