Peep Show

Though I watch,
I stay out of people's mouths
Unlike the woman
Now across from me
Intently staring...

She watches the papers I hear
Of the woman next to me;
Watches a woman almost in tears
Embarrassed she broke down
Here
With the man next to her
Barely seeming to care
As he hurries to answer another call
Before we dive underground.

She watches
As I glance
Taking in flashes
Interpreting pictures that remain
Which over time
All look the same
Grouped or not
People going about life
As if no one else existed...
©2011cchristopherbess

So Far Away

Between images
Of pristine worlds
And what I live in
I slip away on dreams
Things I wonder
If I should believe in
Like maybe there's a place
Where injustice and stigma
Are words to be readin'

Instead of seein'
Instead of livin'

Between what they say I could be
And what the world
Seems to have planned
For all who look just like me
I slip away on dreams
Maybe there could be
A place for truth and love
And all the good they say
But when I wake
That just seems

So far away

So far away

Between words and worlds
I hoped never existed
Beyond stories of old
I dreamed it was all a lie
And that I didn't have to die
To know a little slice of heaven
And to the children I could say
That peace exist
And it wasn't

So far away

So far away

I think I'll have to turn
Forget the way they see me
Accept the fact I'm stolen
No closer to my history
Than what I'm allowed to be
Without fear up uprising;
I think I'll have to turn
My cheek again to burn
From the sting of a world that plays
and leaves us all astray
Chocking on the exhaust
As they achieve their dreams

So far away

So far away...
©2011cchristopherbess

The Face of My Father

So my mom contacts me and ask for a favor. This piece is the result and is dedicated to those "senior" members of the Highland Ave. Church of Christ. Enjoy!

“The Face of my Father”

I saw the face of my father
Saw the faces of them all
Contemplating their grace
God’s blessing of age
In a time so many of my heroes
Have faded much too fast

I saw the faces of his friends
Brothers and sisters
Ageless grand oaks
Whose leaves of wisdom
I still seek shelter under
When the glare of this world
Seeks to blind me to fall

I saw all their faces
Not as they are
But as they were
A multihued multitude
Of the stories I part
As I tend my fields
Of adolescent abandonment
Realizing beyond
What I ever thought I would
The exquisite joy
Of age
And prayed
I’d be blessed to see the same…
©2010cchristopherbess

In Passing

Hanging his head low
Working hands undo
Silver Container of spirit
Because his spirit's lost
And this seems to be
The best way to pass time.

Swallowing hard
His apple makes a vicious move
Within his ravaged throat;
Sucks his teeth a little
Cocks his head to the right
And with one grim look
Encompasses me into his fable.

A silent minute
Or two
We go on with our game
I blink
He looks down
Weary eyes to my script
Unseen;
He rummages through
A collection of bags at his feet
Producing a small leather book
As my scribing ceases
And I look on in wonder
Further with question
As to why his hand's outstretched;
But with each page turned
The message clearer
Artist to artist
Recognition sublime...
©2010cchristopherbess

Unconscious Melody

Trust.
A little reason to lie
A little reason to hold me...

Clear.
If I could just clear my mind
If the world could just cease it's crimes
Then maybe we'd finally own we
Instead of waiting on god we don't see
On high.

Speaking of the subject
(Sigh)
Been a long time since I been high
Wait a minute,
On life;
And yes
I'm trying to get a laugh tonight
Because that's what gets me by
When I lose trust
And I need a little reason to lie
A simple moment just to hold me
And cry
Because how many times
Til it won't be alright
And there's no way to clear your mind
No way to face the time
No way to get that high
Being left with gettin' by
And all there is
Is memory
Of life...
©2010cchristopherbess

The Quick and the Dead

Every day I see the quick
And the dead.
Souls who get
It
Souls who don't.
I see them
And in my wanderings ponder
What about me?
Then some of them answer...

It starts with my thoughts
Each morning on the edge of awakening
As I grumble
Shifting into maturity
Or what I've been told that is;
Follows me out my door
As I turn again
Because in my rush to survive
I don't want to leave my dreams
Idling upon sheets
Useless.

It strains my shoulders
Into a curvature of the spine
My eyelids follow
Along the black rhythms
Of their quiet stares
Recognizing me
As one of the damned
Delicately dancing
Upon the razor of existence
Thankful for my calloused soul
Bare and strong
Being neither quick
Or dead
Going about life
In it's strange
Usual way...
©2010cchristopherbess

For What Could Have Been (A Kiss)

I recently spoke with an old flame after many years. I found myself out alone this evening with my thoughts and a jaunt down memory lane...

"For What Could Have Been (A Kiss)"

Champagne wishes and cranberry dreams
He reminisced
Harking back to that innocence
Long before the jade
When all it took
Was Denny's after the dance
After moments brief within their eyes

He missed them all
In his own sadistic way
Truthfully knowing
Now
As they did then
It never would've lasted
Couldn't have lasted
Though
Couldn't it have?

He reminisced
On little surprises
Tucked here and there
Trinkets to addorn
Possibly cover up truths
It takes a broken heart to learn;
Reminisced on kisses
In the hours late
That moved from shores
To back seats
And vinyl couches
That seemed to moan in unison
With the surrounding patrons;
Reminisced of smells
Welcomed
As arms held him tight
Returning each time
Despite a distance that grew
From miles to years.

He reminisced
And smiling knew
He loved them all
Loves
Them all
Despite end result
Of being left with
What could have been
A kiss for them all
That hangs silent
On the eternity of possibility
Now a long silent whisper
Drawn out
Hoping never to fade...
©2010cchristopherbess