Pages From John

Category: Poetry

  • Loving a Sometimes Unlikable Crew

    This crew I am stuck with is completely insane,

    But I still pop open a crisp bottle of champagne.

    We seem confused and stranded on shaky boats unsure,

    But is there a difference between the right way and the detour?

    I may not like every sailor and pirate onboard,

    Some appear to have brought a pistol and sword.

    My liking means nothing to my choice of fully loving,

    Even when those with swords keep pushing and shoving.

    I am not so different from those harsh and violent ones,

    I am not so different from any of the sea’s daughters or sons.

  • The GPS System

    Equipped with a system that helps you navigate,

    A computer that you put a lot of trust to anticipate.

    A useful tool to get from here to there,

    But this tool is taking more than its share!

    Have you given the GPS total control?

    Is it directing you into fear and shame’s hole?

    The GPS oversteps and decides where or why to go,

    Now the whole world seems to worship its screen’s glow.

    The GPS has perfect lies and says there is only it,

    The true driver’s intent— imprisoned— is yet to be lit.

    Put the GPS back in its place!

    It may be a hard battle you will face…

  • Judas or John?

    My betrayal of myself was difficult to face,

    As it didn’t come from an ill-intentioned place.

    To be Judas is truly an awful fate,

    But I learned before it was too late.

    I sold myself for thirty pieces of coin,

    But now with my heart, I must rejoin.

    I wish to be John and give my love to itself,

    Not blindly following strategies off-the-shelf.

    I have attempted to ignore, punish, and even sugarcoat,

    But now I see that forgiveness with love is the only antidote.

    Forgiveness is my powerful tool,

    To confront my Enemy: me, the fool.

    I love my Enemy and made my peace,

    So my life is no longer on lease.

    I have gotten out of my own way,

    I have found the light of day!

  • Questions of Love

    Would I be so demanding of someone I loved?

    Would I crack the whip and demand “perfection” everyday?

    Would I use tricks to manipulate them to behave the way I wanted?

    Would I tell them they can be happy only when they achieve their goals?

    Would I scold them for their emotions and tell them to shove them away?

    Would I call their interests and curiosities silly and tell them to focus?

    Would I question their trustworthiness and values?

    Would I make rules upon rules and put them into a box with little space?

    Would I organize all of their actions into “good” or “bad”?

    Would I tell them they are a specific way and can not be anything else?

    Would I advise them to give in to their fears and not be courageous?

    Would I make them live boring day after boring day?

    Would I tell them that there is no hope for them?

    Would I ignore their wants and desires?

    Would I make them value themselves based on what others say?

    Would I constantly compare them to others?

    Would I want them to put on a fake smile?

    Would I ask them to put on a facade?

    Are any of these things what I would do to someone I love?

    Do I do these things to myself?

    Do I love myself?

    Do you love yourself?

    These are the questions of love.

    If you love yourself, set yourself free.

    Let the sunrise!