POETRY by TJDaniels

"I WISH I COULD COME HOME"

I need to come home.

I wish I had a home
to come home to.

I wish
there was a light
in the window.

I wish I had someone
to come home to.

I wish
I could come home.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"SMOKE ON THE WATER"

Like smoke on the water

life drifts
through the mists of time.

Then meets up with a soul
and becomes you and I.

In time
we become mist again

like smoke on the water.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"NO INVITATION"

She was invited to the dance
he was not.

Her invitation was still in her hand
his were empty.

As he approached her
she became wary.

She knew from his attire
that he was from the other side of town.

When he asked her to dance
she felt strange
but not unpleasant stirrings
deep within.

Smiling
she held out her hand
in acceptance.

As they walked to the dance floor
a strange peace enveloped her.

And she knew that they'd have many dances
on many summer evenings.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"HIS NAME WAS JAMES"

We never met
but I knew
that his time was short.

I know that he had a strength
that many of us wish we had.

Because he had to face
decades too soon

the fate that we all must face.

But most of us will have many years
to prepare for...

The fate that we all must face
in the end.

(When I wrote this poem, James was
still among the living. He fought,
with his entire being, the brain
cancer that finally took his life.
This poem and the one titled
"THE STRENGTH OF ANGELS"
were both inspired by James and
his heroic and tremendous battle.
He was only 15).

Copyright © 2001 T. J. Daniels

"THE STRENGTH OF ANGELS"

I do not know where
their strength comes from.

I only know
that I do not possess it.

I'm speaking of those
that only have a limited time

to be.

Many are only children

and yet they are able to accept the fact
that their time is short
and get on with their lives

what little there is left of it.

Now that I think about it
I _know_ how they are able to do it!

They have

The Strength Of Angels!

Copyright © 2001 T. J. Daniels

"CRACKED BUT NEVER BROKEN"

I put her on a pedestle
but she fell.

I raised her up again
but she kept falling.

Each time she fell
I would pick her up
and put her back...

Where she belonged.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"TIME PASSES"

Going back in time
isn't the same anymore.

Everything looks the same
but not like when you were here.

I've even driven down the same streets
to recapture the past...

But time passes.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"THIS OLD OAK"

This old oak
is weathered and worn.

Some bark missing here
some branches torn.

New twigs springing up
all around...

but my shade covers
a lot of ground.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"THE DISTANT SOUNDS OF LOVE"

In the distance
I hear the sounds of life.

But here

the loneliness
creeps in silently

like the bone chilling frost
of a late autumn night.

I still remember
the wonderful sounds of life.

The laughter of children
the whispers of love.

I remember
the warmth of love

long ago lost
like a pebble
tossed in the sea.

But in the distance
I can still hear the sounds of love.

But the loudest sounds
are the quiet sounds of lonely.

Like the deafening sound
of the wind tossed waves

on a long ago
deserted shore.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP"

Please pick me up
for I am tired.

I can't go any farther
by myself.

The journey was longer
than I expected.

I've met some strangers
and made some friends.

You can put me down
after I have rested.

Then the journey
won't seem so long.

I do thank you
for your assistance.

Now I lay me
down to sleep.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"HAVE FAITH IN ME"

Have faith
in me.

More than I have
in myself.

Trust
in me.

Trust
that I still
have some left.

Help me

to trust again.

Help me

to get back
to where
I've already been.

Have faith in me.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"THE GARDEN OF REALITY"

In the garden of reality

the roses do not
have a fragrance.

And the sky
is not always blue.

The grass is not
always greener.

But the lies
are always true.

The sunshine doesn't always
radiate warmth.

And there's always
a chill in the air.

Not everyone
is friendly

and love
is not always fair.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"YOU AND ME"

I think about you
now and then.

About you and I
and what might
have been.

But you can't change
what wasn't to be...

But I still think
about you and me.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"WHERE NO ONE LIVES"

The moonlight
casts a pale shadow

where love once lived.

The sun used to shine
the moon used to glow

where we once lived.

Now
there's only darkness
to hold

where no one lives.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"WHISPERS IN THE WIND"

I hear whispers in the wind
speaking gently to my soul.

Speaking of love
treasures of gold.

But it's like finding the pot
at the end of the bow.

True lasting love
is not easy to find.

I'm still looking for

that true love of mine.

But I fear
it's just...

whispers in the wind.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"THE BLINK OF AN EYE"

I pray that I never have to take
that which is not mine to take.

