What We Made

Babies are born

Children are raised

But people are made

Steeped in life's brew

For a decade or two

Designed and created

By more than a few

Frequently shaped

Molded and prodded

Goaded and prompted

Persuaded and modded

Yours

Mine's

And everything in between

Influenced

Directed

Vetted then screened
Wrapped and packaged
By the largest of teams

An assembly line

Never to be seen

Sometimes

I wonder sometimes at the heart of all things

I wonder about the girl with the fake smile

What she thinks?

What she thinks of me?

I wonder sometimes about the words of a liar

About their purpose and point

And why they burn with such fire?

I wonder sometimes about the intentions of a friend

Never to be questioned

But I do

I wonder sometimes about the depth of a secret

I peek under the pretense

But I'd rather not know

I wonder sometimes

But I'm not looking for answers

My wondering leaves me with

A handful of half-imagined truths

Hell-bent on the destruction of my mind

I wonder if I should stop?

Hero's Burden

Wanna be a hero?

Then come here with me

One man's death is all I ask

Maybe two

Maybe three

I'll tell you when to stop

Put a price on their heads

And then watch them run

You will become a golden idol

Of the highest order

A god among men

The blood on your hands

Is an insignificant sin

Now that you've made it

Watch for the knife at your throat

And the sword over your head

This is the hero's burden

Beautifully Decrepit

Beautifully Decrepit

Tactfully Insipid

Checked-out

Beat-Down

Broken-hearted man

Glory drained

Blood stained

Bleary eyed

And fever pained

Hopelessly in love

Shot-up

Screwed with

Kick him while he's down

Stand up

Fight back

Tell 'em Kiss Your Ass

Throw a punch

Kick up dust

Win her back

Broken heart, or not

Man of steel

Built to wield

A sword of truth and vengeance

The stench of vermin

Rules the land

But not for long

Comeback Kid strong

The hand of god can't stop me now

I come to strike the final blow

Enchanting fire

Whispers heart's desire

But I cannot

My will's retired

A Wish

Tomorrow,

Yesterday's forever

Inevitable,

In good or worse weather

Hatred burns a pointless fire

Forget it and strive to aspire

A wish to return

A fool's wasted turn

Never to be granted

Never to be earned

Accept the horizon

It's closer than expected

Eyes toward a downcast son

But what a beautiful sunset

State of Affairs

Timmy tells lies to talk to the people

Timmy tells lies to talk to the people

Timmy tells lies to talk to the people

And the people just won't talk back

Because the people want this

And the people want that

And the people just won't talk back

And Timmy says, ok.

And Timmy says, of course.

And Timmy says, sure, why not.

And the people say, yes

And the people say, thank you

And the people say, Timmy's the best

And Timmy tells lies to talk to the people

And the people listen intently

But one day Timmy tells lies to the people

And the people turn and tell him NO

And Timmy says why

And the people say, because you lied to us

And Timmy says this wasn't how this was supposed to go

So Timmy continues to tell lies to the people

But the people have turned away

And the lies float in one ear and out the other and on to others across the way

And those people listen to Timmy's lies, because they've never heard them before

And it's sad to see the hope in their faces and trust in their eyes

As they stare at Timmy who they simply adore

So.....

Timmy tells lies to talk to the people

Gray World

I don't live in a world of extremes

Or a world of black and white

I live in a world of gray

Where people are nice and polite

They tell me what I like to hear

To get me off their backs

But nothing close to honest fears

Their lies are mounted on plaques

Who am I to judge the judged?

No one of importance

Just a man of gray

No one cares for my two cents

A mild-mannered world

With deep dark secrets

Where people smile and pretend

And gray men are lead to early crypts.