I Too by pete marshall

I Too

by pete marshall

I too, like you

have sat alone

with flickered thoughts

caressed by screens

that weave, entice and play my mind

with words you spun from make believe

I too, like you

have once embraced

the words that flowed 

upon my page

that weave, entice and play my mind

then left me spent and wrought with rage

I too, like you

have once felt peace

escaping from

my troubled times

that weave, entice and play my mind

blurring life from words unkind

I too, like you

now sit alone

my words are spoke

for none to know

that weave, entice and play my mind

for words are spurned, now cease to flow

I too, like you

thought once a friend

who hung onto 

my every breath

that weave, entice and play my mind

who yearn their loss upon ones death

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image courtesy wikipedia

Winters Blues by pete marshall

Winters Blues

by pete marshall

Leaves still cling upon the trees

as cloudless skies embellish rays

of sun that hovers low beneath

the Winter blues that shorten days

Breath encircles worried minds

that hang from spiders silken threads

that shimmer bright in morning light

yet in the shadows harbours death

Damp that settles on the ground

where grass & weeds are mulched as one

that sees the snakes go slither by

whilst Summers work is left undone

A child’s bike lays on its side

left alone to play no more

its wheels entwined with Winters grief

abandoned, broke, upon the floor

A veil is drawn passed waiting eyes

that looked beyond these changing times

where man once walked the beat of life

yet turned his back, we missed the signs

Where hope is lost to those that deem

when Winters wrath sunk Autumn dreams

and storms have battered withered souls

who slip from life before they go……

*************

Elements in the news this week rekindled the pain of losing someone close. Depression is an illness, something that should never be taken lightly, something that is very close to my heart.

The Pale Horseman

The Pale Horseman

by pete marshall

Alone he rode through darkened nights

beneath the seas of raging storms

beyond the realm where others fight

to feel at peace, alone, forlorn.

Yet was this not a personal choice

where trust was found upon one's steed

to ride afar than use one's voice

to swing one's sword with bitter ease?

Darkened nights gave way to spring

the storms are just a tempests swirl

alone but full he found his place

then drew the curtains on this world.

In time they came to beckon thee

for legends spoke of mighty strength

the spinners weave embellished tales

yet battles fought had left him spent.

His steed had passed from journeys long

across the moors & winding roads

but never more to be alone

not now or then whereon he strode.

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Today see's the final One Shot Wednesday, the end of One Stop Poetry and as sad as it is to see a wonderful venture close, the legacy of One Stop is all around, and can be seen in all of you.

It saddens me also to see others drawn in to a debate as to the whys & wherefores of why One Stop finished. The reason is simple, without one there is none.

If you were to read my pages both here & at One Stop over the last few months then perhaps you would also read that I was taking a back seat, in truth I had lost my passion, enthusiasm & muse, and could not be involved in something that I was struggling to participate in. Perhaps the reason that One Stop closed was because of this and me?

I do not wish to read anything further on this matter. One Stop has closed and we have all moved on to other things. At the moment I am taking a rest, so is Adam, Leslie is looking into other ideas whilst recuperating, Chris is moving and both Bri, Claudia & Gay are launching a new project, d'Verse, which begins tonight.

In time other communities will surface, we already have The River, which is a great bi-weekly newspaper.

One Stop was a great idea but stars will fade. I am sad that it has passed but I have been sad for a long time and perhaps that sadness was the start of its closure. 

I have always said, Poetry is the Winner, and it is poetry that unites, good life to all......Pete

image care of creative commons flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/minchki/

Pride by Pete Marshall

Pride

by pete marshall

Within my grasp lies Eden's fruit

as apples bob in weary eyes,

that caught my breath, its hidden guise

to choke where snakes would slither by.

Upon my hands are hardened lines

that fortune wrote when luck would smile,

who shamed my soul with her beguile

then left me high but never dry!

Within my heart lies judgement day

where names are tossed upon a pile,

a random path, a lonely mile, 

darkened thoughts that fight denial.

