I Will Walk Over A Bridge

I will walk over a bridge,
a bridge -
walk over a bridge historically symbolic
I will walk over a bridge
with mothers, sisters, daughters, fathers, brothers and sons
Connected by our difference and commonality

The raven will fly high above
black wing span casting a luminous shadow
the unknown
the other side
what to expect
anticipation is an angst; a suicide knot 
unless faith in my path can raise me up 
- and I trust that it will

I will feel the flutter
of Angel's wings from the past
Angel's wings will brush against my cheek
familiar and comforting
and I will push forward
I will let fear dissipate into the wind

I will hear your words
I will see your anger
I will feel your heart beat - keeping true to my own rhythm
A split second decision - finger on the trigger
An unfortunate shift in the tide
- my destination will remain the same

My only question - 

Will you ever look up at me through the eyes of your God,
instead of down the barrel or through the eye of your gun … click

© 2016 TrilbyYates

I Want

I walk a fine line, a tight rope from polar vortex to polar vortex 
A non space in the middle troposphere that extends into the stratosphere 
Earthly fears never hold me back; I don't ever look back
...except when reminiscing over candle light

I am a borderline narcissist as most of my friends;
- but isn't that just being human?
Isn't that all part of our DNA?
Don't blame mom and pop, blame Dr. Who with a foggy recollection
Dyno-gen pool mix and match his and hers blended 
Soaring colors shoot into the darkest pockets of a night sky 
Full moon blitz aurora borealis splintered shock wave dash!

I want to dance
- and sing; play my guitar 
I want to write with no inhibitions 
I want my passions to have no limits 
I want to kiss with no intention 
Love with no expectations 
Hold the one next to me
as if it is our last day 
on this lovely planet 
Our last day driving this vehicle 
into the ground 
And when my spirit lets go of the wheel 
there will be a band playing my favorite songs
The lights dim and the tight rope will snap
Sparks will soar whip lash perfection
My life will become beautiful once again


© 2016 TrilbyYates

My Lovers Gone

There is a story, 
it is my own 
It fills all the spaces and lines 
that lead in and around 
the deepest and most shallow 
- like a wading pool, or sandbar - water up to my knees 
floating sensation into the abyss of joyfulness 
- all part of my mind 
Energy free form soaring, bounding rhetoric 
leaving an indiscriminate mark of solace 
etched in a monogram of initials 
- for all of those I have loved 
Freeing words trickle out ever so slowly,
with no sense of urgency
but, as a delicate pearl of wisdom 
flowing freedom with the knowing 
of an ocean bed, comfort in its path 
More than okay with its journey - and its destination 
Carving a path that will change with each season,
with each tide pulled by the moon light, beckoning
like my lovers gone and I will continue on and on...

- floating sensation into the abyss of joyfulness...
like my lovers gone, and I will continue on and on

© 2015 TrilbyYates

Depression

Shades drawn closed 
darkness blankets 
every corner of the room 
shadows become one 
flattened and obscure 
off in the distance 
are muted sounds
a whistling tea pot 
hopefully someone 
will attend to its needs 
wrapped gingerly within 
solitary seclusion and doubt 
...insecurity has become 
a knife held to my throat 
by my own hand 
widow's lasting garb 
fits like a second skin 
forming tightly around 
my waist and chest
heart beats out of necessity 
blood flows like an encore 
I hide within the day to day 
smiles and conversation 
secretly counting the seconds 
to when I might feel 
somewhat alive again 
it comes and goes 
velvet waves washing over
and a twisting churning knot 
tightens in my chest 
familiar hand reaching deep
fingers entwined
a death grip crippling
sleep comes a timely relief 
if only temporary 
ghosts and dream screams 
flutter quietly about
softly stroking my cheek
cold and damp to touch
until I rise and begin again 
praying for resolve and relief

