The Brain-dead Poet's Roost

I knew this, too.

2005-05-15T23:36:00.000-04:00

It's official. Samantha and I are "just friends." I have to say it stings like hell, given how much I truly do love her, but I guess I'll have to adjust. Adjust to never kissing her again. To never hearing her sigh in joy as we cuddle. To never being able to introduce her as "my better half." I guess I'll just have to get used to it, I suppose.

Pass the Guinness.

I knew it!

2005-05-14T14:46:00.000-04:00

Apparently I'm fickle.

2005-04-20T22:04:00.000-04:00

As she sits with me, I cannot help but feel at peace--
Her breaths, soothing and rhythmic, in step with mine.
She lets out a sigh, a giggle, and rests her head on my shoulder,
The long, silken threads of her hair resting on my chest.
The flower-touched scent of her hair is nearly overwhelming,
And I cannot help but give in.
A small kiss on her forehead, and she smiles in approval.
Looking in to her eyes, I cannot see the future,
Nor do I care for the past.
I only know one thing—I love her.

Yes, if it's hard to decode, I wrote this about Samantha...in a way for Samantha. While my rational mind reads all the clues, and knows that I've driven her away...the heart wants what it wants. Even with how "clingy and badgering" I act--and how I know deep in my gut instinct that she's lost interest in me and is afraid to say it--all I am is a scared, vulnerable little boy who's been once more thrust in to the one emotion he always tries to deny. Will this work out? Not likely. When will it end? Place your bets. She is so hard to read that I honestly couldn't tell you how she feels about all this...except that the feeling is most likely not mutual.

However...I know in my heart that I love Samantha, and I will continue to love her as long as she will let me.

>.<

2005-04-17T18:16:00.000-04:00

Apparently, when I'm sitting around eating lunch, my hair still dripping from a shower, it means "I want to do yardwork."

Apparently, instead of actually spending time with me, the woman I'm trying to date would rather work double shifts at a job she HATES.

Apparently, instead of having a full young life, I'm destined to be so fucking aware of my mortality that I never leave the house.

Apparently, I'm Fate's personal toilet.

Apparently, I'm better off dead.

My Stupidity Knows No Bounds

2005-04-06T16:31:00.000-04:00

I am such a fool. As I attempt to get close to a woman whom, in a very short period of contact, I have grown quite fond of...I keep fucking up. One moment everything can be fine and jovial, and we can truly be enjoying our conversation, and the next moment I have a moron attack. It just boggles my mind how I can go from "romantic and sweet" to "crass" at the drop of a hat. I truly am a fool. Why must I open my mouth when peaceful silence suffices? Why must I always take that one step too far in a conversation? Why must I fly off the handle at every misconception? I always knew there was a thin line between bravery and stupidity, but it seems there is also one between passion and folly.

I should just enjoy things for what they are, but instead...I'm stupid. I only pray she has the patience of a saint. She needs it.

Be educated.

2005-04-03T01:20:00.000-05:00

Dragostea Din Tei--O-zone (English lyrics)
Ma-ia-hii
Ma-ia-huu
Ma-ia-hoo
Ma-ia-haha [These are just sounds]

Hello [on a cellphone], greetings, it's me, an outlaw,
I ask you, my love, to accept happiness.
Hello, hello, it's me, Picasso,
I sent you a beep [cellphone signal], and I'm prepared,
But you should know that I'm not asking for anything from you.

You want to leave but you don't want don't want to take me, don't want don't want to take me, don't want don't want don't want to take me.
Your face and the love from the linden trees,
And I remember your eyes.

I call you [over the phone], to tell you what I feel right now,
Hello, my love, it's me, your happiness.
Hello, hello, it's me again, Picasso,
I sent you a beep [cellphone signal] and I'm prepared,
But you should know that I'm not asking for anything from you.

You want to leave but you don't want don't want to take me, don't want don't want to take me, don't want don't want don't want to take me.
Your face and the love from the linden trees,
And I remember your eyes.

