Failure

Failure

seems to come so easily.

Around each corner

it teases me.

Tests your spirit

tests your soul

makes you question

every goal.

Can you handle more?

Take swing.

Keep on trying.

You can't hit a thing.

Hear the screams?

Hear the cries?

Growing tired

of tear filled eyes.

Feels like your writing

a Book of Job yourself

tested and tested, waiting and waiting

for a trophy to sit upon your shelf.

For faith and hope and yes some love

may be all that remains of the day.

But faith and hope and yes some love

are what keeps failure from leading you astray.

This Way to the Rubicon

What are these feelings?

Why are they here?

They're magical

and fill me with fear.

New again.

Renewed and then,

It's lovely to be wanted.

Hard for me not to flaunt it.

Deeper and deeper

these choices aren't wise.

Convincing myself our knot is tight.

Still, I loosen up the ties.

A heart that's abundant.

I've plenty to share.

It's not all for you,

that doesn't mean I don't care.

Fair's not always equal

and other excuses you make.

Can't deny the burning and yearning.

Won't predict how long this will take.

Could let it run it's course

like the blood racing through my veins.

Could end it in a flash

Sever everything but the pain.

Never asked for all this

but I guess, maybe I did.

Thought I'd have the best of both worlds

not have to chose which one to rid.

Fear of the rejection

the regrets and eyes that resent.

Fear of hurting so many people.

Temptation's not only a serpent.

And it's not fair to lose all the joy

the beaming faces,

imagined romantic places,

and the seduction that's been employed.

Answers should be easy,

but the questions make me queasy,

and I don't want to think anymore.

I just want to be with the one I adore.

Airport Rendezvous

I am a weary traveler

Been in the air all night.

Gathered up my carry on;

Had to wait for another flight.

Sat in the terminal

with a coffee in my hand.

Noticed one guy I was flying with,

his face was kind of bland.

Now the place was pretty empty.

No crowds. No noise. How rare.

Felt like I could die

and no one would really care.

The bland guy with the glasses

really looked a wreck.

I couldn’t believe what he was doing;

Putting a tie around his neck.

This guy stood taller with each moment.

He re-tucked his shirt and pulled lint from his coat.

Pulled a card from his briefcase;

Wish I saw what he had wrote.

He scanned the crowd intently

and wandered from the gate.

I’d seen that look before,

like a man waiting for his date.

As if on cue he began to beam

all blandness had left his face.

It took only an instant but in that instant

he was transformed to another place.

I followed the direction of his gaze.

She too was radiant in her boots and black knit dress;

and a smile that competed with the rays of dawn.

“Is that you?” he asked, and she cried out, “Yes!”

They tangled themselves into an embrace

that lasted longer than the flight, it seemed.

Then they kissed, without remorse and I heard him whisper,

“You’re everything I’ve dreamed.”

Now I’m a weary traveler

but I only think of you.

And like that guy,

I dream of an airport rendezvous.

That's entirely up to you

Look how you glow

there’s a smile, you know

etched across your face.

It’s been quite awhile

since you wore that gorgeous smile

so lightly all over the place.

Up ‘til the wee morning hours

sometimes even later.

Chatting to him across the miles

your affection grows greater.

There’s flattery and charm.

You laugh together, so at ease

With flirtatious skills he does disarm

and you handover those emotion filled keys.

You love it all

Yet it all seems a bit wrong.

You feel bad

but the feeling’s so strong.

So unexpected

So thrilling and new.

A race of emotions.

You don’t know what to do.

The speed of your connection

leaves you breathless

and in awe.

And none of it takes away the feelings

you still have for another,

but you can’t quite withdraw.

This is too new and exciting

and his words,

so inviting.

To be swept off your feet

what was missing

suddenly feels complete.

Not long now before one of you

declares your love for the other.

You’ll be shaken

and feel strange,

become restless

with pangs.

You’ll justify

that it’s only a crush.

and question

the need to rush.

How can this seduction

just linger?

You’ll dream of his arms wrapped around you

caressing your cheek with his finger.

You’ll feel anxious and fright

as you anticipate each night

until the time he’s not there.

