Popular P O E M S Commonplace Thoughts — for Steve It just flew out of my head -- Say something sacred. Is that what I want? Something sacred? No one knows where anyone goes. I never was the same after that. Something tells me I shouldn’t. Anything can start me up. Things were just getting good. My conscience won’t let me. I didn’t know any better, addicted to ugly thoughts. There are real things out there. I can only go so fast. I knew it was funny because people were laughing. No one knew better than I. You can only have so much pleasure. I’m having fun. No one ever fixed it yet. You’d think I’d know better by now about what to do. I am flooded with mail. I can do that. I love the praise I get when I get the praise I love. Everyday it’s another thing. Now I know that thirst. There is a lot of confusion going around. You almost have to have a mystical faith. Let me have a little joy. I want to suck the juice. I’d almost like to be me. It’s perfectly natural to me. I want to give pleasure to me. It might as well be sex. Maybe I could go away. Every day is a little like that. I’ve experienced this. One day it will come together but I have no patience to wait. All I have to do is think up ways of doing it. Deal with it! Get an appointment, please. All I can do is all I can do. This is clear. Today it’s too easy to be. Let’s not gaze in amazement. You think you’re something special but you’re not. You’re me! All I love is clear. These are all excused. How easily things can explode. I know what’s around. It’s very easy to know how. I can’t wait to get started. I think I have to do it. One of these days I’ll kill myself Hiding the details. It’s all I see. It’s time you understood It’s not enough that you were afraid. I’ve been this way for years. I could depress myself easily. Awaiting your note. Minor differences About the present, future and past Wait me like a cloak. Will I die before I wake? Will I wake before I die? Now we know today is here. The birds are singing. I am myself unexcited to think of it. Well, I can’t wait around forever. Keep your eye on the sparrow. Don’t hesitate to show-off. You made me worried. Dreams no longer come true. Maybe this is a real end. God is in the in-between. It means something to me. I appeal to the idiot in you. I wonder why? Thanks for that effort. Who the hell cares! I am fond of the pain. Call it by any name. Always reach the top. I know which way to go. I think your problem’s solved. Who says you can’t be good and great? I am alive. So are you. Just we two. It’s a very hard job. This is terrible. I am awake and alive. They’re all centered on one thing. I like to break it up. I can’t accept nothing. You’ll get in a wreck and then you’ll be dead. I can’t believe I’m dreaming the same truth always. Who will I be? I can go anywhere. I seem to be. Oh, let’s not be duty-bound! I’m so afraid I’ve done something wrong. We’ll all be dead before we’re through. If it was important to you then, why isn’t it important to you now? One of these days there’ll be nothing left of you. I can always hope. I better take what I can get and forget the rest. You’ve got to work your way up. I hope it’s not too late for me. It was so strange, growing up. Like any ghost, I never meant to die. You know you never know. It doesn’t matter at all. I’ll start worrying now. We all make our choices every day. So far it has not been pleasant. Every wound shows. I grow hopeful over time. I suddenly realized it was true. Your organic nails don’t matter. The confidence that money brings. Forever knows I bring a lot. I am willing to accept my choices. If you can’t give up hope, what can you give up? Is this summertime or am I dreaming? You can’t help but feel alive. Everybody starts with just a little bit. Is it all right to speak the truth? Like I’m doing? It’s confusing me. You have to reach a revolution in your own mind. They drip from sight. No one will care when I’m dead. I shoot myself in the foot. They all wall it away. Everyday is a close call. I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’m doing it. How could I live without this thing? Let’s keep the current alive. I am alive and well. I knew there was something I was forgetting. You were asleep. What is the key to managing? No matter what I am, I am here! Let’s not go too far. I was independent of me. I was distracted again. I had a birth announcement to make. I was feeling blue. Why, it was right here! It does and it doesn’t, I guess. I’ve leeched out all the substance. Why doesn’t it hurt? How many times has that happened? That’s the ideal thing to do. I want peace, but all I get is war. Never