march 1st, 2011

organic angst

Kelley's head nearly burst into flames when he first saw Harbinger's library. The collection was massive and the lacquer hugged the worn wood beneath it like an older brother protecting his frostbitten sister. Simply put-- it was impressive, causing Kelley to plant himself.

"Would you like a drink?" Harbinger asked, holding back a smug chuckle.

"Ummm... yes. Please. Yes please, sir," Kelley answered boyishly. A drink was exactly what his nerves required.

Harbinger's hired penguin arrived instantaneously, gracefully hoisting an intricately carved silver platter supporting two glasses of golden whisky on ice.

"To you, Kelley," said Harbinger, raising his glass to the ceiling. "And to the infinite possibilities that lie ahead. Cheers." Both men smiled as their drinks collided crisply in mid-air, sending a brooding and extended "ting" into the opulent air around them.

The aged amber whisky burned Kelley's lips upon impact and left an aftertaste behind; an aftertaste so strong and present he felt it tingling in the cracks of his weathered lips on the drive home.

Morning came and the sting was gone. Kelley felt abandoned and brushed his teeth with discernable apprehension.

february 27th, 2011

biutiful

Both of us in shades

watch the sidewalk split apart.

Lovers and weepers,

virgins and sleepers

reject catastrophe;

a Coney Island of the mind

deteriorates, decays

and seeps from the ears

of cowards who

                                                             flee

for barren mountain-tops,

leaving dogs who

harness the power of a thousand men

to roam the streets,

challenged only by the wind.

february 2nd, 2011

I'm not sure if this poem is finished or not, but I feel like posting something. The title also isn't my favorite, but again, this one is essentially "in the works."

caressing the supple ankles of the lonely

The King lay upon his deathbed, poisoning the delight brought forth from the recent victory on the battlefield. His remaining men had every reason to celebrate, but returned home in conflicted spirits. They were passionate defenders of a beleaguered land and protected it with electric class… but tonight their triumph was accompanied by the possible end of an era.

Each warrior was encouraged to visit the castle and speak brief words of encouragement. His majesty was expected to pass before sunrise.

Formulaic blessings and buckets of cheesy rhymes floated through Dominic’s cranium. He had never met the King but respected him beyond words, beyond vocal capabilities. He had a tendency of freezing up when nervous and was experiencing unknown, terrifying levels of uneasiness. Dominic predicted a complete disaster, which ironically forced him into shedding layer after layer of discomfort. Because of his horribly malnourished expectations he soon supported not a single worry. But of course, Dominic was too ignorant to realize he was wearing a costume crafted from such a placid touch. All he could focus on was the blinding glow of a distant and degrading neon fate. Or so he thought.

january 19th, 2011

people are strange

Why did I agree to come?  I don't even like the beach.  I hate going in the water, you get all sandy when you come out and the water's freezing.  I don't know why she likes the beach.  Why did I agree to come?  It's too hot.  I'm going to burn, I know it.  Is that weird old man looking at me?  Is he walking over here?  Oh god, oh god.  Is he-- he is!  Lord in heaven I know I have sinned...

"Hello young sailor," said the old man.

"Oh, hi."

"I came over here for a reason, because God told me to.  I came over here to give you this here shark's tooth."  Contrary to his delusional identification, he actually held in his hand a white plastic fork.

"Thank you?"  I replied.

And away he walked.

january 18th, 2011

$200 on the feisty one

My purpose here is unknown, that much is for sure.  Today is my birthday. I'm 25 years-old and I'm at a cockfight which was spontaneously organized just two hours ago.  Clothed in pajamas (be they outstandingly pricey and 100% satin) I stand out like a 25 year-old Caucasian male in the audience of an illegal cockfight in Guatemala  at 3:15 in the morning.  I no longer care about reputations or suggested standards or accomplishments made on Wall Street by fellow high-school graduates Mother always felt I should model my life after.  I need not remind you of my whereabouts or chosen attire.  Although... a reminder would solidify my confidence rested behind each; I am sitting in a crowd of screaming locals, wearing a pair of bedtime-tuck-me-in pajamas two sizes too small.  And I don't give a fuck.

january 12th, 2011

january 6th, 2011

Here's a poem I wrote with Miss Erin Dillon.

plucking away

"Damn, is this really all I'm left with?"  Agnes was staring at the remaining white hairs planted on top of her head.  She panned down to study her well nourished, but wrinkly face in the mirror.

"Perhaps I'll try that new can opener Gladys gave me tonight."  Agnes frequently caught herself involuntarily speaking aloud.  Most of these geriatric blurts were bland observations or rhetorical questions she could not begin to answer.  Her sanity teetered above a beautiful landscape; tilting left... then right... back left... all while maintaining a serene, steady smirk.  The beast of solitude who once haunted her dreams oddly fled for the mountains when faced with the actual handshake.  She believed it was God granting her a  holy badge of courage.  An explanation was never given but Agnes no longer feared the unpredictable sound of silence.

Years ago, probably six or seven, Agnes owned a beagle who escaped through a hole in the backyard fence.  A search ensued but the dog was nowhere to be found.  After nine days had passed the little boy who lived across the street admitted he had been hiding the dog under his bed.  He maintained his innocent and naive aura with brilliance... until his mother heard a stifled bark seep from the crevice below the child's bedroom door.  The gig was up.

The boy confessed wearing a face wet with tears.  Agnes sighed with conflicting emotions and handed the leash to the boy too stunned initially react.  She knew it was the only conclusion that rang pure truth, and she sought nothing more passionately.