Ma-ia-hii
Ma-ia-huu
Ma-ia-hoo
Ma-ia-haha [These are just sounds]

You want to leave but you don't want don't want to take me, don't want don't want to take me, don't want don't want don't want to take me.
Your face and the love from the linden trees,
And I remember your eyes.

Sure, I'm not really that in to techno--or club music, or whatever the hell you wanna call it this week--but I feel sorry for this song. It's actually quite possibly the greatest Romanian booty call song of all time, but yet some fat guy on a webcam has made people so tired of it it may go down as a simple "one-flash wonder" situation. For shame.

Relish in the booty call-ness! Take notes! Think Picasso, be Picasso!

Happy Birthday to me...

2005-03-23T01:16:00.000-05:00

Well, it's that day again. The day I've come to dread, as it has both ups and downs. For instance, on the negative side, in the past year alone...
1. My grandfather has died.
2. One of my childhood friends has died.
3. I've been unemployed.
4. TCC nearly fucked up my records. No, I take that back--they DID fuck them up until I straightened it out.
5. My dizzy spells have become more frequent and violent, and nobody can still tell me why I get them.
6. My lactose intolerance has returned.

Well, I could continue bitching and moaning all morning, but I'm sleepy, so I'll get to some of the good stuff.
1. I've been to San Antonio, and more importantly, the Riverwalk. Can't wait to see how my pictures turned out. It's been months, and I've been too lazy to get them developed.
2. I finally bought a Darth Vader helmet like I always threatened to.
3. I have a katana! :)
4. I've outlasted my father in matters of sobriety.
5. I've entered in to a new relationship. It's rocky as hell, or at least by my interpretation, but...it's nice to care about someone again.
6. I've lived long enough to see LotR and "H2G2" made in to movies.
5. As much as I was reluctant to play an online game with no PvP, I was finally talked in to playing City of Heroes...and it's actually pretty damn fun.

Well, that's enough. As I want to leave up so you can see how sleepy I am, I pulled a "5 6 5," so I should be getting my ass to bed. My life has been very boring relatively this past year...but it's had its moments.

Here's hoping I'll live another one.

Oh, it's on, muthafuk....

2005-03-16T11:25:00.000-05:00

As the good northern Irish boy I am, I'm quite appalled at the shit people seem to think passes for a drinking song. Sure, your song may have an Irish theme, and it may be by an Irish performer, but that doesn't make a drinking song out of it.
I have no choice but to properly educate you.

These, my friend, are real drinking songs...

Galway Bay, Male Version
Maybe some day I'll go back again to Ireland
If my dear old wife would only pass away
She nearly has my heart broke with all her naggin
She's got a mouth as big as Galway Bay

See her drinking sixteen pints of pabst blue ribbon
And then she can walk home without a sway
If the sea were beer instead of salty water
She'd live and die in Galway Bay

See her drinking sixteen pints at Padgo Murphey's
The barman says I think it's time to go
Well she doesn't try to speak to him in Gaelic
In a language that the clergy do not know

On her back she has tattooed a map of Ireland
And when she takes her bath on Saturday
She rubs the sunlight soap around by Claddagh
Just watch the suds flow down by Galway Bay.

Water Is All Right In Tay
The French drink wine, the English tea.
The Yankee drinks his hot black coffee.
The child drinks milk nine times a day.
The Scotsman sips his whiskey toddy.
You can keep you wine and keep your tea!
My curse on him that brings me coffee!
I'll drink porter, if I may.
It makes me feel content and happy.

Porter quaffed down with a laugh.
The gentry have their aching livers.
Water is all right in tea,
For fish, and things that swim in rivers.

The poor man and the beggar, too,
The poet in the corner thinking.
If they'd money enough to spend,
It's pints of porter they'd be drinking.

Porter quaffed down with a laugh.
The gentry have their aching livers.
Water is all right in tea,
For fish, and things that swim in rivers.

The miser hoards and stores his gold.
The bee collects the summer honey.
When that miser's dead and cold,
Someone else will kiss his money!

