SUSAN

SUSAN


When she closes her eyes to dream
I wonder if she feels me watching over her
I light a candle for her pleasure
In case she has fears of the darkness
Peacefully adrift
On a cloud of tranquil nirvana
Do the angels call her name?
Ignite the stars for her enjoyment
Do the demons of her hectic day
Flee from her in horror
As buoyant slumber
Engulfs her precious soul
Does sheer unconscious joy invade her?
Will dawns light of a new day?
Find her vibrant
Happy
Hopeful
As she returns from her placid journey
Safely nestled in my doting arms
In our warm king size bed
Some sacred day
My words
Reflect the harmony of her presence
As I discover who I am
I find that she is significant
Feminine softness
Delicate inspiration
Auspicious strength
She fills my heart with purpose
Exuberant courage
As I stretch my hand to touch hers
Toward the exotic east
My beautiful Chinese lady
Gift from God above
In my prayers for now
I shall find a way to reach my love
Soon to fulfill our destiny
I need her
I love her so

© Bill Grimes Jr.

ANOTHER WASTED DAY

ANOTHER WASTED DAY


August 1991
Navarre Beach Florida
Bleak memory through the darkness
I believe it was a Tuesday
Noon perhaps
A rare day off in paradise
Welcome break from my 80 hour work week
My comfortable townhouse deck
Gorgeous view of the emerald green gulf of Mexico
My dazed head
Slowly drifts back to consciousness
Groggy
A horrid taste in my dry mouth
Pounding drums of hang over misery
Still oblivious to the previous nights blackout
The Vodka demon
Still saturates my alcoholic veins
My first conscious thought
I need a drink
Brunch of drunkard
Eight parts liquor
Two parts juice
I sip my deadly elixir
Lounging in the blazing southern sun
Beads of sweat
Trickle down my chest
They reek of fermentation
My mind dwells on my beautiful Daughter Sarah
Tears well in the eyes of this addicted Dad
I ponder my daily plans
Surf fishing perhaps
My passion
Hobby if you will
A distant latter to my favorite activity
Pounding down the booze
Paralyze the inner pain
With “pass out” intensity
Soon I am on my second
My thoughts begin to blur
Procrastination
Complete indifference
Clear judgment escapes
As the warm numbness consumes me
All intentions cancelled
As I finish my third cocktail
My last coherent recollection
I hope I applied some sunscreen
I can’t recall the rest
My shaking bones
Chained
Tortured
Vicious whirling cycle
On the Merry go Round of darkness



© Bill Grimes Jr. 2006

HER HAZEL EYES

HER HAZEL EYES


Lucent waves
Emerald green
Wispy white foam
Lap gently upon the lagoon shore
Massive sea turtles
Docile
Non aggressive companions
Glide effortlessly through their aquatic playground
Two Gentleman Realtors
Both ridiculously wealthy
From hurricanes post construction
They politely discuss local politics
Over stout chicory coffee and pastries
Satisfied
Opinionated
Oblivious to my sudden appearance
I tour the magical island
On the back of a furry white mongrel
In silence
He directs our journey
With deft programmed precision
Surreal sand dunes
Virgin
Sugar white
Mighty windswept slopes
Flowing sea oats
Clear memories from my childhood
Before the winds of change
The blazing noonday sun
Burns my fair skin
Lost in time am I
She
Proudly displays her new beach home
Children play peacefully on the hardwood floor
“I had to sell my jewelry”
Her somber tone
Depressed
Solemn
She wrapped her arms around my waist
Uncharacteristically
I say nothing
A large social gathering is in progress
The Florida room
Alive with festive energy
Wings of war
Thunder from the distant runway
Sonic booms
In rhythm with the Reggae band
A stranger in this exotic paradise
Yet I know it intimately from my frequent visions
Strange eccentric guests
Greet me with such kindness
Plasticized graciousness
Eclectic polished pleasantries
I smile
My canine stallion gallops onward
Ominous black clouds approach rapidly from the east
“We shall ride the storm out here” said she
Her soft kiss goodbye
Still wet on my cheek
We both know
Never shall we meet again
I will always remember the fear in her hazel eyes
As the mountainous wall of water
Crashes down upon the peaceful seaside village
Gone in a matter of seconds
A lifetime of mystical existence
Flotsam and jetsam
All that remains for future generations
Thus ends my mysterious dream
This cold October morning
In these times of prophetic fulfillment



© Bill Grimes Jr. 2006

ABSOLUTELY

ABSOLUTELY



Adaptation
Broken nation
Victim of manipulation
State of confusion
Merely an illusion
Strife
Fear
For reasons still unclear
Breeds among the ruins
Of our wayward civilization
Hope
Alive
Truth
Shall survive
God
Love
Peace
Thereof
Absolutely



