your imagination started
long before creation
inspired by compositions
streaming through space
emerging from the dark
you selectively choose
what comes naturally
like the ripest apples
hanging on the vine
june two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
I try not to overthink it
this place where I’ll be born
whether made simply
or woven intricately
it matters not to the world
from what I understand
others are born in knot holes
or shallow depressions in the sand
kept warm by nature
and a mother’s instincts
I doubt I shall ever remember
that from which I came
crowded and loud and loitering
most of us focused on vying
to be first to break free
june two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
there were four of them
marching down the sidewalk
a band of brothers and sisters
as if on a mission from god
it was quitting time and I was
getting into my car as they
were swiftly approaching
to get a closer look
I used my rear view mirror
and then directly outside my window
as they passed by excitedly
they were talking to one another
laughing and smiling and seemingly
unconcerned about privacy
though I somehow understood
every single word they said
their demeanor and inclinations
told me they must be aliens
and before they made it to the corner
their aura pixelated and dissipated
like a mysterious fog quickly lifting
june two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
I’ve lost my way or so it seems
streets and faces anything but familiar
I fear I may have awakened from
another man’s dream
transplanted if you may
and tasked to piece together a past
found in this place and time
I did not ask for this life
but neither do I recall the former
where people knew my name
and I learned to grow old reluctantly
but now I find myself young again
sensing purpose in my gait
as I continue to weave
my way through this
city of diversity
beginning to believe
there is purpose yet to be found
june two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
and so I stayed home and polished the rock
until it shined like never before
birds of the air and small animals made of clay
watched with curious eyes as I
placed the gem at the base of the garden stream
before too long the elements took its toll
on the once shiniest rock on the planet
and gradually one by one
birds of the air and small animals made of clay
lost interest in my efforts
eventually carrying on with their lives
june two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
birth is like a microscopic bang
transmitting near-silent primal waves
quickly creating its very own tiny galaxy
struggles elapse in the background
ongoing and inaudible to the human mind
unmistakable to the almighty creator
to what degree the energy advances
is an invaluable period of time
[no matter the linear length]
from the very start to infinitesimal finish
may two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
what wouldn’t I give to have her
standing beside me as equals
memorialized in photography
hand in hand and slightly smiling
leaving the onlooker wondering
people believe what they want to
be they of royal blood or privileged
commingling among the masses
like commoners on market square
as if no hierarchy or caste system exists
by invitation only or by chance anyone
may find us having tea in the rose garden
passing along taffy and king trumpets
and half-heartedly laughing
answering any and all questions
may two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
I’ve not kept pace with current
events or the latest trends
their importance taking a back seat
to larger issues begging explanation
such as the meteoric rise of trigger happy maniacs
unleashing a wave of unforgiving tipping points
turning my little corner of the world
into something other than beautiful
may two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
I spent most of the morning
digging up memories from the garden
separating and transplanting
and finding just the right spot
for their next resting place
some were more difficult than others
each an exercise of elimination
both in body and in mind
rest assured I’ll be at ease
once the next keeper takes over
may two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
I forgive and forget
it’s easy to do
or so the birds of the sky
tell me so
they speak to me often
believing I’m not listening
but I fool them
and take everything in
there’s nothing to forgive
ergo nothing to forget
I keep telling myself
like a man in a trance
when I’m alone
the birds of the sky
keep me company
they think I don’t notice
but I most certainly do
as time passes
they learn to trust and believe
feeding from my hand
as I stand like a statue in the wind
my eyes fixed
above the setting sun
they speak about life
and speak about death
but when I ask what will come next
their chatting becomes silence
and I am left to imagine
all on my own
may two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
You ask me so I tell you
usually not the right answer
but I’m okay with that
even though you’re not
What does it take to clear your mind
have you suddenly taken off lately
gone to places you’ve dared to dream
far away from mathematicians
[or have you been sitting idling by
expecting the stars to come to you]
We’re strangers no longer you and I
reunited if you will
casting spells and waging forces
against an undefined enemy
It seems so complicated
like an elliptical galaxy
but like anything else
there’s always an easy answer
like buying a ticket to Saturn
may two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
it’s friday early evening
I wonder which will arrive first
the train ride home or impending rain
I’ve not an umbrella
still possess the morning paper
folded and tucked under my armpit
muted conversations
suddenly become animated
6:15 arriving like a lion enters spring
lightning chasing her tail
I notice my shoelace
a tug away from snapping in two
before standing tall
I take a chance and reach to retie
may two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
believe me when I tell you I am free
unburied and unchained and finally me
burdens that once had me grounded
lifted by an unknown sleight of hand
no longer a piece of property
you may or may not ever see me again
now that I’m free to rediscover myself
experimenting with consciousness
and subconsciously exploring
past and present and future places
whether or not I return here is unknown
but today I make a promise to you
whatever happens from this point
until the proverbial end of time
we will remain strangely inseparable
may two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
why do I keep going back to the well
when I know the well is dry
what is it exactly I’m expecting
some sort of miracle
here at the eleventh hour
as if I deserve some sort of payback
I stopped saying my prayers
somewhere along the line
stopped worshiping in the traditional sense
thinking maybe it’s best
if I’m not seen hanging out
with all the other sinners
but lately I’ve been thinking
of unpacking my bags
of picking up speaking to god again
of course I know I’m fooling myself
thinking such foolish thoughts
knowing full well I’ve been
down this road before
the one in which I convince myself
this time things will be different
may two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
remember way back when
making noise with anything
we could get our hands on
seems I’m still trying to do that
without even realizing
out back in the sandbox
sometimes we play nice
sometimes not so much
depending upon
what’s up for grabs
oh how I cried when my
queen conch was stolen
in broad daylight
her smile and stories
stripped away in a heartbeat
fast forwarding into a future
where the night remains fixed
I find comfort knowing
so too will the moon
and all she has to hide
may two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
she speaks to me
in a language
only I understand
it’s been like this
since before I was born
she ignores me
when I’m angry
and comforts me
when I’m somber
abandons me
when I’m selfish
and believes in me
when I’m sincere
even though I’ve
treated her unfairly
on many occasion
she’s always given me
the benefit of the doubt
having loved me the length
of so many lifetimes
may two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
jdubqca 