FROM THE POET PRISONER
I AM ADRIFT
I am alone
I cannot touch
Bound by doubt
I do miss much
“You should believe”
They say to me
I say, “I cannot
Unless I see”
You have yours
And I have mine
You kneel in prayer
I only stare
I know I should
You’re probably right
Believe as you do
Believe in might
There’ll come a day
A place and time
When it might make sense
To me and mine
But, until then
I’ll float alone
Until then
A rolling stone
REHAB THIS
There is a place
Known by few
It’s run by those
And their point of view
I was sent here
To pay for my sin
I’m okay with that
So let’s begin
To those outside
And what they see
This place is here
To rehab me
But that’s not true
It’s far from real
There’s no rehabbing
Its pride they steal
The little things
Of day to day
They know we have
They take away
I wish someone
Would tell me why
My time spent here
Makes a better I
I’LL START THE LIVING
There are things
In this life
That give me hope
That gives me strife
It’s not for me
Or you to say
Will there be good
Or bad today
I open my eyes
I’m ahead of the game
Now hear your voice
Call out my name
I take these moments
These little things
I wear them like
Big diamond rings
My smile now pure
And full of truth
I take a deep breath
I fill with youth
I must take
What I am given
I’ll stop the dying
I’ll start the living
THE PAIN
I just watched
Him walk away
I wanted to help
What could I say
He just hung up
The telephone
The call he made
Was to his home
With shoulders hunched
And glazed over eyes
He saw me watching
The tears he dries
Are you okay
What can I do
If you want to talk
I’ll listen to you
He shook his head
And looked around
He walked away
With not a sound
Once again
I see the shame
Once again
I see the pain
THIS SONG TAKES ME BACK
In a car, in a bar
Walking by or driving thru
You hear that song
That meant the world to you
You have to stop
You have to listen
The words take you back
To a place you’ve been missing
You close your eyes
And dream a dream
Back in time
It almost seems
Then comes the end
The tune is done
But, man o’ man
That was fun
AGAIN TODAY
I often think
To myself
That my life
Just sits on a shelf
Like the things
At a store
They’re all lined up
But what for
Why am I
In this box
Surrounded by walls
Doors and locks
Of what good
Does this do
It certainly hurts
Both me and you
Day in day out
My body goes
Yet deep inside
The pain it grows
I’m on autopilot
In almost every way
Except my heart
Broke again today
-Peace
CAMERA ME
On the wall
Where I live
It records
What I give
A little left
A little right
It records
Day and night
Following me
Across the room
It records
Far and zoom
Never sleeps
Or even blinks
It records
While we think
I wonder if
It even cared
It records
What we shared
This world we’re in
The pain we see
It records
My camera me
WHERE DO I BEGIN
If you please
A moment or two
I have some words
To say to you
To get this right
Only one place to start
It is in me
It’s from my heart
For all you do
Each day and night
For all the wrongs
You help make right
How I knew
All along
That you’d be there
Thru prayer and song
I thank you sir
And I ask of thee
After all I’ve done
Would you forgive me
You’ve given me
A gift within
My turn to give you
Where do I begin
-Peace
LAZARUS’S SLEEP
Hear this story
Pure and true
It will restore
The faith in you
It’s about a man
Mary’s brother
Her love for him
Equal to another
The story goes
That he did die
He was entombed
There he’d lie
But not for long
It has been told
He rose again
Into the fold
Come forth
I say unto thee
Walk again
Walk with me
So once again
HIS glory so deep
HE did awaken
Lazarus’s sleep
-Peace
MY FATHERS SHOULDER
It started out
Like any race
The others and I
Running our pace
Like life it was
A little rushed
Like life we tend
To keep things hushed
You try to make
It thru with hope
Sometimes that helps
You just to cope
But then it happens
What’s not rehearsed
That moment you fear
Might be the worst
Things break down
And fall apart
It is in HIM
You must have heart
And when you need help
To carry your boulder
You’ll always have
My Fathers shoulder
-Peace
PICKING UP THE TAB
This is a story
About a man
Who along with his father
Had a plan
To take to earth
And straighten out
All the wrongs
That we’re about
Not that they said
“Let’s wipe the slate clean”
It’s more like
Let’s show them what we mean
So he took his place
And traveled around
Gathered followers
To share his sound
Soon the bad
Discovered him
They hurt this man
For his teachings
But lucky for us
His plan succeeded
My sins corrected
My debt deleted
-Peace
MISSED
When I think
Of all I’ve done
Disregarded rules
To have some fun
Simple things
That at the time
I believed
Were not a crime
But I guess
They all add
To a total
Of doing bad
And for that
I must submit
A few years
To pay for it
Now I’m not
Angry or upset
I’m just hoping
To forget
That I’m in
A place like this
The signs were there
I just missed
-Peace
EVERYONE’S PAIN
Like a coat
Worn all day
It covers you whole
In every way
You’re able to walk
And move about
Still you feel
The shame and doubt
Sometimes it feels
Like you’re the one
Like you were chosen
To carry the shun
I feel the weight
Upon my shoulders
Will I crumble
As I get older
Looking around
I must decide
To reveal my burden
Or continue to hide
What if they see
The pain I hold
Will I be caught?
