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POETRY OF STEVEN MANCHESTER
Singled-Out
No commitments; crazy, free,
the envy of some friends who see
through old, distorted memories
the single life is such a tease.
Dinner for one, it's half the cost
with friends who feel that they have lost
the chance to date and sleep around
with a mate already found.
Stay up late; drink every beer,
no complaints to fill the ear.
In warmth, those friends are sound asleep,
saving money, counting sheep.
Peace and quiet, all alone,
always waiting by the phone
for friends who have a normal life
with screaming kids, a jealous wife.
This single life; a different craft
with friends who think they got the shaft.
Yet while divorced, I'm getting scared
for the grass is greener when it's shared.
Restless Sleep
Protected from the bitter cold
in deep, eternal beds,
souls offered for a nation
that will not count its dead.
Marked with plain white crosses,
flags flutter in the gust,
upon a breeze, a whispered scream
is sent by ash and dust.
It echoes from a brutal war
from men who chose to give:
It cries, “We proudly gave our lives,
so freedom just might live!”
On The Midway
A muggy night, some fireflies?
No -- fireworks light up the skies
and distant sounds of children’s cries
entice us toward the midway.
Blinking lights, we had to go!
Smells of popcorn and fried dough
and vomit near the worst freak show;
the air that filled the midway.
A bell goes off, another prize!
Heckling all the passer-byes,
but one might win in twenty tries --
the odds favored the midway.
Crooked darts, or holes too small
to fit the toss; a buck a ball.
A sawbuck for a Coupee doll?
We had to beat the midway.
A tilt-a-whirl, a Ferris wheel,
greasy drippings from our meal
combined, it made our stomachs feel
like adding to the midway.
Broke and sick, the night grew late
and though we left, we couldn’t wait
for next year when we’d take the bait
and laugh upon the midway.
Fair Weather Friend
For years you have haunted me.
No matter which direction,
I have found you
staring up at me,
ever silent, standing by
waiting for my next move.
Not knowing whether to lead
or follow,
you mock and mimic,
then disappear
fading back into my life
when the sun is shining and
all is good.
I’ve tried to stomp you,
but oh – are you fast.
I’ve tried to ignore you,
yet you cling even tighter,
changing shades before my eyes.
And I then realize that when
the clouds appear and threaten
my world with gloom,
or when the darkness finally sets in,
it is then you will go
and I wonder why I miss you
as again, I stand alone.
Dusk in Vermont
like a crystal globe, shaken by the hand of God:
On jagged faces of rock,
blue streams of ice stand frozen in time.
The air; clean and crisp and still,
is untouched by the pollution of progress.
Tragic realities of hustle and bustle slow to a crawl,
offering the chance to breathe, to laugh...to be.
Confusion and chaos are replaced by quaint simplicity,
while the smallest details
are brushed into the big picture:
In the distance, snow-draped rolling hills,
spotted with frosted evergreens,
are populated with groves of striped-limbed birches
each standing rigid like ranks of ancient soldiers.
Glittering rooftops, dripping with icicles,
are tucked amongst the steep slopes
and meandering country roads.
Like fireflies on a blank canvas,
random dots of light flicker,
illuminating tiny whists of smoke.
These signs of life; clues of comfort,
create visions of children nestled by the fire,
of Mama and Papa resting their weary bones.
Broken by specks of red barns;
divided by crooked stonewalls,
scattered livestock graze in barren meadows.
Small ponds reflect a mirrored-image of the sky
and, oh what a sky it is!
Once tinged in hues of pink, the filaments turn gray;
the clouds, moving at a turtle’s pace.
While the world takes its well-deserved rest,
I venture across a postcard covered bridge,
taking a leisurely stroll into a time long forgotten.
As the solemn bong of a church bell marks time,
with each smile, plumes of steam
escape my silent mouth.
Shopkeepers, hunched against the cold,
lock up for the night and scurry home.
A nostalgic marquis boasts of last year’s film,
while kids sneak inside to kiss the boredom away.
As if sharing an age-old secret,
I exchange a friendly nod,
or wry grin with the townsfolk.
Like an echo from above, a gust whips down
and taps me on the shoulder,
causing an unexpected shudder.
Turning up my collar, at an even slower gait,
I absorb the slightest, most miraculous truths:
A people, criticized as being “far behind,”
are still innocent enough to be kind;
their daily existence,
suspended in a world of sweet maple syrup.
The present, replaced by the past;
the future, even less welcome.
They refuse to abandon tradition, but instead,
embrace a serenity that could only be intended by God.
In time, the giant shade is drawn and darkness comes,
dusting the earth with crystal flakes of white.
Suddenly, tranquility is broken by a train’s whistle.
Then, as the snow deafens the noise of the world once again,
I finally realize:
I am standing in heaven
Higher
A pair of wide-eyes search the unfamiliar playground,
as the giggle of captivating innocence turns to a squeal.