The
Breath Of Life
is the most precious
thing there is.

It saddens me
that in the past I have
but I did not know.

Anything there is
can be replaced
but that.

I cannot understand
the mind-set
in which:

The Breath Of Life
has such little value
that it could be taken

with the flick of a finger
in the blink of an eye.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"EYE OF THE BEHOLDER"

Beauty is always
in the eye
of the beholder.

'Cause she would be Beautiful
in anyones eyes.

She could stand on a mountain top
open her arms & the rains would stop.

And with just a flick of her finger
the Sun would Shine.

But Alas Alack
she could never be mine.

For I am much too lowly
to even raise my head.

But in a soft, unuttered voice
I whisper

I love you

instead.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"ONCE UPON A TIME"

Once upon a time
long ago
when I was young...
I used to wonder
what it was like to be old.

Now I don't wonder any more
'cause I am.

But now I can't remember
what it was like to be young anymore
'cause I'm not.

But somehow
somewhere along the way
something got lost.

And I can't remember
what it was.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"I'M OK NOW AND THEN"

I can live without her
time has proven that.

Am I happy?

Don't even ask.

Don't ask:

How have you been?...

'Cause I'm ok now
and ok then.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"NO NAME OF HER OWN"

She was a throw away child
unclaimed.

For all of her young life
she just wanted to have a name.

She suffered through
unseen tears.

Through all the silent years
she longed to be claimed.

She saw many nameless places
and faces of the same name.

Many faces of stone

but all she wanted was
a name of her own.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"FOR MY BROTHER"

You were still my brother

no matter what you did
or how you lived
and I loved you.

We were not as close
in latter years

as we were
when we were younger.

I wish you were here
so I could hold you

one last time
before you had to go.

The last time I saw you
you looked so very cold.

(Dedicated To The Memory Of my Brother
Who Died Last Year)

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"BUTTERFLY DUST"

Don't keep feeding them
teach them to fish.

While some just sit there
sit there and wish.

Some curse the darkness
or wish upon a star.

While others have their dreams
trapped in a jar.

Wishing on moonbeams
and hoping for luck.

And what'll you get?

You'll get butterfly dust.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"FOREVER PLUS A DAY"

How long will I wait for you?
Forever plus a day.

Would you do the same for me?
That is for what I pray.

But many times
prayers go unanswered...

as though they were never
meant to be.

But I'll continue praying
as though you were meant for me.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"BROTHERS OF THE SON"

Who would have thought
that a simple thing like color
would cause wars.

People killing people
we're killing each other.

Brother killing brother
it shouldn't be.

'Cause we're all brothers
under the Son.

Brothers
you and me.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"A FACE IN THE CROWD"

I saw her again

and beautiful music
filled the air.

I heard beautiful music
everywhere...

Her beauty
was everywhere.

I look here and there
and I see her everywhere.

I see a face
in the crowd

and I see her.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"LINES OF KNOWLEDGE"

Her face was lined with knowledge
her body showed age.

Her heart had been broken so many times
she kept it encaged.

Her eyes were tired and saddened
as she shuffled through life.

Time had no meaning
just day and night.

Her struggle came to an end one day
her spirit just left.

She's no longer lonely
she died where she slept.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"WHISPERING TOUCH"

I miss her gentle
whispering touch.

It spoke softer
than the softest whisper.

And if I listen
quietly enough...

I can still hear
her softly
whispering touch.

Even on the darkest night.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"I WILL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS"

In time
the pain of losing me
will lessen.

And each year
as that special day approaches
do not think of me with saddness
in your heart.

Remember me with happiness
and shed tears of joy
for all the wonderful memories
that we have shared.

This way
I will be with you always.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"YOU CAN GET SOME COMFORT HERE"

If you need a place
to lay your head

you can get some comfort here.

When all the shoulders
have turned their backs on you

you can rest your head upon mine
and get some comfort here.

Even though you left
many years ago

you can get some comfort here.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"ONLY EYES CRY"

The disappearing yesterdays fade
like the early morning mist

but her memories still remain.

And her beauty still haunts me
like a ghost in the night.

I try to escape
but the memories won't let me go.

My heart doesn't even cry anymore.

Only eyes cry.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"DEAD BUT NEVER BURIED"

I steeled myself
to the coldness of your arms.

I turned my back
to the harshness of your heart.

In other times
you were warm
carefree
so full of life.

