Poetry Website

Birds on a wire
Snakes in the grass

Like unto like
Each unto its own

A bottle for the wino
Silence for the monk

Neon dreams for the artist
Dark nightmares for the politician

Truth for the seeker
Ignorance for the fool

A time for everything
A seed for each new season

Clouds in the blue sky
Scum in the murky pond

A kiss between lovers
A knife in the side

Signs of synchronicity
Warnings of perilous doom

A Renaissance for America
A downfall of the Empire

Order in the evolution of mindfulness
Chaos in the stagnation of misperception

Like unto like
Each unto its own

More at http://17numa.wordpress.com/.

Sometimes it’s like a sack of coal
to your breaking back
other times like a heartful
of joyful flower petals.
Boredom yawning stupidly
whilst sat in your lap,
depression whittling
concentration down to nothing,
anxiety kindling the touch paper
awaiting impatiently at each nerve-end.
Bear trap jaws of addiction, so bitter sweet,
the emptiness of loss
and the laughing weathercock of madness.
The unpleasantness of sickness,
healing hands of love and kisses,
the catchy smiles which explode and multiply.
The whimsical nonsense of spontaneity
and the beautiful adrenalin of enthusiasm.
Each day, upon awakening
is a delicate balancing act,
the morning scales swing manically
whilst compass-ing their daily bearings.
It’s a crapshoot, my Dear, a gamble
with much to both win or lose,
for we’re all bearing a burden
each moment of this strange life.
The Sunnyside of the street in your mind
is the best port in the storm
to tentatively tread
your first thoughtful step upon.

More at http://paultristram.blogspot.co.uk/.

For years afterward, the children would remember
their visit to the planetarium with great fear. They were
enthralled by streams of stars stretching across a
vast dome of sky. Only the brochure frightened them.

“Welcome to Mauna Kea Observatory on the Island of Hawaii.
You have never before stood so close to the stars.
Throughout the night, telescopes will be pointed at
various objects in the sky. You may see nebulae, clusters,
comets. You may feel lightheaded, short of breath.
Be sure to dress warmly. Do not drink alcohol or overeat.
If you are recovering from a doomed love affair; if you
are pregnant or trying to be; if you are prone to fits of
ecstasy or delusions that you can fly; if you’ve been diagnosed
as irrational, flighty, or strange; if people call you bi-polar,
please think twice before proceeding further.

“If your children are under age 11, please delay their
visit until they reach puberty. You may visit the snack bar
and gift shop in the lobby.”

“If you wish to climb to the summit, do so at your own risk.
Mahalo and enjoy your visit!”

“That’s bull,” said the father. “Walk right up, children. Up to
the stars.”

Yellow and green
in place of black

A heart
in place of coal

Friendship
in place of treachery

Water
in place of wine

Oxygen
in place of smoke

Health and happiness
in place of sickness

Life and love
in place of cancer

Truth and honesty
in place of false hope

A song
in place of silence

Order
in place of chaos

Today
in place of the past

More at http://17numa.wordpress.com/.

I’m not sure what these lights mean.
Do I go forward, or back?
Or have I already passed through?
Your eyes are mysterious in the half-light
I’m running
In

I’m having trouble trying to decide
what to do with this dagger
that’s been placed in my side.
Whether I should kindly ask
that you remove it now,
or whether I should place
my hand upon yours
and help you twist it a bit deeper
to bring about the end a little quicker.

More at http://17numa.wordpress.com/.

I do failure really well
Even though most think I’m a success
I fear winning
The pressure of keeping it going
Almost to much to bear
Failure gives me something to work on
Angst is my wet dream
Money a secondary pleasure
New and shiny is temporary
My heart is vintage
My watch a wind-up
Loving my cloudy day