Branched Tunnels

More and more I am drawn 

to roads where trees form

a tunnel of branches, the sun

refracted in its light that cannot

fully penetrate that canopy.

And gray, rainy days to drive

these roads looking ahead

and left and right, checking 

the rearview mirrors for 

the unseen revealed suddenly

as my heart whispers to my 

memories, “Come to me.  Come

next to me” the rhythm of the wipers

taking on that ancient rhythm 

of that dance always recognized

once that first step is taken 

and then knowing there’s no 

turning back, no refusal to drive

these roads in the tunnel of trees --

rain falling, the light just right 

to see the unseen, the shadows

that argue their existence.

-Byron Hoot

https://hootnhowlpoetry.com

Dancing Bear

I feel like a bear waking

to no breeze, hearing 

birds, looking to the sky

with sleep-and-dream filled

eyes and the hesitation 

of any movement but that slow,

deliberate bear dance where 

the bear towers over everything 

except its shadow and the pads

of the paws feel that earthen

drumbeat and the heart picks 

up that rhythm that makes me 

grin that dangerous bear grin

as I close my eyes, sway, shuffle,

the smell of wild blackberries

not too far away as the song I 

sing in that low growl 

enters the air like a prayer 

I don’t care that's ever answered. 

-Byron Hoot

hootism: the richness of the mind has a hard time standing in the presence of the imagination divine.

 hootnhowlpoetry.com 

the deathwalk

There was no place to sit.

They were losing time.

The regular fields that they frequent were full.

They were full of little question marks

Dotting everything like the tops of ‘i’s.

It was Nick at Nite at home for them

Like piping hot potatoes waiting.

And she was working piece-meal for a living,

giving in to little diversions.

Young devotchka dynamos.

It was black and twirling and

packed w/ disaster.

A knap-sack full of socks and razors

packed for going camping with.

In despair it is necessary to keep prepared.

To prepare the sheets for sleeping slumber,

to cut the trees for looming lumber.

Web web web web web web web

the motherfucking circle of life.

The hilarious, unyielding tracks of time.

-clw

C. Ward

The Forgiveness

It’s magnanimous to forgive culprits;

Otherwise you will always be suffering,

With gloom on your face largely writ;

And you will be in the depression rings.

Punishment does not correct guilty;

Instead counseling abt virtues of life,

Helps restore their mental state faulty!

It tames demons in minds to end strife.

Jesus ! Asked forgiveness from God!

Even for killers who nailed him to cross;

His wish was graced by Supreme Lord,

Although for humanity it was sad loss.

Jesus ! could forgive sinners so easily;

With a compassionate ,Joyous gleam:

Overcoming decadent rage ,Jealousy;

We must forgive the sinners to redeem.

By ,

Ashok Malli.

From “Soul Stirring Sonnets “

I SIMPLY CANNOT LOSE

I possess determination

Throwing in the towel does not enter the conversation

I have a dream and that dream is to stay well

I'm ready for battle, I'm outside the gates of Hell

I block with my shield, I decide to swing my sword

To choose to give up now is something I cannot afford

I have picked myself up everytime I've hit the floor

I won my life back on the same day i declared war

I cannot be touched, my mind has been unlocked

My illness has been overcome, it's in a state of shock

I simply cannot lose, i either win or learn

The thing that I've discovered about success, it must be earned

Second place is as good as last, it's all about being first

I have a strong will to win combined with an insatiable thirst

I have encountered rock bottom, I have also experienced highs

I will always fight back, no matter how big my opponent is in size

Never give up, carpe diem, I simply will not quit

I believe I have earned the title of being someone who is mentally fit

Adversity is ruthless, it will crush you if you let it

When an opportunity arises you must go out there and get it

I do not see the point of giving up when things get tough

It's crucial you don't throw in the towel, tell yourself you have enough

I don't take things for granted, I appreciate all that is good

Fighting back, thriving and also surviving are a few things that I've understood

-Liam Kennedy

return

I come back--

that's what I do.

I always come back for you

to my detriment

or my merriment

I'm always coming

back to you.

-clw

C. Ward

Bond Denied

Bond Denied.

Woke up early in the morning, said my prayers read some inspiration.

Chakras aligned, spirit high, I just knew good news I’ll be facing.

My hearing was 9:30am, but my tier didn’t pop out until noon.

I called my mom for the results, the bad news hit me like boom.

I’m in so much disbelief, tears rolled down my eyes.

It’s so hard talking to my love ones; I know a man isn’t supposed to cry.

With freedom nowhere in sight, feel like I’m going to die.

I’m trying to pull myself together, I’ll get another try.

At the time I’m reading Malcolm X, he talking about the books he read in prison.

Now I’m trying to read every real history book, but I’m not trying to go to prison.

I was doing great and done so much right, I don’t know how I got here.

This is God’s plan, so I can’t have no fear.

I’m still trying to pull myself together, & reset my mind.

If it wasn’t for my sister, Tee, my mom & my son, I’d been done lost my mind.

I’m working on being the best man I can be, preparing for the next.

I hope I fulfill my destiny, & get The Most High message like a text.

-Grade A Cue