WALK AWAY

like a spring snow, passing over our heads, burying us deep
within whose depths, it was hard to see, without knowing
for sure, the feelings we had in mind, precious but hard to keep

here we were, ready to succumb, while seeking so much more
It passed us by time and again, unable to see, what the heart was for

whether right or wrong, both our feelings were ignored, for awhile
tossing them aside, exaggerated, justified, or simply nullified

should I, would she, just walk away this time, for all that we know
or take one step back, to being worthwhile, make a flame grow

should I, will she, could we, just stop, taking a page from fate
reconsidering it all, to make it better, fix it before it breaks
so that we can go forward and move beyond our love stalemate

be it a mistake, misunderstanding, or else the consequence
of a heart, figuring out what it needs, whether fight or flee
left up to happenstance, it never crossed our minds, to walk away

we fought our way back, trying to survive, against the tide
like a sea storm swelling, the ebb and flow, in and out
searching the moon and stars, struggling, till we got it right

now with eyes wide, and our love where it belongs, we know the score,
letting the heavens fully align, to be our guide, from behind closed doors

be it a mistake, misunderstanding, or else the consequence
of a heart, figuring out what it needs, whether fight or flee
left up to happenstance, it never crossed our minds, to walk away

By Michael Perry

BABY FACE                

listen to me, baby face your not the first you
certainly won't be the last, i see your
hard edge trying to come through, baby face
they say projection is everything, but you
will fail, trust me no tough cool exterior or hard as
nails façade, will be enough it will be your  
downfall, i see right through to your innocence
hiding behind your eyes, i hate to break it to you
because age will deny you every time, being tough
is not a form of  maturity so cut the bad *** attitude
your not even old enough to drive, so my advice
is act your age enjoy being a kid, for you will have
plenty of time to behave like a real adult someday, just not now

by Michael Perry

I HAD A THOUGHT

i had a thought of you
as you crossed my mind this morning
out of the blue you were there in my mind's eye
as i sat here in the stillness
trying to think of other things
i had to do that day
and you became front and center, a focal point
to my thoughts taking over everything else
in that moment, as i wondered further
do you ever think of me,  do i cross your mind, after all this time?
both us having moved on
as events for both us brought change
still if you were here  now, i think you would agree
the years we had together  were  good ones
but not good enough to last forever
still i wondered aloud what if?
as i continued stirring cream and sugar into my coffee
back and forth, and then out of the corner of my eye
i looked up and there you were standing in the doorway
about to knock, as i stood up
to stand in complete shock

by Michael Perry

FIRST STEPS

he has a smile, giving in, to sparks of delight
ready to make an impression, as he learns
to walk up right, his little hands, feet pick up
the pace, having no fear, no fuse whenever
he falls down he gets back up making his way
as he shows us how its done, he learns so fast
clapping his hands; a daredevil in the making
i am in love with this little boy, he makes
my heart swell, as i look in his eyes, i see
my son, his father, watching his son as he
takes first steps, we watch together, as i
remember way back when, the joy i felt
as my son took his first steps, now it comes
full circle, amazed at this little boy; my grandson

by Michael Perry

NO ORDINARY YEAR

usually a year
comes and goes
without nary a blink
we never recognize
the coming or the going
as it passes into time
still we know this year
will remain in infamy  
for all that we disdain
holding it against itself
we wont even say good bye
we will only say good riddance

by Michael Perry

NIGHTMARE
        (homage to  Edgar Allan Poe)

looking into eyes made of smoke, asking
you to make ready-with it's breath
of death, telling you to suspend all belief
with it's thin lip speak, on a red-smeared
made to order coming  out of a
bleeding scar of disgust, sharp teeth
forked tongue, licking in-between- and then
the lines blur, as it  continues to spew lies
ready to show you, a world turned
upside down, still, wanting you, only
you to release more of its brethren
out into the world unless somehow you
crack the devil code, and then you look
deep inside a dark tunnel made of mirrored
glass creating splitting images of you staring back
albeit, a  distortional picture, like in a fun house
foretelling what's to come, unless you fight back
and then from out of nowhere a body-less arm
grabs a hold of you, won't let go unless, still  
somehow you wake yourself up from
this nightmare that has truly got you shaken
in a  show of will, you stir yourself from
sleep having eyes stay wide, you fight
with all your might, from the covers in
which you find yourself ensnared, you tremble
with relief, as your heart beats fast, sitting
up straight in bed, into the mirror on your
dresser showing a face you cannot identify
you open your mouth to scream, and nothing
comes out as you hold on, for its not over yet

