Burn Out Blues And Bust

Organic moon light heart pounding brilliance 
bursting from the seams
slipping from the sidewalls of a passion pit
Fumbling for the remote control
flip the switch from brilliance to boredom... 
And some where out there is the second coming 
of my redemption
The second coming of a new day 
with promise and intention
Lasting longer than a flash in the pan 
lime light first blush of love
Smiling from ear to ear Cheshire cat grin 
that gives nothing away
But a clear image of a pure ecstatic inner 
love lust glow

Because I know some things 
are worth waiting for 
even if the odds are in favor 
of burn out blues and bust

But I'm a romantic at heart 
bleeding from old wounds
and the side effects of too many 
sleepless nights
Wandering around my apartment as if 
the secret to a loving life
is hidden in the slow pace of walking 
from room to room
The creek in the floorboard is a sure sign 
I'm not alone
That a brighter day awaits right outside my door

Because I know some things 
are worth waiting for 
even if the odds are in favor 
of burn out blues and bust 


© 2015 TrilbyYates

Captain

One foot in front 
of the other
a sexy aloof 
sway of the hips
purposely oblivious 
to watching eyes
entranced by the sounds 
that surround 
Atlantic breeze 
always makes 
the heart skip a beat
passion still flows -
A smile appears as corners 
turn up on glossy full lips
simple thought sings silently
when out of the blue
4” stiletto gets stuck 
random spaces between
floating dock on top 
of a restless sea
throwing off the perfection
of a seductive stride
sweet sound 12 bar riff
the only vibration 
that echos bouncing 
from mast to mast
obscene ranting 
of frustration
pick up the pieces 
dust them off 
take another step
a bit more aware 
of what lie ahead
go against the grain
blow caution to the wind 
one last act of defiance
step on board 
a swaying 40 footer
heels in hand
exposing a subtle
amount of long legs
a left hand salute
questioning eyes
“Permission to come a board, Captain?” 

© 2015 TrilbyYates 

Death

Some people say to me 
With good intentions
Possible discomfort
- or lack of experience
It's time to move forward
Start living your life
Reminding me repeatedly
I am no longer married to you
I am no longer your wife
Hold your head up sweet darling
You don't need to cry - anymore
...that is not what he would have wanted 
That is not what his death was for...
Sadly he lost his right to want anything 
When he left this place of existence
That night he took not only his last breath 
But my path of least resistance 
Leaving behind a blue vase 
A dozen beautiful white roses 
That crashed without warning 
Tiny irreplaceable pieces onto the floor
A love note of forever and forever 
 - and then never more
There is no subtle way to share or explain
And as I have said before - there is no time limit
On grieving or the depth of the pain
The process of moving from here to there
To know the finality of death - if ever
Nothing ever feels right
Nothing ever seems fair
And once that gut wrenching poison 
Seeped deep into my heart 
And took hold - there was no time
...and truth be told
It eventually became the norm - 
It has found its safe haven
it has found its home
It wakes me in the middle of the night
Stealing away any sense of peace 
A prisoner of my own confine
A battle within - a battle I continue to fight
A sweet reverie only to be replaced
By childhood demons that move so slowly
The demons we battled and put to rest 
So many years ago
The vivid colors and visuals 
Of that moment in time
...one night seven years ago 
There is no sensible reason  
They have not faded they remain sublime
Yesterday is not just a memory 
It has become a way of life
And maybe that is all part of some empirical plan
Giving us a story we can hold onto 
- to breathe easy when there is no rhyme
To engage that perfect fit 
- the perfection in our own disguise ...
The balance between 
All the good and all the bad 
Life experiences the happy 
- and the sad
To share the joke 
That is on you/me with someone
Who will not judge
The error of our ways
Or the fear of being abandoned 
 - and always feeling safe
Without having to say a word 
A simple look deep into each others eyes
Knowing nothing 
Should be taken for granted
...a heartfelt word to the wise
Truly knowing everything will be fine
And you and I knew it all too well
We just didn't know the length - of our time line...

© 2014 TrilbyYates

Mojo Kicking In

Slipping off pseudo
Dr. Freud's leather couch
$250 an hour
to soothe
my fevered brow
- ease a weary
torn soul
from thoughts
and memories
demons haunting past
that push the limits
crowding the 3rd eye
- blind
to a convoluted
way of life...
nothing travels
in a straight line
moving again 
and again
as the moon
swings around
the the earth
such a grandiose plan
- embroidered pillow sham
cushions my fall
landing on my knees
- a view you always preferred
looking down
from high above
the 69th floor
ivory towers crumble
...ashes to ashes
like silk intimates
dusting over
my body's curves
temperature rises
a tiny drop of sweat
slowly descends
a path downward
between
my breasts
You reach out...
slight of hand
smoke and mirrors
you are a master
 - of innocence
in its highest art form
hot red lights disguise
dark smooth skin
while guitar mesmerizes
with a 13 bar riff
sweet seductive harp
blowing upstage
rhythm and blues
pulsates a steady beat
that keeps time
an infamous bump and grind
wrapping itself around my body
like a sweltering sexy summer breeze
deep sigh - comfort zone
we begin to fly
another song and a shot of VO
there is no time lost
when your Mojo is kicking in
questions lingering from the past
sassy blues - idiosyncrasies
and contradictions
good times falling on bad
judgment days and cross roads
someones woman is waiting
in the the wind, you slip out
the back door - Johnny
Man...living blues
...it's all about living the blues

