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

Distant Drummer

Tiny pearls of wisdom
worn like a thorny crown
fall delicately
and lay in contrast
against tanned skin
of a woman's breast;
who once held
a passion for love
in the palm of her hand
As a sea breeze 
dances around her,
her precious soul floats
along the widows walk
without intent
Subtleties of a moment
captured like 
a ship in a bottle;
slight slip of sand
beneath her bare feet
Yet, she can still hear
the music in the wind
as it carries her heart
to that distant drummer
and hope is always there,
always on the up beat… 

© 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

Soothing Vibration

Early morning sun 
begins to wake up
Arm reaching yawn
splintered beams of light 
stretch across 
the horizon 
While a lazy lapping 
of the tide 
comes and goes 
repeating a pattern 
in perfect sync 
with the pull 
of the moon,
as it faithfully 
orbits the earth 
Off in the distance 
a curved line 
remains a constant
just outside of the rim
old and faithful
field of vision;
a focal point for reference  
some things remain eternal
- Sand and sea 
echo one another 
with peaceful chatter 
Soothing vibration
to an often bruised 
and battered mind 
in search of a safe haven,
if only for short 
periods of time 
Refreshing the core 
senses and humanity,
as the day to day 
chip away at even those 
more saintly in spirit;
wresting with their
own moral compass
The tempest shifts
across the shore 
Dancing fools shutter
pulling their collars up
A protective shield
from the perfection
of a storm brewing 
off in the distant future
Weather-vane continues 
to point due north
regardless of which
way the tides turn
or the winds blow...
- Sand and sea 
echo one another 
with peaceful chatter 
Soothing vibration
to an often bruised 
and battered mind 
in search of a safe haven
if only for short 
periods of time... 

© 2015 TrilbyYates



 

Deviant Past

The days 
Shorter now
Nights longer...
Appearing darker 
Than the norm
Without the slightest 
Hint of an artists color
Creative minds 
Freeze dry
Skyline falls flat
Just a hint of sepia
But only around 
The rough edges
And I have a hole 
In my one size fits all 
Italian handmade 
100% cotton shirt
Revealing more 
Than my self exposed
Deviant Past
And there is
A loose thread
From talking to much
And most likely 
...way to fast 
And a button 
Fell off of my 
Personal favorite
Pinstriped mannish 
Looking vest 
Rolling out 
With the grandeur
Of the infamous 
Velveteen carpet
Into oncoming traffic
Just when the light 
Was turning from 
A  cautionary  
Sunshine yellow 
To a blood curdling
Crimson red 
What could I do 
What could be said 
I've been stopped
In my forever hesitant
Walking backwards
And always covered 
Self absorbed tracks
Can't seem to find 
The perfect reflection
Or the perfect match
While always burning
A scented candle
At both ends 
And from where 
I am standing 
At the end of this 
Oh so lovely pier
Waves rolling in 
A repetitive taunt 
Hypnotic intention 
I maintain a blank 
Yet stoic stare
While the Man In The Moon 
Knows all too well
It is the end 
Of just another day
Glancing up at his 
Historical expression 
All I want to do 
Is slap that grin 
Off his distant
Untouchable face...
Putting an end
To the haunting progression
This invisible place
Instead I lose 
My footing once more
Sweetly blanketed
Cellophane Pseudo Sea
The familiar Sound 
My only safe haven 
So I will conclude 
And soulfully concede
Taking a deep breath 
While I quietly weep
I have but one choice 
That is to reluctantly give in
...and take it to the deep ~

© 2014 TrilbyYates

Walking On Shallow Water

Walking on shallow water 
Out in a deep blue sea
Sweeping transparent views
Earth and all its brilliance 
A distant shining light
For the lost and lonely
Draped in silk spun cloth 
Spun the way tales are 
Carefully weaved 
Tight intricate knots 
The High and Mighty 
Swirling poignant scent 
Of blessed incense 
Permeating the air 
Crown of Thorns 
Pressing down
While judgement bleeds
Dripping from generation
To generation with no reprieve 
Rosary beads in hand
Finger tips holding tight
Sensory perception 
Pathway to Heaven
Rosary beads dangle religiously
Sway gently around my neck
Choke back the tears 
Choke back the words
Don't speak of doubt 
Don't ever question
All that I once believed 
Words that I can recite 
With eyes closed
Head bowed down
Drifting off peacefully
A holier than thou sleep
...Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum
Where were you Mary
When I needed you 
A motherless child
Faith in the abstract 
Faith in the disbelief 
That all is not lost 
Or forever forgotten 
Walking on shallow water 
Draped in silk spun cloth 
All in the name 
Of the abstract 
Faith in the disbelief 
That all is not lost 
Or forever forgotten 

