Heartbeat

The vent is sealed
Cemented over, burned, scarred
Anger has no place here now
Dangerous emotion, explosive, hard
Again I’m different
And the standard branded on my skin
Is mine alone
Acceptable to others but for me a sin
I’m a horse
Work until done or dead
Eat my grain and be glad
Fight and take a bullet in the head
I’m a horse
All saddle and yoke
Ride, pull, or die
No complaint for the spur’s bloody poke
I’m a horse
Eat my hay and be glad
Don’t lay down
Don’t get mad.
(3/9/10)

That’s Why Babies Cry

Thrust out
Cold, wet
No more quiet contemplation
Enter into complication
Where was I before?
Somehow they’ve closed the door
And now I’m faced with death
From the moment of my first breath
Later is mystery
Now becomes history
I hurt because I live
And now you ask me to give
To become more
But what for?
Blessed or damned
I am.
(3/2/10)