What to Wear? What, my friend, shall I wear today? What, my friend, I say? Shall I wear anger Shall I wear pain Shall I wear laughter and joy? The morning comes and I must choose the clothes to meet the day. The clothes that make the man so I hear them say. Shall I wear, my life on my sleeve, or shall I silently grieve? Shall I choose, or perhaps shall you? The covering for the day the clothing of emotion, for everyone to see. ---- Reaching for the Top Sliding needle into vein to reach the highest high as though you had a choice as though you might not die But that just adds to the thrill as you spit in the eye of death you squeeze the syringe, inject the meth with a deep, perhaps final, breath Your heart thumps twice and you fly you kiss ecstasy on the lips You know you've crossed the boundary and know you'll never die But in a bit the feeling fades you crash and feel ashamed Why couldn't you be stronger-- be stronger than the pain Captive of a vicious cycle at times you'd rather die even so, you still continue to reach for the ultimate high ---- Scars Mutilated by accident or perhaps it was by birth. Nose hung from face like batter, batter about to drip A gaping hare-lip hole revealing teeth askew Elephant eyes unable to close except with severe attempts I smiled as I saw him through horror and shock Not pity, but compassion filled me he returned the smile as he could Then, as though, shy and surprised He ran and buried his face deep in his fathers pants leg His gold-hearted father let it all happen as he flipped through the day's junk mail I prayed to God whomever he be to help this beautiful young man To deal with the scars dealt him by fate and ease him through his life. Only later, upon reflection I truly came to know that in some ways he's lucky though most would not say so His scars are plain to see unlike those carried by me. ---- Thirteens The first thirteen is simply growth getting bigger every day The next thirteen is packed with sexuality The third thirteen brings quite a change ending in crisis you see The fourth thirteen is realization of self and the beauty of life The next thirteen and perhaps another is slowing down reflecting, enjoying one's place The last thirteen brings memories and joy, wisdom and time to rest ---- Markings of Life Katherine Leigh, only three assaulted by forces of life What did she do, what could I do to stop this horrible pain Kids are kids, pushing the limits and sitters don't know what to do Apparently hit again and again again and again and again There's no excuse, no reason why but she says, "I didn't cry" But God Knows I did, me and her mom for everyone involved Praying for help to do the right thing confusion and fog in my brain Asking ourselves, what the hell happened although the marks seem clear slapped and struck again and again here and here and here Black and blue investigation Please God help the boy and help us through life's assault Though we'll never know what's true ---- The Secret Side of Loneliness The secret side of loneliness is playing in the sun. The secret side of loneliness is letting your feelings run the gamut of emotion from death to lustful life, from heartache to joyous sharing all within your mind. The secret side of loneliness is thinking of the knife, but knowing the thought is just a way of coming back to life. The secret side of loneliness is playing in the sun. The secret side of loneliness is knowing when to run.
Copyright © 2000 Kenny A. Chaffin