life

a child's eternity abates to an elders breath
the ticking clock adjourns it's labor for no rest
the grand journey begets a growing past
a future littered with foreshadowed death

waste not the precious passing time's reign
garnish the moments plate with attentive mirth
embrace each passage as opportunities birth
leave not a morsel vanquished or unclaimed

the journey's end slinks nearer by the hour
bereaving youth of her tenuous pretense
shirking the desires of eternity's recompense
finality grasps mortality to devour

leave not a stone unturned in sorrow
rejoice in each gift bequeathed by the day
persist in strength with each clarion ray
accept consequence without wanting for the morrow

© 2006 BY W. GARY FORRESTER

right?

might makes right?
religious right!
apparently...

© 2006 BY W. GARY FORRESTER

gone

gone, gone are the days of hunger
of passion and raw lovers' care.

gone are the nights of exploration and wonder
of delight in the night bedroom air.

gone, gone are the glimpses of ardor
of sheer emotion in my lovers stare.

gone are the dreams of ecstasy and plunder
of physical pleasure in my lovers dare.

gone, gone are the quickened heartbeats candor
of romantic embrace in my lovers lair.

gone are the rushes of adreneline and power
of sensual lust in my lovers flair.

© 2006 BY W. GARY FORRESTER

once

you wanted me once
when you were young and free
you longed for me then
when all was right

you touched me once
when you were curious and naive
you burned inside
when all was new

you surrendered to me once
when you were willful and sure
you dreamed about life
when all was unknown

you loved me once
when you believed in me
you worshiped me then
when all was clean

you trusted me once
when you were helpless and in need
you sang my praises
when all was serene

you admired me once
when your expectations were met
you rested in my arms
when all was at peace

you inspired me once
when you could see my potential
you encouraged my best
when all was in sight

© 2006 BY W. GARY FORRESTER

self deceived

like a stop-sign with bullet holes, i protest
a silent reminder, misspent anger
wasted energy, shrouded revelry
look at me, suffer the angst i detest

silent and stalwart, unashamed and revealed
commanding attention, demanding acquiescence
shocked by defiance, bullet-hole killed
hear me, my missive, still

shorn of reason, piqued by malignant inanity
prattle of dumb fools, deafened by absurdity
bitter pride, genetic camaraderie
ignore me, reticent calamity

wearing the pain, honor or shame sequestered
silently shouting, stopperred and muted
held at bay, baying at will
loathe me, silent jester

eschewing pacific, brewing the bitter melange
boiling over, spewing poison
deserved retribution, collateral damage
fear me, rent menage

standing alone on the corner aggrieved
protecting the picket, the malefactor's demise
disfigured honor, a scarlet shame
pity me, self-deceived

© 2006 BY W. GARY FORRESTER

a corporate song

build the cocoon
build the cocoon

work

spin

build the cocoon
build the cocoon

work

spin

die

what do you mean i can fly?

© 2006 BY W. GARY FORRESTER

fortuitous grace

Dedicated to Sox the cat

peaceful retreat
arrested complete
portent usurping
replete

submission ensues
as shock subdues
the pounding heart
alludes

life yet flows
mind still knows
eyes of the soul
forebode

flail not
struggle wrought
death's deluge
sought

murderous claws
act without pause
no remorse or shame
disclose

callous aggression
pouncing intrusion
a deadly embracing
illusion

helpless wanting
life jaunting
escape withholding
fearing

swift embrace
utterly no faith
salvation's breach
fortuitous grace

afflicted antagonist
freed to find rest
a last chance
at best

embrace the reigns
cast loose the chains
salvage the heart
again

be free to arrive
live and not die
imbibe the reproof
be wise

© 2006 BY W. GARY FORRESTER

no hope

In Memorium:
Samuel Dwight Smith
b: 02/1972 - d: 07/2005

what is left
when the end is near?
empty hope
a dull stare

fight is done
when the breath is gone
thought subsides
calm death

waters cool
when the will lets go
distant dream
shadow grows

light fades
when the ember cools
gone the days
peace invades

quiet now
when the hope is gone
nothing more
to do

© 2006 BY W. GARY FORRESTER

Wisdom

a dandelion grows in the sidewalk
suckling the deposits of life
knowing not the crushing step
of the boot that passes by

from deaths sudden press
it scatters its seed
plying for fertile loam
it refuses to die replete

cast off truth is truth no less
though cursed by ignorance
misguided youth on her own way
yet only truth frees

© 2006 BY W. GARY FORRESTER

To be found

Summer's gone and it's cold outside
Winter's long and it's cold inside too
I can't see the sun and I can't remember warm
been a long time in the shade

My heart broken with a crushing wound
inflicted by my own heel
brought about by instability, imbalance, insecurity
self-doubt and no power to control

The gray clouds hang on my soul
I am shivering with the cold
the anxiety swells within me as I wonder
if I am alone

From this pit I cry wounded and in pain
alone in my soul I am in despair
I cry out to who I know not
faithless I want to be spared

I know not what I know not
I can't seek with blind eyes
I feel the cold of loneliness around me
Lost. I want to be found

© 2005 BY W. GARY FORRESTER