Sarah Flanigan - Poetry Simply Put

Everyone has a story
That old saw is a favorite mutter -
a tried and truism

But we do have our own stories
of failure
of success
of getting by - by getting along

Of making choices that led us astray
and decisions that led to wonder
and I can’t fucking believe this…

But we keep the story to ourselves
because no one asks
Because there is only time to tell
our own stories
our own regrets and mistakes
missteps and meanderings

Only time to tweet and post to the wall
favorite and stumble
the many details that must be
disseminated
in hopes of the hotly contested
15 minutes

And if we wonder, we do it in passing
Filling in the blanks with our own experiences -
rejecting the reality with our
own lack of resume

Am I my brothers keeper?
Cain didn’t think so and neither do most of us
And when we do, the ACLU
ensures we pay the price for our curiosity
and invasions of helping hands

If Oprah or CNN doesn’t care
if it’s not on The View or the Daily Show
if it doesn’t expose colossal frailties and weaknesses
it’s none of our business
We don’t need to know
And it’s time to move on to
the reality show of choice
Reality that is scripted and real only
to those vying for the prize

But everyone has a story and
if you ask and you really want to know
people will tell you

copyright 2010

Tags: if, Life, original poetry, secrets, words without pity

My life changed
when you left
in ways small and
subtle
Parts of me left
the best parts,
I fear…

Since then
I’ve stood on wobbly legs
for you were my rock
Bottled up doubts
for you were my confessor
Led with my fears
for you were my champion

I’m still confused
not quite sure
you’re really gone
My heart wants to believe
but my head won’t let it

It’s the saddest
day of the year
when I celebrat
your absense
(with tears and solitude)

I guess I’ll never
stop missing you
but that’s okay
because I don’t want to

Wherever you are
whatever you are doing
Be happy
Laugh a lot
and if you don’t mind…
think of me once in a while

copyright 2010

Tags: dad, father's day

In sleep I invite
my mistakes to enter
Replay the scene
move the furniture
fix the lighting
rewrite the dialogue
re-shoot the scene

Take after take
but it still comes out
Wrong

There are no do-overs
no do it agains
no going back
no editing or airbrushing
no time travel
to set things right

There is only
the will to do it right
the next time…

copyright 2010

Tags: freedom, Life, original poetry, Poetry

They come to me
in the night
The traitors dressed
as friends
taP at the windows
of my house of sleep

Luring me from
slumber’s arms
to make their case
prove I’m mistaken
show me the truth..

And they rob the stars
from the sky
Chase the moon
behind the clouds

Crawl into my head
natter on…
relentless and shameless
Saying I did them wrong
yet begging forgiveness
Swearing love
but meaning harm

copyright 2010

Tags: ghosts, Life, original poetry, Poetry, secrets

Time heals all wounds…
Does it? really?
What salve is time?
What comfort is a ticking clock?

What wisdom lies in seconds, minutes, hours?
What is the shelf life of heart ache?
The statute of limitation on pain?
The cut-off for suffering?

New days come with the sun
and from the heart
Memories fade as new memories
are formed
Life grows out of the will
to reach for tomorrow

Time cannot heal me
but I can
Time cannot comfort me
but life does
The best smiles
are spontaneous and unexpected

copyright 2010

Tags: Life, original poetry, Poetry

crooked tree my life
searching benevolent sky
looking for sparkles

copyright 2010

Tags: Life, looking glass, original poetry

When hello is goodbye
I chase after them
to be my friends
I let go and there
is nothing there
I fall and no one
catches me

When I love you
is I hate you
betrayal is an odd
acquaintance
Doubt is the daily
drink
Confusion guides
all decisions

When the past
is your comfort
the eyes miss
the moment
the now slips by
unnoticed
and tears
never stop

copyright 2009

Tags: deceit, goodbye, imitation, Life, Love, original poetry, secrets, words without pity

Perfection does not live
here
But I do
Mistakes are not
strangers
but constant companions
Words trip and fluster
at furious speed
Flaws
too many to name
Stammers and stutters
make their own tunes
Regrets wait in the wings
and anxiously.
The past simmers in a pot
on the stove
its aroma taunts and
begs me
to taste

copyright 2009

Tags: irony, Life, my heart, original poetry, poem, Poetry

I walked away.
So what?
Away from the mind games and the hate games.
The games.
Always the games.
Sorry to interupt your pity party,
but what are you feeling sorry for yourself about?

Silence goes both ways.
I finally answered the silence with my own.
Are you really surprised?
Is it such a shock that
your indifference
and rejection
finally returned to you in kind?
That I would let go
once I realized
my grasp held nothing?
Nothing, just empty space.
Can’t lose something you don’t have.
Can you?

You lost your voice a long time ago.
I don’t hear you.
I don’t see you.
I don’t want to.
Move on.
I have.

copyright 2009

Tags: betrayal, it's over, moving on, original poetry

The old days are gone
and maybe that’s good
We can all walk away
find new compass
plot new course
learn new country
conquer new life

Leave the suitcase
of Hurt
at the curb
for someone who
needs the wounds

Create new recipes
for daily woes
let the water run
find a new level
learn to float again
and discover
that Life goes on

copyright 2009

Tags: Life, original poetry