Author: poetryfest

Genre: Society, Inspirational

~ Walls of Flesh ~
by Shannon Rohn

Life isn’t just what is seen in a pretty picture,
But the secrets buried from within the walls of our flesh, and hidden deep inside,
Intellectually we stand tall, body held strong by the back bone of our pride,
While we battle the constant thoughts of the conscious mind,
Unable to see the whole picture because we are blind.

What if we crossed the wrong bridge, or took the wrong street,
Should we prepare ourselves for lies & deceit?
Instead of what makes our heart beat?

Trying to look prettier everyday, but still perfect in God’s eyes,
Inside we still burn with secrets and lies,
Still trying to control in their heart what lives or dies,
How do you deal with those whose mind has taken over their lives?,
Behind the Walls of Flesh is where they hide.

We…

Genre: Rhyme, Life

Lessons On Throwing Shade
by Nigel Toussaint Bray

Ladies and gentlemen, tramps and thieves
The shade will fall upon us all who deign to deceive

Live your own truth, not a lie
And you will need no alibi

The more you live do trust more in thyself, there’s no need to really fight
As life will teach you soon enough, who and when to cut at will and on sight
All the shady dark souls casting a shadow over your light

As for me, I try my best to be a gentleman so don’t call me shady
Even though once or twice more, I may have dressed like a lady

But go ahead and cast a stone or two, if you are indeed without sin
Most of my battles I now know, to fight from within

If lost, try to find yourself back on a path with…

Genre: History, Life, War

Farewells of Mt. Auburn

i
Crisp Spring after last snow melt
Greens buds atop a frosty hillock.
Forest branches reach to azure turned golden
Where beneath emerald, secret paths among headstones
Meander up hill and down to strain the breast.
Only intimates would know
Demure scrolled marble weary white by the years
Still to bring gasps and tears for those who rest.

ii
Bonded in serenity as in life
Infant child, doting mother, upright father
Cast into grief so sudden, long sighs to heave
Until joined once more
With mirror grey granite blazoned names.

iii
Hillside helmeted herald
Pearly wings outstretched, spear at the ready,
Proclaims in perpetuity
Such a gift her forbears beneath brought
To span that earthly chasm
Between light and shade, friend and foe,
Before temporal borders close the day.

iv
Maiden sphinx sarcophagus,
Mighty, majestic, martial,
Hosts phalanx ghosts
Lock step, bayonets…

Genre: Life, Society

Genre:Rhyme, Life

In Darkness

In an impoverished cruel world she walks,

Forcing a moonshine smile that hides stifled searing tears.

Choking back she integrates with a soulless community, Altruism is a myth and disappointment reigns supreme.

In silent moments behind closed doors she lets blood, Beating the walls to release the pain burning inside.

Fighting the two persons struggling in her clouded mind, Both alone even without each-other screaming to belong.

To love, to live, to be loved and escape the desolation, Which stings more each long thunderous day.

Like a poisoned dog she prays the inexplicable pain would stop, As times rolls on so too does her sad swim into despair.

Her cries lost in the darkness until one grim night The numbness sets in, zombiefied the blood flows, And an endless sleep consumes.

Now stands an ironic memorial in her name, It reads beloved wife and daughter,
Yet…

Genre: Friendzone, Friendship, That’s All It’ll Ever Be, “Love” I Guess, Frustration

I LIKE YOU by Gabrielle Lanzona

I’m not even going to say it explicitly in this passage
because you can’t get any more explicit than a title
Even so, caps lock and in italics
boldfaced and screaming at you across Broadway
a three-story marquee
flashing lights blaring loud noises

you still wouldn’t know it.

That’s alright
It’s a good thing
really.
Who am I kidding
Do you ever wanna slap someone with a fish because dear lord they’re so beautiful and they don’t even know it
because they’re so strange and irreverent and wonderfully bizarre
in a world where everything is flat and grey
and when they laugh it’s with no sense of any self-consciousness whatsoever
too hard and too loud
when they talk about something they really get into it
such passion and such detail
as if…