© 2014 TrilbyYates

Twinkling Lights

Warm cup of coffee 
hands wrapped 
tightly around 
over sized thermos
skim latte 
with a dash 
of cinnamon
comfort zone
no way home
thoughts interrupt
warm and reminiscent  
shooting shiver 
from head to toe 
gazing amusement
while black swans glide 
ceremoniously atop 
the biting cold waters 
Saugatuck LIS Atlantic
fed riverbed
elegantly withdrawn
as the world drives by 
stone overpass 
white blanket holiday snow
wind gust grabs a hold
symbolic flags blow
tide seems mid to high 
full moon mesmerizing glow 
not a lonely place 
sitting in the quiet
of all that is before me
Mother Natures 
early morning winter show  
pre-dawn blues
shake rattle and roll
remembering songs
that touch deep into the spirit
and truth seeker soothes the soul
blue notes strung together
twinkling lights from long, long ago
...such a long time ago...


© 2013 Trilby

One More For The Road

Ambiance
candle light low smoldering glow
not tagged for tender romance
self serving no holds barred seduction
of another kind...
Bar scene fades defiantly out of view
as the backroom juke joint
grabs hold soothes the heart
and shakes the soul

Time passes reluctantly
yet the heart beat carries the crowd
unified movement sweltering heat
his music becomes my own...
We are ageless as images of youth
begin to blur colorless montage
just the way Mother Nature intended
magical streaks shades of grey
run translucent color through his hair

And the Music man
oblivious continues to play
mesmerizing the lovelorn
eyes closed, head tilted

focused far off in a melodious zone

he blows a sultry song
as if his world is a slow burn
of notes and tones
saved for me, yet
shared with the lost and lonely
with pleading reverie one more for the road...

For now my journey has
purpose, reverence and intent
The Music man holds my hand
guiding me along the way
while I absorb song and sound
eyes closed, head tilted
focused far off in a melodious zone
conjuring up and improvising
notes and tones
with pleading reverie one more for the road... 

© 2013 Trilby 

Old Man

                                                        photo by Johanna's Visions

Old man's 
whiskey soaked 
voice crackles
sparks explode 
translucent color 
drenched skies
Blues man 
juke joint
a few steps 
from the past
reflect back 
dancing hands 
held high 
fingers snapping 
deja vu
sweet drifting
Westminster shuffle
bump and grind
heart's beat
keeping time 
same swagger
tilt of his head 
continues to mesmerize...
  
© 2013 Trilby     

Fall 2011

Steadfast and True

5 AM light flashes

cell phone buzz

just a reminder

there is a new day

a’ dawning

steadfast and true

and I can admit

there have been times

when the thought

was like the sound

of fingernails

to a chalkboard

dread shoots

between a fine line

up or down

depending on which way

the adrenaline flows

and just when I’m comfortable

in my own skin again

the calendar turns

the page and

staring me square

is another anniversary

of this or that

whatever keeps the heart

cemented in the past

and though I struggle

to set myself free

there is a warped

sense of comfort

in the familiar

the known

the well worn shirt

you left behind

wrapped around me

arms of yesterday

or knowing each riff

beat and break

like a deep breath

to a favorite love song

12 bars of sheer delight

steadfast and true

here in the calm

a slight haze

of sunlight

not completely

shinning through

hot cup of java

with a touch of honey

like a bee sting to my heart

I wonder if Jesus

would have jumped the track

to take back his last trip

to the garden

shifting fate to sheer coincidence

and while skipping stones

at your grave

bides the time

it’s not quite the same

spinning yarns

like spinning a tale

a web of better times

and poetic promise

stead fast and true…

© 2011 Trilby

Summertime Shift August 2011

Hot Tin Roof

Oh such sweetness
drips from your lips
pearly white
Cheshire smile wide,
grand as the sea
stretched out arms
far far and beyond
my wildest dreams
crazy times
entwine tangled web
of white lies and
black laughter
youth with the heart
of an old soul
dance around
like a cat
on a hot tin roof
tap, tap
to and fro
fingers snap
slow seductive rhythm
keeping time
out of rhyme
with a fading pulse
tap, tap
your feet are on fire
dancing around
like a cat on a wire

…hot tin roof


Affair

Dock swayed
like a deep breath
slow exhale
and the rain fell
washing away
all sensibility
there were no signs
for a brighter day
on the horizon
of perfection
shared moments 
the intoxicating
sound of cool blues
floating by
your hand gently
slipped into mine

