Writings From a Young Soul Read online

  Part how it should be

  Sky of clear no asking why

  Is why

  Simply why I love

  The night

  December 7, 2012

  Background: Still and peaceful that evening was. Not much a fan of parties and loud events. At that moment we all feel now and again, I really admired beautiful silence. Opening up to what is larger than you and allowing those thoughts and perceptions once foreign is therapeutic.

  End of This Line

  Amaze not the word

  A maze better to be

  Center of the fall

  Twilight tells

  No uncle no passing

  Of chain of life

  In our future

  Shallows become impassible

  Around we see

  Others not grounded

  To lift others up

  Bleed them all

  Fortune has been

  Unfortunate

  In ways simple words

  Cannot nor ever will

  Random drops from rain

  Collect on me

  Rolling off once others

  Join the charade

  This glory we dreamed

  Now faces

  Reality not meant

  To be ours

  Collections from within

  Did not sing

  Our praises

  It's the end of this line

  December 24, 2012

  Background: An extension of an earlier writing. While it's about a specific topic, you may find some relevance.

  This New Year

  42 years are a blink

  With little time to think

  Of all messes made

  Or how I provided shade

  It's not funny how alone

  We are at times

  Times of grief sorrow

  Gaze upwards outwards

  As not alone

  2013 a chore for most

  As in the past

  I'll drop politics

  Hope it will pass

  A true desire for all

  Be loved admired

  Appreciated

  Trust you are loved

  Keep and share it

  Others need it

  Strangers

  Friendly hello

  Goes miles

  Fun may it be tonight

  With you and yours

  And as we all know

  Surrender is not known

  December 31, 2012

  Background: Such a mash of thoughts on this one. This is my attempt to break through the "team mentality" on issues and focus on what is best for us all. I sincerely believe we, as humans, want nothing but peace, love, understanding and all that entails a happy life. Rather a huge difference than from the 1990s in numerous ways, in terms of my writing.

  Maraming Salamat

  Towering forest of rain and green

  Yet find our way to higher plains

  Toes dip into wetness of yesterday

  Struggle and pain in your eyes

  Fades upon my smile

  Many equations come to mind

  Whether in dust or soggy field

  You know and believe

  These words to you

  Maraming Salamat

  Kaibigan you are

  Though not near

  Damn these oceans

  My past has been there

  So I dream

  The world not so small

  Never has been

  Oh but a glance it closes

  To wrap arms and caress a soul

  Masaya ako nakilala kita

  Marming Salamat

  For now and forever

  Maraming Salamat

  February 13, 2013

  Background: My first attempt to use another language in a poetic writing style. It's Tagalog and one can do a quick Internet search to find the meanings. My parents lived in the Philippines before I was born and I also have a friend who lives there. My friend taught me the phrases.

  Mom

  Hi Mom

  You remember me

  Beyond nine months

  Wanting to appear

  In your arms

  Share and absorb

  Our life together

  Though not smooth

  Some times

  Mostly beautiful

  I cannot will not

  Stop loving you

  Rubbing my head as I

  Fell asleep on your lap

  Only awakened by your

  Pointing to Dad I was so cute

  Growing pains in my feet

  You stayed up ‘til I finally

  Fell asleep

  You cared you were there

  I remember those moments

  Building forts of blankets and chairs

  You could not invade

  At least pretended

  Memories close to my heart

  Clapping along taking pictures

  Through endeavors as a kid

  Now you see me growing

  Not just as a man

  But as a human

  It hasn't been easy to raise me

  What kid is I guess

  You being a wonderful mom

  That's all I need

  Not every day we talk

  But trust me

  Defend you I will for showing me

  The light

  February 13, 2013

  Background: Rather self-explanatory. Even though we've spent, at times, hundreds if not thousands of miles apart, I know my mom is there for me. She knows I am here for her. The time I moved to Washington; I will always remember her tears and anguish as the car backed up and hearing her say, "My baby is leaving me." A single comment or instance triggered this writing; funny how what we read can do such things.

  Courting the Future

  Your laugh entertained

  Perhaps still in a way

  Slips of remorse felt

  Today without a presence

  Rather comical items recanted

  Write down to expose

  Said I would never do

  Bring a buffet to elevations humbled

  Insight and knowledge gained

  Just a fractional glimpse of

  All that pertains

  To you and masses

  Haunting past may it be

  Describable not easy

  Sleep well for we are

  Courting the future

  Kick the leg from under

  High tables messy with

  Fragments to be complacent

  Drips blessed by falls will water

  Wings missing feathers

  Fly here continue they will

  Guide on coastal thermals

  As I court the future

  Formica dust

  Stifles veins

  We clasp for

  Perfect ways of being

  Despite it all we are

  Courting the future

  February 15, 2013

  Background: Courting the future was a phrase I wrote down a month earlier. It really means that we should look forward to the future. Bad times will get better, good times will hopefully continue on. An expansive mixture of my past and other people that I've talked to over the years is in this one. While it is a cliché, the future is ours.

