Push The Beat

Oh man, man its a drop the straw from your mouth
head shaking spasm flash back to a past better left alone - moment
But anyway, remember, do you remember when I fell in love
and you didn't know what to do so you fell on your sword
- it only took that first drop of blood like a sign from the heavens above
that I was already in love with love and maybe not so much with you
And it really never made sense but felt damn good at the time
Right or wrong no one truly knows and yeah, I still don't sleep at night

You were like a kid in a candy shop; me, well I was the femme fatale 
wearing dark glasses, the shop keeper in a magic cape 
flying around throwing spells and fairy dust;
and when I turned the corner to take a deep introspective breath
you were stealing the baked goods and inventory 
- my heart shattered on the floor like splintered glass 
from a treasured past commonality you and me

So now when you want to share and reminisce; sing songs from the past
you should remember I like to slow things down and push the beat to a grind
Juke box four songs for a dime at least that's how I remember it, so...

Your arms felt good around my waist and if I close my eyes
dim the lights I can recall how it felt with my fingers
gently entwined through the strands your hair
and you would pull me close and take what little I had left
We laughed late into the night and never locked the doors

When you would leave I'd watch from the back seat
swearing that would be the last time and cursing the stars
as they fell from the sky for their brilliance and yours
...until you would throw stones at my window; revved up again

Could have been a jump start from story book romance cheap novels
bought and sold at Perry's Five and Dime other side of the track
and your fascination with folded pages in your father's Playboy mag
hidden in the laundry basket secret sleuth nothings lost 
when you're on the prowl

So now when you want to share and reminisce; sing songs from the past
you should remember I like to slow things down and push the beat to a grind
Juke box four songs for a dime at least that's how I remember it, so...

© 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

House The Demons

He smiles, kicks back - relax...do you want a drink beautiful?
Flattery falls from his lips, diamonds of perfection
His fingers glide through his long silver hair, he's in his comfort zone
He can hold his own in a crowd of young bombers
Slow like a cat on the prowl he gets up stretches across the room - purr
His Italian leather couch oozes sex appeal NYC loft high above 
Reality is a custom bar marble slab sous chef prep 
My usual neurotic reply is like opening an old sacred love letter  
Gingerly with reluctance and insecurity, caution is first mate 
Handing me a glass - his fingers touch mine, lingering  
An intentional moment his eyes remain warm and clear
Leading the way to cheap talk and romantic reminiscing 
He says he gave up the spirits years ago but couldn't give up the ghosts
High times buzz by right side blur discarded memories - post regret
Salvage a few and letting go of the others - doesn't pay to house the demons
Fade out background dark side of the room strikes a cord
Strikes a nerve and chatter is on the vine - we step back in time
Quote of the day his mind leaves the room and he slips away -
"…I remember when the drinking age was 18 and Uncle Sam took all the boys away…"

© 2015 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

Shifting Blame Shifting Time

Shifting time, shifting blame
an overly exposed place to be
Like an old black and white film
silence in the dramatic - pronunciation
classification weakened domination
of thought and word daydreams soothing 
It is a beautifully worn white albatross
hanging with ease from your neck - you never take it off
...moved quietly with your tender touch
to the deepest part of my lost heart
Take the time to search it out
and walk gingerly through my shadow
Walk carefree and with ease
the vision is deep - the vision is wide
Please be careful not to disrupt my solitude
shifting blame, shifting time
It has been years to my amazement
I sometimes count them in my sleep 
the way I hear the second hand moving
similar calming of counting sheep
Wishing I could somehow forget
forget the sound of your heavenly name
Wishing if only time could stand still
and everything that stood still - would remain the same
When you are alone in those private moments
a soft wind will blow tousling your hair about
A spray from the ocean will come across the bow
and your thoughts will be taken from here to there
And when the day begins to fade 
turning into that peaceful space of gray
The sun slipping off to the west 
and the moon begins to rise
I'll stand on my side of the Sound
and play back every word you ever said
Every word etched in memorial stone 
skipping lost seashells across the bay
and continue to wonder shifting time shifting blame
- what the fuck happened to you anyway... 

© 2015 TrilbyYates

Same Old Same Old

Stumbling down the road 
I don't waste time looking back 
But the past is like a dog 
with an unforgettable bone 
...just wont give it up 
or let it go 
And not that any 
of it matters 
They say I am 
where I'm supposed to be;
according to the universe, 
biorhythms and time charts, 
even the tide flow 
So if all of that is true;
set in some kind of 
cosmic stone 
here on borrowed time
here on loan
Why do my shoes 
feel too tight 
and my close don't 
fit quite right 
and I'm uncomfortable 
in my own skin 
Why can't I sit back, relax 
and just breathe it all in 
Is this the way 
the story goes 
Some unsettled 
some untold 
But I always have a sense 
I have a lot more to say 
and nothing ever feels the same 
in a same old kind of way
Nothing ever feels the same
in a same old kind of way 

© 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

Hell

There are days
when little to nothing
can move within
the close quarters
of the walls 
now 
self proclaimed 
as barren –
claustrophobia is a 
weakness to some
that steps up
when all else 
fails
and yes there is 
some comfort
in the self
imprisonment
confinement 
the familiar
the nest
of being able 
to reach out
and touch
all the boundaries
limitations
of this self created
safe haven
sacred zone  
a prison for a soul
absorbed in its
personally imposed 
version of...Hell 

© 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 

Just Another "If I Could"

If I could I would...