Or invited into the fold
LET IT OUT
Every now
And every then
Relationships
All but end
At first it is
Just little things
Like how he acts
Or how she sings
Then it grows
But not outside
We both keep silent
We both play pride
Then one day
You both explore
You both are shocked
At the unload
I didn’t know
Why didn’t you say
All the things
That went astray
So know you know
Not to pout
Now you know
To let it out
-Peace
TIME
As I sit
And await
For them to unlock
This heavy gate
I count the days
The hours too
I count the minutes
Till I hold you
That will mean
That time is done
And our new life
Will have begun
We will repair
Replace, rebuild
Years to come
With happiness fulfilled
Like it was always
Meant to be
My hand in yours
As we walk free
You are my love
And I give you mine
Together forever
For all of time
-Peace
SPEAK OF ME
All I want
In this life
Is me be husband
You be wife
That is it
Nothing more
Nothing less
I ask for
All the trouble
All the pain
Disappear
With your name
I hope you feel
This way too
I hope my love
Makes you do
When it’s told
Of how we cared
They’ll speak of all
The love we shared
Of all the things
Meant to be
They‘ll speak of you
They’ll speak of me
-Peace
SPECIAL EDITION
Open the cell
Close the heart
Open the mind
Close the thought
Open the arms
Close the fist
Open the eyes
Close the view
Open the mouth
Close the talk
Open the letter
Close the tear
Open the phone
Close the call
Open the time
Close the truth
Open the gate
Close the chapter
-Peace
LOVE SAYS SO
Another night
Away from you
Once again
I’m one not two
Day to day
And night to night
I sleep alone
In sleep I fight
My memories
Fade in fade out
Sometimes rich
Sometimes drought
I hope to meet
You in my dreams
Your gentle voice
Replace the screams
My prison cell
My bars of steel
When I awake
The steel is real
Not too long
For me to go
Soon I’ll be home
My love says so
-Peace
THE BEING HUMAN
ACCEPT
BARGIN
CARRY
DESTROY
EXPLORE
FINISH
GO
HEAVEN
INVEST
JAIL
KILL
LOVE
MANAGE
NOTION
OUT
PUSH
QUICK
REMEMBER
SUPER
TALENT
UNDERSTAND
VERBAL
WET
XXX
YELL
ZOO
-Peace
HER ROAD
She is traveling
But not alone
With children in tow
Far far from home
Her burden she carries
Like a stone
Sometimes she feels
She can’t go on
Tired and sad
She doesn’t mind much
For she knows
Soon they’ll touch
He’s coming to meet
Me in the middle
When we’re together
We’ll solve this riddle
The road is long
And filled with turns
That cannot extinguish
How her love burns
Up there ahead
She sees him running
Her load feels lighter
She knows he’s coming
HIS ROAD
He is her husband
She is all he dreams
His heart feels heavy
Or so it seems
He must have faith
That she’ll survive
It is that thought
That keeps him alive
Never too much
For him to bear
He hopes she knows
Their life they’ll share
The heavy heart
The distant look
He’ll never get back
The time they took
But still he walks
With steady pace
He cannot NOT
Finish this race
Over the horizon
He knows she’s coming
He sheds his pain
And starts running
-Peace
I CAN’T REACH YOU
I tried to call
And reach out
If I wasn’t this far
I’d try to shout
It’s been two days
Since I heard
From you my dear
Not a word
Please oh please
Be okay
Me not knowing
Feels a way
Even writing this
Makes terrible thought
Every word
A breath not caught
How can I make
My scared heart rest
I must find a way
To do that best
I’ll try to dream
My way thru
Because awake
I can’t reach you
ROSES ARE BLUE
So once again
One more time
Here I am
Without mine
On this day
Of candy and flowers
We are apart
By higher powers
I’m not mad
Or angry at all
I just wish
There wasn’t a wall
Since I can’t
Be with you
I hope this poem
Will make do
I want to say
How much I care