This life exhumed upon the pyre

that burns with hate from vicious liars,

their webs are spun to feed desire

then leave us spent, betrayed, expired!

*******************

This is my poem for One Shot Wednesday, part of One Stop Poetry, a fantastic place where poetry is shared, discovered and enjoyed.

It was a year ago when I got together with a few friends and discussed this project and look how it has grown! One Stop Poetry is a place created for people to enjoy the arts and explore their creative side.

Today it is hosted by Leslie Moon who has made a great point, what we do is for the love of art and the promotion of poetry. We give our time freely for you to have a place where you can enjoy and express yourselves too.

From a personal point of view One Stop has always been a place where ego's do not survive, it is a place where there is only one winner, the Arts, and particularly  poetry. 

On a different vein, yesterday I started work!! Yes, this is a surprise, I have a months contract but this is a start. My passion for One Stop remains, as does my passion for poetry but money needs to be earned. My dream was to turn One Stop into an online magazine, earning an income for those that put so much time into it on a daily basis, but what has happened is One Stop has formed itself into a community, a wonderful community,  but maybe their are still legs in that dream. Thanks for listening....pete

*********************

image courtesy creative commons flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/kwerfeldein/

A Hidden Truth

A Hidden Truth

by Pete Marshall

A spider clung upon its web

and held onto its social thread

that snared the very soul of life

and danced and spoke of wanton vice

A cuckoo found another’s nest

and there she lay her precious egg

whilst others fed her growing brood

she thought not once of gratitude

A magpie spied a shining prize

and with her tricks and masked disguise

she sneaked on in through open doors

and there she scratched and there she clawed

A wolf would sniff and paw the ground

whilst others rushed and run around

and licked her lips at fat to chew

upon the backs of those she knew

A bat would suck the heart & soul

that gave all hope then let life go

where off she took into the night

to seek out more upon her flight

***************

A Hidden Truth is my poem for One Shot Wednesday, part of One Stop Poetry, a platform to help promote & share your poetry.

One Shot Wednesday opens every Tuesday evening at 5pm EST (10pm UK)..come and join in the fun

image courtesy creative commons flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/athena/

The Waiting Room: A Poem By Pete Marshall

The Waiting Room:

A Poem By Pete Marshall

I sat within a crowded room

awash with sounds of Monday gloom

and watched the clock

and wished each hand

would reach on down

and strike the damned.

People stared and others yawned

the clock would tick for those unborn

and watch the rain

on sun soaked streets

A rainbows arch

was incomplete.

A handkerchief would catch a sneeze

A bulbous face, a heavy wheeze

and death would sit

beside my chair

texting friends

polluting air.

City gent would read the news

as others read back dated views

the door burst forth

the silence wrenched

kids poured in

with clothes all drenched.

Eyes would stare but look straight down

coughs were heard and others frowned

then right behind

A mermaid swam

hushing kids

 and pushing pram.

And through my aches my manners gave

I smiled in warmth and offered shade

she took my seat

her baby screamed

she looked so sad

alone in dreams.

Then as she spoke in softened tones

my name was called, its time to go..

*********

This is my poem for One Shot Wednesday, run by One Stop Poetry, a fast growing community for poets & writers of all genres to share their work, express and make friends

image courtesy creative commons flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/joyoflife/

Eye, Eye Cap'n: A Poem By Pete Marshall

Eye, Eye Cap'n:

 A Poem By Pete Marshall

The seas would lap upon the hull

and gently wash their starboard bow

the sails were rolled into the boom

and winds too far to journey now

They stood in line alone in berth

A breeze would rattle empty masks

the sailors gone in town to dance

as captains sample rum from casks

But from the shore a man would watch

as pirates stroked their silent oars

between their teeth clenched sharpened blades

and on his shoulder a blue macaw…

**************

this is my poem inspired by the above image, taken by Adam Dustus, for the One Shoot Sunday picture prompt & photo feedback