No Exchanges, No Returns

Just my thoughts of lately. Hope you enjoy.

Once upon a time, it was said

If god intended man to fly

he would have givin him wings instead

but here’s the thing

he gave us something so much better than wings

He gave us innovation, perseverance, hope, and desire

All the things that would cause our minds to be set a fire

And now that we live in a modern time where we use and abuse

consumed force feed misinformation

that is ultimately leading us to our own damnation

I’ve been looking for salvation

or some sort of revelation

I know I’m not the only one awaiting the revolution to begin

So let it begin with me

Because I can’t stand what I see

The stars and stripes that hangs from a pole

Somewhere along the way she lost her soul

Make no mistake

I ain’t a saint

But every story needs its villain and hero

and here I stand at ground zero

Ready to fight with all my might

Because I won’t be a part of the generation that allow freedom to die

So I’ll continue to try

Standing up to defy

Don’t you know it’s the devil at the door

asking for more

treating you as his w***e

Labeling it universal reform

As we pick and choose

between red and blue

Seems it doesn’t matter what we do

somehow we the people still lose

I’ve become so enraged to the point I’ve gone color blind

but I don’t mind

this lovely shade of gray

It’s allowed me to see a truth

in the statement “life, liberty, and the pursuit…”

The pursuit of happiness that we all strive to achieve

by any means

But I find that I’m haunted by the ghost of the past

The men and women whose blood, sweat, and tears

Over the years, once made this country great

now I pray that it’s not to late

and we don’t hesitate

As we I arise like trees from the land

and stand unified against the man

whose plan involves enslaving the land of the free

Because it can’t just be me

That sees the current state of affairs

is being more than just a little unfair

So I share the burden I carry

and say this

We have but one life

One chance

There is no exchanges, no returns

so we have to make the most of our one shot

do everything we can with all we have

and learn to fly.

Reviews

[J.V. Stanley]

The stars and stripes that hangs from a pole
Somewhere along the way she lost her soul

These words right here struck me. When 9/11 occurred I remember seeing so much national pride within the U.S., so much so that it was moving. For a period of time I saw this whole country come alive filled with such emotion, between flags flowing brightly every which way, to yellow ribbons hung on every light post, magnetic ones clung to the back of every vehicle. But as the shock of it died down, from the economic hardships that we all have been forced to endure because of the war, because of a lot of things, I don't much see a lot of National Pride. Much like the Fourth of July where we celebrate with parades and floats, where candy is thrown to the children, the holiday or day of remembrance has lost its meaning in a lot of hearts...people go about their business, their day to day lives and that soulful feeling of pride within the USA has dwindled within the hearts of many save for the few and the proud who sacrifice a lot, including their lives for the sole sake of keeping the USA free.

I simply find it sad that a tragedy such as what happened on that dreaded day 9/11 is one of the few times our souls are filled with pride within our nation, that during other times we piss and moan about how horrible the government is, of taxes and we take for granted how well off we really are.

Beautifully penned my dear.

[The Viking]

This poem needs to be shouted from the highest precipices. People need to hear words like these permeated through their lives, not what they actually end up hearing in entertainment and their jobs. But with that coming death of freedom you mentioned, people never get a chance to hear anything other than what the government wants them to hear. It wants them to be stupid, misinformed, and to think their whole purpose in life is to serve some authority figure they've never met, so it's pretty much in the design that words like the ones you've woven here are meant to be lost in obscurity. However, it's not all in vain. It comforts me to know there are those like yourself who aren't afraid to speak of what they see and try to illuminate the rest of humanity. With time, your words will garner momentum. It may take a while, but it will amount to something eventually, so keep it up. Loved your poem, struck those chords in me. One thing didn't quite make sense though,
"As we I arise like trees from the land"
Is that a typo, or did you mean 'we' becoming a collective 'I'? Nothing big, just kinda left me guessing. This is an inspiring call to arms. It's quite refreshing to read your words.

[Bubo]

Missed your words deeply,because you write with your soul, you write about what matters, and you always deliver truth, and I know it is truth, because I feel your words in my heart..........so true, and like you I wonder if its too late, if the world will ever be able to turn itself around and become more than this materialistic war thriving, making the poor poorer............etc............I once believed I could fly, a long time ago..............and maybe we should all cling to the belief we can,

I know I'm not the only one awaiting the revolution to begin

So let it begin with me

Because I can't stand what I see

The stars and stripes that hangs from a pole

Somewhere along the way she lost her soul


You could be talking about any person in any nation......................for the UK is crumbling along with you.

[SM Davis]

You are definitely not alone in your thoughts. Good to see you writing again. Have missed you.

[An Ordinary Woman]

It scary times out there and getting worse each day ... it's good to have friends and poetry ... these things are my escape. The day is coming where even this isn't enough. I'm worried, Robert.

Thanks for the great poem, friend and it's very good to see you out and about ... miss u xx

[Emily B]

I think I knew how to fly once . . . but lately I can't remember