You’re trying to be Alternative
But you didn’t know Alternative was a thing
Concepts from days long past
So what, you’re awkward & like to sing
Angst from deep before you were born
Grungy flannels stolen from brothers backs
Unironically strutting to messy riffs
The beauty’s in what the structure lacks
Friends & family are pleading with you
Please return to the organized norm
But you can’t rebel from your soul
& you’ll never forgive yourself if you conform
The heartfelt rendition claimed my attention
Quiet moments only my heart knows
Removed from the trappings of society
The constructs placed before us
The silent agreement through appeasement
I am not content with following them
Obeying their rules
Arbitrary that they be
Breaking out on my own
Away from the nonsensical hate
We can re-create a courteous society
Without the need to execute our leaders
Sharpening our swords before we
vote
We must keep them honest
To lick history off the back page
Ingesting dust spores & all that came before
Communing with the dead souls
Whose words are always coming back for more
We’ve been here before
But that shouldn’t assuage our fear
Experience doesn’t equal conformity
Is it a virtue we’re still here?
For the dregs are apocalyptic survivors
Fated to exist forever it seems
Is there anything to contribute
Through (within) a love we might be redeemed(?)
Fatigue hitting my bleary eyes
Another night upon the flight deck
Needing a shower & my rack
A nation’s burden around my neck
Chocks & chains in the pouring rain
Undeterred from the mission at hand
Endless hours like every sailor before
So few remaining will ever understand
Your painted lips upon the tea cup
A bountiful feast spread before you
A grateful life filled with laughter
There is nothing you wouldn’t do
Thinking of everyone else first
Within that most beautiful chest
Contains a self-sacrificing heart
Please know I’ll always love you the best
It won’t be forever now
Before I must report to the dock
If you need to reveal to me
Now’s the time to talk
These are the peaceful days
The lull before the storm
We’ll find ourselves lonely
With only memories to keep us warm
Forgotten in the ether
Against the stones on the shore
Fatigue hitting hard at sunrise
Before the day might restore
You cannot outlive a memory
Our fates left to a diminished chance
Bound to the sea by luck or force
Drifting silently with suspicious circumstance
Dog eared postcards & other totems
Words from home to quench the tide
Meandering scribbles in the margin
Dreading the prospect of another ride
The coffee brews early today
Gotta get up before the sun
A race to find my soul’s way
Fresh air fueling this next run
Only loyal to the dead
Keeping faith with those gone before
Thoughts hard to shake loose
My left foot dragging on the floor
What did I drink last night
Her voice pounding in my head
Regret fills me from within
I know I should have drank water instead
Captain Q 