stuck

cusp of adventure
chasm between will and can
balance blessed or cursed

© 2015 Frederick Andrew ~ All rights reserved

inspired by Sam Collet's Inhibitions.

bitter part of valor

feed an ego, starve a clod
or have i bent that round
no matter when it comes to love
i shouldn't make a sound

for when i open up my mouth
to utter words profound
there's always something in the way
my foot that's leather bound

© 2015 Frederick Andrew ~ All rights reserved

Inspired by RC deWinter's Bitter Words.

political savvy

even with both hands in sight
a smile upon his face
deftly through orifice of night
invades my pers'nal space

manipulating feelings
'bout the way things
should be done
shifting shape and posturing
so that I'll think
we're one

and why with tentacles so oiled
this fecund form of fishin'?
the answer makes uncanny sense
'cause he's a politician

© 2015 Frederick Andrew ~ All rights reserved

Inspired by Paul Chapman's We Have Learned to Smile.


in love and war

in love and war
not being prey
there comes relief...
...and then in time
comes bittersweet

©2015 Frederick Andrew ~ All rights reserved

inspired by an Eric Albin g+ post

threadbare hearts

threadbare hearts
are often clothed
in wardrobe harlequin
the patterns and the colors
give the lie to
where they've been

and form a shield of comedy
about the weakened thread
upon the point of parting
which would lead to being bled
of the little life remaining
'neath the manic, grim facade

threadbare hearts
so chafed and worn
deserve a second chance

the weaver and the seamstress
distant cousins to the fates
may sort between their charges
and transcend the bitter past

darning one from threadbare two
a garment that will last.

© 2015 Frederick Andrew ~ All rights reserved

Inspired by Uma Venkatraman​​'s some ties

aftermath

wired for the Bad Boy
there's naught that I can do
but quietly commiserate
clean up what's left of you
internalizing rage at whom
the answer is not clear
gluing pieces lovingly
and dealing with the fear
that next time there will be
an empty space I cannot fill
I'm here can you not see me
is my motley in the way
ever thus

© 2015 Frederick Andrew ~ All rights reserved

Inspired by RC deWinter's pretty poison

three on a match

even though the fool
perceives the cool reception
he capers blindly

quiet tolerance
is no substitute for warmth
but to the fool hope

hope springs eternal
but in the depths of winter
even the fool cries

© 2015 Frederick Andrew ~ All rights reserved