© 2015 TrilbyYates 

Comedy Is In The Tragic

A cast of characters parade and dance with delight
Sabotage the plot skewed view of how the story could go
Should go but didn't...or did it?
Questions from the observer, birds eye view
Critics words strewn about from an avant garde status
Wrapped in the warm glow of stained glass 
Yet frigid to an intruders touch
Red, blue, yellow, green sunlight splashes of color
Altering the image, altering the direction 
Of the one true artist
Pliable to our own will 
- but not with the purity of a creative source
Not with the purity of the creative intention 
- more or less a reactionary split
When the casting call went out the Princess and Vagabond stroll
Consideration to one and all - equal opportunity G.O.D. employer
But the villain wears an uncanny disguise
And Beelzebub as we now recognize - The comedy is in the tragic
The comedy is in the things we can't see
And you won't marry me because I am you
…and that is against your faith 
You can't touch me because your reflection burns
So you watch and wait...smoldering sizzle
While our child drowns in the vast public view
And no one was watching - do you believe me?
Now and then we cop a plea, we plead the fifth
And hold the Constitution up 
Because it can't stand on its own
To an immoral high standard, higher than this life we cherish
Higher than each breath we take, exhale slowly
It only hurts the first time
This life as we now know it is not for the faint of heart
Made up of a multitude of choices 
and of ones own choosing
And if not of your choosing
But because of circumstance or a feedback loop
Remember somehow - it will always bring you home 

© 2015 TrilbyYates

Red Dress And No Shoes

You want a happy ending just like everyone does
but that isn't always the way the story goes
when it's a page turner and the punch line at the end
leaves you empty handed and a bit  more aloof
words fall flat and I'm left in your silence

...and I'm standing at the corner flower shop
wearing a red dress and no shoes
and I can't remember why I came here
and can't remember how to get home

It has been a long time since we crossed paths
and sometimes it's the length of time
that soothes the wounds and heals broken dreams
not a heart bending string broken absence of emotion
spending too much time on my own - too much time alone

...and I'm standing at the corner flower shop
wearing a red dress and no shoes
and I can't remember why I came here
and I can't remember how to get home

Doesn't really matter that much
when all that passes for good looks is a cheap imitation
my lack of sentiment my short falls and my limitations
victims need an advocate and I need a priest
nothing can touch me when I'm standing this high on the wall
and nothing can catch me when I lose my footing and begin to fall

...and I'm standing at the corner flower shop
wearing a red dress and no shoes
and I can't remember why I came here
and I can't remember how to get home
I spend too much time in the shadows
I spend too much time alone
and I'm standing at the corner flower shop…

© 2015 TrilbyYates

I Am A Visitor

I’m not a gender bender 

or person of color - societal descriptive norm

I have little faith 

shy of fairy tales and Mother Nature

There are few left 

in my blood line 

…yet I am relatively not alone

And there are days 

when the sun 

comes up 

and I don’t rise - to the occasion 

Night falls 

and sleep 

is a reluctant guest 

I am a visitor 

in a world of strangers 

and you may never 

know my real name 

My true calling 

has been my only truth 

my only companion 

in the solitude of creativity 

© 2015 TrilbyYates

Weaker Sex

So, so, yeah he looks 
me up and down 
stop and pause 
while all along 
attempting to prove a point 
A point he doesn't need 
to prove 
Unspoken basic law,
basic rule 
survival of the fittest 
- in his mind 
His gaze stops mid way 
and it tells me; 
- the power of unspoken words
to shut the fuck up 
and sit the fuck down 
in my assigned seat 
My assigned place 
My assigned station 
in this life…
"Female" "woman" 
"weaker sex" "inferior species" 
...the lowest taxonomic rank, 
and the most basic unit 
or category of biological classification 
He doesn't bat an eye 
or shift his weight 
from side to side; 
he has the world as he knows it, 
- by the balls 
With his finger he pokes me 
in the chest as if he has 
some kind of universal right;
he has an innate level of "know" 
Testosterone rises and as his ego soars 
I am convinced I'm looking 
squarely at a little boy 
A moment of pathetic 
maternal awe dances up my spine, 
but only to be lost in a moment 
of complete defiance 
A moment of screw you asshole 
The muscles in my chest begin to tighten 
and I can feel the blood pumping 
from my heart, racing up my neck 
My head pounding, face flushed, teeth clenched... 
- with one symbolic step
I take a stand 
I own my space 
There is a flash of empowerment 
I am in an innate level of "know"
I am a feisty heroine who is
more than a pretty face…

