Pupils Dilate

An inherited trait 
flippant off the cuff 
snap and shuffle 
move to the other side 
without consequence 
or confusion 
The mind is clear 
and sharp 
but the heart 
like a rebellious child 
continues to skip 
to its own count
And not even with 
brighter days ahead 
will the path change 
or shift the tide 
once the stone is etched 
- because the sword 
always cuts within 
a fine line of what 
is fair and just 
There are no second chances 
for the wise guy or his side kick
 
Subtleties fall like petals 
of a loving gesture 
from long ago
Slow-mo flash dancer
carries an attache
full of fake mustaches
and sunglasses
Perfected disguise 
for the boarder patrol 
to turn a blind eye
pretty Mae West doppelganger
...You smile and we know
A slight glance connecting
to the other side 
a strangers eyes 
shallow and well hidden 
The image is a tactic 
applied with reluctance 
Hushed tone finger to lips
- you never let them see 
your pupils dilate 

I whisper inside out 
with added hope 
that you will hear me 
and pray you won't 
Left handed back slap 
glass tips wine spills 
dripping drops with 
a methodical sequence 
onto the tiled floor 
...and the count is off 
but the heat is on 
I see you sitting 
in the shadows
back table candle motive
shimmering light burns
Black shades drawn 
slick hat slightest tilt 
just enough to lay claim
your trade marked look;
just enough to rattle the cage
keeping me on off guard
intentional shove 
tap on the shoulder
always letting me know - a reminder

Subtleties fall like petals 
of a loving gesture 
from long ago
Slow-mo flash dancer
carries an attache
full of fake mustaches
and sunglasses
Perfected disguise 
for the boarder patrol 
to turn a blind eye
pretty Mae West doppelganger
...You smile and we know
A slight glance connecting
to the other side 
a strangers eyes 
shallow and well hidden 
The image is a tactic 
applied with reluctance 
Hushed tone finger to lips
you never let them see 
your pupils dilate 
you never let them see
your pupils dilate

© 2015 TrilbyYates
 

Geographically Undesirable

The rain is falling
wind is singing songs
beyond the dunes
Dark clouds form overhead 
and the waves have 
kicked up a notch;
perfect back drop 
for a romantic at heart
pinned with dedication 
to my worn out sleeve
I walk barefoot in the tide
emotion and passion
rush in pulling at my vulnerabilities 
But don't get me wrong 
I'm not complaining,
or ready to bag the ideology 
Naivete pure and innocent 
somewhere out there 
beyond the horizon, 
beyond the geographically 
...undesirable tag -
Burning sage 
and lighting candles
dancing under a full moon
Whispers vibrate hidden stories;
secrets shared but never told
And I continue blind faith
and wounded glory
not for the weary or fainthearted,
that somewhere out there
value isn't measured in miles
and sparks will fly outside the radius
imaginary lines drawn in the sand
Somewhere out there 
beyond the horizon, 
beyond the geographically 
...undesirable tag -


© 2014 TrilbyYates 

Mr. Who Knows Who

All that crazy anticipation 
build up and worry 
as if yesterday 
was a blank page 
And all the steps taken 
have somehow 
been washed away 
like footsteps in the sand - how cliche! 
I remember laughing 
about all those old sayings 
one night during a brief love affair
he filled my glass of wine up 
for the 3rd time 
smiling with such intent
saying, "Man, who are they trying to kid!
...rather have loved and lost 
than to have never loved at all - 
or, something like, if you set it free 
and it doesn't come back 
it was never yours to begin with..." 
Man what a kick
Man what a time 
for jokes and one liners
from men like Henny Youngman,
"I've been in love with the same woman 
for forty-one years 
if my wife finds out she'll kill me..."
The corners of my mouth 
turn up and I laugh -
so politically incorrect...yea no kidding man!
Even between all the laughter 
and long talks - we faded 
off in different directions 
but that wasn't a news flash
we both knew from day one 
nothing was going to come 
of what ever this was or wasn't 
just passing time 
drinking wine 
making love and laughing - 
sometimes we would
slow dance in the living room,
...candles flickering 
sexy shadows on the walls...
to some off the grid 
blues tune...
At the time everything was perfection 
in its own light - 
but, it was those long drives home 
late at night 
that set me free 
And now...I find myself 
walking to a bar in Brooklyn 
to meet Mr. Who Knows Who 
and for just a moment 
there is this rush 
the feeling of soft warm hands
occasionally touching mine -
We laugh and talk
as he fills up my glass 
of wine 
for the 3rd time...


© 2014 TrilbyYates  

Our Worlds Collided

This time of the year 
comes around 
sails full 
and heart strings pull 
....which way do I lean 

A hard wind blows 
and I still don't know 
how to live this life 
...in the darkness

Candle light seeps 
through veins of hope
and the night dances 
on and on 
off in the distance
a familiar song
sings sentimental 
harmony
I recall the tiniest of detail
emotional tides turn
memories burn
even though 
...the flames have faded 
yet I continue to dream
of a Newport scene
when our worlds collided... 

© 2013 Trilby