By Michael Perry

A PLEA

with so many seemingly
dark filled times ahead, behind
while some days still remain
we will go forward, resilient
knowing  that we must be strong
a little bit longer, until we get there
take a moment, be a child once more
as you did then , look up , search
the night sky, find the brightest star to make
a grown up wish upon, make it a plea that
we will have peace and dignity once and for all

By Michael Perry

CONFESSIONS OF AN OLD MAN PLANNING WHAT'S NEXT

to see him in the grip of his 62nd year
he is not much to look -at all
salt, pepper spread of hair, lines crisscrossed
everywhere-  a sign of his wear and tear

with his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose
he needs to get from here to there, his sight is a goner
if anyone came here right now, they could walk up to him
and be greeted by blind hands going haywire

he's been married several times, he loved each wife
at the time they were married, not sure what they would say
about him if they had a chance to tell their story in heaven
he hopes they would be kind, to outlive them all, such a shame

he's had a good life, lived longer than most, in these parts
he thinks contrition is a long walk to be made, with the time left
and his touch of black lung scar, taking hold, a reminder to reflect
on the tough years he's had, while providing for each wife in turn

he's not sure what happens next, there's no plans for that
so all he can do is sit and wait, and think about
each day, as he stares down death for as long as he can
for he wants to leave this earth on a clean slate

getting up from the chair it's a slow walk taking forever  across
the porch, turning the handle to the front door, realizing it's better
late then never, saying to no one listening, its been a long day for
planning next steps, better yet, he thinks there is always tomorrow

by Michael Perry

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

the sun finally came out today, peeking through cracks
in the curtains, all at once making its presence known
and you laying beside me undisturbed, unaware
warm and nestling as your blond hair lay tousled
tossed like a nest, and i brushed back a few strands
to see your closed eyes, made simple as a child's, innocent
you, free-spirited, happy-go-lucky,  lips full and composed
dreaming happy thoughts, as i continued  to lay next to you another minute more, while i did i thought all about us, what
if, what was, what we had, and what needed to be done
if not today, certainly by tomorrow, as i waited for an
answer to fall from the sky, i got up silently to get dressed
trying not to make any noise at all, not wanting to wake you
on such a beautiful morning, as i started closing the door behind
me, i heard you say in your sleepy voice "where are you going?"

by Michael Perry

WHAT WE TELL OURSELVES

there are sad things we can accept as fact or shrug it off
as our little voice whispers, depending on which small voice
is talking to you;  so picture this, as you think it through
in a house on a quiet street, lined with fences and trees
is a woman sitting on her barcalounger alone, on this last day
of the year, she is feeling unloved, still it doesn't have to be
as we all make choices daily- that's what we tell ourselves
still she cannot accept the fact of why her?-she ponders this,
with a cigarette glowing through clenched lips, she takes in
a long slow drag as the stifling silence completely surrounds her
all this time; so we surmise, it comes down to guilt of conscience there must be deeper things going on; we cannot get into her head, as she carries this around like an afghan shawl, it's her bitter pill- which she takes daily in a shot glass on a table by her side- steeling herself to cast away ghosts that appear from each year past- and all that it represents, will it be enough as the clocks ticks down, she can see the new year coming into view as she takes in a deep sigh, preparing  for the inevitable, she steady's her nerves for what lays ahead, she has no one else to blame, she accepts this as her norm

by Michael Perry

A Dark Time

from out of a dark time
let the light count the days
as our innocence is tested
in so many ways

what happens now
as millions of voices react-lay blame
ready to throw up our hands
we declare a moratorium on pain

with words plainly spoken
not just sung or rehearsed
we look to our elders; for ways to make peace
declared; passionate, spoken in straight forward verse

for in the light left, another day clings fast
after the soul-searching, too tired to move
we stay dug-in, immobile, steadfast
as the possibility of change, remains within reach

as we close our eyes, even sleep we fight
still we turn a corner; tonight is made possible
by the countless names and faces
their struggles lived;  impossble to ignore, the time is now

humanity for all- a God given right

by Michael Perry

writing in front of a window, my view obscured

in the early morning, it's my time to vibrate
move these words to the page, as if i may, delegate
organize the words, shake them up, give some sense
propagate, try to expand, extract  on what I want to say
it may take  all day, or a short while, still as I
look out into this window, made black by the dark
my view obscured, in a clean slate, I will stare until
the words do come, ideas made plentiful, full- born
out of trials, circumstance, stream of consciousness
and when I look down, , the lines, the fruition, a poem