let go. I knew there was a reason for this. How does that happen? I see unexamined possibilities. Even before I saw it I knew it. My stomach leads me. It can go anywhere. A hundred thousand miracles may happen every day. I’m kidding myself again. All this will be over soon. It was fueled by anger. There’s not much to it. Wallow in my sadness. It’s an emotional struggle. I had lost the ability to bullshit. Shouldn’t it be nice? The world‘s an evil place. I’ve got really creative again. It’s one voice. I have so much fun. I was delighted to see. I’m taking up where I left off. Everybody’s got to spin. It’s an old style. I had thought I was beginning to be. Nowhere else but in you the mystery is beginning to happen. I am now at rest. Give me hand. Let me expose myself To you I am a creep. Don’t think so fast. Alternately going and stopping fast. This is how I am going. What a difference when your origin is clear. It’s really cruel. I’m in love with myself again. Anything can happen at any time, as far as we know. You wish for somebody’s death. To myself it’s real. The sun is rising in my heart. Now may I review my dreams? My rotten heart adores me. I just like it when I’m right. Say hello to today. Who possesses my dreams? Not you. My social skills are sinking. I wonder about that lack. As plain as can be I am amazed at your face. When will I be all right? Another thing can happen every day. My knowledge is slight. I am a dream. It’s too bad to be. Squeeze me tight. I have no reason to cry. Everything takes a moment. I’m glad to see you’re a democrat. I’m trying to get a hold of myself. It’s all for nothing. I’m unconsciously memorizing everything I see. The edge is bright. Who is my friend? Someone I don’t know. Save me, doctor of the heart! Basically I’m free. You think that’s funny? I hope. One thing after another. I’m secure. I saw it right away. I will not let you explain. You’ve said enough. Make it all make sense. I have no heart. I’m always looking for the result. I tried to push the envelope. Maybe it’s not in the cards for me. The reality is what is not. I’ll do anything else but that. You never think something’s going to happen to you. I get into a prayerful mood again. I’m getting pretty disgusted with everything. What am I waiting for? How sad for me. There’s absolutely nothing I can do about that. Something is changing in me. I’m beginning to see another side of things. Something else might be better. Something else must be better. It doesn’t matter what language you speak as long as you say something. We don’t know what draws us. We need a new backbone. We’re always the same thing. I sure do need a rest. There might be a way to change this. Theories come and go. Everyone shares everything. At least I can do one thing. I’ve done this a hundred times or more. At least I’m striving. I love it the way it is. I want to do it again. I had hoped for enough. There are so many unknowns. It sickens me. I’m believing to understand what life is like. You got to keep it happy. I’m so nervous today. One of these days I’m going to leave it all behind. They make love like rabbits. Look at the stories go by. I see beauty around me today. Don’t let worries overwhelm your life. Make your room a glow. I have it all worked out. It’s not going to happen. I already know. It’s all tawdry to me. Let’s just celebrate. Your thoughts are secret. I won’t tell. I can’t face the truth. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect. What I once despised I now adore. Everybody’s in the same place. That’s not supposed to happen. What everybody’s saying has come true. One day could be the future. There they are. I know they are. All it happens to be. It might have life. Maybe you’d better stay out of it. I’m really coming around, I think. It’s best not to live alone. Why must you stop in the middle of everything? There’s something like a hand in the middle of everything. I’m tucked into my seat belt. Why must I go? I don’t know why they’re bothered. Are you really amazed? I wonder how I can face my heart. It seemed inevitable, didn’t it? Who else has the confidence that I possess? All the leaves are brown and the sun is gray. Why go back, go back to the end? They transform the thing. Another night is another plan. How many different things there are. I can’t make sense of anything. They will talk about you when you are gone A little bit. The future feels like a frozen wasteland. There was nothing left to cherish. The simplest things can lead to complex problems. It was a crush. I want an ideal summer. Something else occurs in a blur. You can stop me at any time. I want a