Ode to the Transplantee

When once a healthy body stood; proudly displaying its wares
Oblivious of all of those sickly things; for which one does well to beware

Unbeknownst to the body’s mind; its cells sometimes see fit to tire
Beginning with a discreet decline; then progressing towards straits of dire

Masquerading at times, perhaps; as far less significant ails
Cell’s decline can be hard to detect; before a vast host come to fail

Once the fashion has been set by one; a cell’s neighbours may soon join the trend
Contributing to the snowball such; that health then continues descent

Yet still, whilst many cells have failed; the mind can remain ever fooled
Believing that all is still quite alright; that good health will soon be resumed

Unfortunately then and far from the truth; cell’s damage can oft be complete
Compromising body’s organs such; to knock one right off one’s feet.

Damage is frequently permanent; with organs doomed then to fail
Never again to operate; as once they did proudly regale

With illness becoming more severe; swift treatment is an absolute must
Requiring correct diagnosis, else; the alternative catastrophic bust

Those lucky enough to find treatment, thus; to save them from such a grave fate
By no means then are guaranteed; survival at all, at this stage

Extreme aggressive treatments may come; in hopes of avoiding “the knife”
As surgery remains the last bastion, of; hope when this tale is your life

Though often with best efforts, still; a transplant’s the ultimate goal
Dependent upon the generosity of; some other serendipitous soul

Psychologically then such a challenge; knowing this altruistic bequest
Requires the passing of the generous soul; before the benefit comes to invest

Surgery itself is aggressive; though by now, often the only choice
Even then, only for the lucky ones; still fit enough to endure this course

As the trauma of such a procedure; in the Cardio Thoracic domain
Can leave one replete with weakness; an intimate acquaintance of pain

Risks aplenty confronting; those who undergo any transplant
And usually a long laboured rehab; spanning over many weeks, or months

Lifestyle changes and drug regimes; now critical for the rest of one’s life
In order to protect the new organ; to keep good health and clear of strife

Though the impact of all of these actions; cast many shadows far and wide
Transplantees must make such adjustments; to honour the organ they now hold inside

With bitter sweet thought and reflection; for new life, but the loss of one too
Forever remembered the anonymous donor; who lived life and then gave life to you

Reason for Breathing

I look inside my mind to find
A thousand things I’ve left behind
Nine hundred of which I should have said
Rather than taking them to my bed

Tossing, turning, digesting so
Incomplete thoughts thrashing to and fro
Neglecting opportunity to relax
I turn on myself and begin to attack

Dissatisfaction such a daily event
I request that my apathy, find time to repent
In order that I may once again find
Reason for breathing no longer declined

Man of Honour

Compensate my foolish pride
As time speeds past in mirth
Clutching straws to forge a path
Throughout this tainted earth

Bestill my pounding apathy
For I no longer care not to care
Resoundingly I am drowning
Craving intellectual air

Throughout this age of consequence
I contemplate a thought of thought
Who am I to dare to try?
To figure this life out

Well listen as I tell you
For I’m just another man
At times I can feel selfish
Just as any other can

Though I attempt to choose to be
The hardest thing of all
A man of honour, regardless
If that means I am destined to fall

Falling Short of Reason

Ten bells peel, weeping, whilst life slips from my reach.
In time, I have come to forget how to live.
Shake me from this stupor, as tragic, I have become.
My facsimile draws the breath that should be mine.
This crumbling façade lies strewn around my feet, yet not one soul the wiser.
Do I want this life?
Or by my actions, have I already forsaken it?
Perhaps, it has forsaken me?

I reside now, in the shell that I made for myself, when I used to dream
Long before I learned to mourn
Tired eyes awash with incredulity; hiden behind a fixed gaze
Emotionless, this face sees fit to hide me.

Imprisoned by my apathy, I fall short of reason
Seeking to find fault with life, rather than the individual
Instead I breathe the poisoned air of hatred
In turn, condemning me to further my guilt
As I seem unwilling to be me.

Yet one act of kindness can be enough to rouse me
A beam of light cutting a swathe through the darkness
I sense that my soul begins to swell, seeing fit to greet like with like.
A kindred spirit, not content to hide behind the curtain of doubt
Courageous enough to act without knowledge of reward

Yet again, I have purpose.
If just to bring positivity to the front of ones mind
Though one grain of sand is soon lost, in an ocean of doubt, as the dark envelopes this glimmer of light
My pain reaches new heights as I come to realise another is lost to the dark
I regress once more to retread my steps, well worn, as I have made this trip many times.
Oh would that you were willing to walk by my side?