As I drift further 
and further out to sea 
repeating over and over
... Ave Marie, gratia plena, Dominus tecum
Ave Marie, gratia plena, Dominus tecum

© 2014 TrilbyYates 

Hit The Pavement

I'm jumping off a proverbial 
Jagged earthbound ledge 
A sorrowful morning 
Attempting to let it go
A stones throw from everything tangible
Didn't take the time to think it through
And maybe I never intended to
All I can imagine
All I can visualize
Black and white dramatic effect
I'm looking out eyes opened wide 
Looking out beyond the beauty 
Of a turbulent and tragic sea 
My arms out stretched 
With the wing span of an Angel 
In a free fall flight
Earth below and heaven above 
If I can only fly high enough 
Maybe you would finally realize
There is truly some thing angelic 
And something magical about me 

Somehow you've gotten under my skin 
but you still won't let me in 
and I'm going for it anyway 
before I hit the pavement

It doesn't make any sense 
But than again maybe it shouldn't
Because matters for this 
Tentative heart of mine
There seems to be no logic 
No rhythm and no rhyme 
And it's all good even though
I am feeling off center 
And slightly misunderstood
Maybe I'm even running low on time
But I'm stuck in a stale mate
Self imposed and not very wise
Oblivious to consequence or folk lore
Déjà vu sentiment...knowing I have been here before
Such familiarity I can see in your eyes
But there is a dialogue 
Playing out in my head
With all the bells and whistles

Somehow you've gotten under my skin 
but you still won't let me in 
and I'm going for it anyway 
before I hit the pavement
I'm going for it anyway
before I hit the pavement... 

© 2014 TrilbyYates

Looking Out To Sea

It was something 
something out of a movie scene
From Here To Eternity 
we were laying in the sand 
tide came up rushing over us 
all entangled arms and legs 
finger tips tracing 
a pathway to the soul 
your mouth on mine 
whispering words 
...you are so beautiful 
so beautiful...
kissing my neck 
gentle hands 
holding me close 
eyes closed
sensations like a hot wire 
and I heard a voice say 
I love you 
I love you...
and realized it was mine 
in that moment time stopped 
the tide went out 
and didn't come back in 
and we were standing 
looking at each other 
you had such a puzzled look 
on your face 
a puzzled look 
and I apologized 
I'm sorry 
I'm sorry 
I didn't mean to say that 
I don't love you 
I like you 
I care about you 
but I don't love you...like that 
you just stood there 
with a puzzled look 
on your face 
and I knew 
it was not you I saw 
it was him 
and I'm sorry for that 
it wasn't you I was looking at 
it was him 
and the tide went out 
and didn't come back in 
and I was standing there alone 
looking out to sea
looking out to sea

© 2014 TrilbyYates  

Inconsequential Meeting

Had a dream about you last night;
seems since we had our inconsequential meeting - 
inconsequential feels so removed 
and so cold 
and my head hurts when I think
and I'm starting to feel too old 
to be a player in the dating game 
... anyway

Confirmation washes over me
like the cold waters of a great sea
confirmation washes over me

When I saw you my childhood sense 
of insecurity was shaken;
sort of rattled my proverbial ego sustained cage,
and now I'm reading the same lines
over and over again
still on the same damn page - 
- expecting a different ending

Confirmation washes over me
like the cold waters of a great sea
confirmation washes over me 

I never know what to think
when thinking is all I have time to do
I never know what to think
when the heart beats one way 
and the other is slightly out of sync 
...just never know how to feel
since my inconsequential meeting with you
And now I don't know what to think
... anyway

I had a dream about you ...


© 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    

Beach Boys

Hot steamy summer day...not a cloud in the sky; brilliant blue dome of color - a slight breeze floats by on the up beat of a song dancing through the air; off in the distance sailboats lean, lean, lean stretching canvas and rails dip in the salty sea - flashback summer sweat dripping kisses...glorious sight makes my heart race.