How much I wish
That I was there
Roses are red
Roses are blue
Honey I love
The heck out of you
FLOWER POWER
Run to the florist
Pick a bunch
Make a date
Have some lunch
Pull out the chair
For her to sit
Center the vase
Put flowers in it
Light a candle
Set the mood
Unfold her napkin
Serve the food
Time to eat
Just you two
It’s so romantic
The whole day thru
She’s in love
With you today
You’re so lucky
So you say
Here’s to us
And all we do
But most of all
Here’s to you
BOX OF CANDY
Every year
About this time
I buy some candy
For the girl of mine
It’s in a box
With a ribbon
Filled with treats
Some forbidden
Open it up
Look inside
I see my favorite
It can’t hide
Take one out
Take a bite
Tastes so good
It’s out of sight
One for you
Two for me
There’s so many
I’ll take three
Every year
About this time
I share some candy
With the girl of mine
THE ONE WHO GIVES
With the sun
She does rise
Day after day
Its no surprise
She’s the one
Who gave me life
The one who endured
All the strife
With a simile
A hug or a wink
She made me better
She made me think
Sent to me
From above
Sent to protect
Sent to love
So on this day
When we give flowers
I want to thank
Those higher powers
For giving me
One like no other
For giving me
A giving mother
SWEET THING
Some say candy
Taste the best
I say kissing
Beats the rest
When I think
About my girl
I see a vision
Of chocolate swirl
Of sweet toppings
And treats inside
Of bursting flavor
That just can’t hide
Like a kid
With eyes wide open
I stand there staring
I stand there hoping
That you’ll let
Me have a bite
Let me enjoy you
Thru the night
Then comes morning
You think we’re done
Now I’m the candy
Your turn for fun
ON ST VALENTINES
Here I sit
All alone
Our loves become
Love by phone
I wonder what
She’s doing now
By herself
I wonder how
She’s as alone
As I am
As I sit
In this can
It breaks my heart
Every year
It makes me think
Does she tear
Is she feeling
A certain way
Because we’re apart
Again this day
Honey this is
The last time
That we’re not together
On St Valentines
YOUR SKY ABOVE
Early this morning
I did arise
And to my wonder
And great surprise
I saw the blue
Of the sky
That like a blanket
Covers you and me
I can’t believe
Or begin to try
To figure out
How far or high
I wonder if
Past my sight
There are eyes
On me and my plight
Saying out loud
Hey look up here
Above these clouds
That we share
I am the blue
I am the love
And I’ll always be
Your sky above
-Peace
HOLE IN MY HEART
With every breath
I take these days
It feels so cold
In many ways
Hard to describe
To those back home
I guess it’s connected
To me being alone
I’m always hungry
For food and love
Can’t shake this feeling
Of feeling empty
At night it’s cold
And lonely in here
Then comes morning
I wipe the tear
I look in the mirror
And try to see
Is there something
Missing in me
At last I got it
Now I know
There’s a hole in my heart
No place to go
-Peace
100 OTHERS
Prison is
And always will be
A place and time
Done by me
But I’m not here
All alone
There are others
Here that roam
Living in cells
Built for two
A bit of others
Spills on you
Try to keep
Your inner peace
While others plot
Your peace they fleece
Head held high
Will get you thru
Forget the others
Just do you
Outside we’re all
Son’s or brothers
Inside prison
I’m like 100 others
THE PEACE WITHIN
At mornings light
You rise and shine
Release your dream
And cleanse your mind
You must be sharp
You must be clear
The days challenges
Will now appear
A moment to think
Of what to do
Now you stand
The size of two
Absorb the blows
And return a few
The peace within
Resides in you
-Peace
WHAT YOU HAVE SOWN
I am in the middle
Of who I am
I am not the same
Do you understand?