By Michael Perry

THE LETTING GO

as my face is buffeted
by the coarse wind gritty
with needle specks, i am forced to walk on
through it- to it, i am reminded, remembering
the when, why; what I did to you, to us
-with each step taken, I live it will atone for
willing to be blamed- for not being there for you
when you needed me the most
i was nowhere to be found
so if you cannot forgive me
i cannot forgive myself
and with this, i hope to endure, to take away the pain
i caused you, then, and there
i will put my body through all the paces
of self pity and remorse, willing
to take on the relentless
wind body blows, whatever it takes
- until we are released from this burden, satisfied
of the outcome that holds, binds us both
for in that time-the before, after; the letting go
-whichever comes first, a necessity

by Michael Perry

POEMS:   EXPLORATIONS FLAWED IN (FOUR)

RED
when the color runs in shades of red
it certainly will leave an impression, for instance; shades of passion
the subtle and obvious, not so the taking of a life, shocking, dramatic
using only the eyes as action required, nothing more to be said

BELONG
when one has a desire for inclusion so strong
made paramount to most other necessities
baring only transitional hunger or thirst, still  
greater than it's sum, is the need to simply belong

WANTED
i wanted you more than life
to save you, cling to heaven and earth, selfish of me
ready to release my soul, hoping to move you enough
my subtle nod for seeking refuge in us, holding out once, twice

EXPRESSION
within any expression of art, come to think, brush off strife
behind all the crazy, a follow through is subjectively cued
to trace the lines, read the splotch, distemper the dot, explain
ambiguity, as you stipple for clues -when speaking of love and life

by Michael Perry

PRISON CONFESSION

i wish it was that easy to wish for something
that seemed to be  out of my reach, all my luck
has run out, while i pushed every limit, every time
i used up all my chances, so here i am,  all alone
an empty vessel of that which made me tick, still
its too late to ask for more time, as  i squandered it all
every single previous minute, i was given, why
would i get a second more, i do not  deserve it
one would agree it was not an easy life, still that
was no excuse for all that i did- maybe if i tried harder
if given the chance, had a little encouragement through
the chain of events and how it would have turned out
different still we will never know, as the curtain begins to
open up, i can feel all the eyes upon me now,  as the
liquid begins to course through my veins, making my
eye lids heavy and through the haze of my minds eye
i can see myself learning to ride a bicycle, i fall off and get
back up, if only i had  learned my lessons, i am sure
my life all the way through would have turned out better

by Michael Perry

A MOMENTS PEACE, A CITY WAKES

before the day starts to unfold, still young
and within a moments peace until then
from my vantage point, up high, the 32nd floor
all the inhabitants below form  a different
kind point of view, heads down, the city wakes
with it's own perspective, the industrious ideas
ready to be made, and so do the pedestrians
they as little ants, cross ready to jay walk- no hesitation
they listen to their own inner voices no one else can hear
just as a  close call comes within inches-a yellow cab
jumps the curb, just missing two or three of the little ants
trying to cross, the cabs headlights trail-zigzag, turn, disappear
wanting to make a statement, made loud and clear
one long lasting horn blast that echoes in and out
of this cavernous canyon, made of cement and steel
all the dreams, the nightmares, the possibilities, ready
to unfold and so it begins, a city hums, it breathes life  


By Michael Perry

FORCE OF NATURE

the explosion of foam and water, to rock
as the waves, black; without end, form
one after the other, to come; to come
without hesitation, to make smooth the
jagged face of ages hence-exacting with
vengence, to ravage; erase, leaving no doubt
the force of nature upon itself-  while within
the setting dark of a full moon on the rise readies
itself to inspire bring order and purpose to the night

