Shiver

Photo by J. Trent

Shiver
by John Trent


Grand and glorious morning's trumpets sound
Ushering His grace with a brilliant golden glow
I face great Helios with limbs outstrecthed
And capture the warmth of this frozen winter’s day

Flocks of leafs dance the wind’s laughter
Playing chase on a field of browning green
Bare branches glisten, they shiver and wave
As icy fingers pierce Heaven’s blue shades

A cold wind rushes and burns my cheeks
Forming wintry drops in the corners of each eye
Blurred, my view, as ghostly vapors rise
As each icy inhale gives cause to feel alive

Pulsating and glowing,the embers crackle,
Radiating,it blankets, my being with warmth
In my refuge I gaze past frost etched panes
And drink the current before I take out my pen

Reunion

Photograph by Unknown

Reunion
by John Trent

Angst and fear, behind the locked door
Dormant and restless for so many years
Forever restrained, the recesses of being
Waiting and peering through each veil of life

Blades of memories escape its seams
Grey fades to black down a forgotten hall
Behind fond memories, I hide and wait
As insanity’s hand slowly twists the knob

Memories cut! Then pierce the dark!
Exposing fragments of forgotten dread
Fear overwhelms! Anxiety consumes!
My ghoulish specters possess each thought

Confront these fears? Or conceal my wounds?
No strength to battle, with remorse I submit
Down life’s hall to the once locked door!
Entering darkness of a soul’s lonely place

The knob slowly spins, I re-lock the door
Imprisoned forever by my own device
Reliving each moment with a failure’s doubt
My captives freed, but I’m sentenced to life!

The Bridge

Photo by J. Trent

The Bridge
by John Trent

From this vantage
My sight is clear
Direction determined
From a very long year
Upon this bridge
The world is small
The city glows
My mind recalls

From this vantage
They will be missed
Such beautiful eyes
Then a goodbye kiss
Upon this bridge
Confusion reigns
Hopeless wonder
And lingering pain

From this vantage
They sit at home
Laughing at life
Thoughts start to roam
Upon this bridge
Guilt’s the rule
Anxiety breaches
My life is so cruel

From this vantage
I see tiny feet
Running in wonder
Down memory’s beach
Upon this bridge
On edge I sit
Direction reversed
But then I slip

Summer Knights

From the movie 'Dazed and Confused'

Summer Knights
by John Trent

With Boones Farm and beer
We ruled the night
Playing Charades
In the colorful lights
Dancing and laughing
As the music rocked
We lived the life
Of the Summer Knights

Brothers forever
We lived the dream
No worries or cares
On the sands of the beach
We rode on high
With the windows down
Living and loving
The world was our town

Life had no limits
And we had no fears
We drank and were crazy
For all of those years
Singing and laughing
We rolled with each tide
We made memories for life
As we took each ride

With Boones Farm and beer
We ruled the night
Playing Charades
In the colorful lights
Dancing and laughing
As the music rocked
We lived the life
Of the Summer Knights

*** Wrote this for a high school friend of times past. He plays in a band and wanted something that he could turn into a song. Would appreciate your thoughts...

Wanderer

Photo by J. Trent

Wanderer
by John Trent

Nocturnal wanderer
Of mirrored existence
Emerging, slowly
From beneath the pine
Eternal and silent
Dark depths of vision
While tireless and forlorn,
You stay the course

Returning each eve
To walk night’s path
Gentle and calming
You embrace God’s orb
Influencing each creature
And awakening each tide
Whilst forever in pursuit
Of dawn’s hidden glory

Southern Seasons (Haiku)

Photo by J. Trent

Southern Seasons

by John Trent

I
Spanish moss covers
Draping leaves of early spring
Blue birds build a nest

II
Humid summer air
Rising to floating white clouds
Rain will soon arrive

III
Autumn’s gold and brown
Leafs dance upon aging grass
Trees naked and bare

IV
Wet and cold gray sky
Winter’s essence grips with ice
Earth snaps with each step

