Just
(Lyns)

when everything is calm
the storm has not yet begun
it is not yet brewing
the people are asleep
birds are quiet
war has never been heard of
trouble and strife are none
there is no hatred
no anger, no fury
there is calm
love and peace
everything is just.


Torch This Place
(Brian)

If I could torch this place I would
Let the thoughts of you burn down
Don't call the firefighters for this one
There won't be anything left to save


Yuki
(Renzy)

I was so happy that day
To see his smile come like the breeze
To make me choke with his envy,
And for once, our scars could be worn outside
And we could bear them and laugh...
Laugh like his smile that came like the breeze.

His breath is what suffocated me
But I took it in like air all the same
And let it poison me.
It was a beautiful toxin and I was so happy.
That day.

Hands and skin and feet and blood so centered
Around just one of his heart beats.
Just for one step forward.

I was so happy that day. I was.

His hair was lop-sided, or maybe it was me
Though it wasn't enough to take me with your
Eyes alone...
Was it...
Yuki?


Components of Poem
(Vincent)

Feelings Flow through my fingers 
Like a tune flows through a horn 
They appear before me 
As a sunrise in the morn 

Deep thoughts, strong feelings and senses 
Travel from my brain to my fingers 
Like a melody rides a wave... 
Of sound to your ears 

Sometimes they are mellow 
Occasionally they are rough 
Like jazz 
And heavy metal 

Each feeling is new 
As is every beam 
Rising over the horizon 
Shining light on everything 

The words that come out 
Are perfectly intuned with my feelings 
Sunrises are in harmony 
With all Earthly things 

Rising new feelings 
Tuneful new thoughts 
Sometimes a jazz radio station 
That occasionally plays hardrock


Ode to Friendship
(Erik, Michigan)

Into the twilight dusk I see,
A burning light, Tis a beacon for me,
Deep from the depths of friendship has sprung,
A warm glowing light of good deeds unsung.

I bask in its warmth; I dance in its light,
How happy indeed I am with my plight!
Enriched I am with friends near and far,
A glory to rival our own celestial star!

In this magnificence, I am humbled and awed,
That I should be honored, though selfish and flawed,
And of this light I conclude, and it's true,
It undoubtedly springs from the heart of you.


Shadows Three
(Erik, Michigan)

By trade I travel far and wide,
By hill and vale and riverside,
And every mile my horse does stride,
Through gentle, placid countryside.

My horse, he sets the gentle pace,
He's not inclined to dart or race,
He feels the rhythm of this place,
This land of quiet, tender grace.

Here am I within the vale,
A traveler here upon the trail,
Amongst the fox and deer and quail,
The oak and pine and grassy swale.

Suddenly I spy ahead of me,
A shadowy man full six foot three,
Who leans against a sinewy tree,
Beside the trail ahead of me.

Who could this be? I surely wonder,
A phantom? A demon? To tear me asunder?
Perhaps he's a rogue my goods for to plunder,
I think to be here is a terrible blunder!

Alas, I see to my great relief,
This shadowy man is not a thief!
It's not a man that's caused my grief,
It's only a branch all covered in leaf!

On I press my rogue now behind me,
I will leave him there attached to that tree,
The next weary traveler perhaps may see,
This villainous, desperate and cunning pine tree.

The shadows lengthen, dark and long,
And just ahead the fortress strong,
I'll soon embrace my kindred throng,
In mirth and dance and drink and song.

This brilliant canopy overhung,
Of red and yellow and crimson sun,
Tells me now my course is run,
And marks the day as being done.