© Bill Grimes Jr. 2006

GLOW FROM THE DEPTHS

GLOW FROM THE DEPTHS




Reflective thoughts
Profound
Penetrating
Complete blackness
Cloaks the aquatic abyss
Sea monsters lurk
As do mermaids
Angels
Both dark and light
We always have choices
Good
Evil
Often blurred in retrospect
Aided by His Counselor
True happiness
Elusive
Yet oh so simple
I am not a man who misses much
At times
Disguised as congruent
Amidst chaotic entropy
Self gratification
Empty in the long run
As our world spins out of control
Truth becomes a martyr
So be it
I see the glow from the depths


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2006

STATE OF OUR UNION (REVISED)

STATE OF OUR UNION


Seek not
Approval of earthly systems
Profit driven churches
Bureaucracies
Mindless society
Cunning false prophets
Controlled by mortal man
The word of God is clear
Through The Lamb we shall find our way
Blessed gift of guidance from His Interpreter
He speaks to us in many ways
Sometimes subtle
Through a dream
A persistent thought
Deftly woven into the actions of another
Sadly I relay
Our modern civilization
Revolves around vanity
Like cattle
We follow the latest fad
Swallow the new miracle cure
Doped populace
Much easier to manipulate
Pharmaceutical cash cow of numbing placebos
Advised by Dr. “Do you have insurance”?
Pardon my cynicism
It’s borne on wings of brutal honesty
Our leaders
We depend upon so blindly
To defend us from all things un-American
Reaping millions from cutting edge technology
That keeps us in the dark
The time is now to listen
Observe with keen rationalization
The raging immorality
Hopelessness
Degradation of our ethical values
What could possibly be more blatant?
We all hear His voice within
At night as we try to sleep
Frustrated from immunity to the sedatives
When quiet invades our chaos
He stands at the door and knocks
Our choice
Strictly individual
To accept His gift of life
To break the bonds of slavery
Deliver us from the ultimate storm approaching
He
Our Lord Jesus Christ
The only answer to all our mortal questions
Churning within our gut



Colossians 3:4-6 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain

4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2006

EMOTIONAL PARADOX

EMOTIONAL PARADOX



Many monolithic moons
Have passed with minor fanfare
Complex years
Scars of difficult development
Mortal chronology bristles by
Analogous
To icy north wind
Wisdom
Still a mystery to me
So often I feel immature
Reasoning as a child
Engulfed in wondrous innocence
Emotional paradox
Polished words pass my lips
In stark contrast
Blemished conceptualization
Defies social rationale
Poignant intuition
Rules my exploitations
Imperceptible force
Veiled holy Counselor
Companion on my daily walk
Odyssey toward the sacred light
Where hallowed childhood prevails



© Bill Grimes Jr. 2006

OCTOBER AFTERNOON (REVISED)

OCTOBER AFTERNOON


5:00 PM
Splendid cloudless day
God’s brilliant sun
Bursting through the thinning fall leaves
Unshackled clusters
Begin their final regal descent
Translucent blast of reds
Electric olive colors
Neon persimmon
Glowing tangerine
Spicy yellow jewels
Explode into my brain
Sensory chain reaction
Mighty hickory trees
Bulging with bounty
Soon shall stand naked
To face the icy blasts to come
Perky gray ground squirrel
Ignores my voyeurism
Busy with preparation
Gathering his winter sustenance
Cool gentle breeze
Breathtaking view
From my 3rd floor vantage
A distant siren screams
Untold tragedy
Befalls another victim
I sit in wonder
Enjoying my slice of heaven
This brutal world keeps spinning
Let it fly
Through the eyes of Christ
Peace can be found in the busiest of places
I soak it up like a sponge
One glorious day at a time
Our Fathers gift of creation
Magnificent
Brimming with life
Cherished memories
Of a lovely October afternoon


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

3 generations of William W. Grimes

VISCERAL SPECULATION

VISCERAL SPECULATION



Visceral speculation
Controlled perceptual chaos
Swirling thoughts of calculated reason
Who I am
Why my path has led me to this spiritual crescendo
Words of poetic intensity
Meditation
Draws me deeply inward
Self discovery
Basking in His brilliant holy light
Blinding me
Since I was old enough to understand
Quite bluntly
I am not of this world
Never have been
Merely passing through
Eternal mystic journey
So many fail to grasp
My enigmatic demeanor
I offer my soul for all to see
No secrets
Hidden agendas
Filled with Holy Spirit
Saved by Godly grace
Simplicity
Such a beautiful thing
As society grows more complicated
Peace I seek
Serenity
Walking hand in hand with Jesus Christ
The only way I can comprehend
Life one day at a time
I pray for all to share His love
Absorb Him like a sponge
So delightful is the adventure
Everlasting elation
His triumphant return draws nigh
Exactly as it is written
Be ever watchful children
Shine thy radiance with zeal
Unafraid
Stout-hearted
Share His glory with all who shall listen
Selah


