Looming Weapon Of Destruction

I am not afraid because you say I do not exist 
I will not question my own faith 
or hide in the shadows 
of your looming weapon of destruction
...on the contrary
- If to you, I do not exist, you can never destroy me 

If I am the water slipping through your fingers 
you can never drink me, drown me;
or use me to wash away the stain of your choices
If I am the sand beneath your feet 
you can never use me or my labors
to build your castles in the sky 
Because when the tide rises 
I will wash away into the glorious sea
I will be of no use to you - only to me
If I am the flip side of your bigotry, 
the brunt of your misogyny or racism;
prisoner chained by your legislated laws 
If my protected rights 
are restricted by your ignorance,
by the stroke of your pen -
None of this will impact me

You see,

I am not afraid because you say I do not exist 
I will not question my own faith 
or hide in the shadows 
of your looming weapon of destruction
...on the contrary
- if to you, I do not exist you can never destroy me. 

If I am indeed the flip side of what you are 
than nothing about you can touch me 
Because I am invisible in your world, 
I do not exist and my power is in - that I am 
- and your ignorance keeps you oblivious
My power is that you can not destroy 
what you do not believe in or acknowledge 
You stand on a podium to impose your stance, your presence 
You and the like, use fraud as a "prop" to legitimize ego
I stand on my own 
I stand with my feet planted 
in Mother Earth
My head high, eyes to the sky - rain or shine 
There is no one that will ever hold me higher 
than I hold myself

You see,

I am not afraid because you say I do not exist 
I will not question my own faith 
or hide in the shadows 
of your looming weapon of destruction
...on the contrary
- if to you, I do not exist you can never destroy me.

© 2016 TrilbyYates 

God Is Not Dead

Words quietly spoken
Words floating in the night
Billowing halo warped wrap around
words spoken quietly
God is dead
God is dead
- Faith is a belief not based on proof 
Faith is a tapestry silk and satin 
weaving through 
heart into soul
head into heart
Not tangible to touch
but a magical sensation 
weaving through heart into spirit
Rattling about so stable so very unshakable
- unbreakable  
Questionable in my dreams
Rattling about broken at times
Rosary beads slip from my hands
I sink to bended knee
unlike other faiths standing on equal ground
I sink to bended knee humbled
Questionable in my dreams
I woke wrapped in a cloud
wrapped in billowing halo warped wrap around
I said the words
I spoke out loud 
God is not dead 
God is not dead 
I said softly words whispered 
in the darkness of the night 
Words heard echoing bounce
Words spoken tongue tied
yet understood Tower of Babble
There is wisdom in the story
There is peace and confidence 
in the questioning of my faith 
My lack of belief has been 
a distant abstraction 
My lack of faith has been
at times a painful reaction
But in this fog hovering in the night
I was solid 
I was touched
I said it out loud
God is not dead 
God is not dead
I lay back falling into a deep sleep
wrapped in a cloud I began to weep 
And as the sails began to fill
and move slowly across the bay
I remembered the story
of choice and free will -

The vision brought tears to my heart
tears to my eyes and I cried at the image 
and the knowledge
I am wisdom
I am wise 
God is not dead
God is not dead

The vision brought tears to my heart
tears to my eyes and I cried at the image
and the knowledge
I am wisdom
I am wise
God is not dead
God is not dead

© 2015 TrilbyYates

I Am OK

Words in print 
words shouted 
from the left 
and right 
fearful 
we are falling in love 
with our own rectitude 
fearful 
we walk a fine line 
of  righteousness 
and never acknowledge 
the lapse of judgement 
or even the possibility
that we haven't got a real grasp 
on what is slipping 
between our fingers 
the experience 
the feeling of dread 
or grief 
the feeling 
that we don't 
have control 
that society is 
a loose cannon 
being set up 
and fired off 
by warriors 
from a different time 
a different mind-set 
a mentality driven 
by half daft demons 
that will set 
the world a blaze 
because they don't know 
anything else 
fear of the unknown 
fear of what they know 
they don't know 
and persecute beliefs 
that don't bend 
at their will 
or won't acknowledge 
the legitimacy 
of anger 
and rage 
the PC terms 
being thrown around 
like some deflated football 
regulation zero
high strung 
tempter tantrums 
at the end of the day 
it is what it is 
sugar coated 
dressed up or down 
educated or illiterate 
the common thread 
is the hate 
that is spread 
with a few choice 
words
you can call me 
dago, 
nigger, 
jew, 
spic, 
dahati, 
headbangers, 
faggot...etc
but the real truth is 
I am OK with who I am...I pose the question...are you?