  Included

  Fumbling massed images

  Of you

  One to recognize life

  That touched many

  More will sustain

  Embrace these truths

  As I see them

  You will in a breath

  Beyond hidden hills

  Or shallow depths of

  Turbid waters swirling and circling

  Through this mind

  Tonight

  My choice is love and compassion

  Only those two

  Dance in this room

  That's how it will forever be

  Forgive my mistakes

  As you make me
stronger

  Include I always will

  Not on paper nor in stone

  There is no room

  In the heart that gave life

  From eternal forces that bind

  The hand of your mother will

  Forever be upon your back

  As an infant

  Until we part

  Include these in your memory

  That book shall one day

  Resonate deeply and caress

  Music in your soul not heard

  Only realized once

  You appreciate all that is

  Included

  March 13, 2013

  Background: I caught up with a friend I had not spoken to in many years. She was a bit overwhelmed on what she should put in her scrapbook to remember her son's graduation from high school. My initial words were to not fret and anything you include will be cherished. The dilemma of what to include led to this.

  Beyond the Past

  Those funny little shoes

  Clicking on the deck

  Make me reflect

  All woes

  Yesteryear left a stain

  On those boards

  Something not obtained

  There are no words

  Push debris to the side

  Tonight I cannot hide

  From the clanking of your

  Troubling snide

  Head under water

  As crisp and clear it is

  Lungs of pure

  Aren't heard here

  Say what must be

  Tell me you'll meet me

  Under that tree where

  We can be we

  Nourish bones of strength

  Hurricanes of distrust

  From the roof it seems

  Clear thorns of metal rust

  Would you know

  Or care to

  Hold me through the night

  Of terrible and hurtful fright

  Miller's Pond at night

  Glistens in illumination of sleight

  Tiny banks of sanity and more

  Uncovered a pour

  Kick gravel over edge

  Splash not heard even though

  Water and shore are meshed

  Huge is a cliff on such a dredge

  Perch of serenity

  Sense of peace is not in me

  Not until not until

  I get beyond the past

  March 14, 2013

  Background: One of the few where rhyme comes in to the equation. This one ties directly to the subtitle of the book.

  Perspective

  Yellow lights over there

  Affect me none

  Until when taking over

  The wheel with no direction

  Who am I to surmount

  That road turn seems too cold

  Simple melodies in mind

  While starvation of left behind

  Pales standing beside the ocean

  Waves teach me to consider

  Wet feet and ankles chill many

  Not so different am I

  Look behind these years

  Gone beyond touch

  Beside obviously complacent

  Those dreams fears once

  Again try to wash ashore

  Glance I may now and again

  To simplify emotions torn

  Truth peace harmony common

  Make us all brothers

  And sisters

  Stay a while

  As we wonder sunset

  Pull up stay upright

  From this perspective

  Most walk along

  Concrete hot as hell

  Were cooled and tolerable

  Able to pace with no bitter

  Sway to reason you are

  Here

  Bleed as you cut

  Cry when ruined

  Hug to no end

  From that perspective

  Failure not found

  March 22, 2013

  Background: Written for a friend and partly for myself. Trying to connect with another greatly admired can be rather difficult. Within our exclusive ocular perception there is always a different view compared to the other side. Take a step back, look at it from an uncomfortable angle if needed. Best intentions can be smothered in the gravy of life which bogs down and presents a different painting than intended.