Sell everything I own
Close all my bank accounts
Never pay taxes that would fund another war
Let my hair grow long and wear it in dread locks
Sleep on the beach under a sky filled with stars
Spend endless hours walking the shoreline collecting sea glass and shells
Once a week throw it all back and start all over again
Let the sun shine on me and not worry about anything
Sail away to a warm peaceful place
Drink wine from the bottle and date each cork with permanent marker
As if it were my last day on earth
Learn Italian, French, Spanish, Greek
Go to Italy
Spain
France
Ireland, Scotland, Wales…etc…
Own an apartment in Rome that has a window
With a magnificent view of the Trevi Fountain
Play the lead role in "La Dolce Vita"
Share a cup of espresso with Fellini and discuss “intent”…
Cruise my sailboat “Magdalene” on the Caribbean Sea
Following the sun from port to port
Keep my children close
Friends would come and visit
Nightmares would turn into beautiful daydreams
My heart would heal
Love would find me
Love would hold my hand
Love would never leave or fade…

If I could…I would… 

© 2015 TrilbyYates

Cloak And Dagger

Turning slowly
Eyes meet
Lock in an embrace
The words in my mind
Fall from your lips
Like pearls of wisdom
Dripping in sultry shades
Of day dreams
Soft lavender
With a touch of grey
Highlighting the shadows
That dance to and fro
Gentle lullaby
“Hush baby
Please don’t cry…”
Without warning
Shooting stars fall
The soul is cloaked
In a plush velvet robe
Blanketed gently by a pure
Winter snow
Covering what has yet to be seen
Magnified by a sharp pain
Like a dagger to the heart
Carving away
Silently

Cautionary tales of woe… 

© 2015 TrilbyYates

Exhale

Exhale….
slow release
thoughts jump the rope
skip to simple complex closure of the mind
leave the day on a slow train
like a boat to China
no direction
short of misgivings or concern
fast track
take my hand
leading the way
fork in the road
wind blows
from the north shore
leaving less than what is anticipated
when expectations are already at a low
subtle smile lingers on… 

© 2015 TrilbyYates

Jazz Man's Song

Notice the tide rolling
with the punches
not the way I do
battling life’s challenges
sea foam tossed in the air
strong Atlantic breeze
blows the tender sound
of the Jazz Man
always reminding me of home
looking out beyond the horizon
the sea never comes to an end
unlike the sweet songs
that are carried by the wind
from strumming fingers
on strings of gold
stirring up seashells
while conjuring images
bare feet running on the sand
you unknowingly remind me
with a riff now and then
that off in the distance
as the notes rise above
the tide will come and the tide will go
sometimes high and not always low

...play me another song my sweet Jazz Man

© 2015 TrilbyYates

Kisses In The Dark

Glass slipper shatters 
As you walk on water
Like the second coming 
Of someone of substance
Someone we have 
All been longing for
Only you care about the timing 
Of this desperate game
Life and all its little 
...inconsequential - s
Universal plan falls 
Neatly into place 
Like domino's standing 
In a carefully placed row
One behind the other 
If one hand trembles
Tin soldiers tumble and 
Suicide bombers explode 
At the sound 
Of bells ringing 
In a far, far away land
But, I have forgotten 
The truth
And color of your eyes
And you 
You can't recall my name
So with a bitter sweet farewell 
- 21 gun salute and flags flown 
At a mournful half staff
I bid to you and yours 
Whom ever they may be
A happy and prosperous new year
Words of warning as you turn 
Strut and stagger away 
One glass too many
One glass is never enough
Like kisses in the dark 
That slowly lead to paradise
Head tipped to the left 
Sympathetically diving off the curve
Last words slur and drip 
From your oh so seductive lips
"...don't accept Canadian coin 
from strangers and never cross Jack..."
The one eyed man observes more 
Than just you and me
His days are numbered with good intentions 
- one to ten and counting
And always, always remember 
To pause and reflect while twisting 
Your personally monogrammed 
Sterling silver knife
That one last meaningful

t...u...r...n...

© 2014 TrilbyYates

Dancing Naked In The Moonlight

One in the same
Uniquely similar
Uncomfortably familiar
Moving full circle 
Like it or not 
It is what it is
Who's who 
And what's what 
Narcissistic dialogue
One of a kind
Feedback loops around
Choking some
Freeing others
Find your niche baby
Hip Hop Bobbysoxer
Bohemian
Beat Generation
Hobo Banshee
Hippie 
Hipster
Generation X or Y 
Shacking up
Hanging out
Free love
Friends with benefits
Friends of friends
Acquaintance
Strangers
One night stand
Hit and run
Blind date 
Hooking up 

What the fuck
All I know is
I'm lost without you...

