James Blake Beene

(Originally written in teen years ’95-01) You were puzzled over pieces to this jigsaw we call life Your plans were not that simple, and your hopes were way too high Your heart was labeled fragile Often filled with foolish pride Your heart was labeled fragile We still wonder how it died You were puzzled over answers to the questions often asked Finding answers to the unknown always used to be your task You weren’t watching where you were going And you fell Fell too fast You were puzzled over pieces to this jigsaw we call life “read more…”

(Originally written in teen years ’95-01)  Stitched in stressful, scornful sorrow Threads may hold til it be ‘morrow Frayed knots entrap the endless pain So that I may remain contained But slowly as my fear unravels Depressing thoughts begin to travel Yet as I fight off the constant strain Faith and love I shall maintain “read more…”

(Originally published in America at the Millenium: The Best Poems and Poets of the 20th Century, edited by Howard Ely, The International Library of Poetry, 2000, pp. 191.) I approached her as she lay there, So fragile and so frail. Her eyes appeared so dreamy, And her clothes, they smelled so stale. Her lips, they parted slowly, As she spoke sincere and wise. She talked about the good ‘ol days, And gave me much advice. She held her heart in front of her. Her emotions were so clear. She was ready for a better place, And in death she did… “read more…”

(Originally written in teen years ’95-01) Their tender hearts were made of glass ‘Til love cast its precious stone The shallow ones just let them pass So they crept through life alone At times in life they’d find a shard Of the hearts they once displayed And tiny crushes they would discard For their true love was delayed They walked through life hand in hand ‘Til finally one day They opened their eyes to understand Love was with them all the way “read more…”

(Originally written in teen years ’95-01) Remember me this Christmas As you share with those that you hold dear The gifts of faith and love And the coming of New Year And in those special moments I’ll be thinking of you too For in my heart Where you will stay I will share them all with you “read more…”

Today, we enter a new era into the dumbing down of an already dumbed-down America. LGBTQ+ books being read to your children was the least of your problems. Prepare for the indoctrination of your children into a new regime of authoritarian government propaganda, starting with the Christian Nationalist Trump Bible in combination with the banning of certain books and trickling into all aspects of your life. First banning, then burning, to whitewash history in preparation for the new regime. Let the real grooming begin. The funny thing is I get most angry about what I just don’t understand. I just… “read more…”