  You Don't Smile Much

  Fourteen years seem just a day

  A trek never thought would end

  True of life remains death

  Defy it for now

  Clumsy steps

  Wet upon rising

  That sparkle grows dim

  More every day

  Love never lost

  On your part

  Every instant

  The door opens

  Hand on your being

  Comforts just a bit

  As you know I am here

  No more scolding

  Ask for more time

  Unfair as it is to you

  I know

  You're slowly saying goodbye

  Fending off imaginary beasts

  In the early dawn

  Shadows you saw foreign

  Stood over me to protect

  Speak you shared

  Let me out

  You want to go

  Explore all unknown

  Curled next to me you dream

  Twitch kick and twist

  Chasing birds and demons

  Only thinking of me

  Parallel moves up

  Meeting the glow

  Letting you go

  Neither understood

  Nor cared by some

  March 27, 2013

  Background: As my dog Casey gets older, he has good days and not so good days. Not a good one for him when I wrote this. His content breathing and slight twitches as he dreams are part of what I will miss. The fending off imaginary beast line...I love this story about him: Got home from work at around 2am. I was very tired as I had to work a full day already and had to go back in for some phone system maintenance later that night. Casey was waiting for me in my third floor apartment as I cracked open the door. I took him for a short walk. We had a quick snack upon getting back before crashing on my futon bed. The apartment was a bit small and I didn't have a formal bed yet. We slept on the futon; as many nights before. The apartment had a small balcony with windows which let in moon and parking light. I had thrown my jeans and shirt over a large chair and in the same manner as one would wear them. I dozed off snuggling with my buddy. Awoke to crazy, rancid barking from Casey about two hours later...he was going nuts! I turned my puzzled head to see what he was barking at. For a second or two it didn't register…how could someone get in? That couple of seconds it looked like a person to me. Adjusted eyes and brain realized it was nothing more than my clothes draped over the chair. The fact that he actually stood over my chest to protect me as I was still laying there and would not back down at all is what amazed me. I had to physically push him off and make him smell and touch the clothes before he felt okay with everything. I also had to remove the clothes from the chair. That is a strong bond. We've looked out for each other for 14 years. Until you truly bond with an animal, you will not understand all these writings about Casey.

  Capture

  Silhouettes on glaze

  Of that pane in the corner

  Make me stop for a moment

  To realize it is you

  Spaghetti worms those

  Thoughts are

  Warmed and nurtured

  Tunnel through to you

  Walking mazes of truth

  Amaze me in defiance

  Slam it all down

  Iron fist found

  Capture my stubborn

  Backward ways

  Yesterday with more

  Learning had and held at

  Arms length for I am sure

  Capture me

  Those deep brown eyes

  Capture
my soul to not

  Leave dusted in your glory

  Simpler way to be

  If only

  You'd capture me

  Distant may seem relief

  Join my hand

  Warmth surrounds

  Your touch to capture all of me

  Storms and oceans

  Classic they seem

  No thoughts bitter

  As they seem

  When you capture me

  I'll finally sleep

  Peacefully

  When you capture

  Me

  April 28, 2013

  Background: Thinking of many things and the title appeared to me one evening. As with many others written in this book, there are a few experiences blended together in this one. Overall, it is safe to say we would all like to be captured by love. This is in some ways connected to “You Surround Me.”

  Blue Innocence

  Twenty-four years flash

  In an instant we are there

  Again by good and old times

  Lower school we did not meet

  Compassion and care

  For yours and those loved

  The distance and time

  Hide nothing as there is

  Only fondness

  Blue innocence on the deck

  Let me show you something

  She said

  As little one grabbed a stranger's hand

  Stickers and gardens of flowers

  Simply pretty it all was

  Never to sink and fade

  From this mind

  Sparkle of blue innocence

  While there is an Echo of

  Truth growing

  Clasped together they are

  The blue innocence in her eyes

  Reminds I was there years

  Many years ago

  Forever be strong

  Two via two she is

  For a reason

  You know why

  To question

  Reveals a fool

  Your blue innocence

  Inspires me tonight

  To write a little something

  As I recall

  When I saw your blue innocence

  May 21, 2013

  Background: I visited a friend whom I had not seen in over 20 years when I went back to visit people in Iowa. His family came home and I got to meet them. After a bit of conversation and pleasantries, their older girl grabbed my hand and showed me around the house and yard. Her sparkling blue eyes and the beauty of the moment touched me. It reminded me of how I was at that age.

  Decay of Mine

  This sunny morning welcomes

  Most not seen or heard before

  As daze wiped from my eyes

  That song hums again

  Brew coffee fix the world

  On my list today

  As most days

  Reverb some thumps from

  Feet take me home

  Imagine quiet not disturbed

  By the hate or misery

  Sipping java in peace

  Confounded and confronted

  By a left hook to the jaw

  The decay of mine is barely

  Embraced

  As I pace my steps on

  Fields of soft whispers

  Loft in this barn

  Strong true and bold

  Tends to rot and decay

  By rains which drown

  Structured yet innocent

  Lines of understanding

  Of love

  Of compassion

  Wander amongst cinnamon trees

  Fragrant but bitter

  Decay of mine

  Is invisible felt by many

  Climb the hill shared

  Hold my hand

  Stumbling part

  Not understanding

  Not absorbing

  The decay of mine

  July 1, 2013

  Background: This one is difficult to explain. Essentially it is about trying to do what seems to be best for all; or thinking one is.

