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

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 

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 

Aura Of Decadence

There is no time like the present
Keep one foot in the here and now
While the other dangles freely – wind beneath
One hand waves farewell to new comers
The other tips the head waiter with a smirk
Wooden nickels hold a value in this Land of Oz
Like souvenirs at a carnival - children smile
And even though this ghost ship is half empty
Like the champagne glass resting peacefully - aura of decadence
The heart cannot let go of dreams and visions
Plans left incomplete, anniversaries come and go

I will follow…
                  In time,
                              in bitter sweet time ~ 


© 2015 TrilbyYates

Awakening The Senses

Historical preservation
...moments in time 
held with highest regard 
Tourists flock like pigeons on the plaza 
Camera's long zoom lens
Nikon, Canon hanging 
around their neck
Focusing on the image 
The experience is captured
knowing its own mortality
But is the experience felt? 
Is it a deal breaking 
mesmerizing life altering 
electrifying source of energy
that ripples with intent up the spine
Waves of acknowledgement
triggering a brain freeze
with a wanting to preserve 
- the stirred raw emotions?
A bring you to your knees 
tear jerking thanking God 
beyond fucking words
beyond fucking grateful 
to be alive, to be here 
to be in this moment
- this very precise moment...now?
Walking in the footsteps 
of those so far outside
of our own comfort zone
a place so abstract
it doesn't even register
un - comprehensible 
Can't quite wrap your head 
around it...
Are those intoxicating moments
- absorbed?
The birthplace of the Renaissance!
Santa Maria del Fiore...The Duomo
Piazza della Signoria 
Bartolomeo Ammanati's Fountain of Neptune  
Palazzo Vecchio, 
Ponte Vecchio...locks of love
Architecture mixing it up 
with Medieval, Baroque
Neoclassical and modern

Dancing to a beat 
on their own time line

- their own drum 
Sounds vibrate and echo

all to the visitors delight

Da Vinci, Michelangelo, 
Cellini, Giambologna

A creative magical 
vitality consumed 

with each breath 
and step taken...back

Palazzo Pitti, Boboli Gardens

On and on 
endless stimulation

All filling the heart 
with anticipation  
awakening the senses 
to the possibilities
Exhaling with complete abandon
and the innocence of awe...

© 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

Small Boy Tender

Small boy tender child 

Wide brown eyes 
With an angelic smile… 

That could melt butter

 - in his mouth

While dripping sweet 

Saccharine like words 

Of lies and deceit 

One push 

Slight of hand 

Reaches out 
To be held 

 - poor little sister

Cracked skull

Echoed cries 
and life 

...swing in the balance

Baby dolls
 - toy guns 

Put away 
For safe keeping

Time capsule 

Records sealed 
To protect 
“innocence”

Carefully wrapped

In newsprint 
from 1965

Is no longer 
A figment 

Of Freud’s imagination

While sharing 
The mid night oil 

With the likes 
of Jean Piaget

A child’s dream

…small boy tender child 

Wide brown eyes 
With an angelic smile… 

Our love fans 
the flame
Desire fuels 
the fire 

We have a slow 
Dance of our own

Following the rhythm 

Of a distant 
...drummer

And I’m tearful 

When old photos 

seem to fade

Yet your words 
Move through me 

Like the hum 
Of a warm guitar

With the harp blower 
 - vibrating

There is not a breath 
taken...between us

As he holds onto 
That infamous note 

Like a one hit wonder

A precious soul
Small boy tender child 

Wide brown eyes 
With an angelic smile… 

Careful not to 
rush the beat

Reminiscent 
of a frantic lover

Maintaining 
the perfection 

- of our love song
Small boy tender child 

Wide brown eyes 
With an angelic smile… 

That could melt butter

 - in his mouth

While dripping sweet 

Saccharine like words 

Of lies and deceit ~ 

© 2014 TrilbyYates 

Wise Ass Kid

Those days 
When thoughts 
Swirled around 
In my mind 
Creating an energy 
Cause and effect 
Suddenly out of thin air 
A call or note 
Song from the past
A nudge from
Turbulent times
A cosmic force connects 
A reminder tap tap
You can never go back
Although I lean on the belief
Nothing is set in stone
Except birth and death
Those sweet innocent days
Are few and far between
So be careful who you 
Day dream about 
Strangers appear 
In familiar garb
Time passes snap
and mindful images 
Never seem to fade 
Wishful thinking 
Is an independent luxury 
Like a journey to an exotic
Far away unknown land 
Scrolling through photographs 
and tag lines eyes blur to focus
Wondering playfully - pause
What's going to happen next 
The wheels turn slower 
and the clock ticks louder 
Adjusting the bar downward
Dragging realistic wants and needs
Lacking subtle expectations 
To an abrupt unexpected halt 
Gears jam and all I can do 
Is scream profanities into a void
Pathetic reminiscent childlike questions
and obscene childlike gestures
Blurted out with no rational
Like a wise ass kid hanging 
On any city street corner
In any city in the world
Unique - not unto its own
Self absorbed truth seeker
Asking why always why
As if expecting some profound
Heavenly answer to fall peacefully
Settling at my feet
Like a feather from the nest
Pride is a virtue
Ego is a vice  
I continuously stumble around
Exhausted from the battle
My internal war rages on ...


© 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     

Not Forgotten

Those days of laughter,
shared smiles,
a nod of knowing...
they aren't over yet 
are they?

Inquisitive questions
innocently posed in a way 
that only the high 
and mighty 
could possibly answer...

And when the heart 
feels even the slightest 
bit of anticipation  -
like a dove taking flight
...peaceful wings span,
joy and exhilaration 
occur when all is not lost 
or forgotten -

Resilience comes 
in many shades of blue,
profoundly humming
that loving tune...

The heart does not forget!

But, will fate step in?
...and as old tales are told 
like a wandering shepherd
searching from dusk til dawn
I could remain lost
forever alone...

When truly all I want 
is to feel the wind 
on my face - 
Feel the sand beneath 
my feet - 
Hear the sound of each note 
played -
Reach for your hand 
in the darkest of night 
and know...

We are not forgotten ~

Even if forbidden 
in a world of the faithful 
living faithless lives.

My choice 
to remain alone 
rather than settle 
for companionship.

To wait for
love so bold,
love that carries joy 
tenderly in each word 
volumes yet to be written 
in the deepest part 
of my soul worn and weary 
I continue to hold 
an open space for you -  

© 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     

My Heart Reveals It All

Summer slumber 
dreams
billow in a warm breeze
while fall steps out 
in colored glory 
and my heart reflects
all that have come 
and all that have gone 
regret seems 
a shallow grave 
without substance 
or worry
so as time passes... and it does 
questions 
of what it all meant 
rise above 
the sense of loss 
but you my friend... heart felt
held me 
through the night 
and watched 
the sun rise 
did you wonder 
...what would become of this newly felt love 
or would you watch it 
fade away 
like any other day 
as the tides of life 
rise and fall
winter winds blow 
and spring's thaw is inevitable
you remain hidden away
yet my heart reveals it all... 

© 2013 Trilby   

What We Knew Then

I wish 
you 
were my friend 
my confidant
lover
the one 
that would 
hold me close 
when the wind 
doesn't blow 
the one 
that would keep 
the sails full 
even though 
all odds 
are against us 
and when 
the shadows 
from a dark past 
come to surface
you alone would
illuminate my senses
clearing the fog
bringing sanity 
back to port
safe haven in love
and wisdom
I wish you 
had a vantage point 
beyond what is seen 
from a flat line 
spaces never exist 
unless we 
create them
I wish you
knew now
what we knew then...


© 2013 Trilby