A glance speaks a thousand words ~

Trilby AM Coffee

© 2011 Trilby

13th of May 2011 ~ Friday

Sailing "Layla"

From Here To Nowhere

Night falls
words echo
bounce from here
to nowhere…
and
I wonder
who will
save me now
when all that I have
are memories
and
the slightest
glimmer
off in the distance
of hope
with all the promise
that yesterday
once held
for tomorrow.
Will there
come a time
when all else fails
the wisdom of age
will take hold
and
comfort a soul
that only wanted
to share
the secrets
of true love?
My heart
skips a beat
off center
with the ache
of smooth blues
a 13 bar riff
that only fits
when the timing
is off…

© 2011 Trilby Yates

Spring Time Reflection ~ 2011

Sunset ~ California ~ Ari and Friends 2011

Never Felt A Sunrise

Notes float
synchronize
cool blues
steal guitar slide
old love song
the line rolls
something like this
or that
doesn’t matter much
if you get my point
and I know you do…

“…I never saw a sunset until I met you babe…”

and so the story goes
from one
seductive phrase
to another
leaving much
to a tired imagination
and I’ll wonder for a lifetime
what’s hidden behind
that perfect smile
when the music between us flows
another line rolls

“…never felt a sunrise until I met you babe…”

© 2011 Trilby Yates

Blue Moon On The Rise...

I got a letter this mornin, how do you reckon it read?
It said, "Hurry, hurry, yeah, your love is dead"
I got a letter this mornin, I say how do you reckon it read?
You know, it said, "Hurry, hurry, how come the gal you love is dead?"

So, I grabbed up my suitcase, and took off down the road
When I got there she was layin on a coolin' board
I grabbed up my suitcase, and I said and I took off down the road
I said, but when I got there she was already layin on a coolin' board

Well, I walked up right close, looked down in her face
Said, the good ol' gal got to lay here 'til the Judgment Day
I walked up right close, and I said I looked down in her face
I said the good ol' gal, she got to lay here 'til the Judgment Day

Looked like there was 10,000 people standin' round the buryin' ground
I didn't know I loved her 'til they laid her down
Looked like 10,000 were standin' round the buryin' ground
You know I didn't know I loved her 'til they damn laid her down

Lord, have mercy on my wicked soul
I wouldn't mistreat you baby, for my weight in gold
I said, Lord, have mercy on my wicked soul
You know I wouldn't mistreat nobody, baby, not for my weight in gold

Well, I folded up my arms and I slowly walked away
I said, "Farewell honey, I'll see you on Judgment Day"
Ah, yeah, oh, yes, I slowly walked away
I said, "Farewell, farewell, I'll see you on the Judgment Day"

You know I went in my room, I bowed down to pray
The blues came along and drove my spirit away
I went in my room, I said I bowed down to pray
I said the blues came along and drove my spirit away

You know I didn't feel so bad, 'til the good ol' sun went down
I didn't have a soul to throw my arms around
I didn't feel so bad, 'til the good ol' sun went down
You know, I didn't have nobody to throw my arms around

I loved you baby, like I love myself
You don't have me, you won't have nobody else
I loved you baby, better than I did myself
I said now if you don't have me, I didn't want you to have nobody else

You know, it's hard to love someone that don't love you
Ain't no satisfaction, don't care what in the world you do
Yeah, it's hard to love someone that don't love you
You know it don't look like satisfaction, don't care what in the world you do

Got up this mornin', just about the break of day
A-huggin' the pillow where she used to lay
Got up this mornin', just about the break of day
A-huggin' the pillow where my good gal used to lay

Got up this mornin', feelin' round for my shoes
You know, I must-a had them old walkin' blues
Got up this mornin', feelin' round for my shoes
Yeah, you know bout that, I must-a had them old walkin' blues

You know, I cried last night and all the night before
Gotta change my way a livin', so I don't have to cry no more
You know, I cried last night and all the night before
Gotta change my way a livin', you see, so I don't have to cry no more

Ah, hush, thought I heard her call my name
If it wasn't so loud and so nice and plain
Ah, yeah
Mmmmmm

Well, listen, whatever you do
This is one thing, honey, I tried to get along with you
Yes, no tellin' what you do
I done everything I could, just to try and get along with you

Well, the minutes seemed like hours, hours they seemed like days
It seemed like my good, old gal outta done stopped her low-down ways
Minutes seemed like hours, hours they seemed like days
Seems like my good, old gal outta done stopped her low-down ways

You know, love's a hard ol' fall, make you do things you don't wanna do
Love sometimes leaves you feeling sad and blue
You know, love's a hard ol' fall, make you do things you don't wanna do
Love sometimes make you feel sad and blue









Photograph

© 2008 Pamela Yates

Lyrics and Music

© 1930 Son House

Video Son House, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, & Mike Bloomfield - Newport Blues Fest.