DEATH


Distinct distant thunder
Roars an ominous warning
Such is the bed we have made
Sterile ICU
Bed # 23
Comatose gentleman
His lifeless eyes
Electric REM tick
Doleful death mask
Sucking pump
Rhythmic ventilator
His chest heaves on queue
Forced life support
Futile brain dead form
His distraught wife
Gently kisses his clammy forehead
Strokes his matted hair
As if he would disintegrate
Gaping gunshot wound
Slices his heaving belly
Reality
A bloody mess
In human methodology
She wonders through her tears
If he’s there at all
Alas sweet lady
He left hours before
The busy Trauma Surgeon
Stern
Dedicated
Unfortunate lack of eye contact
Averted glance
Screams the tragic news
No need for shallow banter
She finally collapses
Succumbs to exhaustive grief
Into her brothers supportive arms
Standing tall
Despite his breaking heart
Attention now turns to final rites
His lifeless body
Chunked into the clay
Merely a ritual
Sacred goodbye
For those he left behind
Morbidly symbolic
No need for hysteria
Shallow questions
With no earthly answers
Time for thanks and praises
To Him who gave us life
The daily trek goes on
The living stumble forward
Death
A new beginning
To all He calls Disciples
The journey
Evermore
Holy adventure
No mortal chains can tether
Cut flesh leaves scars
Damaged organs
Cause mortality
The sanctified soul lives on
A gift of highest majesty
SELAH!



Proverbs 14:31-33 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. [a]
Footnotes:
Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac / but in the heart of fools she is not known

© Bill Grimes Jr. 2008

FLEETING PREMONITION

Vain inquisition
Frantic search
For what I thought I knew
Counterfeit compliance
So easily impressed
By my swollen ego
Absolute uncertainty
Deftly woven lunacy
Arrogant He Dog
Twice
Became the child
As it was written
Sidereal years
Forty nine
Fascinating circle
Magnified
Steep lessons
Painful circumstance
Ripened eyes
Melt away the chaff
Reclusive nerve
Pulsating
Sweet romance
A fleeting premonition


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2008

EASTER SUNDAY 2008


The headlines shout
“Did it really happen?”
Our sick society
Mocking your existence
Skeptical
Arrogant
Demonic
Lost sheep abound
Dancing on your grave
Our world spins wildly
Into evil arms
No doubt dwells within me
I’m blessed to know you personally
Saved by Holy Grace
Daily celebration
You conquered death
As it is written
That I may live forever
A miracle indeed
From the depths of my soul
My Savior
Sweet Jesus Christ
The great I AM
I praise you
I BELIEVE
My soul belongs to thee
Thank you from the depths of my being
Selah!



Luke 24 (New International Version)

The Resurrection

1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' “8Then they remembered his words.”



© Bill Grimes Jr. 2008

ETERNAL GIFT

Gift of mortal prose
Passionate
Inspiring
Eccentric in my youth
Rebellious
Eternal search for truth
Divine permutation
Once so dark
Dismal
Now triumphant
Glorious
Filled with gratitude
Saved from evil ligature
Alcoholic torment
Alive this day with purpose
Every breath proclaims
His healing emancipation
Living proof of Christ’s revelation
Eternal walk
Beside Him I shall serve
Symbol of salvation
All I am
I give to thee

12" Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers in the word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”

I Timothy 4: 12-14


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

PASSION

Emotions
Once gnarled
Askew
Crossed wires
Spastic chemical atrophy
Extremely warped reality
Priorities
Sadly jumbled
Locked in selfish chaos
Lust
Love masquerade
Money bought happiness
Mortal payment plan
Pain
Irritating albatross
Dulled robotically
Copious amounts of cheap Vodka
Through mended eyes
I see clearly this day
God
The only true source
Of all human bliss
Precise
Flawless
Breathtaking
Sacred in every aspect
His radiance
Rooted deep within me
Jubilantly I grow
Euphoric rhapsody
Life is simple
So sweet
Uncluttered
A gift to truly enjoy
Annoying circumstances
Hidden tribulation
My reaction
I now control
Filed with content
An honest day’s work
Passion
Fills my grateful heart
As a child
I thrive


