life

Carry On

Weather-beaten hands struggle 
against the pulling weight of age 
and future fiefdoms
he tries gallantly
to slow the beat of time 
measuring success 
in only the moments
a smile touches his lips
staring into her eyes.

Thanks for taking the time to read my poem; I genuinely appreciate it.

Please feel free to leave comments or constructive critiques; I’m always grateful for learning opportunities.

Take It Easy

Paul

Chaotic Romance

I’m lost in the chaos
and romance 
of the jazz playing 
through my headphones
mainlining wordless wisdom 
straight to my brain

the addiction took over me 
in a past existence
Coltrane, Davis and The Dave Brubeck Quartet
imprinted my bloodstream

let my feet and fingers tap 
and head sway
whether frenzied or not
I don't want to be found just yet 
the sound of the sax and trumpets
is the sound of my soul
is the sound of romantic chaos.

Thanks for taking the time to read my poem. I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to leave any comments you may have below.

Take it Easy

Paul

Captains

Streets glowing amber 
in the lamplit haze
our feet firm on the cobbled quay
adrenaline anchoring the buzz 
delivered in the bottle of wine 
sunk in the taxi 
as we cruised into town
all captains of our destiny
awe-wide eyes moving like beacons
with crested grins plastered on faces 
taking in the scene 
anticipating tonight’s chicanery
and tomorrow's dark storm of a hangover
we let the wind push us forward 
       -  surrendering to the city.

Thanks for taking the time to read Captains, inspired by the awe of my first night out in a city.

Feel free to leave any comments or critique you may have.

Take It Easy

Paul

Abyss of Irrelevance

Their laurels are flattened and dull
from being rested on
for far too long 
but they can’t bring themselves 
to try something new
so they lose their sheen quickly
with those who listened to them for hours on end
who now become bored with their blether
and the laurels dull further.

Thanks for taking the time to read my poem. I welcome any comments or constructive critiques.

Take It Easy,

Paul

Fire Escape

The flames weren’t suffocating
            it was the walls
and when they crumbled 
            under the honey-gold furnace of freedom
my claustrophobia burnt to cinder
             feeding the land renewed life
growing vines to reach out
             to the world.

It’s been a while since I posted a poem to my site, I’ve been very busy with other projects, but now I have some time to bring my focus back to my poetry.

Anyway, I hope you like the new stuff I’m releasing in the coming weeks.

Take It Easy,

Paul

Secret Admirers

There’s a touch of romance 
in the garden 
the fence posts led 		 by coy breezes 
in a gentle dance 		
between 			         secret admirers
until the mood turns 
and the wind becomes 	 belligerent 
destroying something	         beautiful 
simply because 
                                 - it can.

******************

Thanks for taking the time to read my poem today, I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to check out my other pieces across the website. Any comments or critiques you have, I welcome.

Take it easy,

Paul

Calm

I welcome the storm 
         she’s                an old            friend
kissing 	     fire                      into my lungs 
until  I'm   breathless 
they          blame her                     for destruction 
but I simply offer thanks
for 	breaking 			down 			the clutter
                 in my mind
	giving me 
                          focus.

Thanks for taking the time to read my poem. It has been a while since I’ve posted however I’m squirrelling away working on a couple of projects.

Let me know what you think in the comments.

Take it easy,

Paul

Crime Writing Class

For Christmas, my wife bought me a Crime Writing Class from CityLit.

I’m just over halfway through and it’s fantastic. I feel like I’ve learned so much already. It’s weekly over zoom and we receive peer feedback on our writing. 

One of the pieces of homework was a 250-piece monologue from a villain’s perspective after committing a crime. It was to justify their actions. I chose to have a corrupt cop who’d just killed a drug dealer for not paying a debt. 

Below is his internal monologue;

He had to die really. I had no choice. If I’m honest with myself, I was going to have to kill him sooner or later. At least I had a good excuse, no not excuse, a reason to do it now.  He disrespected me. The little smackrat weasel. Who did he think he was? He was getting too big for his boots. Plus, if I went down, who else would control this dogshit of a town. My arrest record speaks for itself. I get confessions as well. Sometimes they require a bit of incentive I admit. Like threatening to break a wife’s kneecaps if they didn’t admit to what was it again? Oh yeah, affray. What was I thinking of again? That’s right. Who’ll clean up the sludge and filth in this cesspit of a town? The DCI and his Conservative club friends? That new DC who’s feeding info to the police corruption unit and thinks I don’t know about it? Do me a favour. They’re not fit for the frontline. I am. But if this little junky rat gave them what he knew – well that would be it. I couldn’t cover that up. Too many handshakes. It’s right that he’s dead. And he died with the love of his life. Heroin. End of the day, one more dealer and junkie off the streets is a good thing. Burglary will fall a couple per cent. Bonus. I just need to make it look like I found him. Little weaselly scumbag.

I’d love to know your thoughts and welcome any constructive feedback you may have. 

Take It Easy

Paul