Then despondent, you’ll swear

And then you’ll try to repair

the distance that’s grown with another.

Then that will be great,

but it will be too late,

for he’ll approach you again

with sorry’s so grand

and promises and wishes to meet in the Fall

and with words that enrapture and simply enthrall.

He’ll send you a gift

and notes of affection.

Will complement your taste

and congratulate you on your selection.

He’ll offer to help

and your frowns will end.

You’ll wonder how you got so lucky

to have such a good friend.

And friend will become code

as you embark down a road

and shudder to think what could come next.

And again in your bliss

you’ll feel the feelings you missed

And you won’t be shy to tell him so.

Then he’ll ask you for more

and tell you how much he adores

the time he spends only with you.

Then he’ll press you a bit

to figure out where he now fits

and that’s when you’ll decide.

What’s worth more to you,

what you have

or what you have not?

What you know

or discovering what you know not?

What will you do?

That’s entirely up to you.

The Baffled King

The baffled King
He came to me.
Might have been
in a dream
or in a park.
Either way
it was after dark.

He trembled
As He stroked His beard.
told me all
the things He feared.

Then He stood
and He just stared.
He stared and stared
stared and stared.

The wind it slowed
to a stop.
When it did
to His knees He dropped
and sobbed and sobbed
sobbed and sobbed.

I fell beside Him
wiped His tears.
Repeated back
all His fears.
Told Him that
despite His years
the child still laughed
within Him.

The King lifted His head
and then His hand.
I grabbed it tight
to help Him stand.
He broke a smile
then a hearty laugh.

Apologized
for being meek.
Leaned into me
and kissed my cheek.
Laid His hand
upon my shoulder.
The kindly King
looked much bolder.
He turned back,
from where He came
and I fell to slumber
once again.

Here in the Cold

Putting out my hand

waiting

waiting for you to grab hold.

Maybe I’m just a fool

standing

standing here in the cold.

Ambient city lights

block out the dark night.

Looking upward, my eyes

catch a raindrop

that spills into a tear

and streaks down my cheek

and tumbles to the sidewalk

where I see my well worn shoes

that have paced these streets

looking for you

and a chance,

a fleeting chance

to grab hold of your hand

and pull you close

and gaze into your eyes

and read past your past

and suddenly kiss

your kissable lips.

Pulling you close

to escape the cold winds

that blow off the river

and down the cobblestone streets

and swirl around us.

The taxi cabs

and their squealing brakes

echo against

the tightly packed brownstones

that sit upon the hill.

I open my eyes again

and again I am alone.

Putting out my hand

waiting

waiting for you to grab hold.

Maybe I’m just a fool

standing

standing here in the cold.

Stubborn Stars

Stubborn stars,

please shine tonight.

I've wishes to make

and I need your light.

Fickle twinkling stars

I look for you above this haze.

I miss your guidance;

your beaming ways.

I know that others

wish upon you too

but tonight no one needs

you quite the way I do.

I wait all night

for the clouds to clear.

My heart races faster

because I know dawn is near.

Stubborn stars.

Sweet stubborn stars.

When

will you glow for me again?

I Could Write

I could write about fanciful places

and all the wishes I pin to the stars

I could pine for more late evening dances

or cuddles beneath toasty blankets with our favorite candy bars

I could share how longings still haunt me

even though reason has long since escaped.

Pen stories of romantic notions

with knights and maidens, and villains in evil so draped.

The aroma of flowers embrace you

from whom, were they sent?

Powerless to woo you

or to even plan such an event.

Left here to wonder about your hair

and how it falls down your spine.

And rest assured, as I wonder aloud

I also wander about my mind.

Your social graces

and charms

silver bracelets

that clang like alarms.

Just beyond arms length

too far to grasp.

Bewildered by some things

that remain unasked.

Let the poets ask the questions

and singers belt out with soul

For the writers or other dreamers,

their words get flushed down the bowl.

Over and Over Again

Do you listen to the same songs as me?

The ones that make you fall in love

over and over again.

Do you get all ethereal and dreamy

swept up in rhythm and lyric

over and over again?