By Michael Perry

OUR BEST IS YET TO COME

to love you in this our days
we count, as if every minute- were to stop, all of time
willing to accept, the simplistic, uncomplicated, unbound
feelings we have for each other , two becomes as one  

like the moon sun all the countless stars
evolving around the two of us
we are the center of this, our universe
dark to light flying by, our love evolving, taking a stand

with just a smile, you are
my light, unfazed, never fading, elemental
comforting and warm, ready to guide me
i am  weightless, like air, under your control

we are two souls, who have searched
across the universe, looking for that one
lost until found, then not ready to stop  
as all becomes one, we are together, realized

as you lay your body next to mine, we are unapologetic
i can feel  your heart beating in time with mine, ready to dream
the dream of lovers who ask nothing else of each other
knowing that still up ahead, our best is yet to come

by Michael Perry

WINNING TICKET

He was a poor man
willing to put his last dollar
on the counter to buy
himself a lottery ticket

thinking this might be it
a little piece of paper
that will finally bring him luck  
filling his life full with riches and dreams

in the morning, when he awoke
touching the ticket inside his pocket
he found a morning paper to read the winning
numbers aloud, and nothing matched

feeling sorry for himself until when
as he walked down the street, dejected, he came across
another dollar bill to spend, he thought to himself, this is luck
how can it not be, the next ticket will be a winner for sure  

by Michael Perry

ANONYMOUS GIRL

to look
into her eyes     I fall, deep, mysterious
like the sky, endless, without fault, guarded
I fall, go; I am swept away, taken by
her forever- Mona Lisa smile, frozen in place
I want to reach out, bring her back to life-make her whole
then
the bus makes a stop, 3rd and Hudson
she steps down onto the pavement, into the
night, the bus lurches forward
in a plume of exhaust from behind; anonymous girl
who was there, now gone;  like a painting on a
museum wall, out of reach for someone like me

By Michael Perry

WINTER UNFORGIVING

in a winter unforgiving
be it sacrifice or sin
eerily cloaked in the white
of piety, no where to be found
in this, the season of lonesome times
we watch as the pigeons across the way
head for the park ready to scramble
and scrounge for a crumb or two
looking for battle, their survival depends
on it, for little sustenance found, they will fight
to the  death defending what they find
along  with the homeless man who
claims this as his home away home

by Michael Perry

BONE

bits of dust created
formed into bone
of something discarded
unidentifiable, was found
by accident, bleached
and sun dried, walked over
how many times, a piece  
of driftwood to be kicked, or fetched
lost to the ways of nature
claimed as it's prey, devoured
by the weather, with no name
once of flesh and blood- missing
fingers, toes arms
within a heart, once beating
now silent , a final indignity
prepared for a potters grave
tagged-unnamed; case closed

by Michael Perry

RANDOM TIDES

in rushes tide random
of **** and swallow
foam debris clog
slog log jam hollow
evacuation continuation
in upsurge sandspit
gritty settle little bits- follow through
giving in -back out  fade
eddies empty boulders shallow
moon in retrograde

By Michael Perry

MIDDLE-AGED AMERICAN MALE

worked at the company for years
with nothing to show-the man he approached me
told me my jobs on the line, as he handed
me a pink slip-then he walked me to the door
- said he was sorry

now  all I have is worry on my mind
in the next days as I hit the hot dusty pavement
trying to look ahead, not back; Lord, I am struggling
I need a prayer heaven sent- ready to accept fate
-can anyone save me

I try to remain proud, while feeling emotionally spent
with my mind a constant blur, each night finds
me on bended knee, ready to fight for an intervention
when one doesn't come, I don't deserve this hell, why me?
- no one will look me in the face

dont want my kids to hate me
the wife thinks I drink, too much
I'm left in a funk, going nowhere fast , why now
why me- I'm a middle aged american male
-obsolete, easily replaced.

don't want any hand outs, just shake my hand
tell me im hired, use a comforting word or a simple hug
I want to stop feeling the pain, only drink assuages my pain
where is my family, when I need them the most
- how much can one man bear

dont want my kids to hate me
the wife thinks I drink, too much
I'm left in a funk, going nowhere fast , why now
why me- I'm a middle aged american male
-obsolete, easily replaced.

