Something i penned back in January, after our club's disappointing performance at the BUCS kayak slalom competition a few days earlier. (And being January, by god was it cold!)

The Slalom
(with apologies to Poe)

Once upon a morning bleary, while i waited, weak and weary
Above a cold and churning flow at Tees Barrage
While i bobbed there gently crapping, suddenly there came a tapping
As of someone loudly rapping, rapping from the one in charge
"'Tis some signal" i muttered, rapping from the one in charge
Only this, and nothing large.

Ah, distinctly i remember it was like the bleak December
As of a dying ember brought my consent upon this folly.
Eagerly i wished the morrow, for i had sought to borrow
Extra kit surcease of sorrow, sorrow that had seemed so jolly,
For the rare and treasured BUCS points wanted wholly,
Namely here desired solely.

Presently my soul grew stronger, fearing humiliation no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness i implore,
But the fact is i'm a novice, seeking comfort in the solace,
Of your judgement free from malice, malice at my boat afore
Your eyes, you see a creeker" here i started of the course,
Icy water there, and nothing more.

Deep into those green gates peering, soon i reached them, fearing
Doubting, taking lines no kayaker dared to run before,
Dreaming that the line remain unbroken, the cold air gave no token,
And the judges they have spoken of missed gates one or four,
Time penalties they inflicted for my sins around the course
Merely this, and nothing more

In the end pool ears were burning, as the water ran there churning,
Suddenly i saw a swimmer, swimming in the waves afore,
"Surely", said I, "surely that is someone learning,
Of the water's power turning, turning over his boat for sure,
Let's be still a moment, and this mystery explore
'Tis the stopper, nothing more."

No time to ponder, 'ere i fear i must wander,
To the starting place over yonder, wondering of his fate no more,
From some unhappy disaster, still this course is mine to master,
For my time might still be faster, faster than the run before,
Less gates i missed than those on the run before,
Less fifty seconds i implore.

Then i felt the air grow denser, cloying from an watery censor,
As tempest tossed my ride asunder, asunder in the icy flow,
Freezing my torso into rigor, empty of all vim and vigour,
Rolling failed, my options hither: falling from the boat i go,
Praying salvation from hydrous torture, to the bank i climb and know,
There are photos, ever so.

And the water still is churning, disdaining hopes of all concerning,
For the red gates backwards turning, points are flying out the door,
And the cold is all consuming, feelings lost and noses streaming,
Papery judgements ever reaming, places slipping by twos and fours,
BUCS points now a distant dream my mind is set for evermore,
Run the slalom, nevermore!

---

Life on earth is the global equivalent of not storing things in the fridge.

A Museum Discovery


She was sitting, alone.
Old scenes, on the walls.

A tear left her eye,
Which captured, my heart.

To not break the silence,
I penned my concern.

On bench, she leaned sideways,
Took notepad, from me.

We gently engaged
In a shared history.

Our movements, were one,
As we spoke, soundlessly.

The ultimate disclosure --
Her muteness, to me.

* * *

j. r. martin
13 July 2013

---

My inner clown


I'm beginning to feel myself

As if I'm breaking out

Of a thick and selfmade shell


No more fear, no more anticipation

I say "YES" to freedom!!

Live my life without frustration


No more down

I control insane

My Clown is born

And laughter is my fame.


JD (2013)

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rOZZ
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A man

A man walks, his shoulders moving to the beat of life's insanity.
A man breathes, filling his lungs with the blank images of his past.
A man looks, his eyes wide open to the event that we call life .

A man dies, no air to waste, no one to escape to.
A man, buried, no soul to be captured, no light to shine upon.
A man, reborn, his feet hit the sidewalk of life.

A man on fire, the blood in his veins belongs to the forces of nature.
A man, alive, no memories or shadows to be hunted .
A man loves, earning his wings, to fly without the burden of loneliness.

JD (2013)

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rOZZ
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Infinity

The vastness of Space empowers us,
makes us universally equal,
and frees us from submission
to supposed higher powers

Frees us from the shackles
of fate, false prophecies and signs;
and instead makes us the creator,
not of power, wealth or life;

but of ourselves,
who decide the present
and shape future and past

JD (2013)

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rOZZ
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SOLAR ANTHOLOGY...



Mother

don't know from where to start,
don't know what to say...
graciously blessed to have her,
thanking god every single night i pray...

i seldom act quite sick,
make her dirty and pollute...
but she never ever complains,
just plays the nature's flute...

i kill her day by day,
with my never ending greed...
while she smiles quietly,
and keeps sowing the life's seed...

she holds me inside her belly,
never cuts the umbilical chord...
she exists therefore i exist,
for me she's the supreme lord...


EARTH

Aunt

comes third in the row,
mother's twin sister...
she looks pretty cool,
but she's burning hot mister...

while the whole family's in sync,
she dances to her own tune...
seems to have a pretty face,
but her lips are sand dunes...

without her directional help,
even pirates would die...
every sailor's love,
she sparkles bright in the dawn sky...


VENUS

Soulmates

Soulmates flattered
down in green pastures
Gazing at the illuminated sky
Astonished by celestial magnificence
What this splendor does imply.

Feeling the grandeur of it all
Energy flowing through their veins
Souls entwined together
Only unconditional love remains.

No physical love, just heartfelt hugs
In love with each other’s soul
Inspired and in love with life itself
They see the beauty of it all.

JD (2013)

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In a quite life,
I heard your heart of hearts,
Joy.

Distance

distance, it’s all I can think of
unpaved roads of twisted dreams
dark ways caused by cloudy love
my puzzled voice only screams

the shallow pool completely empty
all hart-warming thoughts have left
while he is still driving me crazy
my common soul not a moment at rest

in the process of shattering that lovable ember
the constant search for a soothing balance
none of this, soon nor ever
just.. present me a new challenge..

JD (2013)

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