Beautiful Angel Beyond the Door
(Brian)

I open the door and walk into the room
One dim light hangs down in the center
The dusty wood floor, the dangling cobwebs
No one's been here for years I'm sure

I walk across the room to another door
The floor creaks with each passing step
A bat swoopes down, freaking me out
And for the moment I stand still

I take slow steps closer to the door
The creaking sounds become louder
It's unbearable as I reach the door
I turn the knob, and the floor breaks

I begin to fall through the space
But I reach out and catch the side
I hang on with all my strength
Shock and confusion rule my mind

I never hear debris hit any ground
The wood continues into the darkness
All I hear are many echoing screams
They grow softer and further away

I pull myself out of the hole
Laying on the edge, I breathe deeply
I concentrate my mind on the door
It's painted black with a golden knob

After a moment, I struggle to my feet
I begin to look closer to the door
There's a ledge out in front of it
Maybe I could jump across to this

I take a couple steps backward
The floor creaks loudly as I move
My heart races as I take a breath
My eyes position on the target

I run to the edge of the hole
The air scatters out of my path
I close my eyes and jump out
I'm afraid to look down the hole

My body hits the door at great speed
I bounce back towards the hole
I grab the knob and steady myself
My heart and breath race faster

I turn the knob to open the door
Letting it go only an inch at first
Warm air flows out the door at me
Somehow, I begin to feel refreshed

I open the door the entire way
Skylights hang from the blue walls
Diamonds are spaced along these walls
And the skylights shine upon them

I look to the center of the room
A bright light illuminates there
I'm not blinded, but strangely happy
As I move closer to the source

At the source, the light brightens
A beautiful angel emerges
I immediately fall in love with her
The beautiful angel, which is you


You...
(Rachel, Kansas)

You...
give me confidence
when I think that I'm not too great
You...
tell me you love me
and how much I mean to you.
You...
share with me all that you are
and all that you hope to be.
You...
make me feel loved
when I feel no one loves me at all.
You...
tell me I can do it
even though I sometimes think I can't.
You...
give me strength to go on
when I think times are the worst.
You...
are who you are,
and make me who I am,
and I love you.


I am Me.
(Rachel, Kansas)

I may not be
the most attractive girl,
or athletic,
but I am me.

I may not be
a cheerleader,
or on Student Council,
but I am me.

I may not be
one to party,
or socialize with a lot of people,
but I am me.

I may not be 
the class president,
or a good singer,
but I am me.

I do not enjoy playing sports,
or leading the school in activities.

I enjoy
writing,
and taking pictures,
and talking to friends,
and reading novels
by the best authors.

All of those things
Are what make me,
Me.


People
(Rachel, Kansas)

People
who think they are
better than everyone else
drive me crazy.
No one is better
than anyone else.
Whatever happened to
All men are created
equal?


St. Maria
(Losergirl00)

Walk through the halls, painted black from souls of past generations.  
Blood is leaking from the ceiling, and seeping through the walls.
Everybody's loud, doubtful inadvertance. 
Pain feeds off silence, which all of us fear, and lives in a covert shroud. 
Smiles are conveniently plastered to every person's face. 
All are happy and healthy-doesn't get much better.  
It's just a hoax we've mastered. 
If you tear the smile off every poor monster's face, you'll find the wicked truth-
a twisted frown-if you dig past the denial. 
I go at night, to listen to the tears, and to unravel the horrible stories in my mind. 
I try to find peace with all my might. 
It's out of reach, beyond my grasp.  
I want genuine smiles.  
I want coldhearts to melt.  
In the walls, I hopelessly beseech. 
Until then, the paper is my sanity and the pen, my Prozac.  
I'm hanging by a thread.  

I'll let go, just tell me when.


Outside Looking In
(Nikki, New York)

I'm tired of being a loser
Stupid and worthless that's me
The cause of so much depression
When mentioning positivity
I'm bored with being languid
Unable to move or speak
I hate when people point
Or shout "There's the freak!"
I wish that I wasn't despised
Hated, cursed and ridiculed
With hair too short and middle too thick
I have never ruled
I've lost my desire for being
A person lost in the din
But since I can't let you win
I'll be on the outside looking in


Victim
(Nikki, New York)

I'm tired of being a victim
Helpless and afraid that's me
I am forced to ask
Why couldn't he just let me be?
I'm fed up with being paranoid
Unable to go out alone
At night I sob and weep
For I can still hear him moan
I wish that I had fought back
Scratched, kicked and bit
But I just laid there
While he raped and hit
People are always saying 
That it wasn't my fault
But I can't stop thinking
How could I have made him halt?