© 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 

Dance Away My Fears

The past seeps into some kind 
of abstract perspective 
My own different from yours - I am sure 
My spin, my angle from where I sleep
never falls short of illusive 
Yours, off in the distant fog - sails full
wind blows coast to coast, 
shore to shore drop off
You catch sea foam in you hands 
and playfully toss it into the air 
I wonder if you will 
remain so beautiful - in the afterlife
Tear stained face, eyes covered in shades  
- to keep out the light
Death comes in with a brute force; 
an awakening of sorts - I suppose
It's the alarm clock of life, 
ticking by waking us up to another day; 
while visuals flash between 
the mind and daydreams 
of a past that needs to be 
- reckoned with
And all we have is where we stand 
right here and in the now
Feet planted firmly in the sand 
forever changing 
foot prints slip away
beyond the reef 
and into the deep blue sea
The past has a hold of my heart 
and I can't seem to set it free 
Yesterday is incomplete...so sublime
and if I could do one more thing
If I could go back in time
...step out and rewind 
It would be to linger 
with you standing in the waves 
I would tell you 
all the things you 
ever wanted to know
Say all the things 
you needed me to say
…if I had just one more day 
What if I held out my hand 
and you never let go 
Would the Angels come 
between us and tare us apart
So I will try not to cry 
for you sweet darlin 
I'll try not to shed another tear 
and I promise to walk along the shoreline 
and dance away all my fears 
...dance away my fears 


© 2015 TrilbyYates

Recognition

A few side steps 
off the curve you fall
and for a while 
there is a time and place
to bat your eyes 
and lick your lips
as if the package 
is all that matters 
in those moments when
the label tastes better 
than the wine
and the left hand 
on your Rolex
gets stuck 
between AM and PM
in a hesitating movement
that never gets beyond 
the here and now
...remember where you came from
not just where you’re headed
because at the end 
of the day
all that matters 
is what you hold
dear to your heart
even if it is gently worn
on the sleeve 
of your designer suit
with an occasional 
nod of recognition
to what once was… 

© 2015 TrilbyYates 

Time Together

I recall those dreams you had
the way they put a smile on your face;
the way life used to take you by storm
...but never caught you off guard 
Now and then I come to terms 
with all that we once had
and all that we could not hold onto 
As hard as we tried it slipped away 
like the wind in a storm that passes 
without intention or direction... 
Once you held my heart in your hand
said all the right words,
all that I wanted to hear;
and you meant every single 
sweet word and hushed moments
But we didn’t know
what was around the next turn
so we never looked ahead
...and that’s not a short coming,
only life and how one lives;
we lived so close to the perimeter 
You could feel the razors edge
cutting into your skin
like a knife to the heart
and nothing would be left
when all was said and done 
Now you have moved 
to another space in time
where angel’s songs ring in my ears
And I’ll stand on the cliff of our time together
and never forget you - I will never forget you... 

© 2015 TrilbyYates 

Free Wheeling

I don't know man 
I'm drifting around 
kind of blurry eyed 
and every time 
I think I've got it right
- every time I think 
there is a turning of the tide 
some asshole steps up 
and shines a bright light 
on all my hiding places 
And I am not sure 
if anyone cares 
and that little care-less 
nonchalant mention 
goes a long way 
when all that flies by 
in the middle of the night 
are distant sirens 
from someone else's 
- tragedy
And isn't that 
the American way 
Isn't that 
what we were taught 
Isn't that 
the common thread 
that ties us all together
- linked by a common thread 
or blood line 
never drawn 
- in the sand 
last breath 
or taking a stand
And you never 
have to acknowledge 
my existence 
...you never 
have to acknowledge 
my existence
simply because 
I believe 
I have been 
free wheeling ...my life away 

© 2015 TrilbyYates

Death

So yes, I have hit the wall 
- many times
I've reached down 
in the darkness and found 
the bottom was still 
another 100 feet below me 
and all I can say 
with a hint of ambivalence
"...man what a trip, what a journey..." 

