Long Time Ago

Had a lot of druthers
In those early days of youth,
Back before reality revealed
The ugly truth.
Could have done a lot of things,
Most anything I wanted.
No one there to dash my dreams,
No memories that haunted.
Could have been a singer,
Then my voice began to change.
Could have been a cowboy
Riding on the open range.
Could have been a lawyer
Out there fighting for a cause.
Could have been an actor
Only fighting for applause.
But over time fate has a way
Of calmly stepping in,
And though sometimes it knocks you down
You get back up again.
Looking back without regret
It now seems clear to me,
What happened then to bring me here
Was surely meant to be.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Sometimes Wonder

Sometimes wonder

     As I wander aimlessly

          From think to thought,
Picking pieces
     Of the puzzle
          Looking for the perfect fit.
Does it matter
     If the meter runs completely
          Down to naught?
Consequences
     Consequently run the
          Entire alphabet.
Tiresome to be contemplating,
     Worried what
          The world might see.
Wholesome to be
     Born in wisdom,
          Knowing what will be will be.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com

Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin

Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Some Days

Distant rumbles from a sky of
Misty gray, hanging low,
Moving steady, marking time,
Marching soldier in your prime.
Crispness chilling morning air,
Sitting on my front porch chair
I ponder what the day will bring.
Daintily the wind chimes sing
As robins chirp
And folks walk by,
Gentle breezes seem to sigh
And slide across the pine tree’s boughs,
Who protests slightly, but allows.
Plans were made
But will they serve?
Will protests yield what they deserve?
Or should I simply roll along
To see what fate holds in her song?
Some days are like this one,
No doubt.
I’ll wait to see what it’s about.
 
Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Positives

Mama always taught me that

There’s good in everyone,

That I should seek the positive
And overlook the rest.

Must admit, sometimes you have to

Look real deep to find it.
Some people give the microscope
A grueling, daunting test.

But if you seek, and seek you must,

And dwell on positives,
You just might find that
Life’s more kind
As you ponder your quest.

Is it worth the effort

To seek people at their best?
I believe that it’s the key
To life’s true happiness.
 

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Bigger Picture

Searching through the scrambled pieces,
Hundreds, thousands, maybe more
Scattered loosely, helter skelter
Laid out on the puzzle board.
Trying hard to find an interlocking place
To fit, to be,
To integrate with all the rest
And form a perfect symmetry.

No one piece can be forgotten,

Not a single one misplaced,
Else the picture be misshapened
Vision hopelessly erased.
But when the whole has come together
And each piece knows where it should be,
Witness all the bigger picture
Formed with perfect clarity.
 
Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Escape

Tortured by the husking fruitless
Daily crush of energy marauders
Vexing, ever vexing and
Flexing brawny sinuous flesh,
Flaunting faux powers in feckless faces.
Pity the fools.

I close my eyes,

Lower my expectations and
Wait for sweet dreams
To invade my property.
Oft times comes easy,
Approaching angelic.
The bully backs down
Looking elsewhere for folly.
Prison bars soften and the gates open wide
As velveteen breezes offer their wings
Leaving me free to escape to Nirvana
Where honey flows free
And roses e’er bloom,
And thoughts are but whispers
Born on the wind.
 
I will linger here a while to
Follow the dream,
Seize the ring.
No misgivings for time well spent.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Silly Giggles

Nostalgic for the good old days
Of life’s simplistic interludes,
When dreams were fresh as lavender
As sunlight burns the morning dew.

Silly giggles way back then

Were all the sport we ever sought,
No responsibilities could
Trump the task of levity.

And weren’t we happy with our lot?

Time and trial our last concerns.
Foresight was for other fools
To dole and dither fitfully.

Sad to lose the youthful verve

That spawned so many memories, but
Time can be a spiteful mistress
If allowed to have her way.

Now in twilight do I find
The subtle nuance of her gift.
The looking back rekindles joy that
Silly giggles gave us then.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin

Heartshine

Mindful embraces form

Elegant sources
Gently caressing the
Lace-covered edges of memory 
Harboring every emotion,
As I feel your Heartshine
Soft on my face.

Brighter than sunlight,

Fresher than springtime,
Warmer than summer
I bask in your glow.
Supple as willow trees
Free-flowing branches
Dancing with breezes,
I hold your embrace.

Welcome sweet Heartshine,

Come stay a while.
Linger til long shadows
Fade into night.
Joy is your reverie,
Truth your companion,
Beckoning all
To join in your chase.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Princess Bride

Sleepy nation wakes the dawning,
Spies the bunting on each ledge,
Something special stirs the scent of
Incense wafting in the breeze.

Quick to dress in finery

To suit such glorious occasion,
Chins held high and chests puffed full
In maximum anticipation.

Four white horses lead the carriage

Fully draped in ceremony
As the trumpets sound the herald
Echoing glad tidings all.

Out she steps to breathless watchers,
Daintily her footfall glides,
Steadfastly her regal father
Leads his angel down the aisle.

Now she stands before the altar,

Nations watching, filled with pride,
And her young prince stands beside her
Proud to wed his princess bride.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Waking Up

I know I had a dream last night,
But can’t remember it at all.
No details. Not a single one.
Just a happy glow that left me warm.

Spectrums filled with glowing light.

Images both grand and small.

A first class flight into the sun
With hands that keep me safe from harm.

Something in it feels so right

Answering the siren’s call.
A million treasures to be won.
No resistance to her charm.
 