Dear Terrorist (written on Sep. 12)
(Nikki, New York)

Do you know what you've just done
Can you understand
The pain and suffering that has occurred
Due to your own hand
All of the children parentless
And the ones who can't stop crying
You've just made all of the parents
Have to tell their kids they've been lying
The previously conceived notion
That America was without hate
Is no longer true
Now that you have messed with fate
So to you I say the following
I hope your ears are open wide
That nowhere in the world
Will you be able to hide
For now, sure you're safe
Something we will never be
But soon you'll die
So we can be free
Freedom is worth dying for
And that we might have to do
But it will not be in vain
For we'll get you
That's my promise
The only one I can make
That one day
From your bed you won't awake
You'll have to suffer
Like all of those here
And for you I'll shed
Not a single tear


Distant Witness
(Kelly, California)

I don't live close; I did not hear the thunder or the crash.
I did not hear the cries for help or see the metal thrash.

I didn't witness buildings fall. This was on TV.
I didn't run from plumes of smoke. I know that wasn't me.

I didn't arrive with photo in hand looking for my wife.
I didn't tell my only son his dad has lost his life.

I didn't send my oldest child into a burning tower.
To try and save whomever he could and die within an hour

I cannot say that I was hurt while saving someone's life.
I cannot say I've ever lost a daughter, son or wife.

I do not daily pass this site where bodies still decay.
While people who must get to work must pass it everyday.

I am not brave; I do not grieve for loss beyond compare.
I know I am not a party to the death and the despair.

In some small way I'd like to say I hold you in my heart.
Although this won't amount too much I hope it is a start.

There was a part inside of me that died upon that day.
I cannot look at life the same or trust in the same way.

I look to God to give me strength to trust in all his grace.
I look inside into my soul and find a peaceful place.


Broken Palace
(Amanda)

i'm learning that it's not as simple
as hello and goodbye
there's that inbetween that makes
everything so intricate,
like a snowflake on your nose
that i'm longing to kiss away
the fractured sunlight
pounding out images:

i'm reminded always of the time
you told me you loved me and you sounded
like the entire world rested in the parts
of speech you uttered,
your voice a warm universe
where flowers are as tall
as the sky

my sweatshirt still smells like you, you know.
it used to be a wordless lullaby, as i'd curl up
with it and dictate my dreams to my subconscious.
now it's just one of those constant pictures,
corners worn by my thumbs as i pull it out
always to reminsice.  threads fray from the 
sleeves:  you still linger in my room
with those blue eyes
i can't ignore.

our stupid sentences limp around inside my veins,
and they disguise themselves as redemption
and absolution.  i want that.  i want to wear those
wings instead of showering you with the feathers
lost.  and as i review the passing of epochs
into communal graves, i cling to the usage
of "our".

i still want to keep you between the pages of
this journal with all the borrowed daisies,
your hymns resonating in the halls of
almost-someplace--this broken palace
stains my feet with splinters, but i want
to live here with you always
and plant a garden
of perennial weeds.