Touch The Moon

Photograph by J. Trent

Touch The Moon
by John Trent

Together in solitude
With love’s heavy heart
Separately,
Longing for the others touch

Wondering and hopeful
For our paths to cross
As memories drift
On a lone silvery moon

Beams cast spells
Upon each heart
As love treads infinitely
On a stardust path

Ancient and timeless
Our star-crossed souls
Converging as one
Under its solitary glow

Mason Jar

Photo by J. Trent















Mason Jar
by John Trent

Ridin’ the lightnin’ on daddy's dirt road
Singin’ and laughin’ as old ‘Skynard’ crowed
Rock n rollin in the bed of the truck
Boggin’ through the mud and gettin' stuck
~
Swimmin’ in the pond with our best girls
They were so sweet, such southern pearls
Cutoff jeans with cheap flip-flops
Them girls were "so fine" in their lil’ 'kini tops
~
Passin’ the jar, we each took a swig
Laughin’ and hootin’, we was bigger th'n big
Life on our dirt road in the hot summer sun
A half-full mason jar, jus' havin' some fun
~
I was a flirtin' with the girl and tellin’ some lies
That jar made me brave, but not very wise
Made my move, but she said, “stop!”
She was raised by the Lord with her mama and pop
~
They went home, ‘cept my boys and me
Relivin' ol' days of when we was free
Love ‘em and leave ‘em, we weren’t too smart
But this girl was so fine and she got my heart
~
Passin’ the jar, we each took a swig
Laughin’ and hootin’, we was bigger th'n big
Life on our dirt road in the hot summer sun
A half-full mason jar, jus' havin' some fun

Hushed

Photo by J. Trent

Hushed
by John Trent

Primeval echoes
Haunting, the darkening wood
As rolling, feathered vapors
Glide down the uneven slope

Glowing, swelling,
It envelopes the landscape
With grey oaken pillars,
Fading deep into the wooded night

Whispering dampness
Approaches in hushed solace
As her moonlight shimmers
On fallen, dewed covered leafs

Broken and hanging,
Shadows chase the mist
While its silent presence
Consumes the darkened wood

Now

Photograph by J. Trent

Now
by John Trent

Memories are but dreams of yesterdays past
Affixing past emotions to my present mind
I relive minute details and rethink each outcome
Uncovering more questions as my thoughts unwind

So what are these feelings?
Why are they here?
Memories aren’t present
So it must be fear

My future’s a dream of endless potentialities
Creating much stress in my present day life
Exponential the variations, yet none are here
Still the pressure builds and produces more strife

So what are these feelings?
Why are they here?
The future is non-existent
So it has to be fear

So afraid of the past and afraid of my future
I'm reliving each detail as I remain in distress
Though neither exists and neither are present
If I just lived in each moment, then I wouldn’t obsess

Invisible

Photo by J. Trent

Invisible
by John Trent

Stagnant darkness
Drifting hazy, the amber light
Illumines leafed edges
As I sit
I watch
In the humid heat
Upon a wooden bench

Slow, so slow
His contemplative steps
A filtered shadow
Of refracting thoughts
From a faceless form
Inhaling
Red ember glows

Footsteps fade
To muffled echoes
A familiar scent
Lingering
On a ghostly trail
I sit
Wondering with each minute’s passing

Distant laughter
Love’s hand in hand
Effortlessly
Drawing near
Whispering
Faceless, their eye’s meet
With glowing smiles

Shadows blend
Young love replays
I reminisce
Invisible, I fade
In dark's passing
Forever alone
On a wooden bench

Each Breath

Photograph by Sam Mugraby

Each Breath
by John Trent

Breathe deep,
On joyous laughter
Drifting,
Love’s sweet perfume
A treasured moment
As two souls touch

Breathe deep,
Oneness perfected
Tasting,
True love’s essence
Lingering ecstasy
As heartbeats entwine

What?

