Sunday, March 30, 2014

The Lost Boy, Part 1

~The Lost Boy~

His eyes were blue as cloudless sky,
the handsome little fellow,
and like his kindred, one and all,
his blood was brightly yellow.
Though he had not yet aged ten years,
his hair reached down his back
in wavy locks that ended curled
and were an inky black.

He had been born amidst the smoke
of everlasting fire.
Though if you were to tell him that,
he’d surely call you liar,
for now he can remember not
a trace of life before
the flying boy took him away,
far from that world of war.

That flying boy took him between
his world and all the rest,
to where adulthood is a sin
and childishness is blessed.
He’d never seen a tree before,
he’d never learned of sand,
he’d never envisioned a realm
as pure as Neverland.

He joined the clan of boys who’d once
been just as lost as he.
“Three cheers for the new lad!” They roared,
“But what shall his name be?”

Then Peter thought a moment,
and gave the boy’s  head a look.
“Your hairs all curl to them,” He said,
“so I shall name you Hook!”

When came the cry, “Three cheers for Hook!”,
and Peter cheered the same,
Young Hook felt joy he’d never known.
Finally, his own name!
He swore he’d always live in fun,
and never be a man.
He came to call that island home…
and idolize The Pan.

Yes, Peter was Young Hook’s hero,
and Hook, Peter’s right hand.
The boys, their loyal followers.
Their great love, Neverland.
They flew with eagles, swam with mermaids,
joined the faeries’ song,
and both thought none of that would change.
I wish they’d not been wrong.

It was years later when Young Hook
was taken by the sea.
He’d been in flight with Peter when
the storm came suddenly.
They’d gone to fetch a new boy,
but a boy was lost instead.
When Pan returned alone, all mourned,
“Our brother, Hook, is dead.”

But Hook was very much alive,
although a world away,
and fate would have been kinder
if he had perished that day.
The Sea of a Thousand Doorways
had opened one for him.
Now Hook was in another sea.
But he still couldn’t swim.

When one’s life is spent in adventure,
foresight is a must,
so Hook’s pocket contained a bag
of extra faerie dust.
It worked its magic perfectly,
though soggy from seawater.
Hook thought of being named, and flew…
and found The Jolly Roger.

In all her majesty’s navy,
the Roger had no peer.
At but a glimpse of her,
the bravest pirate shook with fear.
Hook landed on her deck amidst
a gaping, silent crew.
The Captain was the first to speak.
“Good morning. Who are you?”

“I’m Hook,” He answered calmly,
“and I’m from another…place.”
It was all the Captain could do
to keep a tranquil face.
He introduced himself,
 “James Barrie. Welcome to my ship.”
His hand he kept upon the pistol
holstered at his hip.

But Hook spoke then of Neverland,
of faerie dust and flight,
and Captain Barrie saw an earnestness
he could not fight.
“I have to get back there,” Hook said,
“but I’ve run out of dust.”
“You’ll stay here, then.” Barrie replied,
for Hook now had his trust.

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If anyone's interested in seeing a second part to this, let me know. I figured this would be better as a few separate posts than as a single massive one.

Friday, February 21, 2014

I Don't Want to Be

I don't want to be a boy,
I don't want to be a man,
I don't want to be a girl,
a woman,
animal,
or important to the plan.
I don't need a special task,
or a purpose that's divine.
I don't need a higher calling,
reason,
truth,
or space in which to shine.

I don't want to have a friend,
for I know no one should be 'mine'.
Whether I would call you brother,
sister,
lover,
enemy,
whoever you are is fine.
I'll be yours if you so choose it,
but I will have to draw the line
at playing parts called 'husband',
'best',
'leader'
or anything that you'll regret, in time.

I don't want to make myself known
(I mean I used to, but I think I've grown).
I will help you with whatever problem you will let me see,
but only if you promise that you won't remember me.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

I See You

I see her while she's crying,
I see him while he tries
to conjure up a reason
to believe your lazy lies.
I see her while she's smiling
her way through agony.
I see you while you hurt my friends.
But you never see me.

I see you while you craft a god
to justify your claim.
I see you when you crack the whip,
ignoring cries of pain.
I see you while you take her heart
and squeeze it 'til it breaks.
I see your victims wonder why,
and for them, my soul aches.

The One you say you serve knows well
your true identity.
The One whose name you spit upon,
He sees both you and me.
The rulers of a great domain,
you think yourselves to be.
Two monsters who will die alone
are all I'll ever see.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

I've Just Had a Wonderful Day

I haven't been okay.
Not in the least, I'd say,
being without you.
Yet out of the blue,
I've just had a wonderful day.
I've no idea why
I'm touching the sky,
or why all the pain's gone away,
but through methods divine,
I am doing just fine,
and I'm hoping that feeling can stay.

---------------------------------------

Weird!

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Iron & Wine's 'Boy With a Coin'

Because why should this be all about me?

Song lyrics and poetry are decidedly different things. More often than not, trying to turn a poem into a song is disastrous. But on occasion, there are songs that work brilliantly even when their lyrics aren't attached to any melody or beat. 'Boy With a Coin' by Iron & Wine is one of these, and it inspired the previous poem I posted here.

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Boy with a coin
he found in the weeds
with bullets and pages
of trade magazines,
close to a car
that flipped on the turn,
when God left the ground
to circle the world.

Girl with a bird
she found in the snow
that flew up her gown,
and that's how she knows
that God made her eyes
for crying at birth,
and then left the ground
to circle the earth.

Boy with a coin
he crammed in his jeans,
then, making a wish,
he tossed in the sea
and walked to a town
that all of us burned
when God left the ground
to circle the world.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

2014

I want to be
                a little godlier,
                                    a little smarter,
                                                         and a little nicer.
I want to think
                    a little more about others
and
     a little less about me.

I want to think
                     a little more with my head,
and
     a little less with my heart.

2013
       was
a
       big
year.

I'd
    like
a
   little
one.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Tomorrow

There's a beast at the door.
It's come here before,
though not so persistent as this,
and I fear it will bore
its way through the floor,
and offer an animal's kiss.

All the windows are barred,
but I've found it's hard
to keep out a beast so enthused,
and I've often been scarred,
and had my home marred
by the weapons I've had to use.

But I'm safe for the night.
The door is shut tight
against beasts, and wind, and sorrow.
I will wait for the light,
and then I will fight,
for it will get in tomorrow.

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Bit of a different rhyme scheme from most of my other stuff. My next poem, ya'll, will be the size of a children's book (think 'Where the Wild Things Are', probably longer), and I've already been working on it for what feels like forever, so hopefully it won't take much longer!