Inanimate Objects
(Karen)

watching you leave
was the hardest part
of my day
knowing I won't get that
call. it's no game to be played

understanding
only that I am confused
comprehending
words only in books
for the first time in my life

loving someone who doesn't
love you
like kissing a lamp post
it's not worth the time
to love the equivalent of an
inanimate object
to break my heart?
I broke it myself
without your help

you say my hair looks soft
how could you understand
why


Cut
(Bob)

I thought I was over it
Over all my pain
But everytime I see you
I gotta go back
Back to the razor
I'm sorry I'm ugly
CUT
I'm sorry I'm stupid
CUT
I'm sorry I'm me
CUT
Time to
Insert the blood
And remove the razor
Cause myself pain
And remove the problem


the dream of the catch
(Joel)

The dream of the catch invades my mind
and as time passes it grows like a cancer
invading my being and all existence

Indeed, how daunting it is to look upon the infinite
beauty that is you and not be able to partake
The mind imagines smells of roses within her hair
and all about her body
To taste, to lick, to even smell is where happiness lies

and in the dream we touch and come together
and time stops
it knows what pleasure I recieve from the smallest feel
and jealousy watches, a voyuer to all.

And within is where happiness lies.


Too Late
(Brian)

Ever notice

how no one

says anything

until it's

too late...


Chains
(Sarah)

These walls of chains keep me silent and my fear keeps me here.
I never know what wrongs I'll do and so I'm always scard.
You'd think I'd be stuck here by chains instead of fear alone.
But on this road I live alone and people stay away at home.

I'm always moody, and I'm always broody.
The pain keeps me sad.  It eats away as responsibilities
weigh heavily upon my back.  But I carry the load standing 10" tall,
Across the endless sea.  Hoping some day that it will all go away,
is a mind numbing thought for me.  And if I knew what to do
I'd make it stop right now.  But since I don't I'll stand here,
alone always looking for a way out.


Father Why?
(Sarah)

Father why?  why did you not want me?
Father way? why did you not care?
Father why?  when I needed love, you gave hate?
Father why?  When I needed you, you walked away?
Father why?  Why leave me here in pain?
Father why?  why did you give me your name?
Father why? Why did you let someone else raise me?
Father why?  Why did you never write me?
Father why?  Why did you fake your death?
Father why?  All I asked was
Love from you?
So why father?


My Friend
(Unknown)

I think we're close
Enough that we can
talk about our
friendship without
feeling embarrassed.

And I hope I won't make
you uncomfortable
when I go one step further
and say those
three little words
that really sum up how
I feel about having
you as a friend...

You're Very Lucky!


Racism Hurts
(Brian)

I knew this guy named King
He was a minister from Alabama
He decided to fight
All this white vs. black propaganda

I know this girl named Parks
She would not give up her seat to some white
She said no, I won't
And wound up in jail by night

I knew these two Kennedys
They believed in equality
They supported King and Parks's
Movement to end racism, see

They all tried to fight racism in their own way
And they fought it night and day
Because they knew racism hurts

Hey, blacks and whites, whites and blacks,
listen up and come together
Listen to the ideas of one another
Be like that and stay that way forever

I know it, and you better know it, too
Racism hurts


Shattered Dream
(Maria, Hawaii)

My utopian dream sadly shattered,
When my sweet, innocent children had wept,
For the cold reception of a cruel world
Crushed them after observing my teachings.
Ridiculed and beaten, they had turned to me,
But I had become fully powerless,
Never expecting such painful evil.
How they had cherished the picture of love
That I had painted so beautifully.
They suffered for I had trusted love
To be the cure-all for all our problems
Now I am old and my heart is broken,
For I am unable to forgive myself.


Father
(Courtney, 16)

You left long ago when I was four
You didn't say goodbye, you just walked out the door
Occasionally, I got a letter, or a card or two,
But it wasn't the same; I needed you
Years passed and the letters stopped coming.
I didn't know where you were or how you were doing
You missed my first bike, my first day of school
You missed all of the friends I made and how everyone thought I was cool.
Eight years went by without a trace
Oh, how I missed your wonderful face
Then, one night, the phone rang.
It was you!  Oh, how my heart sang!
You wanted me to come visit you so we could get reaquainted,
I couldn't believe what I was hearing; I almost fainted!
When I arrived at your home and walked through the door,
I discovered that you had adopted a child and married once more.
A few years passed and I went to your house as often as I could,
That's when I began to get jealous; I should have known that I would.
She told me how she loved being my sister and how I always seemed to care,
She told me of her childhood memories with you when you were always there.
I don't think she ever realized how much her memories hurt me.
But I understood why spending a lifetime with you made her so happy.
You left long ago when I was four,
You never said goodbye, you just walked out the door.
That was the past; now you're here.
You're my father and I love you.
No more tears.