© 2015 TrilbyYates 

The Ugly Truth My Beauty

Slightest turn of the other cheek
one side acknowledges the other
in the midst of tragedy
And as we parade into a house of worship
wearing our Sunday best,
sirens blare in the distance
A police presence is felt
and it is comforting at times
Different from the tender touch 
of a lovers hand leading the way 
to a safer place of ease,
a safer place to breathe
Yet protection of faith and pride
have become the newest 
of our human natural instinct;
autopilot kicking in as if innate
The strong protect
The weak are humbled
...and the Ugly Truth My Beauty is;
even those wearing a crown
embodiment of a hierarchy,
or those in a position of power
carry a gun protective shield,
can have a poisonous lethal bite
And as we submit to all we hold 
with the highest of regard,
all the traditions passed 
from one generation to the next
do not always stand the test of a truthful time
The flag can fly high fluttering in a summer's breeze,
and placating words may gently fall 
from the lips of bigots and racists in disguise
without questionable intent
The local media will snap the money shot;
front page news and sales begin to rise
But, in the shadows waiting patiently
for the show to come to a close,
a slow ride down a dirt road,
no stars and no stripes,
no sense of humility or praise,
the seeds of hatred will continue to grow...

© 2015 TrilbyYates 

Cried A Little

He said he knew
and he finally understood 
it was as if a light bulb 
went off
a flash of knowledge 
and he cried just a little 
from the sudden escape 
of air that surrounded him 
he closed his eyes 
and cried just a little 
when the knowledge 
poured into him
...because he knew 
he would never
except 
being a black man 
in America 
if it meant 
he would never 
be number one 
and as they tried 
to rise above him
cuffed his hands 
behind his back 
his defenses went up 
and his guard 
went down 
- and he cried 
just a little 
as they pushed his face 
into the ground 
but he knew 
and he finally understood
it was as if a light bulb 
went off
a flash of knowledge 
- and he cried 
just a little 
as he raised 
his head
eyes wide
filled with compassion
filled with pride
because he knew 
he had truly won...

© 2015 TrilbyYates

Move Through You

I would love 
to move through you 
To see what you see 
To switch it up 
without the knowledge 
or fallout 
Have the ability 
to fall madly in love 
with you 
...with the simplicity 
to detach 
from that love 
with ease 
To hold on 
so tightly 
with a feeling of 
"I've just seen God..." 
To letting go 
with a sense of 
"...to close for comfort!" 
Take a deep breath 
sigh of relieve 
Freedom blustering high 
No strings 
No albatross dangling 
like a piece of cheap jewelry 
hanging around my neck - 
I would love 
to move through you 
To see what you see 
To switch it up 
without the knowledge
or fallout 
Have the ability 
to fall madly in love with you
fall madly in love with you...

© 2015 TrilbyYates

Cave Of Darkness

Puzzled by your lacking  -
"...my view from high above 
any empirical consequence
and my simple perception.."
- of integrity 
Your eyes grow wide 
With a glimmer of delight 
As if you have just received 
A gift
An award
Crowned King
Shock value is short lived
And I question myself more now
...not just your inability 
To answer a question in a straight line 
Falling short on creativity 
Or forming full cohesive sentences 
With fact 
Fiction with a flair 
Bending the truth
Pliable words and meanings
Stretching what is 
And what is not 
Some things are black and white
Grey is the new black 
An excuse 
A sounding board to elaborate
One sided dialogue 
Playing out in your mind 
A one man show 
Standing ovation 
Encore
...A fair and reasonable warning 
If you refer to me by - 
My gender, race, ethnicity, faith or faithlessness
Old school slang descriptive expression 
Rather than by 
My given name 
The walls will go up 
My ego will depart
Common sense, gut reaction 
And instinct will take over
I will say it again and again
- Knowledge is a tool not a weapon -
...and it is powerful 
Never wasted even on those 
With a closed mind 
Eyes shut to all that can 
Only be translated or absorbed
Via human reaction or response 
Using a physical description
As a weapon...
A flair for words
- the color of ones skin
- the size of a woman's breasts 
- or ass...
If you choose 
To take that path
"... and I believe it is a choice..."
Your life experience
...most likely 
Will remain shallow 
And you will sadly
Dwell in a cave of darkness ~