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

PENSACOLA BEACH

March 2008
Santa Rosa Island
Pensacola Beach
Her face
Forever altered
Wounded
Hardly dead
Spring Break bustle
Shredding winter doldrums
Flounders
Pulsing rhythm
Iconic destination
Peg Leg Pete’s by moonlight
Sand Spur Republic
Saline mystic sea
Hypnotic
Mighty swell
Innerlight Surf Shop
Jah’s surf report
Pristine dunes of time
Enigmatic mindset
Local point of view
My children
Sacred blessings
Wilbur navigating
Sarah at the wheel
Sand between my toes
Dreams
Between my ears
Life is good
At the Grimes house


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2008

TORN TAPESTRY

Prevailing sneer
Scarred face
Sad human degeneracy
Modern fraud vernacular
Ignorant malign
Against all things decent
Dismal digression
Sloppy moral ethics
Mongrel dregs
Doped on daft pipedreams
Hell bent calamity
Vermin assassins
Devout demonic manes
Poised for incessant attack
Ceremonial scythe
To slit the callow throat
Of those who admonish
Martyrs shall stand firm
Share decisive gospel
In light of persecution
Authentic holy truth
Shall never be expunged
Tangled skein of flaxen thread
Dyed in human tears
Torn tapestry
Ode to mankind’s mastery
Tattered and frayed
Limp
Burgeoning winds of change
Apocalyptic details
Looming destiny
Our world
Slips slowly into madness
Symbolic preparation
For His exalted return
Jesus Christ
Lord of Lords
Summons the forgiven
In humble covenant
Without exception

© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

STRANGE BIRD

Lonely child
Distorted dream
Fictional engagement
Ripened smile
Piercing eyes
Mystical Elf
Thoughts
Forever lucid
Slicing through dark headwind
Circular
Then square
Transcendental journey
Roads that lead to nowhere
Snippets of redemption
Words
Unnecessary
Flowing
Just the same
Ominous reflection
Youth escapes me now
Rapid vacillation
Slow motion revolution
Hallucinations matter
Meaningful liaisons
Witness deep discomfort
Focus
On solutions
Verity
A strange bird
Realistic point of view



© Bill Grimes Jr. 2008

SPEAK OUT

Inflation
Degradation
Manipulation
Nuclear proliferation
Financial subrogation
Speak out
Or freak out
No longer
A mere silent observer
Disgusted
Amused
Depressed
Eyes of dismay
Watch such drama unfold
Token tools
To fight heinous invasion
Acts of kindness
Words of truth
Servant’s attitude
In humble toil
Adventure in the trenches
Where the true battle rages
Restless bones aflutter
Tribulation preparation
Power of Jesus Christ
His Majesty
Potent beyond description
Compelling
To slash the veil of doom
Goal of daily focus
With utmost sincerity
Look closely
Deceit surrounds us
Observe the shameful patterns
Resist
With vigorous audacity
Stand up for righteous principle
Defy
Fraudulent cattle prods
Regardless of the cost
Nothing here to lose
No human cost acceptable
To justify this soul sickness
© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

MAGICAL TORNADO (For Pam)

“Stuck inside a twirl” said she
“Throwing off all dangers”
Magical tornado
Evade “unwanted things”
Prayer for her children
Daydreams sweet
Complex
Melancholy “ramble”
Thriving muse within
Smiles that brave her storied span
Dancing eyes
Sincere
Moist with magic recall
Lovely inner peace
A bond unequaled
Precious gift
Inspiration still
Sacred memories
In honor of her spirit
Forever young
Enchanting
My beautiful friend


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2008

SOUL NARCOTIC

Love while you can
Live life fiercely
Without hesitation
Balanced
Passionate
No regrets
Fleeting starburst
Mortal pain
Higher focus
Rejection
A sorry state of mind
Without substance
Cowardly demon indeed
Peaceful advent
Soul narcotic
Welcome home
My weary friend


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2008

IMPETUS

Impetus within
Hopeful bellies
Full
Never maximized
Lurking
Nonetheless
Grim tempest nigh
Restless
Discontent
As raging egos
Cloud our children’s vision
Truly strange days
So pale
Irrational
Phantasmagoria
Plagues the Promised Land


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2008

AWARE

Sultry eyes
Gently closed
Poetic words
Still dance
Across her shaded lids
Acutely aware
Deeper message lingers


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2008

WORDSMITH MANIFESTO......(Chocolate chip tranquility)