Photo by J. Trent

What?
by John Trent

Stardust beings
Of mirrored light
Reflecting,
Wandering,
The infinite oneness

Our minute vastness
Dark brilliance begins
Influencing,
Grasping,
As light fades

Comprehending,
Nothing
Understanding,
Everything
We stand alone

Summer Shade

Photo by J. Trent

Summer Shade
by John Trent

Greens and gold’s, dancing
On rhythms of a hot summer breeze
Restless,
Whispering
Moves the leafs above
As the sun peeks through the ceiling of green
Slowly,
Deliberately,
It moves across the hazy sky

So small, a grey bird
Perches the limb above
Painting a masterpiece with her simple song
Fills light the air
As dragonflies and lady bugs,
Performing,
Waltzing,
On points of golden-green

Floats the field’s horizon
As blues and greens waiver
On light brown heat
Hypnotic,
Unhurried,
A warm summer breeze
Caresses my face
Watching,
Deliberately,
From the shade of this lone tree

Guilty

Unknown Artist

















Guilty
by John Trent

Understand?
Why, why, why?
Compulsion and anxiety
So guilty
My illogical actions
Don’t make sense!

Fear, anxiety, I can’t sleep
Enemies of mine
Depressed and guilty
Aching disappointment
Please, please make it stop!

This shouldn’t be!
I don’t want to be
So worried, so obsessed
This awful compulsion!
God, please God!

Struggling!
So guilty!
Sobbing, retching!!
I swallow, I breathe
The numbness returns

TAPPING

Photograph by J. Trent

TAPPING
by John Trent

Beads of silver
On veined greens
Reminiscent
Of a tempest past
Dripping gloom
Tap,
Tick,
Tapping
Complex rhythms
Of an introspective mind
Percussions sound,
Fading,
Distant, my psyche
Tapping,
Ticking
A grayness permeates
Rhythmic,
Wondering,
Tap,
Tick,
Tapping
On the tin roof

Simplicity

Photograph by J. Trent

Simplicity
by John Trent

Darkness loosens
It's subtle grip
Eye’s cast upward
As stars fade

I contemplate life
On morn’s rising sun
Slowly I sip,
With complexities abound

Coffee’s sweet aroma
Embraces my mind
Simplicity the desire
Youth's memories adrift

I raise my cup
Pausing to dream,
Warmth touches my lips
And I pause to think,

Comfort, it's taste
So calming and familiar
Then I close my eyes
And silently ponder

Rethinking, I remember
My youthful simplicity
Of times long past
And of innocence lost

The Weaver

Photograph by J. Trent

The Weaver
by John Trent

He weaves
Weathered, wrinkled
His recessed eyes
Dark and heavy
With misfortune’s haze
Pausing with hope
As a man walks past
Then returns his gaze
Continuing to weave

Old fingers calloused
Hands etched deep
Crevices of time
From a distant life
Frail and proud
His work incomplete
With eyes cast sunward
He pauses,
Then smiles

Aftermath



Artwork by Unknown
























Aftermath
by John Trent

Deep, it penetrates
Hate’s steely blade
From it's cut
Drains life’s soul
My human shell
So empty its existence
As emotions replay
Over and again

Numbing the mind
Weighted, each limb
Regret slices slowly
Reopening the wound
Eyes distended
The tears long dried
So tired, so empty
Sits this broken man

Me

Photograph by J. Trent

Me
by John Trent

I am me.
Because, I choose to be
Free from labels
And free from we

Are we the same?
Or am I you?
But who am I, really?
Just me or just you

Your thoughts mine
And my thoughts yours
I thought I was me
But, I might be yours

So, I guess I'm you
And you must be me
We are definitely the same
Because, we choose to be

The Bench

Photograph by J. Trent

















The Bench
by John Trent

Awaking, slowly, on a wooden bench
Pitted and dark, his concave cheeks
Crusted and grey, stubble unkempt
Shivering slightly in a torn, soiled coat
Yet, he sits and he stares
Searching leathered fingers
Clutch a wrinkled brown bag
As the smell of bourbon drifts o’er the walk