WHOM

I’m the smell that lingers in an empty room
I’m the happiness, which leaves a little too soon
I’m the sound of silence, beyond the din
I’m the cold draught that manages to squeeze in
I’m the darkness that overcomes light
I am the seeker, bereft of sight
I’m the writer of this droning tome
I’m the feeling you’re never home
I’m the instigator, of questions of faith
I’m the hunger that will never abate
I’m the joker that no longer speaks
I am the prize, always out of reach
I’m the secret that is never kept
I am the tear you’ve never wept
I’m the feeling you’ve been here before
I am the arrogance that breeds war
I’m the keeper of the things you forget
I am the water that never stays wet
I’m the hole in the pocket of life
I’m the comfort on the edge of a knife
I’m the calm in the eye of a storm
I’m the soul who has yet to be born
I’m the insect you crush with your feet
I am the you, you never meet.

The Aggressive Land

The aggressive land charges the nation
To comply in forming a state
Within or without of tradition
Breeding a faction of hate

Unsuspecting victims of darkening minds
Eyes not prone to vigilance
Haunting winds speed indecision
Creating an apathetic trance

How would it be to imagine
Forming an independent thought
Escape from the parasitic machine
Relying not on false support

In a moment of deepening panic
Shall we dance on the cusp of a fall?
I am sorry for the things I have done
For I am not perfect at all

I may lack direction when pulled inside out
Do you think you know what I feel?
Look into my eyes to observe my shout
I wonder what’s left, that is real

Rip a hole in the sky to release the setting sun
Stand with me if you follow the notion
Endorse the destruction in time to come
Of the immoral blind devotion

Murder my mind by the side of the road
Leave my soul to the wastes
Scatter my honour to the seven winds
In the furthest reaches of space

I’ll be fine having aired my heart
To justify my promised words
Damage sustained collateral in part
Is par for the course I have heard?

The monster hides within us
Reaching from the pit of our mind
Devouring our good intentions
Leaving incivility behind

Pride will tear us both apart
As we seek to detect a truth of our own
If we truly value each others heart
Then we must surely behave as if one

Taking the most from the giving cup
Like the dog with perpetual thirst
Will leave the world with unbalance
Leaving us all destined for hurt

Rather that we were able
To facilitate each other’s needs
Then we’d no longer need to monopolise
This world as we try to succeed

The Eater of Dreams

The fractured shore of reason
Winding through the midst’s of life
Taunts me as I observe, how it meanders to and fro
Preying on those who take for granted, that it will pay heed
For IT is the hunter… not we
Silence will become a breeding ground for doubt
Delinquent in apathetic delight, it will not follow
For reason shall be no slave to man
Yet man is the slave, to all who may illicit reason
Perception is the window, through which we must look
By chance, to catch a glimpse of this rare creature
Though perhaps a lucky few, who may forget their vanity
May find that reason comes upon them?
Should you ever be so honoured?
Pray that reason treats you kindly
For reason is the eater of dreams

Kick Cancer

Throughout and about and in and out
The network that’s known as Twitter
I met I fine Gal, who told me her tale
Of this “C”, that reared up and bit her

She’s been kicked around and turned upside down
Since this “C” made it’s presence felt
But she never lost heart in the face of it all
Despite the rum hand she’d been dealt

So began a wild dance, full of up’s and down’s
With a partner she’d not wanted to pick
But she wouldn’t be led, down that slippery slope
So decided to give this “C” a big kick

Now this “C” has been long thought, the bullying sort
For it never asks, before starting the dance
Who, where, or when, make no difference at all
“C” won’t care a jot, given the chance

So Bex is her name, to whom this “C” came
And “C” should be prepared, for quite a fight
For @bubblybex now, has started a cause
That should give “C” and its friends quite the fright

Consider this well, for it’s a story to tell
This weakness of “C”, that may not be well known
Is Positivity, don’t run scared from this “C”
Follow this lead with a fight of your own

So with this in mind, Bex and others, so inclined
Who see fit to fight “C”, the same way as her
With their fight now defined and a positive mind
They have adopted the mantra #kickcancer

The tribe now is strong, as many belong
Unwilling to be lead the merry dance
Cancer, or “C”, now unwelcome by we
May it be ejected without a second chance

So in honour of they, the #kickcancer brigade
In their war with formidable foe
You all have my support and my positive thoughts
May it help to strengthen your resolve!

The Dance of the Modern Valentine

The dance of the modern Valentine
Marching forth to spread affection
In hopes of germinating love
Through endearing prospection

Alluding to possibilities
That attention can be requite
In the never ending search for Love
May one speculate this night?

