tongue magic

my tongue once tense relaxes

prodding a voice grown resonant

when seeking to impress you

standing there hiding

from my nuance from those hints

of what might be for you and me

a new way of singing

reveal yourself your will your

firm resolve not tempted beyond

but pulled from within

go ahead and hide yourself

those firm breasts those

long legs those changeable

strange eyes

those deeply thought sighs

save it, turn away, i do not

care any more my wooden voice

speaks perfect platitudes of logic

aloof alone independent calm

even though

if your no became oh...yes

we could discover

what our tongues do best.

-- douglas brent smith

 

the kids don't care

the kids don't care they say

strap them down with boulders

place flames upon their shoulders

cause the kids don't care

the code has faded somewhere

all the punitive measures

tied to worthless treasures

when the kids don't care

the kids don't care we see

when we fill them up with pap

who's the queen and who's the sap?

when the kids don't care.

-- douglas brent smith

 

temporary love

Temporary love teaches us to survive the temporary and to thrive in the moment. Given that, we may find that it's not temporary after all...

-- doug smith

 

decision

the prospect of dreams

dwindling idly

so much smoke gladly

burned

           spent offerings

proffered to spirits

unseen uncaring

shaking sudden hours

of time loose

changing loose change

to dreams of its own

so dance this way dear

with your reflection

in my glasses and your breath

on my lips

secrets shared are

no less lasting

and no more distant

than the sweet soft sound

of yes.

douglas brent smith

 

flight for now

your heart sheds tears to me

never for me

as if i were your psychiatrist

of love

wise in the ways of your wanting

though absent from the joys 

you feel lost

listen...

i once chased a butterfly for an hour

hoping it would remain free

dancing there with me

letting it land in my hand

and know me

because the moon knows

and the stars know

and this butterfly knows

that though free and skittish

and uncommitted

our love is never lost

but aloft on butterfly wings.

douglas brent smith

 

not inconsequential

of course there were thousands

of rational even dramatic

reasons why we would

never work out or

remain together like

gravity i keep falling for you like

fate untested and irresistible because

that voice those eyes that nonstop dancing and

because

you could tie a cherry stem

with your tongue.

douglas brent smith

 

Busy

 Sketch: Busy, from journal #11, never doubt (1978)

no, again, so

your soft kisses danced

across my face

your agile fingers

found my heart

stars and planets shuddered

underneath

the stark, darkness hinted

with each breath

your eyes with tiny tears

smile up at me

pleading, asking

begging (gleefully)

though your voice

said firmly

"no."

douglas brent smith

 

glutton

precisely because

i can not tame you

or hold you to promises

you'll never keep

for the fumbling from friction

and tension weeping in the night

wondering where you are

incredibly over the constant

terrors you touch me with

a velvet glove over fondness lost

losing with the lies from eyes once true

now gazing on weakness

crushed under your strength

i wonder why i

want you more than before.

douglas brent smith

 

find your creative way

"Find the way to your own creativity and everything else becomes better."

-- doug smith

 

Let It Flow

Can you tell when you're holding back? Or, are your senses dulled when things get dull and the sparkling shine fades away?

Creativity can act like water: sometimes we need to prime the pump to get it flowing. Let it flow. Move it forward. There will be surprises. There will be storms. I really do believe that the best thing you will ever create has not yet been created. It awaits your initiative, your verve, your motion.

You can't help but be creative -- no need to hold back. 

-- doug smith

Better than not perfect

 "One brilliantly creative idea a day is all that it takes, to undo a hundred thoughtless mistakes."

-- doug smith

five years

 thru five years

we've danced daringly with many

diverse partners

crept thru bedroom windows of 

a few starched spirits

and spilled a few

tears of our own

after five years

kids become searching adults,

your face remains soft and warm

and my hands remain calloused but curious

(a learning, yearning, burning process

breathing Spring,

simmering Summer

fearless Fall)

in five years

it appears:

some dreams last longer than others

and life's road turns faster with eyes open

as it rolls on revealing (with a

wink) that some cycles and hearts

remain synchronized, and that dance steps 

echo softly and that i love you still.

douglas brent smith

some lies

pacing thru the time tripped delicately on

edges of faceless fancies freed from the

rushing resentment of relentless realities

battering upon a daring door of dancing

chances taken and rebuttals received

answers mistaken and desire deceived.

douglas brent smith