Weekly Poems (Week of 12-7 - 12-13)

all poems by Stephen Byrne

"A Contract. The Terms? Your Whole Life. What A Small Price Tag!"

With your arm wrapped tightly around my waist
I feel like shouting to the whole world around me,
"I love this woman with all my heart and soul!"
Extol your lovely face and name to each passer-by.
For today is the day that I picked to make you mine,
That I chose to choose you as my partner for life,
My lover, who means everything to me.
We will be together forever and ever. Eternity.
I decided how it would be long ago, as a child.
Before I even met you I knew how it would be done.
The marriage, not the proposal. I knew what I would do.
You would be the most cared-for woman in the world
And I stand by it on this, the ultimate day.
And I am ready to make my dynamic life-hanging move.
And so, under a cloud-dotted, perfect sky
I drop to one knee and pull out a box containing
the rest of my life.


"Solvo Mihi Ex Nox Noctis"
Blindly feeling my way around this dark passageway
Trying to see any and all signs of light, of outside.
But all my existence is to me is a black void.
An empty nothing, and all I am is miserable,
Only she can rescue me from this desolation,
Light the torches to illuminate my pathetic life
Call my name as she searches through the tunnel
Luring me to safety with he musical voice
Like an angel's song, it has a light of its own.
And it is my ticket to freedom and love.
I only need follow her, and solace is not far behind
A liberation of wondrous beauty and grace
Until she arrives, though, I am naught but lost
Awaiting my savior in the cold solidarity
With nothing to warm me but my own breath
That does nothing but try to pronounce your name
But only comes through as short gasps
And whispers on the coarse, icy wind
Come soon my love, for I can barely make out your spark
You are not far from finding me, don't give up!

"Deflecting Blows Only To Stab Ourselves"
The battle has begun
Lines must be drawn
Lest we forget whom we fight
Or for what we stand
If we hold a common foe
Why then do I persist to ram
My fist against the wall
I'm just warring with myself
This serves no purpose
No benefit to us
This is our struggle
This is our open war
Leave me now
Defeat in sight
I would not be a victor

If Curiosity Killed The Cat, Thank God We're Not Cats"

by Stephen Byrne

I thought it'd be only once. No more than that.
That one "innocent test." How foolish I was!
Now I am consumed, willpower lost.
For it is all sacrificed to the all-consuming,
All-demanding selfishness and lust in my heart.
How idiotic I was to believe I could tame it,
But like a wild beast, it tore me to shreds!
Now I am its servant, fulfilling its bidding.
Whatever its bidding, I must obey.
Is this all I was created for? A slave's life?
I know what I must do, and yet I do not do it.
I know what I must not do, yet I do it anyway.
How wretched am I! How undeserving of sacrifice!
My life seems no less than utterly hopeless.
I am naught but a pawn to evil's wishes.
An instrument of darkness, pliable to every command.
I plead for nothing save freedom from bondage.
A breaking of the chains that bind my soul.
I know I cannot destroy addiction's hold myself.
I need the help of Someone Else.