The sun rises brightly
But his day seems grey
Slow; yet, appreciative
He relights a found butt
Drawing, deep, a comforting drag
Exhaling, slowly, a lone ribbon of smoke
Exaggerated moves, he wipes his eyes
Blinking, removing, last night’s sleep

In a nest above a lone cardinal sings
Her mate stands proud in a nearby oak
Oleander’s perfume wafts through my mind
With sounds of the enchanted
From the playground nearby
Yet, my thoughts remind
As I sit and watch
A lonely man on a wooden bench

Love's Breath

Artist Unknown

Love's Breath
by John Trent

Look within my ancient heart
Your soul you will glimpse
My memory longs to renew love’s gift
Lost for eternity, Now, forever returned
With each breath I inhale your essence
As two spirits dance as one

Tarnished

Tarnished
by John Trent

Long since removed, its brilliance dulled
Each lasting memory has been tarnished forever
Deep, the impression, a reminder of our past
Heavy is pain’s veil and so slow to lift

The grand façade crumbles in ruin
Exposing lies, long hidden from view
Every cut and wound litters each soul
From a broken childhood, not soon forgotten

Blinded by denial, disbelief, and fear
Sickness controlled each and every thought
The secrets and whispers, anguish and denial
The cancer devoured our fragile cores

With lies exposed, the deep scars remain
Our family portrait has eternally changed
Removed forever, with its dark veil lifted
On the counter it sits, a lone golden band

The Kingdom

Photograph by J. Trent

The Kingdom
by John Trent

Intermittent whispers
Of waves and wind
Winged pipers scamper
In each returning surf

I sit in silence
With my eyes lightly closed
Inhaling life’s essence
And touched by God’s warmth

Each shimmer of lightness
Reflects a mirrored brilliance
As hues of an autumn sun
Caress my chilled face

Contemplating deeply
I have experienced creation
A moment of perfection
That resonates through my core

For today I have dreamed,
And entered God’s kingdom
While the prayer of existence
Whispers sweetly to my heart

Second Chance

Photograph by J. Trent

Second Chance
by John Trent

I awaken from the turmoil
No respite from last night's slumber
My mind and soul still worn
From the fear and sadness I remember


Yet, this morning's sun is brilliant
Rising in a sky so vast and blue
Cold and crisp, a lovely morning
With it's hazy-silvery dew


Having been given my own choice
To greet this brand new world
I can choose to be pessimistic
Or let my love unfurl


To relive my past lost anger
Requires so much effort
Yet a sincere, simple, genuine smile
Provides all with warmth and comfort


So, “God, thank you”, I express
“For this wonderful and amazing day,
And for giving second chances
To walk and talk with you today”

New Day

Photograph by J. Trent

New Day
by John Trent

 Lost contemplation, the rhythmic surf
A lone gull cries, gliding morn's draft
Drifting, awaiting, his eternal coming
So slow to lighten as a new day breaks

Dark, deep purples edged with silver and grey
Touching, ever slightly, the pearl black sea
Trumpeting reds, his burning fires sound
Celebrating the rise of each magnificent ray

Fading maroons on a brushed cotton canvas
Transcending blues with long-feathered orange
Flecks of gold, shimmering, on the greening sea
As Helios climbs with his chariot ablaze

8:42 pm

8:42 pm
by John Trent

Silky, sultry, sweet,
Drifts the scent of jasmine
Upon the warmth of still Southern air
Playing hide and seek,
Through leaves of pine
Venus lights upon a darkened edge

Eternal and blue,
Fades summer’s lingering light
Black wings dart and dance the late dusk
So ancient and rhythmic,
A love song is sung
As eyes of the divine return my gaze