Porter quaffed down with a laugh.
The gentry have their aching livers.
Water is all right in tea,
For fish, and things that swim in rivers.

Some go in for counting beads.
More go in for chasing women.
The scholar stays at home and reads.
Give me the glass with porter in it.

Porter quaffed down with a laugh.
The gentry have their aching livers.
Water is all right in tea,
For fish, and things that swim in rivers.

Represent, ya pale-skinned Irish!

The Winds of Change

2005-02-27T18:34:00.000-05:00

Well, given that I can't compose poetry worth a shit any more, and I don't feel like ranting all the time...I guess I might as well turn this in to a "general" blog to keep you hyenas satisfied. Here's one of those stupid little survey things, then, to start us off.

1. What is the geekiest part of your music collection?
Weird Al Yankovic.

2. What do you eat when you raid the fridge late at night?
Ice cream.

3. What is your secret guaranteed weeping movie?
Hell if I know....

4. If you could have plastic surgery, what would you have done?
Nothing. Fuck off.

5. Do you have a completely irrational fear?
Abandonment.

6. What is the little physical habit that gives away your insecure moments?
My leg starts shaking.

7. Do you like to be on the top or bottom?
Bottom.

8. Do you have too many love interests?
Well, currently, I have the fleeting one, so....yeah. Too many.

9. Do you know anyone famous?
Yes.

10. Describe your bed:
It's relatively flat and you sleep on it.

11. Spit swallow or gargle?
I'm a straight guy. We don't do that shit.

12. Who would play you in a movie?
Probably Cerano de Bergerac. Or a young Bono. ...Who the fuck knows?

13. Do you know how to play poker?
No.

14. What do you carry with you at all times?
Wallet, pen, comb.

15. When did you loose your virginity and did you regret it?
14-ish, if I recall, and only to the extent that I've wanted MORE sex ever since.

16. Are you happy with your given name?
Yes.

17. How much money would it take to get you to give up the Internet for one year?
You can't count that high.

18. If you could only fulfill one of your fantasies, which would it be?
To actually have my would-be significant other NOT stand me up.

19. What was the last song you were listening to?
Ummm...the zone music in The Hinterlands for World of Warcraft....

20. Do you talk a lot?
Depends on the situation.

21. What is you favorite sexual position?
What's it matter? I get laid as often as Dubya has a moment of lucidity.

22. Do you consider yourself to be a nice person?
I try to be, and it normally winds up in me getting walked all over, getting subsequently pissed off, and revenge not being pretty.

23. Do you spend more time with your girlfriend/boyfriend or your friends?
My friends, given I see THEM more than once a fucking month...

24. What is your ideal marriage location?
Not gonna happen.

25. How many sex toys do you have and which is your favorite?
Zero.

26. Favorite fabric?
Who gives a shit?

27. Something you love and hate:
Love.

28. Have you ever been tied up in your bed?
Duct-taped....

29. Do you tell your friends about your sex life?
Not everything, but sometimes I do. Of course, the normal conversation goes something like "Getting any?" "Nope.", so who gives a shit?

30. What's the one language you want to learn?
Gaelic.

31. How do you eat an apple?
With my mouth.

32. What do you order at a bar?
Guinness.

33. Have you ever pierced your body parts?
Left ear in middle school.

34. Do you have tattoos?
Not as of yet.

35. What is your drug of choice?
Pot in the lower grades of high school, then darvocet, and now alcohol. If we're counting caffeine, though, it's the reigning champion.

36. What's one trait you hate in a person?
Ummm...if there's a word that means the opposite of "puncuality," then that.

37. Ever had same-sex sex?
Of course not.

38. What was your most frivolous purchase?
$3000+ of "educational material" in under a year.

39. Do you consider yourself materialistic?
Sometimes.

40. What do you cook the best?
Grilled cheese sandwiches....oh, and brownies.

41. Do you prefer to stand out or blend in?
Blend in.

42. What kind of books do you like to read?
Books? What are those?

43. If you won the lottery, what would you do?
Shit myself.

44. Burial or cremation?
Cremation.

45. Do you have a fetish?
"A?"
46. What's one thing you're a loser at?
Dating.

47. How many drinks before you're tipsy?
Beers? About five or six. Hard liquor drinks, though...I normally go down after about two.