little bit to last. I don’t want to prove anything. I am not one to make a fuss. Things don’t fit together anymore. They’re just like me. They’re just like everyone else. How much do I have to endure? I haven’t been obedient enough. You’ll be on the floor someday. It’s so hard to keep track of everything. Only eat when you’re hungry and cry when you’re sad. They might have broke even. He has a history of regret. Open your mind before you die. You never know what will happen. How irritating I must be. You keep imitating happiness. Who wants to live alone? I struggle with life, I struggle with terror. I have everything I want. You don’t know who’s watching. I did everything wrong. I live my life for little things. I keep banging by head against that door. Everything is a struggle of needy people. All of those things were swept aside. They got what they deserved but they didn’t deserve it. Shouldn’t it be supposed? What I am after is pleasure. You’re not far off the mark. What will it be? All together or apart. An infinite radio speaks into my ear. Nothing. In the atmosphere is rain. Desperate Sayings Without the ship’s quick sail The heart couldn’t leave the harbor. It’s said they’ve hardly begun When they leave us all behind. A clever fellow is a man who thinks like a fool. Be sure you have a hat. Your feet may need it. Where ever you go the sun shines if you keep your eyes open in the dark. Even if I weren’t me I would be you. The best there is Is scarcely enough. My only regret Is when I am dead. What is there to live for That hasn’t been lived before? Remove tomorrow from desire And you will have today. Everything turns upside down When there’s nobody around. Fortunately, I have enough saved up without you: The Constipated Idiot. When things are enough it’s time to leave a little bit. Broken you, broken me. Now it’s time to skin a cat. I am deep into everything And on top of nothing. Too bad. It’s real as light And still you can’t see. — 1995 A H E A R T A h e a r t i s f r e e w h e n t h e c o m m a n d i s h e a r d m a n y t h i i n g s a r e e n d e d g e t r e a l g e t s o m e t h i n g i n t h e e n d i t i s a n i n j u r y I l o v e i t t o n i g h t t h e s p a c e b e t w e e n w i t h m y h e a d h o p e m a y b e b l e a k a n o t h e r t i m e f o r c r y i n g t h e b e a u t i f u l t h i n g i s h e r e w h e r e t h e t h i n g i s n o t g e t a r e a l t h i n g t h e r e i s n o t h i n g t o d o i n t h i s w o r l d n o w Special Sayings Idle hands never part What do you say on a beautiful day It was enough to last in the past We are in contact with you No matter what you do Up and down it goes Just because you thought so I wasn't persuaded Nobody had a chance Like it was certain to go Everyday at your will It was pleasant to think And then I lost control A momentary peak Wonderful and wise off in a glow That's all A lucky strike He hesitates with fear But he doesn't care Enough The reality is Like a lake Without real ripples A portion of fact Oh, please set me free So I may wander Into another land An explosion of pain Will come again Waiting for the rising sun Everyone was having fun What to do Before you part The Passion! The Splendor! The Aggravation! Save the day as you pray Give life a lift No need to be nasty A greased stick rolls no wheels Everything was said before they were born — Describe the spirit to me — Well, it was like a ghost — Ahh! Why must we guess How little we know Some do, some don’t, some die There’s a thrill on the hill Let’s go! You don’t know the beginning until the end Don’t leave your galoshes out in the rain Life is a terrible state of mind Don’t blame the corn for the cob The fewer the chairs, the shorter the meeting. You are whom you eat I’m just schmoozing you Wasn’t it nice? I’d eat the rest of the chicken if I could, but I just can’t swallow the bone Please help us improve Now they are asleep Life Life is a path Life is a pity Life is a mouth Life is a heart Life is a hope Life is a fiend Life is a lesson Life is a task Life is a thrill Life is a history Life is a hand Life is a poem Life is a memory Life is a type Life is a man Life is a shell Life is a woman Life is a limit Life is a thought (I have nothing to fear) Life is a lion (Don’t come too near) Life is I want you to do it for me Life is I am motion, I am ocean Life is a chilly place Life is so close to flesh and blood Life is living through hell Life is a sentence Life is repentance Life is pluck Life is an afternoon Life is a blank stare Life is an emergency exit Life is an ice cube Life is a crazed ugly mob Life is pajamas Life is exponential