  Here

  Soles without tread

  Smack upside

  Mustard stained

  Shirts flitting in

  Wind of free

  Thoughts

  Feet in refreshing water

  Mustard shirt not here

  As simply

  Radio blasts some

  Of the best

  Waves to your ear

  Call it a groove

  Call it a tune

  Call it what it means to you

  Hold on...hold on

  Here it is fun

  Lamps and green fields

  Critters chime

  Sing along to a great

  Presentation

  Of art we call song

  Here it is

  A molecule

  Of Heaven

  Shuffling along

  As you are

  Here

  July 2, 2013

  Background: Pretty simple on this one. I was listening to some music and this just kind of percolated into my thoughts. Having fun and keeping it light here.

  Sweet Soul

  Saw something

  Up on the road

  Leading to nowhere

  Yet some place

  Obscure and friendly

  Intuition recognition

  All that follows

  Played over

  Slow speed for me

  Frame by frame

  Trench where you must

  Plastic toys

  Not floating

  Do look kinda cute

  In my casket of water

  Cistern perhaps

  Not alone

  Those here

  Understanding you

  Must reach

  In you

  In your sweet soul

  July 2, 2013

  Background: This one has no real influence or root; it was just another light writing.

  Fortune is not known

  Cotton orbs should

  Do their job to muffle

  Sine waves sinister waves

  Peace curdles by thoughts

  Hook me up to monitor

  Silly true torturous paths

  Paint this fix that

  Grand show for all

  Wearing sneaker laces tight

  Choke not quite strangle

  Reflecting image in bows of drops

  Colorful you are for we all see

  Wind chimes clink lovingly

  As slumber tips your hat towards

  Brow of eyes which witnessed

  Kisses at first to hands

  Grow to understand

  Here fortune is not known

  Orbit planets of dizzy

  Incomplete sentences

  On this Earth not complete

  Is complete

  When gentle words spoken

  Bench in nature a respite

  Shelter from all

  Birds play fly and frolic

  Critters sing grainy songs

  Remove sphere of cotton

  Toss curdles of rancid

  Here fortune is not known

  July 7, 2013

  Background: This is another one hard to explain. It is much about not knowing what the future holds. Underlying are thoughts of enjoying all you can and not worry too much about what may or may not happen. We have more control over the future than what may be realized at first. This also fits well in ending this book; uncertain on whether this book will be appreciated; or what the future holds.

  Closing

  From 1990 to 2013 there have been changes and experiences in my life which are reflected in the poems. Honestly, I prefer the term “writings” as poetry seems to have limits, boundaries or expectations. These writings are mostly unedited or changed. They represent my life as snapshots, ranging from hurt and disgust in simple writings, to ones of such depth that not even I know what some are really about. The past is a prominent thread in my writings.
While the instances from years ago do not keep me up at night, many such emotions are locked in us all. These are my original thoughts over many years. You are welcome and expected to interpret my words in a way that makes sense to you, or in ways that relate better to yourself.

  With that, my wish is that you scribble down what is inside you. Share with some at first and expand from there. You will know with whom to share. Have fun, let it out and be creative. Whichever format or style you find familiar, my simple promise is that sharing is a way to resolve all. Whether you choose to write or to hold conversations with others, or any other format, love life and spread the same. You never know when you can make this world a better place for someone else. In many ways, that’s what this book is all about.

  About the Author

  Daniel was born in a small town in Southwest Michigan. To the shore of Lake Michigan the family would travel frequently during warm months. Many winters were spent building elaborate snow forts and climbing huge mountains of snow left by the plows. His snow forts, built with his brother’s help, were so well constructed, he is certain at least one still stands if only in his mind. Daniel doesn't miss the large snow storms any longer. The family moved when he was still young to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His parents divorced shortly after which changed him in ways still being realized. Not the best for a kid, but as an adult he accepts and has grown from it. After a 20 year span in Iowa, Daniel moved to East Tennessee where he has a new home and has established strong roots. With ancient mountains nearby, there has been a sense of belonging wash over him. He lives with his two dogs; Casey, a 14 year old yellow Labrador retriever, and Lily, a six year old black Labrador mix, who has a curly tail. That cute tail Lily has often smacks glasses off tables and hits Casey squarely in the face. Daniel has learned the sound of happy dog tail contacting every surface in his humble home.

  In late 2012 Daniel left his job as a telecommunication technician to work on writing and explore a new career path. His numerous interests and hobbies will surely lead him down many different roads to marvel and find his niche.

  While Daniel is a rather private individual, he would like to hear feedback on his book. Constructive, insightful comments and questions are always welcome.

  Contact the Author online:

  Facebook: facebook.com/danielstarks2013

  Cover photograph: Copyright 2012 Daniel A. Starks