Is my “not”
What you can see?
Or is it just
What’s meant to be?
How shall I share
What I’ll become?
With those who’ve seen
What I’ve undone?
Reach out to touch
Or simply graze
It is your eyes
That show your daze
Do not fear
Or cry inside
Be of full heart
Thou will not hide
Remember your life
Is not your own
Remember to reap
What you have sown
SONS OF 53
I heard a story
Long ago
About a place
Where men would go
Hidden by walls
And gates of steel
They made a life
They kept it real
Some stayed there
Much too long
Some went home
To wine and song
The men still here
Hold their own
They survive long
Just flesh and bone
To outsmart time
And see the door
You must walk tall
This concrete floor
So tip your hat
If you should see
The men who are
The Sons of 53
- The sons of 53 are still not free
WHAT MATTERS MOST
It the little things
That I miss
The way I feel
When we kiss
Or when she walks
Next to me
Hand in hand
So happily
She catches me
When I fall
Her encouragement
Keeps me tall
I’d like to finds
A better way
To make her happy
Every day
To let her know
That “all is well
She shouldn’t worry”
Is what I’ll tell
Our life will be
A gentle coast
Her peace of mind
Is what matters most
-Peace
STRANGERS IN A ROOM
Once a week
I’m allowed
To leave this place
And board a cloud
I get to go
To a place
That allows me
My own space
Where I can sit
And meet a friend
Where relationships
Begin or end
So where do I start
To say to you
That what feel
Is so new
I saw you there
With a smile
I hope that moment
Would last awhile
Well here goes
Bust or boom
Any chance for us
Strangers in a room
-Peace
JINGLE CELLS
O’ Christmas time
I’m doing time
It’ll be awhile
Till I smile
I won’t be home
At all this year
I’m not allowed
To drink a beer
O’ Christmas time
O’ Christmas time
I really miss
That girl of mine
But have no fear
Don’t shed a tear
I can’t come back
Just send some macs
And if you think
I’m having fun
Just rest assured
I’m having none
So, tip your glass
And toast to me
After 18 months
I will be free
SHACKLE THE SANTA
It’s Christmas eve
And here we wait
They say he’s coming
He’s at the gate
We wait all year
To get our gifts
The mailroom here
Must sift thru it
I wonder how
He’ll get in here
Santa Claus
And 8 reindeer
I’m on his list
I know I am
To bring me a file
To escape this can
But what if he
Was patted down
And during it
The file was found
So, now he sits
Alongside me
Maybe Santa Claus
Can do the tree
-Peace
RIPPLES
Take a stone
In your hand
Go where water
Meets the land
Throw the stone
In the air
Where it strikes
Do not care
When it meets
The water still
All the beauty
It will kill
Many things
High and low
Will be affected
By its blow
Just like now
With me in here
This disrupts
Those I dear
Prison upsets
It almost cripples
All those around
With its ripples
-Peace
VISIT TODAY
As I look
Upon the sky
I think and wonder
It’s not that high
I can almost touch
And reach beyond
Hold out my hand
Till it’s found
I wish they could
Come on down
Stay awhile
Smile from frown
Sit and chat
Maybe tea
Talk a bit
Share with me
Tell me what
It is they do
When they’re far
From me and you
Can our dreams
Be filled this way
Can lost love
Visit today
-Peace
MAY YOUR TIME GO FAST
Just like that
I look and see
Another inmate
Looking at me
He is new
To this place
He looks around
Like lost in space
Taking it in
All new sights
Hoping to avoid
The inevitable fights
I once was him
First day in
Sentenced here
To pay for sin
Now my time
Is almost over
It’s his turn
To grow older
I turn away
And walk on past
Good luck I whisper
May your time go fast
-Peace
MY MISTAKE
Deliver us
From all lies
Spare me
The phony tries
I’ve heard it said
Many times before
That in a minute
You’ll open this door
Yet again today
I awake inside
Still locked away
Because they lied
It’s not the act
Of being untrue
It hurts because
It’s what they do
You always hope
And look for proof
That at least one
Would tell the truth
But who am I
To expect a break
When after all
It’s my mistake
-Peace
DISTANCE
Like a planet
On its own
I’m an object