48. Do you think you're cute?
I am the ugliest, most unlovable man on the face of the planet, and I have begun to come to terms with that.

Too cool to ignore!

2005-01-26T01:54:00.000-05:00

Ewok Victory Song
Ewok
Yub yub
Eee chop yub nub
Ah toe meet toe pee-chee keene
G'noop dock fling oh ah

Yah wah
Eee chop yah wah
Ah toe meet toe pee-chee keene
G'noop dock fling oh ah

Coatee chah tu yub nub
Coatee chah tu yahwah
Coatee chah tu glowah
Allay loo ta nuv

Glowah
Eee chop glowah
Ya glowah pee chu nee foam
Aah toot dee awe goon daa

Coatee cha tu goo (Yub nub!)
Coatee cha tu doo (Yahwah!)
Coatee cha tu too (Ya chaa!)
Allay loo ta nuv
Allay loo ta nuv
Allay loo ta nuv

Glowah
Eee chop glowah
Ya glowah pee chu nee foam
Ah toot dee awe goon daa

Allay loo ta nuv

English
Freedom
We got freedom
And now that we can be free
Come on and celebrate

Power
We got power
And now that we can be free
It's time to celebrate

Celebrate the freedom
Celebrate the power
Celebrate the glory
Celebrate the love

Power
We got power
And now that we can be free
It's time to celebrate

Celebrate the light (freedom!)
Celebrate the night (power!)
Celebrate the fight (glory!)
Celebrate the love
Celebrate the love
Celebrate the love

Glory
We found glory
The power showed us the light
And now we all live free

Celebrate the love

*dorky smile*

Humans SUCK

2005-01-04T18:31:00.000-05:00

They really do. I can't even begin to understand all the bullshit they put their fellow beings through just because they think they're entitled to do it.

What the fuck is with parents that think, just because they're older, that they know what is best for their children? Why the hell won't they just give the kids some fucking freedom to make their own goddamn mistakes? Especially when the "kids" are goddamn adults! Back the fuck off for once in your miserable, control-seeking lives and give your offspring some space. Your job is done!

WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?!

A Change in Format

2004-12-29T01:07:00.000-05:00

Hmmm....well, it seems more than one person has caught my blog whilst I had some rant posts up here and there, and public opinion is it's liked. It was really just my idea to put up poems with some manner of emotional meaning to me in an effort to move others, but what the hell...Given the muse has left me (I'm going stupid, I swear), I might as well do some "normal" blog shit every once in a while.

Where do I begin?

Most of those who have already found this place know me very well, so it's pretty stupid to just post trivial, "get to know me" stuff, so I suppose I'll just do a little bit of "what's new?"

As is apparent, my grandfather died shortly before Thanksgiving. It was very, very hard on all of us, but we managed to make it through the holiday. Christmas came and went without him as well, and while I could not help but feel the hurt, I knew he was in a better place.

My dad seems happy with his current job--"happier den me seen him in a long-oh tine," to go Gungan on ya. He's back to traveling a lot, taking week-long trips to Lackland about once a month, but oh well. He's making money, and he's having fun doing it...or so he puts on.

As for me? No money; no job. I'm really encountering a vicious circle in this hell-hole known as Hampton Roads. In order to get work experience, I have to have some in the first place. It's such crap. I'm not going to mention my past jobs on resumes, either, since they all sucked, so I'm basically some inexperienced young adult who only has an AS in Social Sciences going for him. Screwed. Oh, well....if I am persistent, I am sure things will turn out fine.

Speaking of fine, why can't I meet a nice girl? Sure, I'm talking with one right now, but there's always something coming up either on her end or mine that just impedes our coming together. Better than my normal track record, though. Over a month and she still talks to me--normally either I drive them off or they disgust me right-out. Another job for Persistence Man, I suppose, eh?