Landing safely from my flight,
Eyes wide open, standing tall.
Sweet dream lady, come and gone,
Leaving me to sense her charm.
                        
Website: http://www.iwritesome.com Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

You'll Never Know

Comes a time in every life
You’re standing at a crossroads
And you just can’t decide which way to go.
Do you turn right?
Should you go left or
Just go straight ahead?
Do you walk alone
Or just go with the flow?

I’ve heard it said the brave die young

To make their way to Heaven,
And I’d surely like to live beyond my prime.
But if I must make the sacrifice,
Then it’s just a given and
I’ll have to give it up before my time.

Are you afraid to take a stand

And be the only one?
Would you dare to spread your wings
And fly into the sun?

Happiness is standing close,
It’s just a smile away,
You can turn away or stand and watch it grow.
Do you turn right?
Do you turn left or
Just go straight ahead?
Unless you make a choice you’ll never know.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

I'll Get There Someday

Many pathways I have dreamed
Of traveling in my brief time,
Far too many distant places,
So much on a bucket list.
The distance between here and Heaven
Not so great as one might think.
Perhaps just a dream away,
A silent stroll into the mist.
Longings are but toothless phantoms,
Fearsome shadows void of flesh,
Victims of reality
That come to chase the dream away.
Persistence and tenacity,
Like Superman and Captain Marvel
Arriving in the nick of time.
… I’ll get there someday.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Where Dreams Sleep

Rest in silence, Sweet Dream Maker.
There is much for you tomorrow.
Sleep until your name is called
And you can rise renewed, refreshed.

Visions visit in the darkness,
Become clear with light of day,
Seek fruition once your passion
Fills the mind with clarity.

It is you who holds the spark,
Quick the human breast inspires
With vapory wisdom, reaching deep
To grasp at fleeting fantasy.

If only I could find your lair,
Touch your secrets, dark and deep,
What untold wisdom could be found
To know the chamber where you sleep.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Best Laid Plans

Time again for the boys of summer
To start a journey that will last into
The depths of autumn ,
Dwindling down to the final two…
The final one.

But now, right now,
Everything is even,
Everyone is champion;
Number one.
Plans and schemes and drafts and trades,
Every scenario,
Every projection has laid a path
To be clearly followed.
All are winners at this early stage.

And we will follow
With pencil and passion
Living vicariously to the end.
Some heroes will fall.
Some dreams will fulfill,
Our only duty:
Enjoy the ride.


Website: http://www.iwritesome.com Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Don’t Give Up

Sure, it’s hard.
No one said that it would be an easy ride.
Roads are long
And filled with potholes, detours, roadblocks and asides.
Is it worth
The consequences of decisions you abide?
Can you take
The pain you must endure to finally win the prize?
Questions,
Always questions must need answering so dreams survive.
Onward,
Always onward, looking upward, keeping hope alive.
Pausing only briefly for a sip from Inspiration’s cup.
Pressing on with head held high
Determined never to give up.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Wishes and Dreams

I had a dream
That spurred a wish
That led to a thought
That inspired a plan
That created an outline
That became a blueprint
For a brand new project
Fraught with obstacles
Resolved through tenacity
Then brought to fruition
With a sense of accomplishment,
A shining example
Presented to others
Who also
Have a dream.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Pray for Tomorrow

Okay, so today was not so great,
Weighted with tribulation and trials
Til it seemed that it would have no end.
But it did end,
And I survived,
And what, at times, seemed that it might destroy
Only tended to make me stronger,
While burdens offered became lessons learned,
And blessed relief made the journey worthwhile.

Now, as my head touches feathery pillows,
Now, as my eyes cleanse the harsh light of day,
I peacefully pause to reflect on my blessings
And pray for tomorrow
With hope born anew.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Yes, I Can

They didn’t start out with intent
To shatter every untold mark,
To set a new goal to attain,
To reach the crest of Everest,
To pass the dark side or the moon
And go beyond the Sun and stars.
But somewhere there along the way
Someone took notice of their deed,
Pointed toward a lofty goal
And set a process in its place.
It became like Joltin’ Joe
Clipping fast to fifty six,
Or Ripken’s ironman marathon
As he reached the unreachable.
No one claimed that it was easy.
No one said there’d be no pain.
No one even saw it coming,
Just a happy happenstance.
Was it from a childhood dream?
Was it even in their plan?
Only one thing is for certain.
When asked,
The answer,
“Yes, I can.”

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Sleep Without Dreams

Keeping up appearance,
Dancing the dance of the socialite,
Hanging on shallow words
Meant to impress,
Breathing the corporate mantra,
Hmmm… ya ya hmmm… ya ya hmmm.
Day in
Day out,
Days flow by unyielding.
Not my own…
Someone else’s vision,
Someone else’s profit.

Someday soon I’ll spread my wings,
Plot my course,
Find my way.
This nine to five existence
Is like sleep without dreams;
Restores the body
But does nothing for the soul.
But I want to dream…

I have a dream,
And someday soon…
Someday…
Soon.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Hope Rises

From the ashes of despair,
     On a wish
          A dream
               A prayer.
Thankful just to be alive,
     Vision quest
          Renewed,
               Revived,
As the air comes wafting in,
     Scented breezes,
          Gentle friend,
New directions are revealed,
     Untold secrets
          Unconcealed.
Lift the darkness from my eyes,
     Clear the way so hope may rise.



Website: http://www.iwritesome.com Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/