Mommy
(Unknown)

Johnny brought a gun to school.
He told his friends that it was cool.
And when he pulled the trigger back
It shot with a great crack.
Mommy, I was a good girl, I did
What I was told.
I went to school, I got straight A's.
I even got the gold!
But Mommy, when I went to school that day,
I never said goodbye,
I'm sorry Mommy, I had to go,
But Mommy, please don't cry.
When Johnny shot the gun,
He hit me and another.
And all because Johnny
Got the gun from his older brother.
Mommy, please tell Daddy
That I love him very much.
And please tell Chris, my boyfriend,
That it wasn't just a crush.
And tell my little sister
That she is the only now.
And tell my dear sweet Grandmother,
I'l be waiting for her now.
And tell my wonderful friends
That they always were the best.
Mommy, I'm not the first.
I'm no better than the rest.
Mommy, tell my teachers
I won't show up for class,
and never to forget this,
and please don't let this pass.
Mommy, why'd it have to be me?
No one deserves this.
Mommy, warn the others.
Mommy, I left without a kiss.
And Mommy, tell the doctors
I know they really did try.
I think I even saw a doctor
Trying not to cry.
Mommy, I'm slowly dying
With a bullet in my chest.
But Mommy please remember,
I'm in heaven with the rest.
Mommy, I ran as fast as I could
When I heard that crack.
Mommy, listen to me if you would,
I'm not coming back.
I wanted to go to college.
I wanted to try things that were new.
I guess I'm not going with Daddy
On that trip to the zoo.
I wanted to get married.
I wanted to have a kid.
I wanted to be an actress.
Mommy, I wanted to live.
But Mommy, I must go now,
The time is getting late.
Mommy, tell my boyfriend
I'm sorry, but I had to cancel the date.
I love you, Mommy, I always have.
I know, you know it's true.
And Mommy all I wanted to say is,
"Mommy, I love you."


Bumpfi
(Maria, Hawaii)

Cookoo, cookoo, the siren chirped the cuckoo's call
During the war, whenever bombs threatened to fall.
The day when the earth shook and the windows shattered,
I was forced to run; nothing else should have mattered,
But I cried briefly, "My Bumpfi, my dolly."
"Better run for your life.  Indeed what a folly
To worry about!  Your doll will survive."
My rescuer grabbed me to keep me alive
To the basement he dragged me without any pause.
"We need every second; The bomb hit the house."
His voice seemed to shake as he pulled me along.
People, bleeding and screaming, some limping, some strong.
They rushed down the stairs to the damp underground.
Quite lost and confused I felt 'til I found
My auntie, gasping for air in the crowd,
Choking from falling debris, without doubt.
Men broke down the wall to the shelter next door.
"Thank God, we'll be safe in a few minutes more."
My sweet auntie said, gently drying my tears.
Grieving, I sobbed, "My Bumpfi is dying upstairs."


From Sister to Mother
(Tiffany, 17, Indiana)

From the depths of the heart great suffering came,
Death during the time whence she came.
As she was born her mother did fade, until not a trace of heartbeat remain.
A father unknowing turned to his daughter to care for his child.
A child to her sister turned, knowing not what to do.
And a sister who turned into a mother on that fateful day,
Protects her sister as if she had bore her.