excuses Life is a solution, a confusion, a resolution, a dissolution, a fusion, an illusion, cruisin’, musin’, bruisin’. Life is a show Life is a blow Life is a knife Life is a zipper Life is a quality Life is a tickle Life is a fan Life is a delivery Life is swarming Life is broken Life is pulsation Life is stamping Life is regurgitating Life is laughing Life is tantamount to being alive Life is a surprise Life’s the death of me Life’s the death of you Life’s a clinging feeling Life’s a giant ape Life’s a vacation ending Life’s a desperate neck bone Life’s a dictionary of life Life’s despite life. A World of Feet “Oh, you have such small feet!” No. I have normal feet Compared with the rest of mankind. There are many others with smaller feet than I. Keep your hands off my feet! When you insult my feet you insult the world — of feet. Yes, there is, I daresay, more feet than people. Obviously. I wonder why no one’s ever talked about it before? Everybody has a poem that lives inside, inside one’s feet. Go tell it to yourself. Everything is a system of feet. I want the world to be enough. I want my feet to be enough. I am in love with my feet. They take me everywhere but here. Here go my feet. Swell, they’re gone. Pimp my feet. You won’t be forgotten by my feet. Into the house of feet Enters an enormous shoe. — February 2007 Epitaphs His name is unremembered now It was as if he had a cow And never told how. You can see by the fire I have left Death is swift. Knock, knock forever more You will not leave through this door. If you think you’ve had enough You haven’t tried this stuff. One Man Band One Less Bang I am not thee On the contrary You are me Time was I whispered close Darling, you… Sometimes it’s not the same Where is the burning flame We knew many moons ago? YOU MUST WORRY MUST YOU WORRY Y O U G E T A F L O W Y O U G E T A F L O W O F N A T U R E H E A L T H Y A N D H A P P I E R I N H E R E W I T H Y O U I M H A V I N G Y O U F O R D I N N E R I H E A R D T H A T W H E R E Y O U W E R E A P P E A R I N G N O W I N T H E G A R D E N O F Y O U D O N T K N O W W H A T H A S T H A T T Y P E O F L I F E O R W H I C H I N T H E E N D W I L L M A K E Y O U T H I N K T H A T W A S A G O O D D I S H O F C R E A M A S T H I S I S W H A T W A S C L E A R L Y T H E T O T A L O F W H A T H A D B E E N A D I F F I C U L T S T R I F E T H A T E N D E D I N Y O U R L I F E B E I N G O N T H E L I N E E V E R Y T H I N G W I L L D I E I K N O W I T S C O N F U S I N G T O T H I N K T H A T W A S T H A T S O L E T H I N G W H I C H H A S T H I S O R M A Y B E A N Y N E W T H I N G O R T H I S T H I N G 365 Little Prayers (that anyone can say) “A Prayer-A-Day” 1. Where angels tread, we fear 2. Give us this day 3. When you really look back, you’ll see 4. The leaves bowed down 5. Do not waver 6. Nothing to do but pray 7. A lifetime religious experience 8. I may have a moment 9. Wandering with another 10. Everything could fail 11. A hole in the woods 12. Call and response 13. This is after the war 14. What is actual? 15. Just pulse 16. Everything affects this family 17. Go up there 18. Express a vow 19. Sunshine lasting 20. Let fleeting thoughts go by 21. God hath made still 22. I’m very happy here 23. Just add to the flame 24. Where should we go? 25. My deep necessity 26. Everybody will give us a helping hand 27. Swimming in the rain 28. Constant endless effort 29. I was led to this 30. Everything is after all 31. A safe place to live or die 32. Pretty lonely around here 33. Perfect in every way, perfect for you to say 34. Put your foot on my head 35. It is conceivable to be 36. There is no proof of truth 37. All is not near 38. What matters where 39. Why not ring a bell? 40. I have nothing but fear 41. I smiled at you when you were blue 42. Pliable like the wind before a storm 43. I hope 44. I lived for the moment, the moment to be 45. I remember to be 46. No one in his place 47. Weep and fade 48. Time’s just beginning 49. Deep in accord 50. The pleasure never ends 51. Make others happy 52. You get used to it after a while 53. Meanings bigger than themselves 54. No one can make me dream like that 55. Our chain 56. Was this still a life? 57. It was a little ambiguous 58. More to say listening to what you say 59. Take advantage of it 60. Music you’ve heard before 61. Life has its moments 62. I am just as I was before 63. Why do you think I would ask? 64. A concentrated dose of charity 65. All you have to do is knock 66. Here I am for you 67. Do I have a right to be? 68. This is my fancy, to live in days of old 69. In my heart where I save it all 70. That was in a valley 71. Here are you today. Do you have tomorrow? 