Beach scene high tide, scent of coconut oil is like a time chaser – burst of images black and white, Kodachrome edited memories. Families, babies, teens, college kids, Gran and Pop - fill the sandy shoreline with souvenir beach towels and beach chairs; radiant red, seafaring blue and lemon yellow umbrellas adorn the landscape making up an amazing painters pallet. Aroma therapy and visual overload - in this surrounding I am thrilled to be alive!

Strategically placing myself on the fringes – a space between me and the masses. A buffer from all the chatter and one on one contact - my comfort zone just left of everything and nothing - with one foot hanging over the edge; acting as an anchor keeping me from wandering to far out in an endless sea. A beach day to listen to music - drifting away on notes and combinations of words; all stirring emotions and pushing fantasies for later creative use – deep breath in/exhale - blow. Moments of "shear poetry".

A group of three “t’ween” boys invade my peripheral vision and my solitude. Soft images flurry past, intense energy…carrying plastic beach shovels – with definite intentions. There were no words exchanged, an innate plan was brewing and clearly understood by all participants.

As much as I tried to ignore this group of adolescent males, (they reminded me of boys from my past) it was impossible...I was captivated by the "boys club" dance - and felt privy after so many years being on the outside secretly looking in, never understanding what made them tick and now I had a clear up front view - camouflaging myself behind a pair of sunglasses instead of my naiveté . 

Quickly personalities started to pop...the shy one, the leader, the funny boy - these roles seemed set in stone, not interchangeable. Each knew their character and played it uncomfortably well. Pigeon holed for a moment in time.

I sat back, shades on, ear-buds in and observed with delight!

The boys started to dig a hole in the sand, within 30 minutes it was clearly going to be a very large hole. Occasionally a group of "t' ween" girls would slowly walk past; seemingly ignoring the boys...a little flip of their hair, arms linked and giggles...boys reacting, doing boy things - they jumped in the 4' deep hole, threw sand at each other, swore and laughed and dug faster as if they were just injected with high levels of testosterone.

The girls circled around several times, swishing their feet into the sand, hips swaying overly exaggerated this way and that as they walked by. Flirtatious glances exchanged, occasional eye contact and then the uncontrollable bursts of blushing red covered cheeks were a dead give away. A vision of pure innocent seduction; beach boys from long ago...summer in the city. Motown playing and dancing on the sidewalks - sweet delicious memories.

Off in the distance songs from the concession stand began to play summer songs, the hit list...Heatwave, Under The Boardwalk, Girl From Ipanema, In The Summer Time...on and on drum beat, finger snapping melodies swept me away finally into a deep sleep...

© 2014 TrilbyYates 

Post Valentines Day ~ 2.15.12

Sweet Sentimental Valentine

Mild winter lack of snow,
white luster dulls the senses
a chill in the air cuts to the bone
leaves of a season past linger gingerly
with no place in particular to go
a blessing shared on widow's walk
fare winds and following seas
with all the anticipation of an early spring
a sailors dream comes true,
mourning doves sorrowful coo
touches the heart gently
and the nightingale's wale
carries the weight of a new day a dawning
memories are tear drops of time
fluid thoughts of years past
and the Heavens open arms wide 
to my sweet and sentimental Valentine...

To JY, Love always and forever, TY

© 2012 Trilby Yates

Photographs and Fantasies ~ August 2011

Ari ~ Summer Daze ~ August 2011

Umbrella and Clouds - August 2011

Swinging In The Rain - Penfield Beach August 2011

Yellow Slicker - August 2011

Calm Before The Storm - August 2011

All photographs by Trilby Yates     

© 2011 Trilby Yates

Heat Wave July 2011

Jetty Walk ~ Summer 2011 (SC & AM)

Heat Wave

Steamy sweltering
take a deep breath
air is thick and warm...

Summer sun
cloaked in a haze
shades of pale blue
feathered sky wispy clouds
wrap around finger tips
gentle hands dripping
in the scent of coconut oil

Floating carefree muffled sounds
a mellow song serenade
carried within a slight breeze
while dancing in the streets
keeps the beat
R&B lives on…

© 2011 Trilby Yates