All alone
Far from home
Far from love
I’m an object
Way above
Looking out
Into the night
I’m an object
Out of sight
There are many
Others here
I’m an object
They are near
Rotating
To and fro
I’m an object
Going slow
In this orbit
Like a dance
I’m an object
With distance
-Peace
NEVER FORGET Every year Since that day I'm still unsure Of what to say Of how it was Just before That horrible sight That we all saw Once they stood Grand and tall Beacons of might Did crumble and fall And when they came Crashing down Discharging dust And death downtown They took a piece A little part Of our soul Of our heart We will survive On that I'll bet And we will never Never Forget -Peace
A LITTLE PEACE
I thought about it
More than enough
The hardship here
And all the stuff
Like an open wound
Like a cut exposed
I never imagined
That I could close
That I could come
To terms with this
Being away
Not hold or kiss
But then at once
Something changed
Like my life
Had switched lanes
I was at ease
In here now
I learned the why
The who and how
I found a balance
A life of ease
Inside these walls
A little peace
-Peace
I WILL WAIT
Here I wait
For what I know
Is the last chance
For me to go
It isn’t like
I know the time
Or what it is
That I will find
It’s more that they
That choose this thing
Are determined
To make me sting
Do the things
That they decide
Is best for them
And not my pride
I will comply
At least for now
When my chance comes
I’ll show them how
To lead a man
To his fate
Until that moment
I Will Wait
-Peace
MY SINS
My mistakes
Should only be
A burden shouldered
Just by me
I created all of this
From our lives
I deducted bliss
I have a son
That had a life
Of only good
That now is strife
I’ve affected him
In a way
That makes him hurt
Most every day
I left our home
To serve my time
He ended up
Sharing mine
I pray he learns
Life’s outs and ins
I pray he doesn’t
Pay my sins
-Peace
OUT MY WINDOW
There is a window
In my cell
I wish it open
So I could yell
But, alas
It’s meant to be
Another means
To imprison me
Just like the bars
Gates and doors
The concrete cells
Walls and floors
All here
For your protection
To keep you clean
From my infection
Yet, this glass
Let’s me see
Less of you
And more of me
And at night
To sleep I go
With one last look
Out My Window
-Peace
SON – SHINE
Years from now
When you are old
You’ll understand
What is told
About your dad
And what it did
Why I left
When you were a kid
Not by choice
Was I gone
And because I was
You carried on
You lived your life
Grew strong and true
You’re who you are
Because of YOU
And I’ll be back
I will return
And at that time
You will learn
That what was lost
Was not time
It was a chance
To see my SON SHINE
-Peace
I LEFT THEM BEHIND
I didn’t want to
It wasn’t a choice,
I had to leave
“Go now” said a voice
Don’t look back
Don’t turn around
One step, then another
Don’t make a sound
Am I stealing
What little hope they had
How dare I be happy
When I know they are sad
I look out
As if I’m free
They just stare
And wish they’d be
I must go
They’re calling my name
I will not forget
From where it is I came
Look in your own heart
And maybe you’ll find
How I felt
When I left them behind
-peace
CAMERA ME
On the wall
Where I live
It records
What I give
A little left
A little right
It records
Day and night
Following me
Across the room
It records
Far and zoom
Never sleeps
Or even blinks
It records
While we think
I wonder if
It ever cared
It records
What we shared
This world we’re in
The pain we see
It records
My camera me
-peace
SITTING ON A SATURDAY
REMEMBER WHEN
THERE WAS A TIME
WHEN WEEKEND NIGHTS
WERE FILLED WITH WINE
THE DAY BEFORE
WAS SPENT WITH PLAN
OF DRINKS IN BOTTLES
OR DRINKS IN CAN
OF WHO’D YOU LIKE
TO SEE THAT NIGHT
EVEN THOUGH
IT WASN’T RIGHT
BUT WE DID IT
ANYWAY
AND YES WE REGRETED IT
THE VERY NEXT DAY
I ALWAYS WONDERED
WHAT BECAME OF
THE ONES WE LIED
AND SAID WE LOVED
DID THEY
DO THE SAME
SAY THEY CARED
WHEN WHISPERING MY NAME
WELL, THATS THE PAST
OR SO THEY SAY
AS FOR NOW, IM JUST
SITTING ON A SATURDAY
-PEACE
WATER WALKER
“He did what?”
