The Lovely Lake

Once there was a lovely lake,
Abundant in life and fish;
The wind created a whispering wake,
To swim was my only wish.

For ages this lake sustained such life,
No creature held any doubt;
But months of loneliness and strife,
Caused quite a deadly drought.

Now there lies a barren puddle,
Absorbing the rays of the sun;
The dry brown basin far from subtle,
And life, well, there is none.

So I must venture to a new location,
One that has no show of pain;
But I dream the day of transformation,
When that old place gets some rain.

08/13/13
MLS

Choice And Chance

By choice I have stayed by your side,
Suppressed the pain I've had to hide,
Tried to ignore the nights I've cried,
And ripped my heavy heart open wide.

By choice I lay awake in bed,
Thinking of the things you've said,
Frightened by the feeling I dread;
Guilt, and so, on I tread.

By chance I met someone new,
He turns wet cheeks to rosy hue,
He doesn't make me feel so blue,
And we're apart because of you.

7/18/13
MLS

New Patience Starts Here

As you know, while you're away, it kills me everyday,
It's rough, it's tough, it's pain enough, but something has to change.
I'm not perfect, nor are you, so let's just not pretend,
Broken is our history, and it WILL take two to mend.
With distance such as ours I don’t want to live in fear,
Which is why, I propose that new patience starts here.

I know I can be difficult, but boy, can you be too,
That's why it seems like all the time, that arguments ensue.
When you ask me to do something and I don't do it right away,
Know that there's a thoughtful reason for that troublesome delay.
We get along just fine though, whenever we are near,
But while you are at sea, a new patience must start here.

Right now I am upset at your first instinct to get mad,
That lack of attempt at understanding really makes me sad.
You said we don't have time for this, time for much resolve,
But in my mind it's things like this that could make us dissolve.
I know you wish to let it go, but please, lend me an ear,
I don't know if or when I'll break unless patience starts here.

I'm doing my best to be happy, and busy and content,
Especially when talking to you and in messages I've sent.
Knowing me, you should realize that this is no simple task,
Which is why I need your help with this change that I ask.
Of course, I still love you, please let me make that clear,
But for me to keep you happy, I say new patience starts here.

3/11/13
MLS

People Change

I can't believe how much you've changed,
I leave for a while and things go haywire,
You've become so stubborn and deranged,
You're setting your own life on fire.

I've tried to convince you that you are wrong,
You need to let go of the vice holding tight,
She's been in your life for far too long,
Your life to me is an unbearable sight.

I don't know what to do anymore,
I'm not sure how to make you believe,
Whenever I bring it up, it's a war,
And my faith in you, you did not relieve.

So go ahead and get defensive,
Get angry that I care about you,
But someday you'll look through your pensieve,
And find out what I've said was true.

For now I'm not sure we can remain friends,
But disappear from my mind, you won't,
Nothing can taint my past-crafted lens,
Because people change, memories don't.

12/17/12
MLS

Compromise

The difference between when you're here,
And when you're out at sea,
Is much greater to you my dear,
And not so much for me.
Talking to me is hard both ways,
But to me it seems I lose,
For when you're gone, I know why you don't
But when you're here, you choose.
I understand you have little time,
To do with what you please,
But understand that talking to you,
Is what puts my mind at ease.
So what I ask is to compromise,
So a bit of time's for me,
A little bit less with the guys,
And I will be happy.

7/27/12
MLS

Back On Shore

Here you are,
Back on shore,
Above the submarine.
Here I am,
I see more,
Of the same ol' lonely scene.
There you are,
Free to go,
You've got friends you wanna see.
Here I am,
With my own foe,
I've got no one else but me.

7/27/12
MLS

So Mortal

Trying not to look around as you walk down the hall,
Footsteps making piercing sound, you seem to be so small.
Walking through, so humbled, grasping to your gift,
Seeing people crumbled, your thoughts begin to drift...

How did they all get this way? Why this much despair?
People living through decay, in sterilizing air.
Humans converting to machine. Beds. Equipment. Wire.
Viewing the data on their screen to see if they’ll expire.

The hall is twisting and turning as you visit your loved one,
Your stomach is sick and churning wanting this visit to be done.
Nurses running around, doctors out and giving guidance,
You keep your head to the ground, and despite the noise there’s silence.

You make it to your loved one’s room, set your gift upon the table,
You’re noticing the general gloom, they’re staring at the cable.
They look up at you, pain in their eyes, and strike up a conversation,
Acutely aware that life is a prize, they’re eyes meet your with fixation.

You kept your composure because for them you must be strong,
While encased in this enclosure, they know there’s something wrong.
You stayed a while to talk, then left to be on your way,
Take a glance at a clock, notice the time that slipped away.

When you step outside it’s like you've traveled through a portal,
Stripped of all your pride, you have never felt so mortal.

MLS
11/18/12