But you died
many years
before they laid you
in the ground
without a sound.

You died many years ago
but were never in the ground.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"TO THIS DAY"

She had a smile
I knew I'd never get enough of
ever.

And her laughter
filled the air.

She said she loved me
and she really cared.

But somewhere
between then and now

her heart

was led astray.

True love
never dies.

And I love her

to this day.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"LAVENDER AND LACE"

I miss the scent
of lavender and lace.

The beat of her heart
her gentle embrace.

Two souls entwined
the same as one.

Forever lost
and we'd just begun.

Lavender and lace
there went my heart.

No more moonlight
or wishing upon a star.

Lavender and lace
there went my soul.

Lavender and Lace
there went my own.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"GRAMPA'S GETTING BOLDER"

Gramma and Grampa
are both getting older.

I think Grampa
is getting a little bolder.

Gramma slapped him
'cause out in public
he tried to hold her.

He looked
a bit shocked
and rubbed his whiskers.

Then all was well
when she smiled
and whispered

"You'll have to wait
'til we get home dear."

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"SILENT IS THE GRAVE"

She cried out
in the night.

But no one heard

no one was there.

Her pain was great
but no one cared.

Now

she doesn't cry out anymore.

The graveyard is always silent.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"I DON"T MISS YOU ANY MORE"

I've missed you for so long
I don't miss you anymore.

But whenever I see you
it's almost like

it used to be before.

I don't want to see you

'cause I'll start missing you
all over again.

Thought I was over you
feeling much better
but then...

I start missing you all over again.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"SWEETNESS"

I still remember you
Sweetness

and I enjoyed your presence.

You were a breath of freshness
to my smog filled soul.

I called you
Sweetness

because you were.

Part of my heart is reserved

with your name on it.

Though our eyes will never cross
again

I will never forget you.

I love you
Sweetness

wherever you are.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"DARKEST MOON"

Pale moon
once shown bright.

Two shoulders
touching
enjoying the night.

Fading moon
now icy cold.

Where is the warmth
from days of old?

Darkest moon
shining black.

Only one shoulder
in the darkness sat.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"I'M OK"

You've heard
that if you tell yourself
a lie
enough times

you'll believe it?

I'M OK!

Now if I tell myself
enough times
I'll believe it.

I'M OK!
I'M OK!
I'M OK!

You know
I think I'm starting to believe.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"WHERE THE RIVER FLOWS"

The river of my mind
flows gently
down crooked
narrow streets.

It flows swiftly
past huge mansions
and into the deepest
foreboding valleys.

Then it disappears
into jagged chasms.

Soon it reappears in a bubbly
clear water spring

emerging in a lush green meadow
ready to flow again.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"THE VACUUM OF YOUR EYES"

As I stared into the vacuum
of your eyes

'twas then that I realized
you were no longer the person
I used to know.

It was time to go.

As I got ready to leave
I turned
to look at you

one last time.

I stared intently
trying so hard to see
the person
that you used to be.

It used to be
We
you and me.

But I slowly turned
and with eyes downcast
I walked away.

'Twas such a sad
sad day
to walk away.

To have to walk away
was the hardest thing
I've ever done.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"BLOOD ON THE SAND"

Kids with guns
are in control.

Just look at your play-grounds and schools.

Any parent
that has kids and guns
has to be some kind of a fool.

NO GUN CONTROL!!!
Rings out
echoes across the land.

You reap what you sow
and there's no greater truth.

Just look at the blood on the sand.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"AND THE BUFFALO ROAM"

Bless the beasts
and the children
as the buffalo roam.

With nowhere
to call our home.

Bless your enemies
and bless your own.

And the buffalo roam.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"DRAWN TO THE RIVER"

Drawn to the river
but I couldn't go in.

Drawn to the water
but my chances were slim.

Drawn to the water
but afraid I would drown.

Drawn to the river
but I couldn't go down.

Drawn to the river
but I could not go in.

The water beckoned me
but I could not swim.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"EVERY KID THAT HAS CRAYONS CAN COLOR"

Every kid that has crayons can color
but we were taught to color within the lines.

Then someone came along and said:

"They're just trying to control you.
Who said you had to stay within the lines?"

Graveyards and prisons are full
of those that strayed outside of the lines.

We need more prisons and graveyards.

Unless we are taught
to stay within the lines.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"AND THEY DANCED"

"May I have this dance?" he asked her.