Well, that's enough for now. I'm trying very hard to break away from the brooding, harsh child I was, so until then I leave you with a simple
What's In Dan's Head?
1- Rolling Stones: Sympathy for the Devil
2- "Ebaum's World": Dub Dub
3- Samantha's voice...I'm not gonna lie.

Until next time, this is Dan Rather('d be sleeping), signing off.

For my Grandfather

2004-11-27T22:44:00.000-05:00

Sirach 44: 1-14, modified from the NAB version
Now I will praise those godly men, our ancestors, each in his own time.
The abounding glory of the Most High's portion, his own part, since the days of old.
Subduers of the land in kingly fashion, men of renown for their might,
Or counselors in their prudence, or seers in all things of prophecy;
Resolute princes of the folk, and governors with their staves; Authors skilled in composition, and forgers of epigrams with their spikes;
Composers of melodious psalms, or discoursers on lyric themes;
Stalwart men, solidly established and at peace in their own estates--
All these were glorious in their time, each illustrious in his day.
Some of them have left behind a name and men recount their praiseworthy deeds;
But of others there is no memory, for when they ceased, they ceased. And they are as though they had not lived, they and their children after them.
Yet these also were godly men whose virtues had not been forgotten;
Their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants;
Through God's covenant with them their family endures, their posterity, for their sake.
And for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out;
Their bodies are peacefully laid away, but their names live on and on.
Michael J. Cannon

The above passage was read at the wake of my grandfather, who passed away but a few days before Thanksgiving. Though read by an uncle that..well..let's say "I'm not fond of," it's honestly the only thing that lightened my mood that night. While we expected my grandfather to go "any time now," his death was still very sudden. So sudden, in fact, that I didn't know what to feel. Should I be angered with how some of his children, while he was still alive, decided to divide up his estate? How he was put in "senior communities" for the last year of his life? Should I be saddened that now I have lost the last of my grandparents? That this Thanksgiving--and, soon, this Christmas--was the first one I have ever spent without him? That I really didn't get to know him as well as I should have? Or, should I feel glad knowing his suffering is now over, and he and my grandmother are re-united in peaceful rest? Honestly, I don't know what to feel. All I know is...

I miss him already.

Another one from "the lost papers"

2004-09-14T02:35:00.000-04:00

A Life in the Day
Vroom! VROOOOOM!
Screech! Oh, shi-!
Crunch! BLAM! Scrrrrch!
Mother fuc-ow!

Son, are you OK?
Not really...
You need to lie down.
I will. Just let me move my--
LIE DOWN.

Hi, there! Can I get your name, bud?
D-Dan...unh...
Well, Dan, do you remember what happened?
Felt a strong bump, hit another car, rolled, skid...
Wow...with how you look, I'm amazed you're alive.
I'm...unh...glad I'm alive...
So are we. So are we.

Ok, I really don't know what I was going for here. I guess it was just an attempt at putting down my verbal experiences from "the accident" in to onomatopoeia. Guess I didn't do all too well, eh?

The funny thing is, though....I still haven't gotten back on the horse. I guess I need to change that. Now, if only I had somewhere to drive to...

Oh, look...a new one...

2004-09-08T01:48:00.000-04:00

The Pit of Reality
Running over the clanking, creaking drawbridge, I brandish my blade.
I charge steadfast, knowing not where I go, nor whom I shall slay,
But yet still I go.
I release a mighty roar, knowing not whom is about, nor whom shall hear,
But still I yell.
I charge!

I run over moat, through gate, and between guards.
Nothing can stop me!
I approach the dark king's throne, hold my sword high, and...
"Dan! Are you paying attention? Someone wake Dan up!"

Slowly I rise, wiping drool from my desk and corduroy marks from my cheek.
I check the clock to see it is only 10 o'clock, and I am very much still in math.
I groan a deep groan, mumbling and cursing those that have awakened me,
For they have thrown me in to The Pit of Reality.
..."The Pit of Boredom" is more like it...

