SORROWS TRAIL

This was written for someone I once knew. Her mother died and I sent her this poem. This could be about anyone though. I hope I have captured the sentiments for someone going through the grief process.

Now I walk alone down sorrows trail
while the humble hue of hollowness prevail
Futility embraced and cast upon my weary soul
one half removed from what once made me whole

I'd much rather sink than swim the rivers of dismay
immersed in thoughts that blur and swiftly drifts away
I caress regrets for words still left behind
withheld within my heart like dust upon my mind

Awake beneath my slumber enduring stagnant sleep
sweet solace eludes me into mourning I weep
A ravaged existence bleak in it's dismal stare
consumed by the persistence of imprisoned tears

Now a refugee of memories all but ripples remain
I'm foreclosing the temples of torment while restoring my desolate plains
Too late for forever, still a brief and cherished past
abandon it I will never, til death it's gleam will last

THE KISS THAT TIME FORGOT

There once was a kiss
far away long ago
For centuries it lasted
two lips that couldn't let go

There once was a kiss
as pure as the rain
Two lips huddled together
like clasps on a chain

There once was a kiss
to the brim it was filled
With the power of passion
and wonderous thrills

There once was a kiss
that shook the whole world
Between a dashing young prince
and a sweet peasant girl

There once was a kiss
and a scandal ensued
For a dashing young prince
whose life came unglued

There once was a kiss
with a price set so high
To save a young prince
a girl had to die

There once was a kiss
abandoned in shame
Tossed in a grave
and stripped of it's name

There once was kiss
that time soon forgot
and an innocent girl
whose love turned to rot

There once was a kiss
so sacred and dear
It should have lasted forever
to be revered

There once was a kiss
now covered with dust
a blood soaked betrayal
a farwell to trust

There once was a kiss
it matters no more
It's lingerings pale
it remains unrestored

INNOCENCE IS NO EXCUSE Part 10 LIPSERVICE MERCHANTS

This is last lyric I wrote about Ted and his tribulations. While the previous posts were penned much closer to the actual events, the last one was done quite recently. Over the years it became harder to find something new to say about the case. My hope is to write one more dealing with his exoneration and subsequent release, but only time will tell if I ever have the chance. A good title would be Freedom. A final tidbit bares mentioning. Not long after the murder Teds mother died. His sister inherited her home from her siblings. For almost a year Ted would work until 5 pm, go home for a quick supper and come over to renovate his childhood home. Working most days until 9 - 10 pm. On weekends he would work all day. That's the Ted I know, not the killer he was portrayed by those who jumped through hoops to come to the wrong conclusions.
Lipservice Merchants is about those who promised to stand by his side when the going got tough, then fell by the wayside as time slipped by. The moral of this tale is this. Should you ever find yourself in close proximity of a crime, and if you know the person involved. When police calls you in for a informal talk. No matter how innocent you are, bring a lawyer. Under the right circumstances you will be the one in the spotlight. One of those unwritten rules are, if you ask for an attorney you must be guilty. Well, mark my words and remember Ted. Next time it could be you.

Where are they now
my comrades my friends
Who promised to fight
with me til the end
Who stood by my side
so cocky and sure
Said, we got your back
and walked out the door

Damn all the lipservice merchants
applying the trade of deceit
Who threw down your weapons, raised the white flag
and surrendered yourself to defeat

Damn all the lipservice merchants
selling me fools gold
Not staying the course for the cause anymore
leaving me out in the cold

Where have you gone
where do you hide
away from the fact
that all of you lied
What I have left
are mountains of time
To think and reflect
the guilt is on your dime

Who can I trust
does anyone care
Who still remembers
I'm rotting in here
Existence is futile
if hope's lead astray
Words fuels my courage
and ease my dismay

I shout from the pulpit
I rage and I roar
A lion indignant
of injustice endured
Those who are with me
I honor your faith
Innocence surely
will open these gates

INNOCENCE IS NO EXCUSE Part 9 WHY DO YOU CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IN ILLUSIONS

It is interesting to note that a man is often judged on his behaviour and demeanour. Whether this actually has any bearing on his guilt is often irrellevant yet from societys perspective it carries much weight. One of the many aspects of Teds case that condemned him. It was brought out at the trial and paraded in front of the jury as the gospel. Surely no innocent man would display such inapropriate emotions in regards to what had happened. It is no secret that police seems to work from set guidelines of how a suspect should conduct himself. If you deviate from them you are branded suspicious. I believe that is refered to as tunnel vision. We are all individuals that react to trauma differently. Everybody resorts to their own coping mechanism. To deem someone a killer simply because he does not conform to these sets of guidelines are nothing short of madness. Yet time and time again in courtrooms across the country this is trotted out as surfire proof that a man is guilty as sin. What are these guidelines ? If you cry you better bring out the tears. Do not smile in any shape or form. You must remember everything that happened, if you do not you must be making it up. Never mind the fact that the mind tend to erase traumatic events to alevitate the pain. Not everything is black or white, there are shades of grey in any acts of crime, yet police often slavishly follow the book as if that is the only reasonable thing to do. This lyric has really nothing to do with that specific topic, but I felt it necessary to voice that opinion. Why do you chose to believe in illusions are about those people who knew Ted yet when the chips were down they turned their back and believed in the lies that were spread about him, when they should have trusted the man, not the propaganda. About one person in particular who I will not name.

I thought you knew me better,
but you don't know me at all
Trusting in false prophets
that want to see me fall

You will listen to strangers
and turn your back on me
Close your eyes to common sense
and embrace your apathy

Why do you choose to believe in illusions
and worship in a temple of lies
You should be coming to obvious conclusions
yet the truth just keep slipping you by

The abyss of your despondance
creates a muddled view
Paints a fractured portrait
that let's you misconstrue

Look below the surface
behind the curtains of your mind
Lift the veil of pre-conception
and read between the hollow lines

Imprisoned by your foolish rage
and burning up with cancer
There's many questions to be asked
you need to know the anwers

Your brand of justice
is born out of hate
A searing hot fire
that will never abate

It seethes deep inside you
a rush through your veins
You can never extinguish
such sorrowful pain