put your toes to the line know your place you aren’t worth a bar of silver your identity: you have none here, we paint your face clown-face, so sad, so happy chalk line on the pavement follow the red tape that direction you think you’re something special? Ha! think again, you dumb bitch you aren’t […]
running along dark twisting paths she dare not glance behind her she knows it is fangs and drool and glowing eyes that haunt her she trips but regains her balance keeps running, keeps running her skin damp with fear unwashed hair covers her eyes how long has she run like this her terror, his eyes, […]
When I was in high school, Jeremiah was my best friend. I lived the farthest away from that rural school than anyone else, over in the next town. Every school morning my mom would drive me the mile from our house to the elementary school to get on an elementary school bus which would drive […]
Maybe I really just want attention Book tours and readings across the nation Adoring fans interpreting my words Applause filled rooms and fans by the herds Simon and Schuster publishing contracts Volumes of acclaimed books with money stacks Maybe even a reading on the tonight show The audience moved to emotion in their rows Academics […]
Everybody around me seems to constantly be going, going, going. Looking at their phones. Talking non-stop with no pauses or thoughtful reflection. Working on and off the clock. Even sitting at the table or on the couch in the evening, television turned on the big screen and the little hand-held devices powered up… In The […]
Be willing to put the hard work into yourself. Look at your own actions and thoughts with a clear mind. Forgiveness is hard work. Being honest with yourself is hard work. Stepping out of your comfort zone is hard work. Admitting You Were Wrong is hard work. Change. Growth. Relationships. Silence… it’s all hard work. […]
the blackening, a holding back a build-up to future betrayals lines covering over whispers of a heart the twisting of realities the lighting of one lamp while calling it by another name the shift of dirt-caked fingers first here then there the pulling of an ear and wringing of hands the smirk while watching a […]
I can feel them, the icy cold hands, my inner demons. They’ve taken a hold and are pulling me down. I don’t think I can fight them this time. I’m not strong enough. Not only am I not strong enough but the old doubts have risen with them as well. What’s the point? What’s it […]
I relate to J Matthew Waters’ poetry more often than not. And here’s a perfect example. you’re a producer an individual & an artist an entrepreneur cut from the same cloth as a perfectionist redoing & undoing & redoing for goodness’ sake you live your own life believing it’s furthest from a lie for no […]
First, the wind gently tugs then whips her hair, wisps slashing across her nose and cheeks. She stubbornly tucks the loose strands behind her ear in vain; she refuses to tie it up. It’s been far too long that she’s been tied up, knotted, wound tight for someone else’s expectations. Tonight, at least, she stands, […]