"Yes, but I'm waiting for someone," she said.

"That's ok, so am I," he replied.

And they danced.

And no one came.

"Do you come here often?" he asked.

"Sometimes, when I'm waiting for someone."

"So do I," he replied.

And they danced.

Still no one came.

"Maybe we've found each other," he said.

"That might be true," she said smiling.

And no one came.

And so they danced.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"DEATH AMONG YOUR PEERS"

Death so close
makes you wonder

why am I still here?

Death among
your friends and lovers.

Death among your peers.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"THE FLAME"

I felt like a moth
fluttering around a flame.

Afraid to leave
yet afraid to stay.

I had a burning desire
lost all my senses.

And was trapped behind
many unseen fences.

What to do now
I had not a clue.

Finally decided
'tis better to move.

I moved from the flame
and felt safer somehow.

'Tis much colder here

but more protected now.

Copyright © 1997 T. J. Daniels

"YOUR SPIRIT LIVES ON"

You taught your children well.

You instilled in each of us
qualities that we carried
into adulthood.

You taught us
when to speak
and when not to.

You taught us to be kind to all.

Even to those that were unkind
to us.

You taught us that to do otherwise
would make us as bad
as we perceived those others to be.

And Mom
I have passed those same virtues
on to your grandchilden.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"MOTHERS ARE LIKE THAT"

Momma
I remember all the times
that you took care of me
when I was sick.

You never asked for anything
just gave your heart
that was it.

There's no way
that I could ever hope to repay.

Just these very few words
in a vain attempt to say

I love you Momma.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"MY WAITING PLACE"

I sit here
in my waiting place
all alone 'cept me.

Will I always be lonely?

Will I be able to
wait and see?

How long must I have to wait?
I hope it's not too long.

I've waited for a long time now
I hope I haven't waited wrong.

I hope there's not a wrong way
that you just sit and wait.

If that's all there is to it
I'll just sit here
in my waiting place

and wait.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"AN UNSEEN HAND"

A paper cup.

You can distroy it
with no effort
with just one hand.

Sometimes
life feels like that.

Without any effort
our life can be completely

and utterly distroyed
without any effort...

By an unseen hand.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"THERE WAS NO LONELY"

I was lonely
and she was lonely.

So it was
that we both were lonely.

And so we spared
our loneliness.

In the nighttime
there was no lonely.

As we shared
our one and only...

In the nighttime...

There was no lonely.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"FOR MY CHILDREN"

I was not the perfect father
but you became great adults

inspite of that.

I am very proud of you
and every one of your
tremendous accomplishments.

When I look back
and see the mistakes
that I made

I have many times wished
that I was able to go back
and correct them.

But time is very unforgiving
in that it will never allow that.

I can only thank
The Good Lord and you.

That you became the Beautiful People
that you've become.

I LOVE YOU!!

Dad

Copyright © 2001 T. J. Daniels

"TIME IN A BOX"

I haven't opened
this box of memories
for many years.

Because they were
much too vivid.

But enough time has passed
that the years
have lessened their hold.

I can now pick and choose
and realise that the memories
are not as frightening
as they once were.

Now I can say
it is good

to have memories.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"WHERE THE MERMAIDS LIVE"

She knows where the mermaids live
that's where she plays.

She and the dolphins
are now

one and the same.

To be free
from a burned out sky

was all that she asked.

Like the mermaids and the dolphins
she is free now

free at last.

(Dedicated to the memory of someone
that I'll never meet. She loved
mermaids and dolphins. May she RIP).

"HOW HIGH THE MOON"

We vowed that our love
would last forever

stand their test of time.

It's been many years
since that day...

And I've many times asked why.

Forever doesn't last very long
for it came many years too soon.

Some questions
should never be asked

like
how high the moon.

Copyright © 2001 T. J. Daniels

"CAN I LEAN ON YOU?"

Lean on me
so I can lean on you.

Sometimes standing alone
is so hard to do.

I've stood alone so long
that I cannot stand anymore.

Let me lean on you
til I can stand alone.

Lean on me.

Copyright © 2001 T. J. Daniels

"HER HEART"

Possesions do not make happiness.

I could own the world
and still I'd be lonely.

I only want one thing
that I can not have.

I want her heart only.

I'll die a pauper
because I will never have

the only thing
that would make me rich...

Her heart.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"IN AN INSTANT"

If you were to invite me
back into your world...

I'd be there
in an instant.