72. God is the roses we create 73. You have trusted pride and fame 74. No more shadows 75. No more departing 76. I will obey you 77. I’m praying here beside you 78. There is no mistake here 79. Sad as the moon is above 80. Make pleasing sounds 81. Pact of perpetual peace 82. It constantly amazes me 83. Life is a parking lot of hope 84. We are all praying for rain 85. Music for the very first time 86. It finally led me to this 87. I finally found my dream 88. If it’s there it will be there 89. However I know it’s true 90. I have to live it 91. Helping me to be 92. More than you know 93. A little bell that rings slowly 94. Be simple 95. I will dance in the stars 96. There is nothing here but hope 97. I am singing the blues 98. Life is like a planet 99. Enormous beauty 100. I knew there was a mystery to it 101. I will pray on my knees 102. Sweeping clean 103. What does it mean? 104. A malfunction of tomorrow 105. You should not be allowed to hope 106. For the life of me 107. The sweet pure dream 108. We don’t know what we are 109. Lifetime fitness 110. I see different things 111. Twirling and twirling 112. Banging and banging on the same piano 113. An escalation of fears 114. I was climbing on the umbrella of hope 115. A wonderful whip 116. Do you think I want you to laugh? 117. An emptiness within 118. I will go away 119. I want to make it more safe 120. We still have life 121. I’ll be your tomorrow 122. Hug you tight 123. The terrible fate to be 124. Because I have nothing to say 125. So flitting 126. Just because I am 127. Nothing is fitting 128. I’ve cut the chain 129. Enough to ignite a spark 130. Impeccably united 131. Bigger and bigger depths 132. Compassion is the swift light of truth 133. It’s a glorious feeling to awaken in the morning 134. All music is wonderful 135. I’m in this dazed condition all the time 136. I’ve never been impressed 137. On top of nothing 138. The shining rays of sunlight 139. Beauty is the standard 140. Those moments of communion 141. Nothing doing 142. It didn’t rise out of nothing 143. I can’t grasp it 144. I never laughed so hard in all my life 145. My swift demise 146. I have no one else 147. I’m lucky to be such as I am 148. It’s comforting to be alive 149. When I speak of love 150. I wish I could love everyone 151. Let my eyes surrender 152. Let it melt into your heart 153. Oh, this goes on interminably 154. I’m really nearly rags and bones 155. Everybody has something to offer 156. Dancing in a circle 157. Mythology of faith 158. I am what I am 159. It’s as if he didn’t even listen 160. Play with your mind 161. Our body is praying 162. I wonder if there’s something unique 163. All innocence is ours 164. His tears were beginning to show 165. With a child’s eyes 166. Relax into the all-pervasive light 167. Speak in metaphors 168. There is no where else here 169. Where is that glorious morning where everything is alive? 170. All the precious ones 171. I’ll surround myself with beautiful things to hold on to 172. I revel in it 173. The sweet sweep of success 174. That’s my fate, to be stuck on you 175. Swept with tears 176. A thousand little bonds will hold 177. Everything invigorates me 178. It seems so precious when it goes away 179. It’s kind of like forever 180. You already have everything within you 181. They’re all looking at the past. It will never last 182. Isn’t life more pleasant this way 183. Seeking freedom 184. I tried to kill all of my fears 185. With intense concentration 186. Where would you be going 187. All this is organized around me 188. Like a whisper sometimes 189. Beautiful is good 190. There is such a wealth of song 191. I will let every thing live 192. How lucky I am 193. It’s better that way 194. Hurry to it 195. Pleased to ecstatically announce 196. Swimming today is hard 197. The zero sounds 198. There’s a big place ahead 199. I will swing you down 200.Because I had hope, hope didn’t have me 201. Up a tree, nothing is different 202. Talk about tomorrow 203. I am as ignorant as you about me 204.I am trying for another breakthrough 205. Want to say goodbye again 206.Be careful of what you are 207. Everybody has a punch in the face 208.In the burning sun 209.Because I am here today I am not here tomorrow 210. When I die 211. There is nothing like a coincidence 212. So far away you couldn’t see them 213. What could be more exciting? 