Delivering unto others
All matter of messages covert
Investing in them hopes and dreams
That those words alone, may work

Igniting forms of passion
Beginning a journey long in route
With vehicles seating only two
To begin a tandem commute

Utilising eloquence
To decorate mere words
Attempting to sound romantic
Hoping not to sound absurd

Speculative investment
May return, though seldom so
To better aid reciprocation
Aim to invite one, to whom you’re known

In hope we may all benefit
I chose to put these words to rhyme
In an effort to Celebrate
The dance of the modern Valentine

The Far Edge of Reason

Hold your head up high
No matter what you do
Don’t rely on the sky to clear
To shine a light on you

Time will continue to turn
Whether you’re wrong or right
Join the line and try to learn
A lesson within this life

Take this face; I am a familiar of me
Without which I could not hide
Hide myself, my heart, my soul
Behind the mask of life

Every time I feel like seeking escape
I look to hide within your eyes
For there is an endless sky of love
You afford me without a price

Until the end of time, I’ll feel your gaze
As the sunshine on my face
The warmth of your love living
Within my heart ablaze

If ever there was reason to falter
Within this time of men
It shall be as a mans love is water
That needs to be maintained

Here comes the sad times
Burst wide open by the tide
Unable to meet the expectations
Of my old tired eyes

Listen for the sounds of dreams
Escaping to the stars
For they may never be achieved
Only desired from afar

The hours as they are passing
Consult with the winds of change
Amazing in a kind of fashion
Observing a coming of age

Eyes shine with waves of passion
The train continues to roll on by
Perpetually dwelling on crashing
Just waiting for the time to arrive

I see my reflection among the people
But I feel I am standing alone
I spend the longest time waiting
To reap the seeds of love since sown

Yet what is love but a feeling
That two people are fortunate to share
Given to a fate from the beginning
That we often are not aware

Run to the far edge of reason
Look to the future as yesterday expires
Forever seeking the season
That contains the source of the smile

Draw within reach of the source
The ground heaves with an air of calm
Understand that we all are falling
Throughout the realm of the storm

Don’t say that dreams are better
For then our life will be devoid
Of real emotion and fervour
Failing to believe in modern love

So I try to walk in shoes for dancing
Though never to achieve the dance
Intent on remaining hopeful in
The face of restricted chance

Future brightens if gifted with love
With nature shall we dance?
Protect each other from heartache
Share with each other romance

An Ode to Twitter Etiquette

The silent man observed the screen; as all and sundry twittered.
Hoping to glean sage advice; his sensibility frittered.
Given to flights of rash impulse; he tweets his every whim.
Inviting all the Twitterverse; empowered to judge him.

Random words volleyed to and fro; not all are fair and true.
Occasionally tweeps may twitter more than’s necessary; you know
With streams amongst the thronging masses; crossing here and there
Tweeps are bound to raise an eyebrow; if their tweeps can be deemed unfair

Though usually an apology; for any offence incurred
Suffices to resolve confusion; from hastily written words
So just beware that tweets you write; can be misunderstood
Punctuation can be ambiguous; when used in the written word

Should you ever find my tweets to be; confusing, rude, or worse?
Feel free to bring to my attention; where I’ll try to redress that course
For others who see fit to vent; their anger and their rile
Consider that your words can swiftly; end the friendly smiles

The Twitterverse is such a place; that many tweeps can tweet
But please do try your best to keep; your disparity discreet
If you find you are irritated, at all; by others, not of like minds
Simply occupy a different stream; instead of being unkind

Ambiguity of sorts; avails the avatar.
In preening an online profile; can one go too far?
Blaze a path of bold intrigue; anonymity of sorts
Don’t forget that tweeps are people too; and people can be hurt

Consideration is essential; to ensure the Twitterverse remains true
May I suggest you don’t participate; if you fear that you’re not able to?
Take a moment and calm your vex; breathe again and smile
Alay those insulting, dismissive remarks; so we may all continue in style

FEEDING THE SPIRIT

If I may just take a moment
To offer some words that may inspire
To offer comfort in a time of need
When the world has seemed to tire

Don’t forget that when it feels you’re trapped
Within a darkened room
You hold a light within you’re soul
The can repel the heaviest gloom

Don’t feel that all is lost because
The odds you face are huge
With positive thought and spirit
The greatest mountains can be moved

So don’t forget that if you feel
Your soul has become fatigued
The Soul’s energy is endless
It merely needs the opportunity to feed

So if you’re spirit is hungry
Agree to be my honoured guest
At a feast for spirits
By this special request

The finest positivity
Will be the only fayre
So negative aspects of the physical world
Would serve well to beware

When the Soul sees fit to wage a war
On negativity in life
There shall be no other outcome than
A shift away from woe’s and strife

So hearten at these very words
They are from my heart to you
Though times seem to be difficult
Remember this strength is within YOU

Originally written February 2007