Seated upon a swing, a young boy looks back, begging,
"Push me higher Daddy!"
With only a few pumps of his legs and a set of strong,
but gentle hands behind him, his fears are conquered
and he steps into the sky.
A pair of eager legs march into adolescence,
tripping on the discovery that the world can be unkind.
Again, looking back, those same eyes betray his silent plea,
"Push me higher Dad!"
The labored hands of love take his desperate grip
and lead him on his chosen path.
Still, the sky is within reach.
A pair of old, tired arms long for a hug that has died,
as two feeble legs buckle at the knees.
With weary eyes, he looks toward heaven and whispers,
"Push me higher Father!"
A pair of stronger, more loving hands lift him up
and carry him home.
For eternity, that sky shall be his carpet.
In Before The Dark
I begged and pleaded, “Let me go. I swear, I won’t go far.”
He said, “It hurts to watch you grow
be in before the dark!”
I headed out, this stubborn child, a world away from home.
He held my hand through every mile,
not once, I walked alone.
I laughed and loved and worked and played- ignoring every clock,
but heard those words each time I prayed
“be in before the dark!”
I braved the winds and blinding snow, but also felt the sun.
For fifty years of joy and pain,
I stayed out on the run.
Then on it came, the first street light- yet still came as a shock.
As Father called me from the night
“be in before the dark!”
The Blues
Something old,
something new,
something borrowed,
something…
in the soul of the oceans
the peace in the sky
icebergs and sapphires and veins
a southern-born music
the beard of a pirate
a bayou, the Navy, some jeans
a Champion’s ribbon
the shoes worn by Elvis
teardrops, police lights and ink
the hair on my Grandma
the grass in Kentucky
bruises and violets and pies
Paul Bunyan’s companion
the sign someone’s choking
a whale and a fish and a bird
our friend, Cookie Monster
the temperature falling
velvet, a cheese, and my mood
Dream Chaser
from the time I could lift my eyes to the heavens,
I gazed toward the stars and
knew then that I alone was responsible for my life;
and that I just had to make it a great one!
It all started as a pang of hunger
to accomplish, achieve; to win at my own life.
This unquenchable thirst of determination, drive,
producing a mixture of will and faith; labor and prayer.
Was it a matter of choices or fate? Effort or passion?
I would go to any lengths, or that infinite rule
which I’d subconsciously set
to hunt down this prey called ‘success.’
But what would happen if I caught it?
Would I have to stop? Would I even know how?
The steps I took to reach my goals were my journey, my life
with a destination that existed only within my imagination.
The thrill of the chase, the test of mettle,
and the motto was forged: Always happy, never satisfied.
Perhaps, in the beginning, I did not give myself
a challenge to succeed?
Perhaps I gave myself a life worth living;
as moments became memories
and memories evolved into a life well-spent.
from the time I could lift my eyes to the heavens,
I gazed toward the stars and
knew then that I alone was responsible for my life;
and that it would be a great one!
Throwaway Kid
creeping shadows, silent screams
hidden scars and twisted dreams
bars of steel that block moonbeams –
how did I end up here?
wolves and sheep, a vicious game
concrete walls and tons of blame
neglect, abuse; the stinging shame –
where did my childhood go?
burning hatred, stay in shape
no more victim - no more rape!
cells or projects, no escape –
when will I heal this pain?
sticks and stones, a bloody knife
words or fists, the constant strife
true survival, not quite life –
but who would even care?
some regret for what I did
twelve years-old and second bid
known to few; a throwaway kid –
why was I ever born?
ISABELLA
incomparable, inspiring, ingenious, imaginative, intuitive, intelligent, impressive, idealistic, idolized, incredible, important
sweet, serious, silly, smart, sassy, spirited, soothing, splendid, sensitive, saintly, smiling, sensational
adorable, admirable, adorned, adventurous, ally, amazing, angelic, awesome, (ascent)
beautiful, bold, brilliant, beloved, blessing, bright, bella
exceptional, expressive, exciting, enchanting, enlightened, eternal, extraordinary
lovely, laughter, ladylike, lovable, loved, luminous, lively, lucky, lyrical
Moments of Destiny
From the moment I met you,
I knew there was a fire between us
that even hard, driving rain could never put out.
From the moment we spoke,
I knew that I’d spent my entire life
in search of your deep and passionate love.
From the moment we kissed,
I knew that my heart was no longer mine
and that I’d finally found my future.
From the moment we laughed,
I knew there would never be enough time
to share all the things I need to share with you.
From the moment we danced,
I knew, at last, what the phrase ‘better half’ meant
and surrendered to your gentle touch.
From the moment we walked hand-in-hand,
I knew that I’d discovered my partner
and that my dreams were suddenly within reach.