Such a fine line exists
Between sanity
Stark psychosis
I straddle it daily
Ever veering
From one precipice to the other
At times
Daring myself to jump
Does one ever achieve true balance?
I have spent 48 years
Pantomime at fitting in
Survive a crushing social masquerade
Loving dad
Humble servant
Indentured puppet
Just a man
Trying to impact others
Reflection can be brutal
Truth
Definitely offensive
Reality
Debatable
Dependant upon
The band that plays the loudest
If competence means wealth
Prestige
Political power
At others expense
I have no need for it
If success means opulence
Selfish indulgence
Sleepless nights
Count me out I say
It’s peace I crave
Silent satisfaction
Gooey chocolate chip tranquility
Fresh from life’s oven
Placid confidence
Eye to eye connection
With those who cross my path
My journey is predestined
Many snares along the way
Each glaring error
Stepping stone
To the sea of sweet acceptance
Living one day at a time
Comfortable in my own skin
I am but a peacemaker
Grateful child of God
Sensitive wordsmith
Sharing love
Longing to be loved in return
The high
Unequaled
The cost
My ego
The reward
Eternal redemption
The trip
An honor to share with you……


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2008

THE ANSWER

Trail of crumbs
Metaphors
Legacy of prose
Not always well received
Yet necessary
Valid prognosis
Muted cloak
So many eyes
Averted
Truth still remains
Despite such apathy
Weeping willow
Bent
Unassuming
Radical actions
In our face today
Riddle forth
A thousand years
The answer
Still the same


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2007

SELFISH EYES

December 26th, 2007
Christmas day
Come and gone
Counting new blessings
Licking old wounds
A time of contemplation
Gratitude
Sheer wonder
Divine celebration
My reason to be
Hardly impressed
Broad commercial siege
Video games
Guitar heroes
A Savior in a manger
Twelve mortal tribes
One holy king
The dollar
Tumbles quickly
Skepticism reigns
Stark admonitions
Rife
Rampant gall
It seems we’ve lost our way
Along the storied climb
Selfish eyes
Triumphant
Swollen ego precept
A cautionary tale
Unfolds without restraint
Complicated days
Spiritual debase
Quiet time I seek
Reverent reflection
Continued separation
Love
All that matters


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2007

OPTIMISMS HEMORRHAGE

Condescending tones
Snap like broken bones
Sophisticated naiveté
Grandiose hubris
Daily grind
Through slipshod façade
Witness to routine hurt
My role
Unable to convert
Alter
Another’s chosen course
Quite often
Defiance is encountered
Blue funk malaise
Ballsy brass contempt
Brazen disrespect
For all things virtuous
Earnest prayers
Lifting up those who suffer
Be it consciously
Or not
Misplaced
In life’s pandemonium
Clinging frantically
To their egotistic swagger
I wipe acerbic spit
From this brooding face
My heart
Optimisms hemorrhage
Flowing undeterred
Persistent commission
Offering citation
Paradigm
He who saved me
Love my neighbor
As myself
Grace
Hope
Salvation
Bursting from His holy light
My focus is to share



© Bill Grimes Jr. 2006

NO SWEAT

NO SWEAT


Absent tears
So noticeable
Hardly
A malady
Trek of inner triumph
Demons flee
From heightened self esteem
Years of melancholy
Melting
Down a mortal drain
Separation
Holy transcendence
Hardened layers
Peeled away
Sacred trip indeed
No sweat
The details
Popularity
Not required
Focused scope
Broad
Vastly uncharted
Artistic gifts
Abundant
Gratitude
Surreal


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2007

FLUID FLAME

FLUID FLAME


Fluid flame
Stoked melancholy
Dancing smiles
In her moonbeam eyes
Salty tear trickles
I close mine so tightly
Suffocating distance
Distressing
Quite depressing
Dull ache
Bitter thorn
Splits my childish heart
Familiar agony
Drooping shoulder blades
Delicious dream
Beyond social analysis
Sleepwalking
Arm in arm
Sentimental waltz
Alas
Reality
Pricks the veil of inspiration
Chimerical fancy
Another lonely night


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2007

LONELY CHILD

LONELY CHILD


Torch is passed
No mystery
Behind the consternation
On my furrowed brow
Trudging through the minefields
Longing for completion
Sacred glimpse of home
Seeking love
Unconditional
Revelations
Rare
Hurdles
Monumental
Taking time to change
Soaking up the truth
Behind these bedroom eyes
Lonely child remains
Selfish in such longing
Unbiased bulletin
Forgive
My insecurity
Indulge
My fragile passion
Accept
My humble plea



© Bill Grimes Jr. 2007