The High End of Low

Review written for Amazon.com

 

I am not a Marilyn Manson fan. But I have always kept an open ear/mind on any music, no matter who the artist may be. With the release of “The High End of Low” I have found a disc I can appreciate from Marilyn Manson where it is filled with strong music and equally strong lyrics. The tracks “We’re From America” and “Arma-Goddamn-Motherfuckin-Geddon” are classic Manson anthems with their hard hitting, gutsy lyrics.

But my favorites have to be “Four Rusted Horses”, “Wight Spider” with my number one favorite off the CD being “Running To The Edge Of The World” more so the alternate version. This track has a huge lyrical attraction and the melody, though simple, strongly backs up those lyrics.

 

Not being a follower or a hater of Marilyn Manson, this is a disc that can attract those caught on the fence for this artist. Personally I have slipped off the fence of indecision and loved this CD.

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Only Tonight

 

Artwork by Joleene Naylor

 

Only Tonight

In the night sky
roman candles came alive,
illuminating our passion
to burn inside the other,
love hotter than July’s breath.

And your body—
outlined in chalk,
softens in the shadow
as I hold you, trembling
fearing it has gone too far.

With Midnight’s kiss
upon your lips,
wet with words, whispering back
warm breaths caresses my neck,
making me pray again.

But along with passion
comes destruction—
your faith broken,
scattered around our feet,
as you promised yourself forever
to another, unlike me.

So we live for the evening
not thinking about tomorrow,
with its uncertainty—
but grasp each other’s heart,
holding on for dear life, if just for tonight.

 

Technorati Tags: Love poetry,relationship poetry,blynd_poet,fireworks

Sea

 

Floating out
into the deep green sea—
watching comets pass by
through Orion’s belt,
pulled by the evening’s tide
…away from me.

 

Can you touch the fabric of Heaven?
If only once, would it save you?

 

The Sea salts your soul
preserving memories of our love,
its waves covering you
a seabed full of treasures,
rusted and old
but none less, treasure.

 

Where did it go wrong?
What storm washed you all away?

 

Your imprint remains in the sand
as the Sea exerts its voice,
whispering lullabies of sleep
a rhythmic call of desire—
to rest in forever
within its glimmering bed.

 

Will it warm you so? As I did?
Can you dream between its sheets?

 

And as you stare at the tiny diamonds
high above, twinkling bright—
Will you remember me?
Perhaps not as your first love,
but the one who showed you
how the sea captures all.

 

The Constellation Orion

 

Writing this reminded me of The Cure’s song “From The Edge of A Deep Green Sea”

I found the live video:

 

blynd-In-The-Box

 

blynd-In-The-Box

A familiar nursery rhyme,
when turned clockwise
clicks away the words in my head---
am I dead? blynd-in-the-box once said.
Again in the corner, just by the bed
do you hear it? is it bleeding red?

Pressing it all in,
to cover all my sins
wanting to pop out---
can you feel it?
Turn the crank slowly,
anticipate my release.

But it never happens,
for my spring broken---
in a thousand ways,
turn, turn, make the melody burn.
Inside the box pushing
hoping release from the things I learn.

The Monkey chased the Weasel
round and round,
turn the handle, making sound---
empty the box unless I drown.
The edge of this World
finds us all, only to push the thin cover down.

Pretend with cheery color,
red, green and blue
inside is the true image---
black, black, as a heart attack.
If you tear it open
you will see it isn’t just any ole Jack---

But inside is the Devil,
hiding within paper skin,
easy to tear, easy to bear
easy to believe in this child-like nightmare.
Turn, turn, the crank some more
as each of us can, when we close the door.

Can you hold my hand just this once?
we can pull down our socks,
chase the little Devil down,
dance to it in your evening gown.
Lest we pray, for a different day
I can’t spring out, but only fade away.

“All around the Mulberry Bush,

The monkey chased the weasel.

The monkey stopped to pull up his sock,

Pop! goes the weasel.”

 

Origin (Jack-In-The-Box)

The first mechanical or wind-up toys were made back in Grecian times - but the art was revived by watch makers and clock makers during the 1400s. Early in the 1500s, a German clockmaker named Claus made a box for a local prince whose son was about to celebrate his fifth birthday. A simple wooden box with metal edges and a handle, and with a turn of the crank produced a simple tune and out popped a 'Jack,' a Devil, a comical version with a leering smile. Other nobles took note of the child's toy and the idea spread. Technology by the 1700s meant that it was a 'common toy' or novelty often in use for all ages. It was around this time that the image of a devil in a box became cartoon fodder for rouge politicians and other public figures held to ridicule.

Another theory as to the origin of the jack-in-the-box is that it comes from the 13th century English prelate Sir John Schorne, who is often pictured holding a boot with a devil in it. According to folklore, he once cast the devil into a boot to protect the village of North Marston in Buckinghamshire. This theory may explain why in French, a jack-in-the-box is called a "diable en boîte" (literally "boxed devil").