Smell of Rain

Photograph by J. Trent

Smell of Rain
by John Trent

Oppressive, heavy,
Late afternoon’s heat
Sun sits high on mid-summer's haze

Silent, unspoken,
The air stands quiet
Lumbering giants slowly roam the distant

Blue-gray outlines
On boiling whites
Heights rise through heaven’s fading edge

Slowly, ghostly,
They make approach
So slight, the caress of a gentle breeze

Delicate whispers
And wilting magnolias
Palmettos flicker to its welcome touch

The scent of rain
On sounds of thunder
Holds promise of its impending fall

The Harvest

Photograph by Unknown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Harvest

by John Trent

So bright,
A harvest full
Jupiter holds low

On morn's oily black

Crooked limbs rise
Lengthening shadows
On the shimmering earth

Through the wood's depths

I tread in slow silence
Guided by the its glow

The silence broken,
By a Wren's joyous notes
Ever lovely,
She sounds morn's arrival
Then I stop

Taking pause, 
Smiling at autumn return

The Rose

Photographer Unknown

The Rose
by John Trent

Deep, so very deep
Emotions clash
Her visage reflects
Within these opened eyes

Each wilted pedal
Revealed by a tear
Clears youth’s haze
To expose the end

Our rose a remnant
Remains, but frail
As sharp thorns remind
Of love’s impermanence

Night Song

Photograph by J. Trent

Night Song
by John Trent
Phantoms glow and soar through heaven
Lone ancient orb returns
Quiet and serene, darkness arrives
The stage is soon discerned

Creatures of the night, rejoice in song
Shadows celebrate with dance
Wind and trees whisper sweet joy
Performing, not by chance

The crescendo attained, the dawn draws near
Grand ancient star returns
Darkness hides as sunbeams chase
Sleep, the sentinel yearns

Morning Quiet

Photograph by J. Trent

Morning Quiet
by John Trent

Burnt orange hues

Brush the canvas

Helios reaches for heaven

Silhouettes bathe

In dawn’s great brilliance

The darkened veil is lifted

Grey-blue strokes

Share the horizon

Gold-brown blades whisper

His golden hand

Touches and caresses

Gaia wakes in sweet rapture

Obsession

Photograph by J. Trent

Obsession
by John Trent

Anxiously waiting, heart’s dilemma
Fighting, screaming, it will not end!
Mind races, incessant chatter
In madness I descend!

My soul is broke, pieces shattered
Fearing, hurting, my anxiety builds!
Reality's gone, insanity wakes
In madness I’m fulfilled!

My vision cloaked, thoughts clouded

Suffering, crying, I accept my fate!
Loathing desire, desperate I weep
In madness I have to wait!

The deed is done, guilt seeps in

Aching, falling, emotions released
Reality returns, the calming begins
For now, the madness has ceased

Butterfly Blue

Photo by J. Trent

Butterfly Blue
by John Trent

Butterfly Blue sails the breeze
Her spirit flies on high
Higher she glides with such ease
So fragile, she touches the sky

Her wings, so light, guide the way
Through life’s grand divides
Her journey lost, her soul to stray
She prays the wind subsides

Ever so close, her wings to the sun
Strength ignites life’s fire
Determined, she fights, the battle begun
Confident, blue wings fly high

Butterfly Blue rights her course

And sails upon the breeze
Her soul anew with spirits high

She grasps God’s hand with ease

The Storm

The Storm
by John Trent

Steady breezes, the clouds are full
Downward the raindrops glide
Change impending, the tempest awakes
Two souls, one heart, collide

Anger erupts tears begin to fall
Aching, hearts break and die
Change inevitable as love’s zenith reached
Two hearts, two souls, untie

Silence the room separate they sit
Questioning sweet love’s pretend
Change complete as distant thunder sounds
Two souls, one heart, must end

Sacred Spirit

Sacred Spirit
by John Trent

Sacred Spirit soars with wings on high

Drafting on currents towards heaven he flies
Ages upon ages ancient legends are told
Of nature’s perfection majestic and bold

Sacred Spirit ever vigilant your watch
The water breaks, you prepare for launch
Mighty talons release, earth’s gravity you ride
So swift and effortless, so perfectly you glide

Sacred Spirit with a lightning slash!
Lake’s mirrored surface erupts then splashes!

Mighty talons open and your weapons extend

Your prey unsuspecting, its life abruptly ends!

