Thursday, January 24, 2013

February Song

Yes, dear friend, her cold runs deep,
Her frozen earth of steely stone.
Even in the sun’s brief glow
Its sharp fangs penetrate the bone.
 
Bitter wind sweeps every corner
Of her tiny village square,
Sweeping from vast  northern tundra
Spreads its pinpricks everywhere.
 
Bundled well in scarf and parka
Venture out into her fray,
Blinded white with falling snowflakes
Stop to watch her children play.
 
Snuggled now beside the fireplace,
Scalding cocoa warms inside.
Let the chill enjoy her conquest.
We have nothing left to hide.
 
And we huddle at her leisure
Watching as the days grow long,
Bound to leap with hope and joy
As February sings her song.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
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Sunday, December 02, 2012

...And It's Christmas

It’s reindeer on rooftops,
It’s cocoa and cream,
It’s dewdrops and gumdrops
And sugarplum dreams,
It’s carolers caroling
Sounds of the season.
Do-gooders doing good
For no good reason.
…And it’s Christmas
 
It’s Santa and elves
Waiting perched at the mall
With Eddie and Adeline
Watching in awe,
It’s crimson and candy canes,
Emeralds and diamond rings,
Lollypops, presents and
All kind of wondrous things.
…And it’s Christmas.

It’s angels with halos and
Good will toward men,
A grand celebration of
Family and friend,
It’s eggnog and candlelight,
Star-topped trees twinkling bright,
Praises to Heaven that echo the night.
…And it’s Christmas.

 
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Sunday, August 05, 2012

In Maryland, the tail is wagging the dog

It is sad to see the Maryland State legislature being manipulated by big money gambling concerns. I suppose we should have seen it coming long ago when the issue of legalizing gambling in Maryland first appeared on our horizon.
For year the legislature fought tooth and nail to keep gambling out of our state. It was a part of an evil empire that would demoralize and destroy the integrity of our beloved homeland. It is amazing how economic downturn can totally change out outlook and even our moral constitution. Once surrounding states began consorting with big business gambling concerns and threatening to take millions of potential dollars from the Maryland treasury, the legislature had a sudden change of heart. After all, in a democratically controlled state such as Maryland the legislature never has enough money to feed its spending habits.

And so it came to pass that the jellyfish legislature left it to the people of Maryland to decide what they couldn’t bring themselves do on their own. But they placed such restrictions on it that even the big gambling concerns flinched at accepting it. Slowly, the original plan began to take shape. Three of the approved venues have, at long last, opened.

But before all of the original slots-only facilities have opened, along comes “Big Gambling Concerns” with an attempt to change everything. They want to open a sixth venue. They want additional tax/revenue concessions. They want to offer table games and Internet gaming in addition to slots. And they want it NOW, before all of the changes can be vetted and thoroughly considered.

They are dangling so many carrots in front of our legislature and spendthrift Governor that it is irresistible for them. They are salivating and chomping at the bit to grab the golden ring so they can feed their growing appetite for programs we taxpayers cannot afford.

Forget that these are the same legislators who once opposed gambling. They are now in bed with the big gambling concerns; concerns that, no doubt, have ties to organized crime. We’re talking big money here. Money needed to carry on a legislative agenda that knows no end.

Talk about the tail wagging the dog….
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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

For Momma

Softly, her voice can still all of our fears,
Vanquish the tears we’re so desperate to shed.
Gentleness follows her,
Lives all around her,
Spreading her aura to all who surround her,
Even without a word being said.
 
And love is her specialty,
Follows her constantly.
All who she touches are better for knowing.
Inspired by her wisdom, blessed by her presence,
Smiling inside as we cling to her essence,
Our love for her only keeps growing.
 
Now, as her angels come whispering to her,
Urging her softly with sweet words of love,
We who remain will listen intently
As she adds her voice to the choir above.
 
Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
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Friday, March 16, 2012

Sweet Dream Makers is now published.

After more that a year in development, "Sweet Dream Makers", a book of poerty credted by our online poetry group, is available at www.Amazon.com. We are very proud of this piece and are anxious to share it with everyone. Here is the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Dream-Makers-Irene-Brodsky/dp/1105424340/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331907056&sr=1-1

Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to charity.