I Had A Job

“Today I wrote a little poem for all who have been affected by the economy and from that, lost their job. And even to those of us “lucky” enough to still be employed I think could relate to this”.

 

I Had A Job

I had a job
that I hated—
full of stress,
backstabbers for friends
quick to climb the ladder of importance.
Commuting each day
dreading what Today would bring
unhappy clients,
attitude from workmates,
mediocre pay—
a slice of my ego,
never enough done,
late hours bought, keep the change
finally to leave,
unfulfilled and empty.
Wondering why…
today I miss it so.

Vacation 2009: Fort Macon

Today was our trip to Fort Macon. Here there is a ton of history, on 389 acres, which has been standing since 1834 as a barrier to naval attack. To get a full history of Fort Macon I have supplied a link which covers the years the site was a military installation.

Fort Macon: History

We arrived in late morning and it was already well over 90 degrees and a bit humid. But after arriving there we didn’t notice the heat much as the structure was an impressive site. Here is a shot taken from the inner wall which encircled the inner courtyard. The masonry was impressive and you will be informed of how they built the fort in its entirety. You also have the opportunity to walk through the different segments of the structure so you get the true feel of what it must of been like to be stationed there.

Another shot I took was in one of the vaulted rooms which were used for different purposes but they had some potential for some great shots. Here Meg hides in one room which was taken with night vision photography. Each of the 26 casemates surely had some story to tell. And even though it was day time you had to wonder if anyone from the past still walked these rooms.

It was great to take pictures in using different lighting, angles and anything else your imagination could come up with.

Once the crowd was out of the way I was able to get this shot which captured the doorways that enabled you to get to any one of the rooms in that section. The small barred window at the end of the walkway gave the shot an eerie T.A.P.S. kind of feel. Here and there someone would walk passed the window and gave it even more of the ghostly appearance.

We continued on throughout the rooms learning about life at the fort and was instructed on how the men ate and slept, carrying on their daily routines as enlisted men protecting the coast from pirates and the threat of the English invasion. One can only wonder how they endured the heat and humidity in these damp dark rooms waiting for something to happen.

In one room there was an oven which I had Meg open on a video clip because it was in night vision and the sound of the squeaky hinges was too good not to record. Below is the clip (sorry it is sideways…I will fix it later:

Here I added a few more shots of the fort:

 
“The Money Shot”

“Remnant of Confederate Flag”

After our tour of historic Fort Macon we drove over to Beaufort and walked through the various shops looking for a souvenir to keep the day in our memories. After an hour or so we realized we left our precious daughter at the fort…lol.

g~

Vacation 2009: The Beach

When you wake up with the sound of the waves hitting the shore you know it is going to be a good day. It is Monday morning, and after a small breakfast and a few cups of coffee on the deck overlooking this scene of a single beach chair waiting for its owner to again claim it for a day of sun worshiping, I was ready to start the day.

It took a few trips to set up our “base camp” of two umbrellas, four beach chairs, a cooler full of beer, a few books, a number of MP3 players, towels, boogie boards and some writing material (for me). But it didn’t take long before we all wanted to jump in the salty ocean and ride the waves.

I took a number of pictures showing what we all do here on the beach. This obviously doesn’t exclude anyone here. The number one activity if you haven’t already guessed it is being in the water. Once you get used to the salty taste and the burning sensation when the water goes up your nose, it is all good.

The waves today were big enough to body surf and the ocean floor was all sand which most times you are walking through a patch of seashells of all sorts.

Here I am after a body surf attempt getting back out to where the waves come crashing down. It is a blast and when it is really hot out you keep to the water as long as possible. Today it was in the upper 90’s, but with the cool sea water and a refreshing breeze coming from the east off the ocean it was great weather.

The second most popular activity is reading that novel you bought specially for the trip. And it is totally a given that at some point you do this because with the sound of the waves in the foreground you can so concentrate on the book.

This is a random shot of one of our condo neighbors relaxing and enjoying a book. And yes it is a girl as I am not too keen on taking photographs of guys. What would you think of me? Does it look relaxing? Feet buried in the sand and the waves flowing through your toes and a good book makes for a day of total downtime.

I also wanted to post a shot of the condo we are staying at. Not the fanciest or the most extravagant on the island but I love it here. It is a perfect setup for what we plan to do here at Emerald Isle. We chose the top floor for a number of reasons. The number one is the view. You get a great look up and down the coast. At night it is easy to view the stars and if your lucky, as we have been, you find yourself witnessing a meteor shower over the ocean which is a memory to cherish.

I could post a hundred pictures for the first day on the beach as I do literally have that many, but it is time to wrap this up. Tomorrow we plan to visit Fort Macon and do some souvenir shopping to get that out of the way before we dedicate the rest of the week to resting here right on the beach.

g~