By Michael Perry

HAVING AN ARGUMENT

we stare across from each other
our arms are folded, no one blinks
we show no regard for each other
brazen, our attitude, most stubborn

the clock ticks the minutes down
it's like we don't even breathe
we hold ourselves stock still
this is no longer a war of words

we have gone passed the point of return
willing to behave like two petulant children
without consent for the other's feelings, so we sit
like this refusing to budge, just then, the phone begins to ring

by Michael Perry

REQUIEM

requiem of a romance
gone-presumed dead
was it the flowers?-over done?
a bouquet
once they bloomed
now without any sun- to nourish, doomed to die
alone-together, cut from; on the vine
sullied- love left untried, everyone cried

By Michael Perry

COME AWAY WITH ME

when I first saw your face
I was ready to believe, you were heaven sent
standing in front of me, God you were so beautiful

I knew, I would follow my heart
and if you followed yours
so let me sweep you off your feet, time and again
come away with me, come away with me, my darling here and now

with a love so close, I can touch it
I know you can too, with no time for indecision
the waves rush over, time and again, as we catch our breath

for this love is pure, has a strength of purpose
-a singular desire, our stars have crossed loves path  
let us keep the bonds of love alive, to feel the fire
come away with me, come away with me, my darling- forever and always  

By Michael Perry

EN REGARDANT LE SOLEIL  (watching as the sun)

watching as the sun
begins to set, all of time
comes to an end, at least in the
hours before sunset and dawn
i can still see you, no matter where
i look, from the clouds that pass by
i see something to remind, or the people
that pass me in a crowd, having you as
a frame of  reference, i find myself
wanting to reach for, or call out your name
yet i know its all for not, steadfast, i
watch as the fire place embers begin to
lose their warmth, your  picture poised on
a table by my chair, reflecting in the quiet stillness
i think back to a time when a life, as i knew it
before- would be my constant, remaining steady, uninterrupted

by Michael Perry

EVERY MAN

I am no one-and every man- a face in the crowd
unrecognizable-or of discerning judgement a
beggar, a thief, a nomad-could be young or old
I can be whatever you want me to be-a friend or
foe, a native or an immigrant- have an unrecognizable
dialect-be a speaker of many- languages, use my hands
to interpret for the deaf- or the associate of a lowbrow who
prowls the streets looking for a mark- maybe that tourist
visiting Cleveland for the first time- I will be; your beer
drinking union buddy down at the corner pub-or how
about an upper-echelon wine snob who hosts a party
for $500 a head- I can be anyone of them; I am the chameleon
you will never be able to tell, if our paths cross- recently or past
either way- if you see me- you will never escape the unavoidable  

By Michael Perry

A Day in The Life

a day in the life -what happens next
as we watch; all the books are burned
afraid of what they say- while speaking  the truth
words are banned, we are told censorship is the way

a day in the life-what happens next
as we watch; all music lyrics are stripped
no more music will be heard-the sound of silence
-is deafening, truly frightening

a day in the life -what happens next
as we stand in single file, dressed alike
everyone the same-no gender identity, we must conform
individualism forbidden,  we only have ourselves to blame

a day in the life-what happens next
with every eye shut tight, all our ears plugged closed  
each tongue in silence, we ignored the signs, taken once as familiar
it's too late now, life's taken for granted, each one's freedom gone

what happens next? a day in the life

by Michael Perry

LETTING GO

hold me, tight, hold me tighter
don't let go, hold me as if your
life, mine depends on it, hold me
its no use, still  with each minute passing
i can feel-the letting go begin- as i read your mind
- i only asked one thing of you, still you cannot comply
follow what i asked this one thing-why can't you understand me
i am talking to you, your not listening, why not, i am
looking right at you, am i not making myself clear, as i
can no longer feel the connection now being lost, almost gone
not much longer, like my body being ravaged, from within-
still it shouldn't have been a task, it's all i asked of you, and your
answer, like the hospital instruments, keeping me alive
they go silent,  like the unspoken response you give to me
we understand now as protocol demands we comply
for the disregard of human contact at this time

by Michael Perry

MELANCHOLY ROAD

first thing in the morning
as the pewter sky changes
just before into the golden sunrise