214. I don’t want to get involved in anything else 215. The burning lake of my desire 216. You have to have a little faith to go along 217. I freeze and melt and dream 218. A turning point of time 219. The other face 220. I’m absorbing a lot of heat here 221. I pray everyday for what to say 222. Everybody’s dancing in a square 223. It comes to one 224. Too far, too fast — broken bounds 225. Balancing on a blade 226. This is good, this is good 227. I’m thinking about you 228. A timeless moment 229. Loving hugging 230. But not everything is like that 231. As if by mistake 232. If I didn’t worry I’d be perfect 233. I’m so perfect I can’t laugh 234. I pretended what I shouldn’t be 235. All I can do is nothing 236. How can I explain my mistake 237. Swift and sorry 238. I feel like I’m doing something right 239. I will try 240. You’re always changing 241. Around and around I go 242. Behind a screen 243. Everything’s good, nobody’s bad 244. Tender tomorrow 245. Disappearingly spoken 246. I’m sure that I’ll talk to you someday 247. The panorama of life 248. Another look at life 249. Who is asking for whom 250. I’m not having any 251. I can hear it loud and clear 252. Hurled asleep 253. There is always hunger 254. There is always 255. The passed path 256. Everything won’t go away tomorrow 257. Full of sorrow 258. A hand to get you out 259. Everything is yours 260. No one but you 261. On the horizon, on the shore 262. The beat of the heart 263. I have no where else to go except slowly 264. My simple test of you 265. Nobody forever 266. The last angel fed the hungry 267. Strange and lonesome blues 268. I’m beating on the door of your heart 269. The fabulous night approaches 270. A quick escape 271. Out to the stars 272. In the fullness of time 273. A blank slate 274. Everything is valuable 275. Who will let me off the hook? 276. Gee, it’s great to be alive 277. A little slower than now is what I am 278. Call for order 279. I’m hoping for you 280.A mixture of love and argument 281. I’m so nice to myself. I’m like a dear, old friend 282. Make God happy. Is God happy? 283. What was going through their minds? 284. A bit of life 285. Or fate takes a chance 286. Long suffering 287. With a cold heart 288. An empty screen 289. Like tomorrow, only sadder 290. So many beautiful things 291. It takes some effort 292. It’s so hard to remember 293. Everybody in its place 294. Amazing faces 295. The exciting halls 296. I’ve had enough 297. What was not meant to be by you and me 298. A clear understanding 299. I’m standing all alone 300. I want to go home 301. All the crushing weight 302. At the tender mercies of one who doesn’t know you 303. I want to start over again 304. This is my experience of it 305. The magic clip 306. I will ignore the hope 307. Fortunate forever 308. A dream of esteem 309. That part of life 310. Imagine that 311. Filled with stillness 312. Get up and die 313. Up in the air 314. Of course it was not apart 315. It’s a beautiful thing 316. The bad is good 317. Everybody should play 318. The wheels of industry will stop 319. You can get lost in space 320. Anything you ever wanted 321. The sound seems to be repeating 322. Publish the news 323. Caught in my average dream 324. Sorrow is sweet 325. Bring me to think 326. I’ve never been the same 327. What a mystery that seals so tight 328. It was bound in my heart 329. There’s something to be said for it 330. All the sick and dying 331. The killing machine 332. I can help you 333. Almost anything can make me cry 334. I’ve got a feeling I’m changing everything 335. A little game of thank you 336. A kind of prayer that was a dare 337. All the sweetness there is 338. I get that feeling 339. I’m hardly ashore 340. Down on the list 341. We’re too close 342. Our needs are naught 343. The excitement lasts 344. I will be careful now 345. Making marks 346. Another day is here 347. Don’t even like it 348. I’m expressing an interest 349. The biggest thing of all 350. Oh, what a dreary life 351. My enormous you 352. Dance with the origin of time 353. I took a spin 354. God won’t let me go 355. I’m a natural mistake 356. Everything becomes magnified 357. I’ll turn on the light now 358. Turn to one thing or another 359. The hero’s kiss 360. Mysterious fate 361. I’m ready to give up 362. When something violent hits 363. A swirl of hope 364. Yes, it will last 365. One here will hear 366. People who are here will be found 100 Things I Want to Do in My Lifetime 1. Stay awake in the library. 2. Brush my teeth while whistling. 3. Brush your teeth while whistling. 4. Eat fish underwater. 5. Accidentally undertip. 6. Save a very wealthy person from drowning. 7. Save a very poor person from drowning who later turns out to be very wealthy. 8. Stop thinking about tomorrow. 9. Have a good day. 10. Eat a muffin slowly. 11. Walk for miles 12. Never stop laughing. 13. Be cool. .... |