Rose
(Lea, 31, Indiana)

A wise man once told me
Every rose has its thorn
And for every thorn that pricks
A heart will break
And for every petal that falls
A tear will also fall
I've been pricked and lost
A lot of petals
But finally I found
My rose that holds no thorns


the candles burn
(Lea, 31, Indiana)

The candles burn
The covers turned down
My anticipation is leaps and bounds
Time moves slow
Yet time stands still
Waiting
More waiting
Passion filled evening
Phone rings
You whisper my name
I say, come get me
I am home
Sparks fly
Excitement in the air
Soon you'll be here
Candle gone
Covers twisted around
Passion gone
Butch is back in town


more than words
(Lea, 31, Indiana)

More than words
I close my eyes
The world revolves
All my thoughts
Are on you
When I am in your arms
I know I'm safe
I know I can trust you
Smile
Hold my hand
No questions
Your eyes tell me all I need to know
More than words


A Liftime
(Lea, 31, Indiana)

When I look back
I know that we loved in
Another life
Because I know the
Love we've shared
Laughter
Tears
Ups
Downs
Anger
Hurt
But most of all
Love
So when someone asks me
How long have we been married
I simply respond
A lifetime!!!!


we started a path
(Lea, 31, Indiana)

We started a path
It's lined with flowers and rain
Hand in hand we walk for miles
It doesn't matter because we're together
The path has curves
Bends
Hills
And is steep
I am not worried because
We will carry each other when we get tired
Rain will fall
And we well have storms
But I'll fight the lightning
And you soften the thunder with your blue eyes
Soothe me with a simple kiss
Our eyes move together to the beat of life
I will follow you
Trusting your every step
On our path home

the stabbing of ceaser
(Drytearz)

The stabbing of ceaser the death of our leader
Ta TA Da
Bow now to evil emporer of candy land
Ta Da Da
Don't drink the liqor of the liqorishman
Da ta Da
Tobacco fumes help the flowers to bloom
Da Da Ta
The Worms are in heaven but heaven is in your tomb
Peacocks and dragons fight over the flowers in her hair
Biting and snipping with feathers and wings spread they learn to share
Bubbles float out of her fingertips and swallow the air


public apologies
(Drytearz)

Public apologies
Don't have to get on your knees
Save that for the private please
Scar the manatese
Herpes is a sign of love
So don't wear a glove
Build your scabies a nest
Let them infest


enter atlantis but never return
(Drytearz)

Enter Atlantis but never return
They only way out is to burn burn burn
Saddle up your angel put on her reins
Inject your devil into her veins
I cut myself on the barbwire of heavens gate
As I heard God "Pass the collection plate"

Camels
(Drytearz)

Moths are ugly butterflys with low self esteem
Ants are brainless but work as a team
Humans are worthless and it makes me want to scream
It's good to be among the camels
In the desert wearing sandles
Meet my friend hairy humps
Yes, my friend has many lumps
I wouldn't trade a camel for a wife
Not to save my very life
Oh sweet camels of perfection may I join the herd
Living with humans now that's absurd


A Dragon's Victory
(Drytearz)

Drink of my water and piss out your wine
Someday we will be on our own endangered species list
The human cry of the medicated cacti
Distracts an ongoing shopping cart pirate
Hungry ears drool at the sound of angel
Feathers tickling the devil for an eternity
A fearful ostrage in the snow burries its head under the white cold sand
Cream cheese drips out of a toddlers eye socket as he cries for a bagel
A bomb is triggered but kills its maker due to daylight savings time
To admire to die so I can be as those I admire
Always remembers the girm reapers watch is 5 minutes fast
Hell's Black Rainbows


A Home for the Eaten
(Drytearz)

The heat of your body steams as it hits the cold of your heart
I taste dragon breath with every smoldering kiss
Broken bones and damp torn peacock feathers decorate the inside of your belly
As if you had hired an interior decorator
Claim your prize a dead goldfish


Mother
(Brian)

As I was born, you cradled me in your arms
As I grew up, you showed me the fruits of life
As I became whole, you left me alone in the world
As I died, your spirit cradled me in its arms

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