A way of life

I’ve seen so many come and go

Fallen, broken, looking for escape

Fresh faced to start

And then torn and weary, haggard even

It was never going to be easy street

It has never been that cut and dry

It’s a way of life but it doesn’t suit all

Some stumble at the first hurdle

Shy away, retreat

But that doesn’t mean you are weak

It’s a way of life; it’s who I am.

I want to spend my days

Trading words with the beat poets

Sipping bourbon

In a bar where they play jazz

That would be the dream

If only I had the means

To cast off these chains

And propel myself interstellar

It’s not about the adulation

It isn’t about the glory

It’s a way of life but it isn’t for everyone.

Days come and go

Life ticks by

Hairs turn grey

Eyes grow dim

Strength diminishes

But as long as I have my words

As long as there are words to devour

To masticate, to swallow

I wont fear the aging process.

I still wake to the morning alarm

The need for coffee to kick start my day

One mug strong and hot and then I’m alert

And I can face the bus

The mornings commute with the other nameless passengers

All of us in our own world

No communication like zombies on autopilot

Heads in tabloids swallowing the lies

Music pumping through earphones

Dreaming of escape

The sun, the beach or a lotto win.

Minds are numb from the monotony of life

Nothing to look forward too

No golden handshake

No prize to be claimed

But I still have my words

And I read Ginsberg and Kerouac

And I feel a sense of belonging

I know who I am, what I am

Why I am here

It’s who we are

Poets, wordsmiths

We come together with words to share.

All ages, all backgrounds all races

United with one common goal

We walk the road together

Like a band of brothers and sisters

Spreading the word

Wherever people will listen

I may not have anything wise to say

I was never blessed with wisdom

But I want my words to be heard

And I want to hear your words

It’s a way of life

I’ve seen so many come and go.