I check the board, and seeming disillusioned, put my head on my desk yawning.
Running over the clanking, creaking drawbridge, I brandish my blade...

Well, I found something my parents had stashed away...appears to be a bunch of poems I wrote in high school. This one was particularly funny to me, for as I read it, I remembered that very daydreaming incidence in Algebra 2 Trig... Man, that was a sweet dream. Why did I ever wake up?

Not a REAL poem, but...

2004-08-19T00:21:00.000-04:00

Mass Destruction, by Faithless
[Chorus]
Whether long range weapon or suicide bomber
Wicked mind is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether your soar away sun or BBC 1
Disinformation is a weapon of mass destruction
You could a Caucasian or a poor Asian
Racism is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether inflation or globalization
Fear is a weapon of mass destruction

My dad came into my room holding his hat
I knew he was leaving,
he sat on my bed told me some facts, son.
I have a duty, calling on me
You and your sister be brave my little soldier
And don't forget all I told ya
Your the mister of the house now remember this
And when you wake up in the morning give ya momma a kiss
Then I had to say goodbye
In the morning I woke momma with a kiss on each eyelid,
Even though I'm only a kid
Certain things can't be hid
Momma grabbed me
Held me like I was made of gold
But left her in the story untold
I said, momma it will be al right
When daddy comes home, tonight

[Repeat Chorus]
Whether Halliburton or Enron or anyone
Greed is a weapon of mass destruction
We need to find courage, overcome
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction

My story stops here, lets be clear
This scenario is happening everywhere
And you ain't going to nirvana or favana
You're coming right back here to live out your karma
With even more drama than previously, seriously
Just how many centuries have we been
waiting for someone else to make us free
And we refuse to sleep
The people overseas are just like we
Mad leadership, amigos, unfettered and free
They feed one the people they're supposed to lead
I don't need it
We need to pray away
For the lord to make it all straight
Its only now we do it right
Cos I don't want my daddy, leaving home tonight

[Repeat Chorus]
Whether Halliburton or Enron or anyone
Greed is a weapon of mass destruction
We need to find courage, overcome
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction

Hey, everyone...sorry I've been gone for so long. I've just been caught up in my own, selfish, brooding shit that I had nearly forgotten about the Roost. I'm back now. I've listened to the above song a few times now, and every time I listen to it the words seem more and more rational. I don't really think it takes much explanation. Read it. Like it, don't like it, who cares. As long as it makes you think, it's accomplished its job.

Ho-hum....

2004-07-11T23:16:00.000-04:00

I guess I've been a bit lax lately as to posting anything poetry-related, but I just haven't felt very moved as of late. My life's been...well...completely fucked up, to euphamize. Aside from not being able to find a job, I can't even wrestle away the degree I EARNED from the piece-of-crap local college. My family's being pushed more and more apart-- though my parents try to hide the fact in public, of course-- and I myself am constantly becoming more "wanting." My addictions grow, as does my temper, and I seriously don't know where my life is headed at this point.

I feel like I'm letting myself (and those who count on me)down. I could seriously use a change of life, but where do I begin? Do I start to work out? If I do, how far can I push myself until this bum knee and bad ticker start acting up? Do I go back in the restaraunt business, and become another empty 9-to-5 husk? Questions...too many questions, and not enough answers.

I'm sure I'll put up some more poetry some day, but for now I just need to focus on more important things. *sigh* Perhaps I just need a getaway...maybe I should go to Ireland, or Texas, or just somewhere that isn't "here." ...Bah...I hate the summer so much...

You can't always get what you want...

2004-06-24T00:42:00.000-04:00

Beauty
Flowing brown hair falling calmly beside smooth snowy cheeks-
A gaze fixed on nothing and everything, directed but distant-
Lips, those wonderful red prizes, forever poised and taunting-
A neck the likes of which begs to be kissed;
A chin that begs to be touched.
Her caress, that unattainable prize that shall not be known;
Her love, a thing that shall not be.
Vendui', mela en' coiamin, ar namaarie.

