Star-Spangled Banner

© T B Jackson

I've heard national anthems sung so strong

With passion sourced from deep within

Performed before an opening bounce

Spurring on athletic grit

I've seen tears for patriotic hearts

As teams align before the flag

Exciting crowds to rise as one

And cheer their champions to victory

But while it seems the norm to some

To me it bleeds hypocrisy

Recited by overzealous fans

At times far less emotional

And only once have tears rolled down

My trembling cheeks and without shame

But not for patriotic want

For it wasn't even mine to give

It was when I heard her sing goodbye

The Star-Spangled Banner so proud and true

As you lay still we mourned as one

And bid farewell for ever more

The Time

© T B Jackson

If time was of your own

Where would you have it stall

How would you play it out

When would you make the call

If one moment could be frozen

For time and eternity

Like a billboard in the Cross

For all the world to see

What memory would you choose

To display above all else

One that has defined your life

Created love or wealth

I know that very moment

I know with whom it would be

For I know what shaped my life

It was when you first came to me

Only words

© T B Jackson

They're only words and flow with ease

Displayed for everyone to see

Descriptive terms, a passion shared

An open heart, a soul that's bared

They tell the tales of love and loss

Of passion and of paths once crossed

The true desires held deep inside

Revealed to all and opened wide

So tell me why, I can't explain

When by your side no words remain

They leave me like a summer breeze

I flounder, lost on weakened knees

They're only words, but can't be said

And so I write them down instead

In cryptic style and hope you see

And pray these words bring you to me

Harmony

© T B Jackson

Harmony is what I seek

In my heart and in my mind

But it's only for the mild and meek

Neither of which am I the kind

Like flowing darkness, deepest night

Time alone with idle thought

Creates desire for the right

But dispels all that I've been taught

Within my dreams I feel its touch

By light of day hope dissipates

On a precipice to life I clutch

And pray the pain will soon abate

But mine is not to be at one

It is to search with passing time

Continuing what was begun

To never rest and never find

Emptiness

© T. B. Jackson

I walk into an empty space

Void of all but air to breathe

Longing for companionship

But then fear soon outweighs the need

Fear of what I can't be sure

It permeates throughout my mind

Etched into my deepest thoughts

Stifling my heart's desires

It could be said I run from life

Or shy away from human touch

Buried in a lightless dream

Without hope and without love

And time is long, not so with life

But still no sign presents ahead

So as I wonder what could be

In loneliness my heart laments