across the land shivering
under a frost crusted blanket
life is still, dead quiet

between the land and the horizon
lies a half frozen pond, one-eyed
ready to reflect a bashful moon up high

into the stilled darkness being enveloped
comes a mournful cry, animal or bird, there by
a single way that leads out, down melancholy road

by Michael Perry

I AM A CHILD OF THE CITY

i am a child  of the city, tough as nails, who plays a part
hoping each day, no harm no foul, will come to me
some days are good while others are more than bad
you may have pity for some have none for me- i still believe

i am a child of the innocent heart, striving to be diligent
made out of tougher skin, a survivor, cavalier is a role i choose
my hopes carved out of make believe, the world is a video game
with me a player; fighting bad guys, some days I win, others I lose

i am a child who will always tell you the  truth - see it like it is
listen up, let me make it clear, plain as i can, i am telling you
it will take more than faith, wise beyond my years, doing
what i can, to get by, anything to hold on; make it through

i am a child under siege who realizes this is bigger than me
it is not easy to get away, break free, each day feeling more dread
hard to navigate- the in's and out's of my concrete confines, get by
i am a child  of the city, who lives day to day hanging by a thread

by Michael Perry

PILGRIMAGE

as the wanderer wanders
he has travelled to and fro
his search took him away
through the miles and miles  
he will spend each day and night
walking, the weather underscored
and the resoluteness he shows
having the heavy blisters on his feet
he remains resolute, determined
going all the way, through his pain
no matter he will decide when this
pilgrimage he started, comes to it's end

by Michael Perry

GET THROUGH

from my eye a tear will fall
knowing I did wrong
got what I deserved, not trying hard enough
didn't have the nerve - to love you back
so I will punish myself, in any lie; to be believed
each day to day, to think maybe
you'd come back, have our love preserved
yet in those days, I wanted it all
one or two drinks to ease the pain-just a little
I know now it wasn't fair to you, at what cost
our love we once  shared- wasn't enough, I still
needed another drink, I couldn't let go
at what cost; you paid the price, you couldn't stay
to watch my fall from grace
so I understood the score, it makes me take pause
as, I walk closer still
to the brink, determined; to let you go-for one drink more

by Michael Perry

SEASONALLY CONFUSED

while November
brings with it
more change, we are at
a point, seasonally confused
for it is sunny and warm
today, as the grass
continues to green
with a possibility of
another mow, still
i can't wrap my head
around the fact that
as the roses continue
to bloom despite
many reasons, why not
they  shouldn't- during
this  time of transitions
even nature seems a
bit confused, of or when
unsure themselves, how to react

by Michael Perry

SHORT AND SWEET

I love her, she loves me
there could not have been
a love story like ours  
a possibility of,  having a future together
without the two us ready to play our part

She loves me, I love her too
we have had each others heart
forever and always, our love story
is a passion created and cared for over time  
renewed by our sacred vow taken years before
      
Darling, Happy Valentine's Day-"I love you"

by Michael Perry

BEING ALONE
cascading snow; gentle, falls ****** pure
in silence, with no regard to the ground
below, random, already filling in where
no footsteps, before or after go, to lead
elsewhere, another time and space the
winds will whisper, their voiceless voice
muted, with no one here, all unwatched
by anyone, for the naked branches are
poised;  will reach up skyward; as palms
outstretched in readiness for; to ask for
God's grace, having their most humbled
hearts filled, tonight, the  humanity of;
and the waiting begins, only I the one, an
observer of, I see, things seen and unheard.