Friday, January 06, 2012

Wellsprings of Happiness

Bubbling up,
Trickling down,
Springing from somewhere
Deep underground.

Growing in strength,
Merging in flow,
Gravity dictating
Where you will go.

Soothing the sorrow,
Easing the pain,
Cooling the swelter
Like sweet summer rain.

Endlessly moving,
Cannot be still,
Dreams to fruition,
Fortunes to fill.

Hope to deliver,
Laughter to deal.
Wellsprings of happiness,
Help me to heal.


Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
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Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

We Are But Flesh

We are but flesh,
Muscle and bone
Housing a miracle known as life.
Blood-pulse nourishing every breath
Daylight to midnight,
Winter to fall.

Keen for awareness
Looking for answers
Even before the questions are spoken,
Vaulting a world of trivial madness,
Seeking everlasting peace.

Guidance of angels
Brilliance of aura
Never to dally where substance is void.
Searching the sky
For something beyond
This meager existence
That dwarfs the self.

We are but flesh
Muscle and bone,
Silent in stealth
But never alone.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
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Sunday, January 01, 2012

Runs with Scissors

Ah, to live with such abandon,
Flaunting rules,
Forsaking care,
Like a child who runs with scissors
Never thinking consequence.

Dashing off to feats of conquest,
Flaring cape and daring-do,
Masked avenger crushing evil,
Grand toastmaster of defense.

Swooping in on wings of stealth,
Rescues maidens,
Saves the day,
Savors victory incognito,
Shuns the spotlight.
That’s his way.

Now years on years (not always kind),
This antique craft no longer flies.
Still that child who runs with scissors
Exists somewhere deep inside.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
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Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Saturday, December 24, 2011

A Christmas Wish

A promise made
To save the world
More than two millennia past.
To give us peace,
To give us hope
For everlasting life.

Spreading joy
And shedding light
Where shadows once were cast,
Offering relief to
All the suffering and strife.

Let us light the watchman’s torch.
Let it start with me.
Hold it high and lead the way
So all the world can see.
 
Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
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Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Welcome, Sunshine

Shadows of the night, be gone.
Your time well-spent in nourishment,
Nurturing the dreams of light
As dawn brings hope of new beginnings.

Welcome, Sunshine,
Welcome friend
Smiling down upon my face.
Spread your joy across my brow,
Raise your manna to my lips.

Sadness cannot breach your fortress,
Tragic cause must pass you by as
Every creature great and small
Upward turns to meet your stare.

Faithful watcher,
Silent giver,
Asking nothing in return.
Not in worship, but our kinship
Bids me pause to offer praise.


Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
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Wednesday, December 07, 2011

The Dark Side of a Dream

Scarce to know where hope dwells
On the dark side of a dream,
Where omens slip inside my mind
With piercing clarity.

Creeping through the veil of night
On black cat paws, they find me
To scream inside my head
With undenied reality.

And I am helpless to resist,
But slow to heed the warning,
Confused and hobbled by deceit
As conscious thoughts awaken.

Can such a nightscare serve as warning?
Should future plans abandon?
Could I be seer to what portends
Or might I simply be mistaken?


Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
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Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Sunday, December 04, 2011

This Is Important!

Rescued fair from sleepless nights
Conscience calm and fears abated,
Knowing well the guilt of falsehood
Does not camp about my door.

No one stands as my accuser.
None may speak of ill-repute
Or dare defame my unsullied name
And paint the blame upon my floor.

Having carved a reputation
Years on years of speaking true,
Never thinking consequences,
Treating all as equal brothers,
One thing rests above all else,
The most important point of all;
I keep my vigil
To be honest
Both to myself
And others.


Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
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Saturday, November 26, 2011

Hope

Lighter than freedom on feathery ferns
Dancing on tiptoes in bright balmy breezes,
Higher than hilltops on heavenly highways,
Her mountains, her valleys
Both filled with delight.

Bid me go forward,
Offer me comfort,
Fill me with confidence
Else I should stumble.
Lift up the veil,
Place a kiss on my forehead
Making me blush…
Keeping me humble.

Younger than springtime,
Older than winter,
Longer than always and
Sweeter than wine,
Hope floods my heart with
The laughter of sunshine
Leaving all doubt,
Every sorrow behind.


Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
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Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Music, Food, Wine and Sunshine

Don’t need much to make me happy,
Just music, food, wine and sunshine.

Music from within, without,
In my ear or in my mind,
Floods my thoughts,
Feeds my soul,
Fills my day with warm delights.

Food to fill my basic needs,
To tempt the pallet,
Curb the craving.
Feasting follies filled with flavor
In my nose and
On my tongue.

Wine to stimulate my senses
Breaking soft upon my lips,
Help me gently to remember,
Bid me fondly to forget.

Sunshine chase away my demons,
Spread your light upon my brow.
Show me all my wondrous blessings,
Give me hope so I may dream.


Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
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Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Memory

I’ve been stuffing my cranium
Six decades plus with
The knowledge and wisdom
Of memory’s keep.
So often my mind wants
To burst at the seams,
Yet always finds room
For the new and unique.

Dreams of my youth
May have vanished in vapors
Or merely transitioned
To fit circumstance,
As whispers of time
Cried out new direction
And chance took my hand
And bade me to dance.

Whatever the course, I pray
Let it continue to
Grow and spread light
So that others might see.
And when Fate finally calls
I’ll leave something behind,
If only a wrinkle
In their memory. 

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
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Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Sunday, November 06, 2011

Autumn

Autumn and I are fast frequent friends
With memories mixed with the colors of rainbows.
We’ve weathered the storms,
Survived the transitions,
Sharing the anguish and bliss on the way.
 
Many a time have I witnessed her change,
The spinning of lush fervent green into gold,
The transfer from swelter to fresh fragrant foliage,
The crisp, clear allure her aura endows.
 
Who holds her miracle?
Who might explain
How the muse of the seasons so often inspire?
I stand in awe clinging fast to her bosom
Praying this slow dance might go on forever.
 
Heaven but knows how many more seasons
Await down the road before fate seals my end,
But Autumn and I will go on forever,
Here and hereafter,
My steadfast friend.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

The End of the Day

It all comes down to this.
Here I sit
     Cross-legged
          Pondering the questions
               Questioning decisions
                    Deciding on directions
                         Directing my own fate.
Did I choose the right things?
Opt to pull the right strings?
Help the angels earn their wings?
Did I pull my weight?

Reflection serves to move the pile,
A laundry list
     Of dos and don’ts
          Wills and won’ts
               Frills and flaunts
                    From every side.
But all that’s left to lead the way
When silence stalks the end of day
Is peaceful bliss that comes to stay
And will not be denied.


Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
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 Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Shifting Sands of Time

Time has a habit of slipping away
As she constantly moves in a finite direction,
No stepping back,
No childhood do-overs,
Only now and tomorrow,
Only here and hereafter.

But that doesn’t cede that
The past holds no meaning,
Or should be diminished in memory’s vault.
Her treasures are deep
And her lessons are many.
Her halls and her chambers
Lined with love, dreams and laughter.

And though the sands may shift underfoot
As the tides roll out,
As the tides roll in,
We stand at her shore
And search her horizon,
Amazed at the bounty she holds deep within.


Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
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Sunday, October 23, 2011

Oxygen

Can’t see it,
But I know when it’s there,
Know when it’s being denied to my lungs.
Can’t taste it,
Though some may insist that they
Know it exists at the tip of their tongue.
Can’t feel it
Except for the breeze as it
Brushes my cheek with a warmth or a chill.
Can’t keep it.
Must give it back once its sustenance ends
And its mission fulfills.

Blessed giver…
     Warden of life…
          Imperceptible stream,
Though I’ve never seen you,
     I know you are there
          Upholding my dream.


Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
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Saturday, October 15, 2011

Another Day

Gentle wishes…
Sweet air kisses…
Schemes and dreams and
Pony-tail swishes…
Air-brushed memories,
So delicious,
Dare to take my breath away.

Table scapes of
Comfort dishes
Flood the senses
With delicious
Sweet sensations,
Bold temptations,
Begging me come out to play.

Out of scope…
Filled with hope…
Dangling carrot from a rope,
Trying desperately to cope with
Trials that try to block my way.
Knowing that the prize awaits,
Even when I tempt the fates,
I see beyond the garden gates
There lies another day.