Pure and Simple. Without Complications

They say that when you fall you're supposed to get up, dust yourself off, and walk on ignoring the people who are laughing because they're glad they aren't you (In German known as "schadenfreude: Happiness at the misfortune of others" [pronounced: shaw-den-froy-duh]). This idea applies to physically falling down, having mud/water splashed on your clothes by a passing car going through puddles too fast, losing your job, getting in a car accident that you are responsible for, or getting a paper stuck to your back that says "Kick Me." This does not apply to love (even though you do figuratively "fall" into it). As Dane Cook says, "When you don't have love, it's like there's a party going on, and everybody was invited, except for you. And you just happened to be walking by that house in the rain... (sigh) 'I wasn't invited to this party.'" It's something people are envious of - something they see and think "I want me a lil' piece o dat!" (And, yes, I did imagine a gangster saying that) So, there is no "schadenfreude" in love. Love also has some pretty awesome benefits: great health care, road-side assistance, free heating, and free counseling and forgiveness. Because, in love, you're not alone. (I'm about to get very symbolic, so bear with me - and, yes it may sound philosophical, but I swear I came up with it on my own) This great quest of life may be just a thin rickety bridge over lava - you have to keep moving, you can't turn back, looking up helps - but with someone to love you forget all of that (may as well be walking through a meadow...or a corn field in some cases). All you can think to do is stare into their eyes and wonder "What is their favorite color again?" which may seem like a pointless question, but you'll wear it tomorrow just to see that smile. With this distraction, you can live without fear - fear of failure or disappointment because that person beside you will always love you and accept you. If a board breaks and you fall, you know that you aren't going to be falling alone because that person was beside you the whole time (and boards on rickety bridges are typically built horizontally...) and they'll never leave you - they would follow you into the dark or whatever symbolic imagery of hard times you can think of.
So, I wrote a list of some things to remember:
1. Falling in love is nothing like falling into a hole
2. Everyone wants and needs to be loved and needed by others
3. Love makes you blind to the pointless cares in life and let's you live with freedom and passion
4. You are never alone
5. Somebody loves you
6. Love comes with more than companionship
7. Love will never leave you

Last Night I Dreamt

Last night I dreamt that I was a mermaid
Flowing red hair and a long green sparkly tail
You were there too, but you weren't smiling like me
Flowing red water and then you were gone
- I woke up and cried. Then I went back to sleep.

Last night I dreamt I was a faerie in a forest
Sparkly white wings and I could talk to plants
You were there too, but a spell gone awry
You trembled and shook and ran off to your moon
- I woke up and cried. Then I went back to sleep.

Last night I dreamt I was a superhero in a big city
I could fly and had strength and could push with my mind
You were there too, but your powers weren't working
They took you away and I lost you forever
- I woke up and cried. Then I went back to sleep.

Last night I dreamt you were a brave noble knight
You rode through the forest with speed and with grace
I was there too, but was up high in a tower
There were no stairs, no doors, and my hair wouldn't grow
- I woke up and cried. Then I went back to sleep.

Last night I dreamt you were King of the Jungle
You ruled our kingdom with justice and truth
I was there too, but a sad lioness
The one fight you lost and the winner chose me
- I woke up and cried. Then I went back to sleep.

Last night I dreamt you were young Montague
Banished, handsome, and ever my own
I was there too, I was young Capulet
But in this story poison was real
- I woke up and cried. Then I went back to sleep.

Last night I dreamt we were both on a stage
The light was warm and soft music was playing
We sang to each other and you smiled at me
A smile that told me all I needed to know
- I woke up and smiled and couldn't fall asleep again.

Outcast with Scarlet Fever

Off through the forest
From the outskirts of town
She won't look up
Her clothing's dirt brown

Her scarlet shame
She wears along with a grin
The only present that
He could give from their sin

Shut your doors and lock your lips
Don't let them see that tear as it dries
Wear your shame with pride
Outcast. Scarlet. Fever.

Her sin still wears
A bloody red dress
That won't cover up
The black hole in her chest

The demons gather
Around with big eyes
Sink their teeth in
Increase it in size

Circus Act: Treachery

Keep your eyes down
Avoid all the contact you can
Until they come around
Always pushin' and punching
I'm crawling away
I am broken and bruised
They line up for their play

But this show can't go on

Someone please save me
From all I can get
I'm locked in this dungeon
It's cold and red wet

Come in for my daily appointment
Add to the wet all around
The drugs go around
And the alcohol poured
And as I refuse
It's my face that is gored

But this show can't go on
And I must carry on
I must never die
But if I should fail
You should know...

Of Nature

Off all alone, yet surroun'd by forces
Unseen to the eyes of the grand schemers
See only it has potential; don't see
Blind bricks and walls cannot hold these forces back

Buried and dead, but not forgotten here
Linger and wait for your chance to break free
Man's end draws near to our new beginning
Forces in arms be patient; man will die.

Vines and thorns choke, rip, squeeze, and draw red blood
But patience, haste, and all will die swiftly
Creep and crouch; wait in the darkness in hate
Make a mold for the waxen hearts of few

March and let the trumpet sound for all ears
Here first and man third, yet who is my master?
Claim your world from the claws of this dragon
But patience, haste, and all will die swiftly

The Student

The most cunning has no power
Except that which is in his head
But knowledge is no tool against strength
It is no comfort in this darkness
It gives no warmth to my freezing body
My body is weak and I cannot find my way out
Here is where I was put
Here is where I shall stay
Until my cries are heard by some passing stranger
I will have my revenge
I know not how, but it shall be
There will be a day when knowledge overcomes brute strength
And the same say they will be in my place
In this dark and cold place
But no one will come to free them

For Shame!

A fool's sustenance arrives before a dying man's breath
A bullet to the heart faster than a needle to the skin

When false light dies, we praise the eternal
Yet curse it on the morrow for the warmth

Essence of Greed, Laziness, and Entitlement!
No longer do you care that a man, eyes open, lies dead so long as you are not
Neither do you show gratitude for the blessings of the eternal light and its motherly warmth

Praise the day man thanks He who gives blessings

Can we be deserving if we are incapable of gratitude?
I will say it: no

Let youthful innocence flow and control you once more
Take joy from the smallest of gifts
Do not follow those that tempt and accuse and reject

As night falls, thank Him for the day
As day rises, thank Him for life
When life ends, know that life has just begun