Gazing into your imaginary eyes

they reflect and expose you

over and over again.

Hearing your laugh and seeing your smile

feeling your touch, so worthwhile.

Begging to kiss you

over and over again.

Trying

Fade away
On the day
That you said
You’d always
Stay

Took the time
Just to say
You had no time
On the day
Couldn’t stay

There you sat
On the bus
Hair pulled back
So no fuss
On the way

To the place
You say you work
But you complain
‘bout all the jerks
everyday

And there’s no trace
No tracks of tears
On your face
You could cry
But not today

Bought you roses
In a bunch
Tied in ribbons
I had a hunch
You’d be home

Rang the bell
Tried the door
Peered through the windows
And scanned the floor
I was wrong

Left the flowers
On the front stairs
No note to leave
No real cares
That night.

Are You There?

Are you there,

Typing through the night?

Are you there,

Keys glowing in blue light?

Can you imagine

Do you give it any thought

That I too am typing

When maybe I ought not?

For the morning gray

Sits across the horizon to the east

And I’ve functions to attend to

Though none interest me in the least.

We could speak of adventures

Of the travels you’ve taken.

Of the hearts you’ve run into

And one’s you’ve forsaken.

We could talk of your vocation

Your studies and knowledge now gained,

And of the poems you write for others

And how much they’ve pained.

Should we reminisce of evenings

When we left things unspoken?

Dare discuss old promises

Long since broken?

Tell me of your dinners

And those you’ve entertained

Speak of fine wine and chocolate

Or how hard it recently rained.

And what of your lover

Who rests in the nearby bed?

You know, the one who fulfills you

And keeps your passions well fed?

At times you consume me

With mystery and doubt.

Both qualities you wear often

But never wear-out.

Twirling Woman

He liked to see a woman twirl.

Not just when dancing

Enraptured by music or beat,

But in moments of excitement

When burdens disappear

And she’s lighter on her feet.

Twirling women are a rarity

More likely to see her pull a drag from a cigarette

Or chug confidence from a bottle of Corona.

For twirling women have temerity,

From others they feel no threat

It’s just a part of their persona.

Twirling is cheerful – at any age or size.

Twirling brings about laughter

And warms even icy eyes.

He knew she was a twirler

He felt it in his bones.

Imagined when she spun about

She’d crinkle up her nose.

He could see her twirls at dawn or dusk

And all points in between.

And knew she wasn’t a shy twirler

Could give a damn if she were seen.

He saw her twirl in any attire

The sartorial choice was hers.

And he just knew that her smile grew

When she spun like a straw that stirs

On winter streets with footprints in the snow

Or rainy nights, when howling winds would blow.

In summer sun, on sand or waves

Or against autumns’ fallen leafs and shortened days

Her twirls, self-made,

Never sold or bought

And he knew if he were the one to make her twirl

He would never be forgot.

Top 6 Most Popular Poems/ Lyrics for 2009

For better or for worse, here are the top 6 most popular Wooing of the Mind poems in 2009:

1. Just Understand Her
2. More Moments
3. You're Never Alone
4. Oh Me, I'm Fine
5. Misplaced Lucky Charm
6. Never Need Nobody

Which were your favorites? Not on the list? Search through the 81 poems and lyrics of 2009 and see if there's one you like.

More Moments

The moment I first saw you

was the moment I first knew,

that no matter how long

our next moment would last,

it would be a special moment

that was spent too fast.

Life has its moments

each strung, side to side.

Moments ebb and flow,

like the ocean’s tide.

We’ve shared stolen moments.

times forever treasured.

Parceled liked teaspoons of sugar;

not as carefully measured.

We’ve planned our moments too,

but when we did, they drifted through

like evening fog

rolling across the bay.

I need more moments with you!

More moments

to gaze upon your eyes and lips

and tender face!

Moments to feel

your tight embrace!

Moments to soothe our pain,

and to rediscover,

each other,

once again.

Please, some more moments!

Hear my plea to you.

Would you please call,

when you have a moment?

Because I just need another moment

to say,

I love you.