'Barren Island'

Lost without God.

To the poets out in the street,
to the women I'll never meet..
To the dead-end reckless boys
To the frantic, little noise
All the clear tears locked in her eyes
And to the ones she'll never cry
A little white-lie
A 'lotta lost hope
It's not a death-wish
Or a night fear
The midnight mothers cry for their sons
And the criminals on the run
To the virgin that screams for help
And to the woman in her Church-black veil
Police. shootout. heat.
Word has it on the street:
'The innocent can't know defeat'
Like a lost cat,
Or a stray dog
The moon is listless..
We're so restless,
Without a Home.
No f*ckin' direction, or
Divine Connection..
Wars raging all around
Hitler churning in his grave
The human heart so callous still
Another pleasure-seeking, zombie-thrill
The nighttime girls preying for more..
Sacrificial lambs fall all around
You're the killer, blood's on your hands
White martyrs take their final stand
To the corporate hired hand
And to the CEO-heartless man
To the victims all across this land
On A
BARREN ISLAND
I
STAND..

Reviews

[William Liston]

This piece makes me sad ... about half-way through I began to think of all the troubles in the world and how some people just seem like they're wandering aimlessly -- without a purpose and without a care. I think the phrase "BARREN ISLAND" describes that mindset quite well. This reminds me of the poem "Alone With Everybody" by Charles Bukowski ... it makes me feel the same way this did.

- William Liston

[brian]

Thank you very, very much William. I'm glad it evoked a kind of emotion in you

[Nicole Williams]

I have no words except beautiful poem , It hit me really hard showing how awful many events can be . your really talented and i love reading your work .

[brian]

This poem is meant to evoke intense emotion.

[Beautiful Intentions]

This piece made me think of all the troubles that are going on in the States these days... All the police shootings and the racism issues, which seem to be escalading all the more day by day. There is a desperation here... For mankind to become embraced by faith instead of hatred, to become better than we are. Touching upon so many topics that I believe the average person also considers, is concerned about, as there are such wonderfully caring people in this world. This is also very inspiring to me, Brian. As it reminds me that no matter ones personal troubles there are greater issues, greater sorrows that need to be addressed and healed. You have such a message to share.

[brian]

You nailed. I was thinking about all my personal troubles combined with all of the world's affairs, and how the two are intertwined. If we're living a 'debauched' and dark lifestyle, then we are contributing to the overall darkness of the world. No human evil is greater than the other. We are all in this together. The little sin we do in 'secret' is just as hideous as ISIS chopping off people's heads. Our souls can become just as ugly, or just as beautiful. (=

[Beautiful Intentions]

Absolutely agree. I believe very much in projecting positive energy onto the world, in banishing the darkness with a blinding light. "We are all in this together..." Indeed... And still, even the smallest change can begin with one person.:)

[brian]

I believe a lot of people have good--or, "beautiful"--intentions..they just go about it fighting fire with fire

[Beautiful Intentions]

That's true... I guess, sometimes people just can't think of a better way.

[brian]

We must show them that "better way."