So here we are
Comparing notes
Black outs
Memory lapse
Morning after 
Some regrets
Holding back
Never say never
No means no
Passive aggressive
Tinder box
Playing with fire
Cradle robber
Erroneous zone
Giving in 
Letting go
Reckless abandon
Counting backward
Keeping score
Fantasy land
Passion pit
Up against a wall...
Recalling it all
Smile wide
Run and hide
Fight or flight
Deny, deny, deny

Dancing naked in the moonlight...

© 2014 TrilbyYates 

Splinters Of Temptation

There are few places I can go
a few places
that don't throw me off track
circle back
and start again -
Waking up to a new day
surviving another day
a fresh start -
Short term memory lapse
starting all over again
all over again
Rat in a golden cage
spinning spokes
jagged edges shoot
splinters of temptation...
another direction
 - over and over again
And you can't lecture
on loves commitment
when your heart
brings you to me
...only in daydreams
always behind the scenes
- the gold band you wear
is like a noose 
around your neck
always takes you back 
to were you belong
where everything is right
and everything is wrong
starting all over again
all over again -
Maybe you won't ever know
maybe you don't need to know
because you can't un-ring 
the proverbial bell
faith or fear 
keep you in check
faith and fear keep you in check
you wear a band of gold
like a noose around your neck
a noose around your neck...


© 2014 TrilbyYates    
 

Happier Days Are On The Rise

Surprised at the emotions
spurred by photographs of you
a past romance and tenderness
not forgotten.
But a touch of fear
begins to surface - a simple notion
from chest to throat,
a slight pulse rise.
What if you feel
my lingering thoughts,
as they pass from here to there?
Would you even care?
No barriers when the mind
shoots energy into time and space;
dare I enter this long ago place?
...the wave surfaces
once more...

I have often wondered
about you,
and all that you
would become.
Never regretting
moments shared;
entangled lovers,
even as we exposed
the most vulnerable
parts of ourselves...
Was it a lack of trust
that spiraled the two of us
in a different direction?
As your hand slipped from mine,
there seemed little to be said -
no loss of affection, 
it was never about rejection...
there was no reason, no rhyme
...warmhearted
words remain unspoken...

Our lives intertwined
repeatedly over time
as if the Gods had a plan.
Now, as I look to my left
there is a young boy
that mirrors images of innocence,
a youthful - you and me.
And, although I knew intuitively;
fear being my only guide,
of what was meant to be.
Consequences ebb and flow
today with reason and with rhyme
all my purpose and intent
I continually suppose...
What might have been - 

Choices made and reality borrowed
there is always time for tears and sorrow
I have had my share - you too, I may never know.
But I will always remember one thing to be true
it was a gentler time shared between
me and you...
Happier days are on the rise ~


© 2014 TrilbyYates     

Delicately Choreographed Dance

By the end 
of this 
dream life
as we 
glide 
or stumble
from path 
to journey
road block 
or stepping stone
not a macabre 
scheme
in the moment 
unaware
of the transformation 
the information
the lack of overload
double-fisted  
hands of fate 
stride in 
never tipping 
"its" intention
knowing full well
ignorance 
is not a defense 
in the land 
of the law
the freedom
of choice
the unwritten 
page in our 
personal stories...
but is a gift 
from God
at times 
and others 
a curse
you my friend
though you try
I'm sure...
between word 
and song
sip of wine 
catch yourself
letting go
drifting off
across the sound 
can not forget
may not recall 
my name
...out loud 
in an awkward
moment
or
the deepest
color of my eyes
transparent brown
but you will 
in that place
held close 
to the vest
where the heart
protects 
Pandora's box
...we've come to call
dare not open 
except 
on precious occasion
in the privacy 
of your own 
desire 
for a tender 
moment
interlude
set of circumstance
caesura
the harmony 
that was shared
within a breath 
between 
two people 
on a path
that intersected 
not so long ago 
will not
be denied...

We are not frozen
isolated in a prism 
variegation
memories sojourn
we are a 
delicately 
choreographed dance... 

© 2013 Trilby  

Train Ride

                                                     Metro North ~ photo by TYates
Long train ride
NYC to CT
eyes close 
images sharpen 
and the senses 
seem unusually high 
and maybe 
it was the way 
you kissed me 
or the way your hand 
was gently placed 
in the lowest part 
of my back 
pulling me close 
swaying to the music 
dancing has never felt 
so seductive 
brushing my hair 
off my neck 
whispered words 
the rhythm 
soothing 
from the top 
of the crystalline 
mountain 
to the fiery depths 
of hell 
a moment in time 
holds tenderly 
perfection in memories
if nothing is accidental 
all has purpose and intent 
lessons lived 
and lessons learned 
explanations not needed 
when two ships 
in the night 
pass
and yet
remain connected -

...the conductor walks by, click, click...next stop Westport, walk two cars forward and watch your step... 

© 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