And all the introspective chatter 
and cliches passing thru the test of time 
held with the highest regard phrases 
don't hold an ounce of truth 
when the light at the end of the tunnel 
is a taunting echo of yourself 

Self help mumbo jumbo
new age movement
authors and prophets of old
who keep their secrets 
closely protected 
within their well guarded heart
while all along holding the key 
to their own mysteries 
...yet to be solved

And the passions rise 
when a nerve is struck
over and over again
their truth is well earned 
from their own rock bottom 
bouncing realizations 
when a light bulb moment
goes off the crowd kneels
and we all know it is
just another oxymoron 
but enlightens those in the dark 
without question none the less

Once again I am 
in a free fall 
seeing a lot of familiar faces
along the way
- and yet 
there is still no comfort 
in the masses 
and self pity is as destructive 
as falling on your own 
proverbial sword 
- it's all a ploy 
a way to make sense 
of the inevitable 
to maintain the purity of faith
in the smile of excellence
on your face
that it is sincere 
and not a reflection 
of one foot already planted 
firmly in the ground of fear

And that's not for me
I'm just saying man
that is not my way out 
my ashes will blow 
across the wide open sea
that sweet spot 
where land never 
reaches the eye
- carried by angels 
and when the time is right 
they will kiss me off 
into the wind I'll float
high above what was
once my reality

And in the distance 
a comforting voice 
will be heard 
whispers of welcome 
and a warm hand 
will reach out and touch 
that one remaining particle 
the ultimate human being
...death needs no introduction

© 2015 TrilbyYates

Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover

You look at me with wide eyes 
and wonder
I tell you - you cant judge a book 
by its cover
And I'm asking you 
to take a moment
Take a quiet moment
and think it through
...I never said 
I walked on water
but I can feel 
the magic in the air
and I remember
it was never 
just a causal affair
And I know I don't need you
but I know that I want you
I know - that I want you
- until the end of our time
In that moment
when you take,
that quiet moment
and think it through;
let all the bright beautiful light
seep into you
Let the wind 
bring you back 
to the boy 
that held my hand
when we jumped the track
Singing our song
rhythm and rhyme
let it bring you back 
to the innocence
of that moment in time
- when I needed you
Remember when 
I needed you
- I'm not waiting,
not waiting
...and neither should you
I never said 
I walked on water
but I can feel 
the magic in the air
and I remember
it was never 
just a causal affair
And I know I don't need you
but I know that I want you
I know - that I want you
- until the end of our time

© 2015 TrilbyYates

Streets Of Stone

Deeply blue slightest hint 
of Tuscan golden light 
seeps through clouded skies;
while God like images dance about
- and cathedral bells ring... 
Brilliance not defined 
by the written word,
or captured moments 
looking glass lens 
Nikon click and go immortal
I could fall in love here 
I could walk the streets of stone
Sidestepping with delight 
the sudden fly-by motorino 
- warm breeze softens the blow
Street art political figures 
shout out to passers by 
Democracy was never crystal clear 
here on ancient stucco walls 
that hold secrets 
from a turbulent past
Not unlike the way 
lovers hold one another 
in the calm of a Firenze night
I could fall in love here
I could walk the streets of stone
Sidestepping with delight 
the sudden fly-by motorino 
- warm breeze softens the blow
Past and present mesh together 
while gently caressing seductive eyes 
reach beyond the language barrier
The way your hand would fit into mine 
- and our long walks remembering a time BC
I could fall in love here
I could walk the streets of stone
Sidestepping with delight 
the sudden fly-by motorino 
- warm breeze softens the blow 

