a poem by Nicky Brendon
audio file

I got dressed up. Feeling dignified. My strut was bona fide fire.
I stride with a pride to my ride when my reflection caught my eye passing an outside window.
I got broadsided with a melancholy that I believed was more than justified.
And had completely occupied my mind many times before.

I was suddenly preoccupied with a doubt and fear that intensified with each step.
I felt like an austere pioneer in the uninhabitable frontal lobe’s frontier of a blemished cerebral hemisphere.
The cheer that was in my heart had all but disappeared and severely disrupted my conduct.
It was clear that these corrupt and violent assaults were and…

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…and with that thought I smiled on the inside.
I’m learning to not chide myself or deride my disorderly dilemmas.
Or the complexities of my diseased mind and it’s intricate little white lies.

I smiled again; this time on the outside.
I had to admit to myself that the thoughts in my head were counterfeit;
And I counterbalanced it with a commitment to not sit in that malignant bullshit.
To ask for help when it persists and to explore the causes that permitted my thoughts to be commandeered.

The damage I had incurred and feared so, had disappeared as rapidly as it had appeared.
I just assumed the thoughts that consumed my time since my leaving the womb,
Would forever have me entombed in a state of doom and gloom.

I’ve adopted a thought process to forbid these morbid thoughts.
To rid myself of these unpleasant notions which almost had me broken.
I would tolerate it no more!

I gave it no more credence and found no more reason to feed it.
It receded and finally it conceded defeat and I let the sufferance finally commence.
What a beneficial difference that the simple act of acceptance made on my insane brains chronic pain.

I built a rapport with places and spaces in me that I once adored so and also once abhorred.
All because I explored the blessing of acceptance and learned the lesson of the blessings of my quirky imperfections.

So as I stood outside looking at my reflection that had abruptly caught my attention, my dejection was replaced with an affection and adoration.
I decided to override those snide sentiments and those amusing malicious musings.
And with that I picked up my stride, feeling more satisfied then before I had arrived at that outside window and my reflection that caused me disaffection.

As I swaggered away, rather than hate, I created in me a state of grace.
I smiled big on the inside and the outside at the same time.
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Coming soon…New original poem titled “Mark’s Song” exclusive to Facebook Supporters! Be sure to sign up on Facebook today via this link!

a poem by Nicky Brendon
audio file

In the space of less than 24 hours a cataclysmic catastrophe that has become all too commonplace has disgraced this nation.
The tragedies – El Paso, Texas: 20 dead. Dayton, Ohio: 9 dead.

Mass shootings. Mass massacre.
Mourners come out in the masses.

Then we all wait for that dreaded talking godhead to calm our fears,
With “my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”

It’s clear that they don’t recognize how severe the problem is.
Or how searing the pain is by how sincerely insincere and cavalier they all appear.

They don’t stray. They stay the course.
They don’t veer. They can’t. They’re not steering.

They’re always checking the atmosphere for what they should hold on to near and dear.
The lines have been blurred and are far from clear.

Their steadfast resolve is to absolve those responsible.
It’s irresponsible. Reprehensible and indefensible.

They’re magicians. All smoke and mirrors.
God forbid they shed a tear.

These inbred talking heads have us all seeing red.
And to that we say “nyet.” Put down the god damn vodka gimlet.

Time and time again we watch as they aid and abet.
You’re the NRA’s potty-trained domesticated pets.

Instead of neutralizing the actual threat,
These house pets hem and haw until we forget what got us so upset to begin with.

We need to outlaw assault rifles period.
We will never forget.

Your beliefs to the contrary are fundamentally flawed.
I’m not infringing on one’s right to bare arms.

I cringe when the lunatic fringe brimming with unhinged citizens begins their argument about the 2nd amendment.
Let’s drop that shit. You sound like a fucking twit.

A nitwit that doesn’t get that their being played; so you can keep your hand guns and hunting rifles.
But if you think that assault rifles should be permitted then you’re the one stifling progress and snuffing out human life.

In the end, it’s not about a systematic failure of thought or politics or even the fucking 2nd amendment.
It’s about the victims. Not just victims. Not just afterthoughts.

They are my hope. My salvation hereafter.
Remember them for the joy and laughter they brought, and not a footnote in this disaster.