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2006

STILL I RISE

STILL I RISE



At times I ponder fate
Specifically my own
Intrinsic thoughts of my demise
Fear not dear esteemed reader
I’ve no intentions of rushing the matter
Neither suicidal
Nor mentally unhinged
Merely sifting through the random thoughts
Bursting through my absorbent mind
Curiosity if you will
I have no dread of death
Man or mortal nemesis
My path is cleared by His angels
I feel them surround my being
A few of the flashing notions
Shall I pass in my sleep?
Peaceful transition
Drown while saving a helpless waif?
Heroic victim of a vicious rip tide
Perhaps electrocution
Booming lightening bolt
While surf fishing in Daytona Beach
Cancerous lymphoma
Slow and cruel ruination
Like a poorly produced “B” movie
Horrific car crash
Mangled star of the 6:00pm news
My fragile human shell
Temporary abode for my soul
I’ve abused it for years
Misused it selfishly
Numb from alcohol
Massive pain killers
Mind altering mood thrillers
Chemical poison
Satan’s tempestuous snare
Mindless self destruction
Toxins designed to seduce
Deceive
Destroy our Saviors precious addicted children
I belong to Him
Holy God above
His grace has cradled me to this point
Through all the tribulations
At age 47
Still I rise to answer the bell
I shall continue to do so
Until He calls me home
Thank you for sharing the journey
My loyal and treasured friends





© Bill Grimes Jr. 2006

UNCIVIL WAR

UNCIVIL WAR


His brave words
“Everything will be OK”
Designed to give her comfort
Hope
In such a bleak situation
Deafening bombs exploding
Dangerously near their concealed lair
Her angelic gaze
Pierced his veil of mediocrity
She read his eyes with intuitive intensity
Loving familiarity
From 14 years of marriage
“You are lying to me” said she
Smiling in grateful disappointment
She was thankful for his chivalrous attempt
Her expression
One of admiration
Proud of her frustrated mate
Soon they will die
Hunted down like wounded animals
Caught in the middle of senseless violence
The horrors of Civil War
Manifest by mass destruction
Horrid stench of rotting flesh
Memories of their happy home
Blissful times of joy
They cling to each other as one
Her delicate hands
Wrapped tightly round his trembling waist
Both apologizing
For random times of insolence
Imagining the magnificence of heaven
Excitement of their coming reunion
Praying to meet Him soon
Sacred embrace of Jesus Christ
Forgiving those who would harm them momentarily




© Bill Grimes Jr. 2006

OCTOBER 3rd 1989

OCTOBER 3rd 1989



Seventeen years ago today
My unsteady world
Revolved around a vodka bottle
Egocentric
Numb
Hopelessly addicted
Drowning in a sea of fermentation
My aging mind grows foggy
Few details of that energetic era remain
Brain cell damage perhaps
Or simply a coping mechanism
To dull biting shards of guilt
Hot Tropics Inc.
Bankrupt tangle of shattered dreams
Thousands of impressionable young fans
Dismayed
Stunned
As they witnessed the public meltdown
I accept full responsibility
Regretful nightmares
Haunt me to this day
One glowing gem remains
Gloriously standing tall
Angelic
Arisen from the ashes
You
Sarah Ellen Grimes
My special baby girl
My inspiration
October 3rd, 1989
Life changed forever that day
I was there as you arrived
Raising hell with the busy Doctors
Anxious
To finally see the faces
Of gentle voices so familiar
I held you
As together we rocked for the first time
Your crystal sparkling eyes met mine
Enchanting
Miraculous
Your mystical spell
Seized my soul forever
I remember vividly
Such a helpless feeling
Unworthy
Afraid
Yet proud
Extremely exhilarated
So many failures as a father
Lofty price to pay
For my conceited sickness
Foolish choices
Priceless wasted time
Words
Shall never replace lost memories
Instead
A gift from my heart to yours
Sincere ode to you
Eternally esteemed
In honor of your precious spirit
My beautiful Daughter
How I love you so



© Bill Grimes Jr. 2006

PICKET FENCE

PICKET FENCE







Once I had a beautiful union
Monogamous
Suburban
Still not exactly sure if true love prevailed
Lustful infatuation most likely
Comforting thumb to suck perhaps
Fetal security blanket
In the legal arena of matrimony
I do recall quite vividly
An overwhelming rush of passion
As she asked me to zip her dress
Her sweet scent
Exotic
Ambrosial stimulation
Her soft and warm proximity
Excites me to this day
We married
The envy of all things copasetic
Counterfeit American dream
Me
A rising star back then
In the maw of a black hole
Corporate alter boy
Lighting career candles
Burning at both ends
She
So radiantly stunning
Sensitive housewife
Lovely nurturing mom
I never slowed down to cherish
The precious gift
Her by my side
Happy ever after
Destroyed by my dirty addiction secret
The picket fence
Now in shambles
Her memory haunts me night and day
Such a harsh lesson learned
At times
I long to simply sleep
Catatonic
Deep unconsciousness
Alas
Life goes on
Despite my many flaws
Should you see her
Please tell her I’m sorry
I miss her terribly




© Bill Grimes Jr. 2006