...And people ask me why I hate the summer time...

Written on my birthday, I might add.

2004-06-13T22:47:00.000-04:00

Twas the Night Before States, by Ben Jennedy
And here we are again, you see
Waiting for food at Ragazzi's
In Charlottesville, where all the streets
Do interlock in webs of concrete.
So simply put, we're poised to win
As regional champs here yet again
And though today I won't compete
I feel the voyage is complete.
Now that we're here, out of habit
The trophy's ours; we're sure to grab it.
So take a trip, now, here with me
To learn about our super team.
So Karlene spells, and John is funny
21 bucks to each for money.
And Daniel speaks, an orator
And earns quite oft a higher score
While Wesli's piece is from the South
And drawls each time he opens his mouth.
And Dave and Nacho -- like Boomerang
Chit and Chit and Bang and Bang.
They're back again like Sam here
Who gives her foes much pain and fear
Returning to her old kingdom
As champion and number one.
And as I nurse my wounded tooth
Katelyn here will talk to youth
About her stories long and short
As Rachel makes HI a sport
And Grace goes solo, without compare
As she speaks volums, sans prepare
The rest of us, we must observe
For we possess the iron nerve
To sit and watch and cheer them on
As we defeat James Madison
And I have not yet made a pun
Except for rhymes like Ms. Newman --
Who guides our team through thick and thin,
And Ms. Engel helps us all to win.
But as for me, my pen is drained
As I'm sure your patience has been strained
So farewell friends, I bid adieu
And get some sleep, guys: that means you!

Ben Kennedy 3-23-01
Performed On the Eve of State Competition

I bet you forgot I had this, Ben. :p

Seriously, though, it's a good example of the bonds of friendship. Even if you're not there to actually DO anything, it doesn't mean you shouldn't be there for the ones you care about. Just being near someone you hold in high esteem can be a very uplifting thing, so one should never overlook a chance to be there for your friends.

I always was a hopeless romantic...

2004-06-10T00:43:00.000-04:00

Marriage Vows of the First-born
And there they lay, stars,
Filled with the life-giving joy
That makes one whole.
Tonight we dance and sing,
Basking in their beauty
As our bodies twirl and whirl
To the sounds of sweet music.

Let the tune take you, melamin--
Let it take you far from here,
To a place none can reach.
Under the night sky, you are free.
You are free of sorrow;
Of regret;
Of all worry.
All that exists is you, I, and the heavens.

Your body and mine,
Both touched by the beautiful light of Selûne,
Could never know more joy than this--
This night, we become one.
This night, we are joined under the sky.

Ah, yes...What poetry geek's repetoire would be complete without a bad poem dealing with something Elven? Sure, it's not my best--not by far--but I'm an angry poet. I just vent whatever I feel at the time on to paper, and that's what you get.

This particular instance, I had just watched one of the LotR movies the night before, and the next evening I saw the moon's reflection perfectly in a pool of water. It just made me get to thinking and waxing romantic, and next thing I know...poem.

Enjoy.

It's meeeee!

2004-06-05T00:02:00.000-04:00

The Unspoken Word, by Me
The unspoken word is that which is spoken, but no-one hears.
It slips out of the speaker's mouth with all of its meaning,
But is lost on those who would otherwise hear.
It tells the truth,
But yet is feared by those for whom the truth has no use.
The unspoken word is the cold, careless, cowardly phrase known solely as "No."

...Then again, perhaps the true cowards are the ones who say "Yes."

Ok, so it's trite--sue me. I wrote this for an English class years ago, and didn't expect it to take off at all, but somehow it did. For the year 2001, I was voted one of Poetry.com's Top 100 Poets of the Year. Big whoop...

The more I look back at it, though, the more it makes sense. Think about how many times people have just been too scared to say "no" when they should have, and all the problems it's caused. Wouldn't it be a better world if...

