Mixed Feelings

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“Poetry might

be defined

as the clear

expression of

mixed feelings.”

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~  W.H. Auden

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Elfje:         (Cinquain)    classic: each word only one syllable

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kind

be nice

me and you

two make a whole

love

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Lune:    5 / 3 / 5

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mixed feelings arise
cry or laugh
just try to do both
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Poem:

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escorted by a flock of angels
the child was full of expectations
disappointments followed and his life was overrun
he chased away the angels, one by one

the devil saw his opening and pounced
a claim to the child’s soul he pronounced
sitting on the child’s shoulder the devil was right at home
looking for trouble the child did roam

the devil made sure trouble found him
the child became a man who lived in sin
drugs, alcohol, corrupting others morals
he boasted he invented the negative laurels

Satan’s disease wanted him to be alone
suicide the devil did condone
use and abuse lead him to the brink
his soul was bound using his blood as ink

to God every soul is a special prize
so God sent him an angel in disguise
the angel lead him to a place called the recovery hole
a place where he could redeem his soul

he found a room filled with kindred soul
one day at a time was their only goal
unconditional love, to think about others
similar stories all shared by brothers

suggested changes, the devil’s regret
they forgive the past, but never forget
his sobriety hinges on being altruistic
he learned a new language that is euphemistic

he has spiritual tools to keep the devil at bay
a Higher Power to whom he can pray
as he and his angel do the dance divine
today, for them, it is just one day at a time
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ME and the Boss

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https://michaelerb.wordpress.com

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https://meandtheboss.wordpress.com

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Obscured Craftsmanship

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“The element of craftsmanship

in poetry is obscured by the fact

that all men are taught to speak

and most to read and write,

while very few men are taught

to draw or paint or write music.”

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~ W. H. Auden

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Elfje:            (Cinquain)

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readers

most can

billions of words

lost among library bookshelves

writers

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Senryu:      5-7-5 ( Haiku with people and their emotions/feelings as a topic)

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negative response

immediate anger, rage

brain is on backwards

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Poem:

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sitting in prison, wasting away
body and soul with a mind gone astray
father on the birth certificate unlisted
the mother was crack addicted

raised on the streets, the gang was school
broke the law to survive, that’s cool
hyperactivity motivated by negative thoughts
a good day ended with the sound of gunshots

never, ever considered any consequence
completely void of  any common sense
survival was the only job he ever knew
dependence on alcohol and drugs grew

eventually homeless and mentally deranged
from society he was completely estranged
panhandling and dumpster diving kept him alive
knife fight over a tent was his demise

incarceration, rehabilitation, locked up, jailed
was it he or was it society that has failed
PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder
and don’t forget the occasional hoarder

do we need to enlarge our prisons
is there no one with workable visions
close your front door, sweep it under the rug
escape your world with a prescription drug

today, tomorrow, when push comes to shove
bring the olive branch and become the peace dove
always try to do the next right thing
let your voice be part of a healing wellspring

have faith, hope, make a wish and say a prayer
someday, we will have comprehensive healthcare

.

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ME and the Boss

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https://michaelerb.wordpress.com

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https://meandtheboss.wordpress.com

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