From the moment we lay together,
I knew that I’d made it to heaven
and thanked God for blessing me with you.
From the moment you agreed to be my wife,
I knew that my journey was now worth taking,
through days of sunshine—
or nights of hard, driving rain.
The Box
It sat atop his chest of drawers,
a scarred, old wooden box;
my Grampa’s “greatest treasure,”
our trust, it’s only lock.
Although we shared some secrets,
he didn’t raise a sneak.
“It’s yours the day I pass on.”
I never dared to peak.
He walked me through my childhood.
He was my closest friend.
The hugs that smelled of liniment
I cherished to the end.
A final day of fishin’,
the last ride in his chair;
just one more glass of lemonade,
the things we didn’t share.
But pipe smoke claimed his laughter.
He suffered every breath.
I still can feel his hand in mine
the morning of his death.
That very night I cracked the box –
my heart broke clean in two.
A folded, yellow paper read:
The time I spent with you.
Are We There Yet?
Holding to a steady pace,
from the back seat came a voice.
In belief that life was one long race
and fate - a simple choice.
"Are we there yet?" was his main concern,
as he twisted in his seat.
And I felt the sorrow he would learn -
for the trials he had to meet.
"A few more miles...a little while,"
though I knew the trip was long.
But in the mirror, beamed a smile,
for my word could not be wrong.
So we talked and laughed, we shared the ride -
and in time, he took the wheel.
Through the years, we traveled side-by-side,
to think, to hope and feel.
Then I turned to him - my tired voice,
"Are we there yet?" was my plea.
He grinned and said -
"That's God's own choice."
For at last, my boy could see.
Roller Coaster
We stood in line, afraid as hell
and heard those riding, scream and yell.
The line grew long, no turning back.
We took off down the twisted track.
Holding on with all our might
we climbed a hill, no earth in sight
and at the top, we held our breath,
then took a plunge that met with death.
Hairs on end and knuckles, white,
we screamed like children with delight.
Accepting that without control,
we placed our faith: We'd come back whole.
So up and down, through loops and screws,
our hands reached for a sky so blue
and in our hearts, the truth beat clear.
A Walk In The Clouds
I walked amongst the clouds today
and then I took a seat,
to try to understand the world
that spun beneath my feet.
It was the grandest picture
my eyes had ever seen.
I couldn't make out colors-
except for blue and green.
And yet, I could see people;
a whole race on the run.
To tell the truth, from where I sat,
they clearly moved as one.
With fear, they searched for answers
they thought were on the ground.
And though they spoke in different tongues,
they made the sweetest sound.
They had the wrong perspective,
with no way they could know:
There are no individuals,
but just parts of a whole.
And so I made a wish for them,
that someday they would see:
Only when they really love
is when they're really free.
I'll dance amongst the stars tonight,
while others search in vain.
For just above their point of view,
there's no such thing as pain.
The Stranger
A stranger walks up to my door,
in search of warmth and kindness.
Society warns throw the lock
and turn away in blindness.
Peering out the peep hole
at a face from distant dreams.
The eyes look so familiar,
sincere, or so it seems.
Throwing caution to the wind,
the door is opened wide.
Yet, staring back into my eyes,
through my heart he steps inside.
No pleasantries are spoken,
but a smile which has been stored.
A peace then overtakes me --
this stranger is the Lord.
Captain Eli
Where have you gone, Captain Eli?
To the sea, my lad, to the sea
where a man checks his mind
for a truth he might find
about being the best he can be.
What do you love, Captain Eli?
My dear wife, my boy, my dear wife
for the rest I call lust,
merely shadows and dust
but there's none like a partner for life.
What have you done, Captain Eli?
All I could, my friend, all I could
for the years go by fast
though we think they will last
we must make each one better than good.
Where will you go, Captain Eli?
To my home, my son, to my home
though I've cherished this earth
from the morn of my birth
heaven can't be described in a poem.
Home to You
So many yesterdays
searching, fumbling
steps taken in the dark
wondering if I’d ever find my way;
each road block, obstacle
every hardship leading me;
no mistakes
just tests I needed to pass
to get to where
I belong -
home
to you.
I Choose You
Long before the world knew my name -
I chose you to be my mother -
my protector, the keeper of my heart.
Now that life is challenging me -
testing everything I have -
I still choose you,
keeper of my heart.
(by Evan Manchester)
Just in case you wanted to know --
when I was born I could only see shadows.
Just in case you wanted to know --
when I was two I was curious about the world.
Just in case you wanted to know --
when I was four I believed I was a superhero.
Just in case you wanted to know --
when I was six I started to be afraid of the news.
Just in case you wanted to know --
when I was eight I met the best schoolteacher.
Just in case you wanted to know --
when I was ten I caught more fish than my Dad.
Just in case you wanted to know --
I’m now eleven and I can see people.