No, Herr Fuhrer, we should not go after the Jews.
No, Department of Defense, Agent Orange is a terrible weapon choice.
No, we SHOULDN'T let Floridians vote in 2000.

...Ah, the grand "what ifs." Let's look at it from another perspective, too.

Yes, I'll get to the back of the bus.
Yes, I should let my child bring guns to school.
Yes, you're right. $24 for an eight-song CD is indeed a good deal. I don't need Kazaa at all!

The choices we make today affect how we live tomorrow. Choose wisely.

I'm gonna live forever....

2004-06-04T00:33:00.000-04:00

Fame, by Tara Plingett
(wrapping edited for easier read)
Fame, oh fame.
For now we sit,and tomorrow we dance, and the next day you'll leave.
What a star, oh happy star.
In the thoughts of many while in the thoughts of one.
You were so graceful.
But now all that grace has faded into a pool of triviality,
where the deep end isn't as fun any more.
The clock ticks, your fifteen minutes have passed
and the devil has danced.
Fam, oh fame.
What a lonely star.

Sure, this may seem odd as a third entry to a blog that has barely taken off, but if there's one thing in this life worth doing it's being loyal to friends. I wanted to make sure Tara's poem was shared with as much of the world as I can share it with, and perhaps next time...you'll see one of mine.

What the hell's a "Memorial Day"?

2004-05-30T00:08:00.000-04:00

Dulce et Decorum Est, by Wilfred Owen
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of disappointed shells that dropped behind.

GAS! Gas! Quick, boys!-- An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And floundering like a man in fire or lime.--
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,--
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.

We have a Veteran's Day to remember those who fought for something they thought they believed in...and a Memorial Day for those who died fighting. Take in to heart that for every story there are two sides: the good as well as the bad. Many of us try our hardest to forget the bad--I know I do every day of my life--but we cannot escape it. It is inevitable, and it is a part of us.

Always remember.

Something light to kick-off.

2004-05-28T01:25:00.000-04:00

Arthur, by Rick Wakeman (1974)
Upon a New Year's day
A host of knights did pray
That from the anvil one could draw the sword.

As each knight took his turn
They found the anvil, held it firm;
None worthy of a future King and Lord.

Sir Kay the bravest knight
Appeared to try his might.
He dreamed of being King, as all the rest.
To Arthur Sir Kay called to search
And bring for him a sword.
In earnest Arthur set about his quest.

A churchyard in the wood
The sword and anvil stood
And Arthur drew the sword out of the stone.
The anvil now defeated
The quest for the sword completed-
A sword that was to place him on the throne.

Sir Hector and Sir Kay saw the sword
And knelt to pray,
Then gently took it from young Arthur's hand.
They marvelled at his quest
Proclaiming to the rest
"Arthur is the King of all this land."

It's funny...this is perhaps the first poem I could ever really remember, and I didn't recall it until high-school. Looking for a good, light Forensics piece, this song just happened to be playing...and I remembered it, word for word. When I talked with my parents about it, it turned out they used to play Rick Wakeman all the time while I was in the womb--no wonder I'm such a medieval times geek.

This poem really makes me think, though. A young boy--one overlooked by anyone but Merlin--had a great destiny before him. Was it coincidence? Or pre-ordained, long before Merlin even set about his meddling?

It makes me curious of my own destiny...and very remorseful of chances I did not take. Should I have gone with my heart rather than my head? What would have happened if I didn't choose Dawn and create *that* fiasco in high school? What if I chose...Her?

Bah. Enough ranting. Just enjoy the poem...

Welcome, ye of great boredom...

2004-05-28T01:21:00.000-04:00

Yes, it's come to this. I've become so bored throughout my insomnia that I've decided to join the blogging community. Oh, well. It may be fun--who knows? This won't be your ordinary "here's what I'm doing now" blog, however. Instead, I shall present each update with a poem--mine or another's--that carries an easily-spotted theme we can discuss. I guess you could think of it as "Dan Unplugged," or whatever the hell that VH1 acoustic sit-down show was.

Anyway, welcome. Sit down, shaddap, and hang on...