Wings reach and lift! So powerful they climb
A legend replayed and captured in time
Ages upon ages you’ve returned to your keep

Forever in silence always poised to leap

Time

Photo by J. Trent

Time
By John Trent

Unknown beginning
“Time” non-existent
Nothing is vast and colorless

~

Minute prisms
Refracting realities
Unperceivable the infinite universe

~
Human existence
Perfectly imperfect
Beings of cosmic elements

~
Destiny uncertain
Our universal presence
“Time” is everlasting and indifferent

The above poem is based on a journal entry I made in September 2008.....
"In this very moment, we are minute prisms refracting our respective realities on all things. Like fragments of light, our actions infinitely and effortlessly move forward, changing all things we touch…......so live virtuously and the world will once again know harmony. ~ John Trent, September 2008"

Wings

Photo by J. Trent

Wings

By John Trent

White-silver wings

Grey skies they keep
Clouds are heavy and slow

Dark are the heavens

Steady it weeps
Gales continue to grow

Gray winter storm

Calms and quiets
Chill of the air is clear

Red takes the sky

As Venus orbits
The old man of night is near

Pain of Perfection

Photographer Unknown

Pain of Perfection

by John Trent

I have to stop this!
Please make it stop!
Oh God, I'm tired of temptation

I couldn’t help it!
This mess I’ve made!
Oh God, this pain is my perfection

The anxiety grips!
It consumes my mind!
My skin is starting to crawl

My being afire!
Breath is short!
Downward in panic I spiral.

This wicked addiction
Perfection the drug
Oh God, my soul is tired!

Please make it stop!
My compulsion within
Oh God, thy will might expire!

Imprisoned

Photo by J. Trent

Imprisoned
By John Trent

A sinister beast inhabits my soul
Its tentacles sharp and buried deep
My mind imprisoned without escape
In anxious solitude I sit and weep

Fear his weapon grief my chain
Steely shackles of my own devise
I cry for help in silent anguish
Insidious laughter hastens my demise

Time grows short of a mind possessed
Its razor sharp grip rips my soul apart
My body shakes and wretches in sobs
With no means to cease my racing heart

The crescendo nears my destiny sealed
I wrestle the beast with dreaded purpose
Darker each moment of humanity’s fight
Slow my descent into the mire of madness

On light’s thread shines a glimmer of hope
Life’s last thrust with fear’s primal scream
My shackles leave deep and painful scars
As clarity unbinds this nightmarish dream

I climb the stairwell with the beast in chase
Hope replaces desperation’s sorrow
I run and climb my lungs afire
A tunnel of light I choose to follow

The beast wildly screams as its tentacles flail
Its piercing black eyes and evil sneer
My mind races to regain life’s reason
As hope of freedom steadily nears

Through past’s doorway lies sanity’s light
Reality slow to calm terror’s fear
My eyes adjust to a mirrored reflection
Of my unflinching gaze and evil sneer

Forever

Photograph by J. Trent

Forever
By John Trent

Emptiness his gateway, gold flame his key
With ribbons of frankincense his mind will be free
Heavy his burden the toll of his day
He prepares for the journey as light fades to grey

Aromas of incense his deep breaths exhaled
Eyes lightly closed the darkness avails
The journey begins. Great vastness explored
His mind starts to empty as he opens the door

There is no beginning at infinity’s end
The destination he seeks is eternally within
In silent existence the traveler's unseen
Today’s burden lost so peaceful and serene

Forever he is and eternal his soul
In harmony his mind as all become whole
The Gateway re-opens as dark turns to light
His soul returns eternally bright

Hourglass

Photo by J. Trent

Hourglass
by John Trent

Atop a dune I sit in stillness
My eyes drift heavy upon the endless horizon
A familiar breeze embraces my soul
While each grain shimmers in summer’s morning sun

Distant my past, yet forever close
Faded innocence of youth and love lost
Waves whisper their familiar old songs
And her memory returns with the day’s rising tide

Gulls dance upon the orange and pink-blue
With eyes closed, I feel the warmth of her touch
Hand in hand, my past walks the shore
Then I smile and wonder, as I return to the sea