© 2014 TrilbyYates

Deep Blue Sea

Sailing beyond 
my senses 
Open space 
with no boundaries
Wind blows 
filling sails,
leaning so far
the rails 
mesh with the ocean;
there is no line
or divide...seamless
My mind 
remains clear
while demons 
from the past
disappear 
drift off 
to a distant edge 
of the horizon
vast and so far far away... 
With all my experiences,
and all that has yet to unfold,
knowledge continues 
to free my soul 
And even though 
I may have little control 
over the strength 
and limitless energy 
of the deep blue sea;
I have come to know 
how to calm 
the highs and lows - 
the tides of my heart.
A sailors hitch
that twists like a knot
in the pit 
of my stomach,
the ache in my spine
causing me to rethink...
what am I still doing here?
When all is said 
and all is done,
love remains my destination.
And I will continue 
to search,
sailing 
around the world 
port to port,
harbor to harbor;
comforted by the arms
of an endless deep blue sea... 


© 2014 TrilbyYates    

White Night Black Stallion

I can see it 
in your eyes 
replaying
like your favorite flick;
...over and over again - 
And all I can hear
is the banging 
of the drum...
and you, you remind me
with a repetitive triple stroke drum roll;
telling me your secrets 
in my sleep
whispered secrets 
in my sleep -
Slipping into my dreams 
warm hands
Egyptian cotton sheets 
cool to the touch... 
White Night, Black Stallion 
braided mane  -
One last mistake is all I ever wanted
One last mistake...
It's like that first time high
you know, like before falling off the cliff
to high up the air is so thin 
can't take a breath - 
it hurts to breathe in,
it's the down side of up,
end zone no one knows;
and no one cares
but you and me
Whispered secrets in my sleep
...don't let go, don't ever let go
but off you went into the wind...
White Night, Black Stallion
braided mane
one last mistake is all I ever wanted
one last mistake
one last mistake 


© 2014 TrilbyYates 

Self

Flickering flash light 
sparkling florescent glitter 
weaving shadowy reflections 
and sounds vibrating  - 

Imagine: tiny poetic dancers  
movements fluttering on stucco walls 
texture rubs the senses with twirling 
drips of a grand illusion 
fan fare and flags waving...
with no peaceful conclusion -

Yet the heart continues to pose 
question after question 
without clarity - the illusive peace of mind 
the illusive state of being 
in alignment with ones Self - or another-s...Self 

The solidarity of peace and being
continually alludes someone like me 
with fear of the faithless cautionary guide
skipping stones across a vast ocean
from here to there a safe haven ... is too far to see

Reflection is an action
examining all the pages 
our own personal story book -
like pop up characters 
they willingly unfold
page one, two so on...and on and on
we reluctantly savor a perspective look...
While some images are  to difficult to hold
or look squarely head on...eyes close

Drawing on the powers that be
drawing on some ancestral Euro strength 
a Pandora's box within you and me
drawing on rumored reputation 
east coast tough guy fact
lands solidly scuffed knees
hands of a beggar ...fingers entwined Gods final act

Pulling images and memories 
are bricks in the foundation
the foundation of ones own being
Self...posing the questions, 
holding the answers
revealing more 
always concealing less
casting light into the darkness
un-ringing the proverbial bell
changing the lines drawn in the sand 
a distant voice 
speaking clearly 
decoded words of knowledge
a fine line between fate 
and freedom of choice

...freedom of choice 

© 2014 TrilbyYates

 

Carte Blanche

Listen to the crimson rattle! 
Death calls...
Feel the labyrinth shake!  
Earth moves...
Is it love pounding 
at the hearts door?
Or could it be 
the bubbling of skin 
so thick
that no one dare 
come close enough
nor get under it?
Embrace the roll that comes 
when notes and vibrations soar  
to hidden places sunken deep within
and we acknowledge
there is nothing more. 
Withered soul allows 
the moment to penetrate,
reverberate 
what life was meant to be...
Not an illusion 
or lack luster cover 
flip pages of magazine images. 
Feather dust creases of ageless eyes gleam.
Hiss, "...back at you baby..." carries no weight, 
no substance only darkest void.
A seductive glance 
back and forth high,
when the silver spoon 
falls methodically 
from perched thin lined lips.
And they never question why.
Commonality flies 
in the face 
of redundancy 
when our uniqueness 
separates us...by 6 degrees?
Carte blanche 
to a permanent place 
in a universe without boundaries. 