© 2015 TrilbyYates

motorino

motorino

motorino

motorino

Wisdom Of Dorian Gray

Windowsill view 
of a world 
that has stood still 
for seven years
Seven years 
and all I can do 
and all I can say 
is that the mirrored 
image of myself 
doesn't hold a candle 
to the image or
the wisdom of Dorian Gray 
Self imposed isolation 
so many demons to slay 
ghosts that have a need 
for acknowledgement 
and a clear path 
to send them 
on their heavenly way
Chalky white lines 
have been drawn 
sidewalk zigzag 
and connecting 
all the loose ends 
from you to me 
and back around 
introspective reflecting
Things we didn't 
talk about and nothing 
can explain the path 
that was taken 
or the loss 
that was found
Here I stand
one foot 
in the clouds
the other 
firmly planted 
grave site 
in the ground
It is so obvious 
to anyone with an eye 
for the absurd
surround sound blaring
unanswered questions 
insecurities burned
...into the heart
compassionately held
yet never understood
or heard
The nights continue 
to leave me 
feeling empty handed 
a critical angst
not to spend the rest 
of my life without love
or feeling stranded
And it's not for fear of solitude 
or the emptiness of my bed
it has more to do 
with the natural notion
of how the body 
is nourished
and how the soul is fed
Windowsill view 
of a world 
that has stood still 
for seven years
seven years 
and all I can do 
and all I can say 
is that the mirrored 
image of myself 
doesn't hold a candle 
to the image or
the wisdom of Dorian Gray 

© 2015 TrilbyYates

Saving Grace

There is a time 
and place 
for everything
And when 
there is a cold rain 
falling 
dragging me down 
bringing me down 
comfort zone 
sanctuary 
I stand alone
 - Saving Grace
Off in the distance 
my sins are being 
washed away 
On my knees 
praying to - someone 
for relief 
and who can tell 
when there is 
nothing left 
or worthy 
of the next exhale 
or depth 
of the next breath 
Who will throw 
the first stone 
or have it all
for Heaven sake
 - Saving Grace 
There is a time 
and place 
for everything
And when 
there is a cold rain 
falling 
dragging me down 
bringing me down 
comfort zone 
sanctuary 
I stand alone 
 - Saving Grace

© 2015 TrilbyYates

The Last Day

The day before
the last day 
of the year 
any year 
with some reluctance 
and reflective pause 
we move forward
spinning like a top
like a wild beast
is chasing us
the wind whistles 
silly baby songs
in perfect tune
of days gone by
but we move forward
because that is 
what we do
that is what we must do
life is a free flow
fast falling drop 
from a heavenly sky
a splendid journey 
from dust to dirt 
and all that is 
in-between 
we make and take
the most of it
...or not 
but it is the most 
we can make
the most we can take
when that is all we know
and given we are human 
with silk ribbons of optimism
tied around our wrist 
subtle reminders
with one foot always
remaining in the clouds
and the other 
sliding into the grave 
just because
because we know 
we know we have 
a shelf life 
a time limit 
an expiration date 
...of sorts 
no deals in a back room
black light swaying
from side to side
shadowy figure
finger pointing
sign on the dotted line
no cross roads
doesn't matter 
what we have 
or don't
how much cash 
is on hand
a bargain with the devil
good faith - last smirk
nothing will extend
our credit 
for another day
so we dance 
with the best of them
we sing 
with the worst
and laugh 
like there is no tomorrow
because there isn't
we have this moment
shine a light 
in the darkness
for those we will leave behind...

© 2014 TrilbyYates 

Brightest Of Eyes

The arms of love 
Wrapped around me 
Small boy 
Baby child 
Little angel with 
The brightest of eyes 
Cherishing and grateful 
For all of what this life 
Has unfolded before me
..and it took a while 
But I have come to know 
Life is what we make of it 
As time slowly passes 
- and harsh memories fade 
The space I wake in 
Is full of optimism 
...and surprise 
Even as our world 
Spins reluctantly out of control
- setting its self ablaze 
Off in a quieter calming place 
There is a true Wisdom 
...and words from the oh so very Wise 
As I drift off peacefully
Into my heavenly place 
Of an imaginary feather bed
 - and Cheshire wide smiles 
I will continue to count 
...all of my blessings 
And walk the unknown miles
With the arms of love 
Wrapped around me 
Small boy 
Baby child 
Little angel with 
The brightest of eyes ~


© 2014 TrilbyYates