I may regret
my decision later...

But right now
I would not hesitate.

Life alone
is very lonely.

And even if I may regret
my decision later...

I'd be there
in an instant.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"SOMETIMES IN DREAMS"

Our lips never met
but I could taste their delicate beauty.

Her messmerizing eyes of blue
drew me ever closer.

Then her essence
reached out and engulfed me.

Even now...

I feel her.

Sometimes in dreams.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels


"WHY IS THE SKY BLUE?"

Why is grass green?
Because the sky is blue.

Why does the wind blow?
Because the river flows.

Why does the sun shine?
Because flowers bloom.

Why are butterflies beautiful?
Because birds sing.

Why do I love?
I do not know...

I just do.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"THEY DIED TOO YOUNG"

When they were asked
they did not hold back.

They trudged off to war
with their life in a sack.

To unkown shores
they sailed away.

They died too young
they died today.

Copyright © 2000 T. J. Daniels

"MEMORIES DON'T LISTEN"

I pushed the memories of her
back to wherever it is
that unwanted memories reside.

Sometimes
the memories
slowly creep forward

even without my knowledge
until they fill my mind.

They do not belong here

in the present!

I swore that they would stay buried
in the past.

But memories don't listen.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD"

Why is it that
some people

must hit
every bump in the road?

It seems
they cannot
learn otherwise.

Don't they have
a heavy enough load?

I see these very same people
make the same mistakes

more than twice.

You'd think
that they'd learn
much quicker

by just living
everyday life.

Copyright © 1999 T. J. Daniels

"THE SOUND OF BEING ALONE"

I don't like the sound
of being alone.

It's like
Thunder
without the
Flash.

The sound of one hand clapping
or an actor
without an act.

Life without breath
the morning without dew.

The ocean with no water
or me without you.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"THE AGONY IN A TEAR DROP"

The silence of a teardrop
screams out in tormented pain.

The flood of many teardrops
is like a torrential rain.

They'll drown a broken heart
or suffocate a tender soul.

They'll flow without compassion
when they're on a roll.

They roll down hill so easily
and it's hard to make them stop.

But stop they must
when there isn't

anymore to drop.

Copyright © 1998 T. J. Daniels

"SHE IS EVE"

If she were Eve
and I her Adam.

I would partake
of her fruits.

I would grow old
and not even notice.

Because in her eyes
I would see me.

And in my eyes
I would see

She is Eve.

Copyright © 2001 T. J. Daniels

"SHE DANCED ON MOONBEAMS"

I saw her standing on a rainbow
dancing on moonbeams.

Through the misty moonlight
in midnight dreams.

I heard her calling
calling to me.

She said come
come to me.

I heard love
calling me.

She was love
in the shadow light.

I heard love
on a quiet night.

I was love
on a quiet night

and I danced on moonbeams.

Copyright © 2002 T. J. Daniels

"WHEN THE HEALING STARTS"

When bad things happen
we must reach down
to our basics and pull up.

It's not always easy
because sometimes
we've sunk so far down

that we can't even see light.

But if we go deep enough
within ourselves

that's when the healing starts.

Copyright © 2002 T. J. Daniels

"TEARS ON THE BATTLE FIELD"

War leaves a bitter taste
in it's wake.

Only warriors long for that waste.

Tears on the battle field
are not shed by the dead...

Only by those left behind.

Copyright © 2002 T. J. Daniels

"THE GIFT OF A CHILD"

Forever in memory
always near.

Never forgotten
always here.

A precious gift
only here for awhile.

Sent a very special gift
the gift a child.

Copyright © 2001 T. J. Daniels

"CHOICES PUT ME WHERE I AM"

I had choices to make
and I made some wrong ones.

If I had it to do all over again
I hope that I'd do it right.

I can try to blame others
but I'm at fault.

I know many others
that are where I am
but it's not their fault
it's always someone elses.

But bottom line
they made bad choices.

Copyright © 2002 T. J. Daniels

"I DO NOT THINK ANYMORE"

It's been many years
since she and I met.

A day doesn't go by
that I do not think of her.

Do I love her
because I think about her?

Or do I think about her
because I love her?

I do not think anymore
I just love.

Copyright © 2002 T. J. Daniels

"IT WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE"

it never happened

and hasn't happened yet
even though we never stop
hoping.

I've had thoughts
that maybe
some day

even though I know...

It was never meant to be.