Is what they say
Nothing like that
Happens today
To see a man
Walk on waves
Is impossible
To imagine these days
But, those who saw
It all take place
Believed He created
Time and space
Now I ask
This of you
If “He” exsisted
And it was true
Why only then
And not now
Why only written
And not shown how
Is it because
It was not His Son
It was Him
When this was done
-Peace
HAVE I ABANDONED YOU?
Did I leave
You all alone
Make our marrige
Love by phone
Was there something
I took from you
Something shiny
And brand new
The life you asked
Me to provide
Do you now
Feel I lied
Was it there once
But now deleted
Do you feel robbed
Swindled and cheated
What we had
We earned with heart
I shall return
I shall restart
I’ll get it back
Return our life
Return my love
To you my wife
-Peace
THESE WALLS OF MINE
I did not see
I did not plan
Yet here I am
I understand
The walls are hard
The time is long
In my heart
Is a sad sad song
The colors gray
Green and black
The clock is stuck
No turning back
Where I sit
I eat and play
Where I sleep
Most every day
Count the nights
Pass the time
Seasons pass
These walls of mine
-Peace
I had a buddy that lost loved ones in a fire. He and I spoke and grieved together for his loss. I felt overwhelmed and wanted to put into words a poem for him to send to the services since he was unable to attend.
EVERY MORNING’S SUNSHINE
Today I saw
The sun arise
It’s morning’s light
Kissed my eyes
Nothing different
To set apart
Today from other
Days that start
But, it’s not for me
To pick and choose
Which days we win
Which days we lose
It is a power
Greater than I
That makes us smile
Or makes us cry
Today I am
On bended knee
To Him above
To hear my plea
Hold close the ones
I lost of mine
Show me their safe
In the mornings sunshine
-Peace
WHEN FRIENDS WRITE
I share this message with all of you. The first part was written by a very special person I met purley by chance in south Texas eariler this year. We ended up becoming true friends via the internet. He wrote about me and I felt moved to write a response.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.
-Peace
THERE IS THIS MAN
There is a man’ whose initials are as SOB
He was raised in the bowels of NYC
Not meek of body and mind because the neighborhoods where rough
This Irish lad named O’Brien who walked the streets where you had to be tough
Cunning and character was an absolute necessity
Survival in this block city demanded it physical fee
Roaming these streets was not for everybody
This Irishman was strong in mind and body
To all of these challenges he met without fears
Yes, he accepted the battles won and lost without tears
Certainly he suffered some bruising and banging
But rest assured he doled out his share of battering
Make no mistake he was no little angel by any means
In that Irish generation/neighborhood it was just in the genes
Loyalty to friends was perpetually paramount
Everyone knew he would be there at the count
That is what I was, not what I am, he says unequivocally
For now, I am a family man with a loving wife living happily
There are some dark clouds on the horizon’s which makes the future obscure
But it is yet another corner of life, which must be dealt with for to endure
He roamed the country for a while looking at lighted windows
Forever wondering what drama lay behind glass that glows
Time passed and he did many things this Irishman
For him, corners were turned to make him into a man
Sure, there were difficulties like everyone experiences
Hurdles were overcome, and of course, there were fences
Through all that, this man named Steve O’Brien prevailed
Pride was a constant companion in every direction he sailed.
Creative he was, Lo and behold, he turned another of life’s corners no less
He became a writer, about tales of his young life, as you might guess
I met this Irishman named Steve O’Brien by chance
I read his stories of life described in words that dance
A friendship we share to be sure and I forever wish he and his family the best
As he eloquently writes and signs off with the word peace …and you know the rest
As always Peace
WGS
THE HANDSHAKE
I once took a trip.
Alone.
My world was changing.
Family.
I traveled far south.
Alone.
A place where others go.
Family.
I sat at a table.
Alone.
He entered to meet someone.
Family.
I was ready to leave.
Alone.
He sat here by chance.
Family.
I said “good morning.”
Alone.
He said, “not from around here huh?”
Family.
I told a story.
Alone.
He told a story.
Family.
I said,” writing a book”
Alone.
He said,”me too”
Family.
I left.
Alone.
He wrote.
Family.
I wrote back.
Family.
-Peace
