the human condition
beautiful & self destructive
depending upon
what stage
you find yourself on
inside the shadows
perspectives change
for good or bad
it matters not
pulling you effortlessly
to the unimaginable
becoming invisible
is nothing new
especially for the creatives
striving to elevate
to a higher level
january two thousand twenty-three
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
the sun disguised as a shadow
lurking in the background
slashing the back sides of
dark clouds with serrated knives
beams of light stretching out
like desperate hands
imploring to be freed
spotlights range in full motion
picking off their targets
left & right and one by one
but somehow you manage
to duck & run
manipulating the shadows
all the way past sundown
july two thousand twenty-one
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
there is nothing new here
except for an occasional idea
unspoken and not stirred
swallowed in large gulps
I poured myself another
but still nothing new
same birds singing sad songs
dogs barking at moons
invisible hands swatting
glass wind chimes
the fly and the cockroach
scamper across the floor
the former riding atop the latter
waving his cowboy hat
like a drunken fool
looking around I find there
is nothing new here
not the television
not the radio
not the woman next door
or the sniper in the woods
I am living proof
that the damned still matter
(and even though)
I am drowning my sorrows
there is comfort knowing
there is love in the shadows
may two thousand fifteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
shadows lengthen and darken
inviting imaginations to consider what
shades of color scare you
those gremlins that still
sleep with you
the ones that keep your back
when you’re lazy or drunk or sedated
protect you by never telling you
what it is lying in wait
without time to worry
about where the shadows of
doubt reside
you forgo daydreams
and other childish pursuits
in favor of running away from
everything breathing down your neck
october two thousand thirteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
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