© 2014 TrilbyYates

 

You Do Not Know Me

I am
a prisoner
of time and space
held within
the boundaries
of a sanctioned
God anointed birth
the law of the land
the law of religion
and unquestioned faith
the law of responsibility
to all those
that have come
before
and after
the psychological
weapons
chains of societal
norms
guilt, shame, selfishness
keeping me here
with one foot
always firmly
planted
in a place of
- non -
in a space
of absence -
conflicting presence
a calming heart beat
without
a detectable pulse
a heart beat
that keeps
the rhythm
and rhyme
with notes
and emotion
linked with
highs and lows
to verbs and nouns
I am
not merely
made up
of a past
and present
potential future
flesh and bone -
I am
emotions
sensations
feelings
vibrations
the wind
or lack of
I am
the unknown
the object
of your
affection
occasional
rejection
sequential reflection
yet you
do not know
me -
...have never known
anything more
than what
I
revealed
concealed
without malice
of  intention
but with
self preservation
adaptation 
innate
guided fate
all that my
limitations
could allow...
the past
moves fast
it becomes
a comfortable chair
that is
intentionally placed
by the hands
of a  
"gentler God"
with a story
how life
is learned
heaven
is earned
in a living room
of comings
and goings
adding this
or that
the past
knows
more
of its present
and future
than the
unpredictability
of life
all
unto its own
they
whom ever
do not know
me
and before
I
venture
off
to that
unparalleled space
of the
unknown
heavenly Grace
you who have grown
and have known
even less
and never
reverberate
or contemplate 
the reasons why...

© 2013 Trilby   
 

Will Never Know

Stress level up 
hits a high 
not even time 
to peak 
from beneath 
the end zone 
of what 
has yet to come 
when all else fails 
there is no way 
out 
but 
to pull the 
cord 
on an empty 
parachute 
while silver 
spoons 
line lip stick 
shades drawn 
childlike images 
willow branches 
bending
quiet summer 
breeze 
wisps of clouds 
covered smoke 
cinder blocks 
fall 
to the point 
of absurdity 
and tho 
the mind 
has slowed 
and often 
skips a beat 
from time 
to off time 
in those profound 
instances 
when nothing is known 
and everything else 
is  sheer 
propaganda 
Photoshop splits 
the facts 
reality is less and less 
a common thread 
from living life 
to walking a fine 
line 
of faith and understanding 
what you did
what someone told
And as the Tower of Babble 
wags 
another tale
take me 
down paths
of "milk and honey"
with the promise
silk linens thread 
count 
grains of sand 
slipping passionately
through my fingers
lovers seldom bought 
and never grow old 
my hands begin to tremble
and I am aware once again
... of what I will never know...


© 2013 Trilby

Unawakened Knowledge

Is this life
set in stone?
A book 
or song
with words
events
that take 
twists and turns 
allowing fleeting 
moments 
of joy 
to tempt
the stars
fate
yet to slip 
from sweet lips 
to tears 
of sorrow...
When did life 
become less 
than something 
to cherish
but rather
dread...
When did
the light of another 
day
take a turn
from a blessing
to a curse
carrying with it 
the weight 
of the world?
Somehow 
someway 
born into 
an unawakened
knowledge
yet to learn
to experience...
Wishing
to be born 
in another era 
a flapper girl
with feathers 
and wings 
that would 
sustain
silver dreams 
on moon beams
to places yet 
to be discovered...
When music 
was coming of age 
and notes 
had not yet been played
that followed 
one another 
a brilliant vibration
on spaces 
in between
held with anticipation
bated breath
and whispering humbleness (Shakespeare)
What was new
What was next
Oh yes such sweet 
silence...
The power of song 
The power of words
Creative imaginations
burst into flames 
of purest delight
Stones unturned
Flowers anticipation
to be inhaled
looked upon
in awe!
The first kiss
on the cheek
of a new child,
life with its ephemeral
glimpses of joy...

 ...when did I come to know
that this is not where 
I should be
...and yet here I am 
again and again....

© 2013 Trilby