by Michael Perry

THREE BROTHERS WITHOUT A BUCK

it was still mostly dark, with a crimson stripe
of the horizon, as my brothers and i trudged
into the thickets, ice snow chunks, crunched
under our boots as we tried to be quiet with every step
we felt our prey was close, a prized buck, we've
been hunting him for years without luck, when we spied
him a few years back and we said with each year
passing maybe this one, man against nature, as we wondered
who would win, yet each year, we came up empty-handed
so this year, we felt like luck was on our side, no reason why
it just was, so as we walked into the woods pushing branches
from this side to that, we pushed on, it was a couple hours now
as the sun fully rose, we still hadn't spotted him, we were
about to give up when my brother up head went shoosh so
we froze, both from the cold and the moment at hand, stock still
when a branch moved, it wasn't a branch,  it was him, the
prized buck slowly moving from side to side, it probably knew we were watching still it played along, none of us breathed except for the condensation  coming from all our all noses, in and out- it became a stand still none of us moved, neither man nor animal- it was a moment or possibly more as we stood that way- when the three of us took a step forward, one of us, which one, stepped on a dead tree branch that went  snap, as the three of us looked at each other in disbelief, not again, the  buck leapt forward over  a dead tree trunk and like that was gone, as we headed back to the car, no one placed blamed, we  were quiet each thinking what story we would use to explain why- as we all wondered to ourselves,  why we do this to ourselves year after year willing to leave our warm beds for  the chance to stand in the freezing cold, we created our
story of an animal made out of folk-lore status that grew from year to year

by Michael Perry

UNTITLED

a red curtain-torn, askew, made ashamed
as an insult to hang low, abused,   unloved

from within these four walls lies the stink of
the stale breath-overcome with the moss of age

and as the silence surrounds, it lets out a baleful sound
that screeches of jagged glass teeth-exposed, ready to bite

to the coldness that remains intact, over a once held claim lost
to time and space, where only now, live the ghosts holding court

by Michael Perry

LOVE LEFT IN REDUX

In those moments that held us cold and sober
where the silence crawls, apathy becomes the thrill
demanding all our attention, realizing the fight
in us was finished, a bitter pill we swallowed, moreover

to have a love you can't get back, our paradise lost  
a love left in redux, now a casualty, the final cost

like a half past moon, no reason to stay
we have nothing left to savor or hinder
with our tongues silently rendered, why
didn't love stay, paying the price, no say

love was a conversation in passing, no pat answer
we lift the flag of surrender- as love goes down under
if it wasn't enough, for us both, this love, we shared
a love we once devoured, to fight or flight, now a blur

to have a love you can't get back, our paradise lost  
a love left in redux, now a casualty,  the final cost

honesty our only option, with hearts laid out on the sleeve
while in the morning after, it was the wedge to drive us away
truth or consequence, was it you, or was it me, maybe both or
a little bit of happenstance, a part of our growing make believe

to have a love you can't get back, our paradise lost  
a love left in redux, now a casualty,  the final cost

By Michael Perry

A MOMENTS PEACE

it seemed  to have rained forever, unable to concentrate
I paced back and forth, never without a moments peace
in that constant rat tat tat, that seemed to go on forever
never stopping until-finally this morning, as I
glimpsed the sun, I opened up the window, let the air in
from my vantage, up here, I can see everywhere
as I spy upon the people, who constantly walk below
I see how they go, in their never-ending blend of neutral color
one long continuous line of ants they walk with a precision skill
going to and fro-so the question becomes- who is better off-
as I write for a living, hand to mouth or they; earning a decent living wage
-each day, we cope, go about it, on our own; we both turn a page



By Michael Perry

ALWAYS THE POINT

once we were all those very young
cause and affect- struck blind by love
what of it -more, more, no one else
all the craziness; of the years ensued
are we better for -have the memories
we made, out on the road as we traveled or
the hurdles we were made to climb, maybe
it was our once a year trips to the shore, sealing
the deal, we have the pictures, videotape too
what will  it matter -so we digress, will it count
not so fast, we are unwilling to repent or repeat
based on our naivete of yesterday, so we look
ahead for what-ever comes next, ready to curse the
before, here and now, settling in- to ourselves to
do it our way, that was always the point, first and foremost

by Michael Perry

TIME AS COMPROMISE

today is your birthday
i can't believe how much
time has passed- between us, a coming and going
all the years piled up in a rush, now
as my look back begins, it began with my head
now with my heart, ready
to rethink, challenge your memory, the push and pull