Copyright © 2002 T. J. Daniels

"DANCING WITH THE LION"

Sometimes love
is like dancing with a lion.

Sometimes a gentle beast.

Other times
out of control.

Many have tried to tame the beast.

Some have succeeded.

Others have been devoured.

I'm not sure
if I'm the tamer or the tamed

I'm just not sure about me.

Copyright © 2001 T. J. Daniels

"A BLACKTOP COFFIN"

There's no beauty in blacktop
it's all underneath.

We have destroyed it all
when we covered up the green.

Underneath all the blacktop
there used to be trees.

Now there's only
a blacktop coffin

where there used to be leaves.

Copyright © 2001 T. J. Daniels

"VANILLA AND CREAM"

I need a valentine
will you be my rose?

Breathing your delicate petals
I feel your essence

from my head to my toes.

Rose petals are scattered
throughout my dreams.

You are a delicate flower
a scent of vanilla and cream.

Copyright © 2002 T. J. Daniels

"WHERE I WISH I WAS"

Every now and then
I catch myself
staring into emptyspace.

Is this the start of senility
or is my mind telling me
that I'd rather be

where I wish I was.

Then I come back to reality
and look around
and realise

that I'd rather be
where I'm not.

Copyright © 2002 T. J. Daniels

"THE KEEPER AND THE KEPT"

Bars do not
a prison make
but many have been caged.

We are our own
and sometimes never known
keeper of the guard.

We will never even know
when we've been set free

as we are both
the keeper and the kept.

Copyright © 2002 T. J. Daniels

"SHE WAS"

She was my sun
I was her moon.

She was my music
I was her tune.

She was the violin
I was the strings.

She was all of
my favorite things.

Then time went on
as it always does.

And so did she
that's why she was.

Copyright © 2004 T. J. Daniels

"MY HEART NEVER LISTENS"

I've tried
for many years
not to think about her
but my heart never listens.

I've tried to sleep
without dreaming of her
but it's no use.

Some days are ok.

It's the nights
that betray me
as she steals into the darkness
and invades my soul.

The nights would be very lonely
if I were alone
but she never leaves me alone.

There are times that I'm glad
that my heart never listens.

Copyright © 2003 T. J. Daniels

"MY THOUGHTS ON POLITICS"

In politics
everyone carries a sign saying
hurray for our side.

It wasn't our fault
it was the other guys.

Don't believe my opponent...

He lies.

Copyright © 2004 T. J. Daniels

"RETIREMENT AIN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE"

The day that I've been waiting for
has finally arrived.

Ain't no more early to bed
nor early to arise.

I still set the alarm clock
just so that I can shut the damn thing off.

But I gotta get a parttime job
'cause my wife is starting to sound
too much like my boss.

She's got a 'Honey Do' list
that's longer than your arm.

So I think I'm gonna love to hear
the sound of that alarm.

Copyright © 2003 T. J. Daniels

"IT'S SO NICE TO SEE YOU"

If I were to count the moments
'til I saw her again
I would be counting years.

It's difficult
to describe my feelings
whenever I see her.

I try not to stare
but sometimes
I feel out of breath.

My heart rate increases
and my face feels warm.

As we exchange pleasantries
I want to shout

"I LOVE YOU!!"

but say:

'It's so nice to see you'

instead.

Copyright © 2003 T. J. Daniels

"REFLECTIONS ON A QUIET NIGHT"

The moon mirrored
on a quiet lake.

Two hearts
side by side.

One future.

Copyright © 2003 T. J. Daniels

"VULGARITY IN POETRY"

I made a concious decision
not to use foul language in my poetry.

As a poet
my grasp of language should be great enough
that I do not have to resort to gutter language.

Here are a few of the vulgarities
that I chose not to use:

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

Copyright © 2004 T. J. Daniels

"I'VE SURVIVED ANOTHER YEAR"

My New Years resolution
is to live until I die.

I've made that same vow each year
and it seems to work
'cause I'm still alive.

Another year has come and gone
though not much has changed.

I'm still writing poetry
but she still hasn't changed her name.

I know that in His infinite wisdom
The Lord is looking out for me.

But it's sometimes hard to wait
'cause Me Myself and I
are not the greatest company.

Copyright © 2004 T. J. Daniels

"BREAKFAST FOR ONE"

Lost
somewhere in time.

With a love
that is timeless.

My love
is a lonely love...

Breakfast for one.

Copyright © 2001 T. J. Daniels