Roar Emotions

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First Impression 2017 Copyright  Steve Garrett 2017

Steve Garrett has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Author of this Work.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without permission in writing from the Author

Book orders: Steve Garrett culturalconcerns@onetel.com www.stainless-­‐steve.me.uk 07814 770450

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Cover design:  Steve Garrett 2017

Other’s Day

Let’s have a day dedicated to those who don't swim in the mainstream, and feel the only thing they have in common is how different they are.

Misfits, and ne-­‐er do wells fall-­‐shorts and nonentities need to be recognised and accepted too.

Don’t we?

Long John

Hoping to impress, he showed her his Pirate Parts: the eye-­‐patch preventing him from seeing properly; his hook, which got caught in everything; the parrot in his head repeating nonsense; even his wooden leg.

But she explained she had a different type of treasure in mind.

Parlia-­‐meant

We both wanted to run the show of our relationship but neither of us had a majority.

So we entered into an uneasy coalition; smiling for our public but stabbing each other behind their backs

Finally, the truth came out in the mass debating chamber; our parliament was badly hung, and we needed a general erection.

Falling

Reaching the first fence on the inescapable course of their encounter, she felt the fear, and did it anyway.

Looked then leaped; hoping, this time, to finally f a l l.

Mining

Down the mineshaft of memory the ground is shifting, and there’s always the risk of explosion or collapse.

I stumble in the darkness, searching for buried gems to bring back to the surface and polish for you.

Man on the Run

That bipolar explorer never stayed long in his comfort zone before restlessness compelled him to seek unease again; fearless, except when he thought he might be known.

Not for him the comforting warmth of jobs well done and positions granted.

Suffocated by the safe and choked by the predictable; he was only at home out on a limb; and finally it broke.

It’s Over

A little sprout of hope for possible reconciliation burst through the barren soil of our sad separation.

But to avoid the risk of further disappointment, I crushed it underfoot.

Real-­‐isation

From what she told me her ex was a right bastard.

I confirmed that I could never behave like that; enjoying the moral high ground while it lasted.

Soon after, she left accusing me of acting in some of the same shitty ways he did.

I thought of meeting him to compare notes; and apologise for my assumption that it must’ve all been his fault.

But I hadn’t bothered to find out his name; and it didn't seem right to go back and ask her.

Vice Verses

The Wheel Thing?

She said they belonged together, like two wheels of a bicycle; but he felt like a saddle, with her arse on his face.

Hope

Love-­‐at-­‐first-­‐sight?

Russian Roulette with a gun which has three bullets.

Falling Short

I’m in Fifth Heaven with you; so close to paradise, but still down to earth

What Matters?

Sex, money and food. are not that important (when you’ve got enough).

Rowing

When only one of us rowed in the boat of our love we went round in circles.

On the edge

Tantalisingly a fly tightrope-­‐walks a web then wings free once more.

Sweet Pain

As soft blossoms push their roots through hardened ground; pain brings sweetness.

Poppies

Your bright round kisses, are like poppies in summertime.

My heart flies skywards

Stupid…but not foolish?

Surrounded by such unsurpassable greenness, what fool would risk its destruction with a carelessly cast flame; or, blind to its beauty, dream of finding richer colours further afield?

Not this one!

Revolutionary

There’s been a coup in my heartland; hard-­‐liners have taken over, and they’re talking tough.

No more negotiations or attempts at appeasement.

They only need to know: are you with me, or against me?

Weed

Your love was an invasive species masquerading as an orchid, which filled my heart until nothing else could grow there.

Touch Paper

There were firework between us for a while but they went off too quickly.

Soon all that was left was a damp squib.

I didn’t look too closely, in case it blew up in my face.

Man (and Woman) on Wire

Coming from distance and difference, two tightrope walkers meet where their high wires cross, and with eyes on their horizons, forget their fear of falling, hold each other tightly, and dare to dance.

The Ex Factor

If only you had been different with me, being with you; and I had been different with you, being with me; we could have been so good together.

Totally Bananas

The banana marketing people are seriously missing a trick.

Some men will pay serious money for a hacked off rhino’s nose, believing its generous dimensions will enhance their sexual credentials; so surely this famously phallic fruit could gain a reputation for aphrodisiac qualities.

And, unlike swallowing ground bone, there’s always the possibility that digesting its soft flesh could actually enhance horizontal performances.

Breasts of Heaven

There are no virgins in my Paradise!

Only you, whose breasts of heaven feed me ‘til I want no more; while your twin smiles beguile me.

Valleys Girl Legs splayed wide, full of expectation, you let me explore your hidden valley.

I lose all sense of purpose there; my mind and body at one with the richness surrounding me, melding a sense of history with the renewed awareness that the here-and-now is all I’ll ever have.

Sunrise at night Your shining eyes are framed by your thighs which quiver delight-fully.

Sunrise at night!

While the moon looks on with silvered indifference

Switch

The dark cave of disappointment where I hid when my fragile self-­‐justifications no longer rang true, is now revealed as a place of peace and release.

Letting go of hope, and freed from expectations, I lose the need to prove, and be approved of, and my fear of falling short; discovering deeply that, all along, I belonged.

I see, and celebrate, the light in everyone, except those sad souls where it never ignited or was prematurely put out.

Through surrender and sharing, not solitary striving, we see each other’s reflections and projections; and life’s melody fill our ears so we can dance together, effortlessly.

Love Cake

Take one part self-­‐respect; two parts listening; three parts courage; and four parts communication.

Add generous portions of humour and humility; sprinkle in some excitement, and mix well.

Allow to rise, bake slowly in a warm oven then serve generously.

Tears for Fears

My heart is like an onion; stripping away the shining skins, which protect and isolate in equal measure, I discover more layers of inner armour; as the water which springs from my eyes with each new cut forms a stream to carry me ever closer to my inner true self.

Exorcism Parental ghosts hover in the corners of my life long after they should have departed; and intrude at inopportune moments to tell me why I shouldn't be living, or loving, the way I want to.

It’s time to eject those unwelcome guests; thank them for their advice; forgive them for being wrong, (they didn’t know any better); and ask if there’s anything I can do to help them move on.

Then kick them out, and change the locks.

Awakening

Waking up on a mountainside, I see ghosts roaming in the distance, as cave-­‐dwelling memories suffuse me.

Landmarks have shifted and bright light illuminates a strangely changed horizon.

I open my backpack to find puzzles and nourishment.

Life Cycling

Biking through life, with an aura of moral superiority he ignores the rules of the road; and is blissfully unaware of the danger his blindspots are creating for other travellers.

Not a Rehearsal

I often thought the real party must be somewhere else, and I wasn’t invited.

Then -­‐ epiphany!

I saw love all around me, and only had to take my eyes off my feet, to see who was eager to dance with me.

R & R

The sway of your breast strokes my blurred mouth as I feed eagerly on your proffered fullness; like those two future founders of Rome, rejected by their mother, as we all were eventually, and suckled in her stead by a generous she-­‐wolf.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

Ex Mas

She made me feel like it was Christmas; so I put up my biggest tree, covered it in lights, put a star on the top and laid gifts for her all round.

But she said she hated the festive season so I collected the unopened presents, took that tree down again, and stored it carefully away until next time.

THANK YOU for reading my words!

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- Steve