i may not have been
what you wanted, i succeeded
just the same, beyond both our expectations
- still our connection to each other- or the lack there of
how we used the strangled, misused words, to describe
love, acceptance, understanding, caring, with our pained faces
scrunched, because neither of us would not budge, we drew a line
not to cross, you and i,  cut from the same cloth, agree to disagree
and each morning as i look at myself in the mirror, i see you, me
staring back, funny how that turned out,  so as i look
deep into your eyes, my wish on this  birthday, is that, if only
we had crossed that line then, taken the same side, i would not
have had to write about you years later, so candidly, still i am ready to shake myself free of continued guilt, and as time passes to
lessen the weight felt,  if  only you could have done the same
instead of leaving me here to hang on to empty space, between
here and there, so i will  continue to stare into the mirror looking
wishing, waiting, i hope to see some day that look in your eyes
ready and willing once and for all, as your sign of our shared compromise

by Michael Perry

ANGUISH

what is left of me, are the pieces
of stilled anguish, unbearable
to the leavings of a gutless wonder

what you have done, can't you see-answer me

I am nothing-no more, like a shell, hollow
my blankness creeps, unable to continue
this deep sense of a careful loss, unable to close

what you have done, can't you see- answer me

the realization, of time and again, as if standing still
knowing no matter how hard I try, always the dead air
now I am, if nothing more, still questionable at most

of the sadness, dense, un-moveable, building up, I ask of it
should I whisper, simply pray, will it matter, into empty spaces
the deepest recess, above my head; in hopes any word of you

-will come to me , that's what you have done

By Michael Perry

MONA LISA SMILE

to the woman who has captivated
for all time-coming closest to
human perfection, she;  found in an alcove
down a museum hall, to be admired, the
world over, having her subtle  smile preserved
with a focused light trained on the canvas- as
her darkened eyes reflect- some- thing of a
secret detail never revealed- she of the beauty
and of womanhood-surpassed- sits unaware,with
all the voyeuristic eyes trained on her, the contrast
of light and dark; her image imbued- as you move
from, side to side admiring the artist concept -of she
who sat unmoved, unchanged-what was she thinking
as she sat there- then you think to yourself-somehow
a reaction resolves-itself as you are reminded, that
you know her, yet you  can't quite put your finger on
it- or was it your eye, just playing a trick-  and or was
that the artist's intention all along

by Michael Perry

THE LOVERS

as the lover whispers his
love for her, she yields to the
loving intent, between them passes
the desired effect, delivered; received

by Michael Perry

SHE BELIEVED

She believed in the sun and the rain
in order for every day moments to be made
she was stronger than I, left to place blame

we sat together, as she spoke up animated
out of this one conversation, she held my hand
out of her pain, she was stead fast-in order to placate me

on this day, she spoke in a voice loud and clear
giving from the heart, I cried while listening
to the detail of her interrupted dreams, her fears

It's been awhile now, as I speak her name, out loud
in this very moment- she suddenly crossed my mind
as the sun finally came out, while stubbornly hidden by the clouds

by Michael Perry

WE KNOW OTHERWISE

there was a point to feelings unfinished
of all those little moments stacked up
once there was love, we called it that
our link to one another, still its about
those little moments, out of a life time
we took them for granted, in our
last attempt at feelings lost, we lived
we fought through it, we sought refuge
in each others arms, holding on, as if
our life depended on it, now we realize
without those moments, when love
tried to deceive, we have seen it all with
renewed eyes, making us stronger for it
like in the early days, when love was new
thoughtful, unable to break, we know otherwise
until that moment comes, regard it, anticipate

by Michael Perry

A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHRISTMAS 2020

SOMETHINGS NEVER CHANGE

version 1:

you didn't ask me but i
will tell you anyways, i am
not a big fan of holidays
everyone trying to pull off
a good mood for just one day
seeming to fake their way through it
until next morning, with eyes half open
groggy from too much eggnog, rise and shine
as they wake up on the wrong side of the bed

by Michael Perry

SOMETHINGS HAVE CHANGED
version 2:

it seems every year
except maybe this year
as we all gathered once in person
now it will be on zoom, ready
to laugh and spread good cheer
we wish each other our prayers and more
for the coming year, still let us not
forget the hundred's of thousands of
family members who paid the price and won't

by Michael Perry

ONE THING WILL NEVER CHANGE
version 3:

there was a star, oh how it shined
ready to bring together humanity
huddled in the cold, there was
a humble family, Father, Mother
baby son, who sought their refuge
surrounded by farm animals, and
three visitors bearing gifts, coming
from faraway, they came there to pay
their respects to a little baby whose
life story lives, destined to be foretold

by Michael Perry