After awhile you learn
the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul
and you learn that love doesn`t mean possession
and company doesn`t mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren`t contracts
and presents aren`t promises and you begin to accept
your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of an adult not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build your roads today
because tomorrow`s ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have ways of falling down in mid-flight.
After awhile you learn that even sunshine
burns if you get too much so you plant your
own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure
that you really are strong
and you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn…
Veronica A. Shoffstall
——————-
Creep
When you were here before,
Couldn’t look you in the eye
You’re just like an angel,
Your skin makes me cry
You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
I wish I was special
You’re so fuckin’ special
But I’m a creep,
I’m a weirdo
What the hell am I doin’ here?
I don’t belong here
I don’t care if it hurts,
I wanna have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul
I want you to notice
when I’m not around
You’re so fuckin’ special
I wish I was special
But I’m a creep
I’m a weirdo
What the hell am I doin’ here?
I don’t belong here, ohhhh, ohhhh
She’s running out again
She’s running out
She runs runs runs runs…
runs…
Whatever makes you happy
Whatever you want
You’re so fuckin’ special
I wish I was special
But I’m a creep,
I’m a weirdo
What the hell am I doin’ here?
I don’t belong here
I don’t belong here…
Radiohead
—————-
Identity
Who am I?
Am I the boy?
Am I the boy who became?
The adult too young?
Am I the lover?
Am I the lover who hurt?
The ones I loved?
Too many times?
Am I the son?
Without a father?
Am I the son who went away?
The prodigal son?
Am I the brother?
Am I the brother who should have been?
Am I the husband?
The father?
The protector?
The teacher?
The provider?
The pretender?
Who will judge me?
Stephen Hope
2007
—————-
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann in the 1920s
———————–
Nuclear Visions
All thoughts forgotten
All senses poised
All evil smitten
All veiws are voiced
One man stands his ground
One girls stands back
One man makes no sound
One family in a shack
An Ulitmatum unreached
The Motions are passed
An Automaton unleashed
The Machinery starts
The end is nigh
The future passed
The people sigh
As they see the blast
Stephen Hope
1987
—————-
Games
How would I know if my shoe’s voice had broken?
It has never spoken a word to me.
The room grows larger; the tiles crush me to the floor .
Smiling in glee.
Green teeth gleaming.
I see no expression, he’s wearing a mask.
A shark has many rows of teeth,
If the first doesn’t get you, the second will.
A field of corn has many ears.
Don’t speak too loud, the tea set is listening.
Rumour amongst the crockery leads to ill fate.
Wield your knives and forks and go to war.
Faith is a traitor, and death a spy.
Why?
A depression leaves space for meditation.
Rook takes knight.
Another thoughtless move.
The chairman of the board is dead.
What does it matter anyway?
All the members resigned.
A thumbscrew tightens,
but what’s the use in torturing a paralyzed woman?
Why?
An iceberg melts because it is in the desert
But at least the flowers grow.
Ask a stupid question, tell a dirty lie.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
All in between is naught but lust.
Two faces one name.
One or the other, it’s not the same.
There is no answer.
It’s all a game
Stephen Hope
1987
—————-
