Free as a Bird in a Cage

Free as a Bird in a Cage

A bird born in a cage knows no different,
Those wire walls are his realm.
Beyond them is a world he’ll never know,
Unless he escapes their comfort.
But given the chance, with the door left open,
Would he take it, venturing forth?
To stay where he knows, where he feels safe,
Is the easy option that most take.
But if that door stays open a long enough time,
He might just spread his wings, fly.
He might leave the comfort of those wiry walls,
Soaring through a sky of blue,
Fly high above mountains, or swooping down,
To leave ripples on a rivers waters.
He could flit amongst cities full of endless noise,
Or glide above an ocean quiet.
He could get out there and see the whole world,
Realising it was more than the cage.
If he left behind the comfort of those walls of wire,
Leaving behind him what’s known,
He would see that a whole world awaits him,
With the adventure of the unknown.
If the door was left open of his humble abode,
Would he spread his wings and fly?
Would you?

By J. Barrett

My Own Man

My Own Man

I know I'm a failure in your eyes. 

But your version of failure is different to mine. 

Failure to you is an old school view.
Failure to me is basically not being happy. 

Where you see my failures, 

I see success. 

I left sadness behind me long ago, 

And I refuse to have it back. 

Sure, to you I might seem slack, lax and whimsical. 

But to me you seem stiff, bored, just simply existing. 

Going through the motions of life without living. 

Don't hate me for what it is I've become; 

After all, you had a hand in this, 

I am your son.

By J. Barrett

An Irish Nightmare

An Irish Nightmare

Thirty three thieves thickly thought,

Of the thousands that they would thwart.

Thereafter they thoroughly theorised,

Of the thrill that they therefore thrived.

The theft from thimble to throne,

Thwarting all with thrust and throw.

Those thugs through the thistles thundered,

Thrashing the thickening thorns thereunder.

Then those thieves, in the throes of thirst,

Thieved the thermos from their third;

The third thief thrashed the thirteenth thug,

Thumping the thirteenth thief a thorough thud.

The third thief was thereby throttled, although,

He threw his thumb at the thirty third throat.

In the throes of thumps, that thatch of thieves,

Got thwarted in the thicket, in throes of threes.

Those thwarted thieves, now thoroughly thin,

Those thirty three stuck thickly forever therein.

By J. Barrett

Still Life

Still Life


The rose petals fall dead to the floor,
Separating from a dead stem.
The vase, once full of life and colour,
Now is dry and barren and dusty.
The thorns, once green and juicy,
Are now hardened evil talons,
Waiting behind the dirty glass,
To attack anything soft and supple.
The last petal falls dead to the floor,
Its colour darkened and dried.
Sitting still in the dust,
Floral blood on the wooden boards.
The house is still.
The petals are still.
Life is still. Is gone.

By J. Barrett

Forever Sorry

Forever Sorry


I’m sorry that I hurt you,
I’m sorry that you cried,
I deserved those punches thrown at me,
After I told you that I’d lied.
I’m sorry that it went this way,
I’m so sorry that it did.
I’d like to say “in another lifetime”
But who’m I trying to kid.
I’m sorry that it went this way,
Ending up with a broken heart,
I’m sorry we didn’t realise these things,
From the very start.
But I’m not sorry for what we had,
Nor the good times that we shared,
And I know you don’t believe this,
But I really, really cared.
I’m sorry you don’t believe me now,
When I say I still care for you,
My actions don’t reflect my words,
But I’ll always be here for you.
I’m sorry that I hurt you bad,
I’m sorry that you cried,
And I’m sorry that what we had,
Seems to finally have died.

By J. Barrett

I'm Sorry

I’m Sorry


I miss you already,
My friend for so long.
My lover, my partner,
Whom I treated so wrong.
I miss you so much,
And it’s been only a day.
If I could go back,
I wonder what I would say.
Would I tell you the truth,
That hurt you so deep?
Or would I cover it up,
So this thing I could keep?
I miss you around,
Laughing all about our past.
But I fucked it all up,
With my honesty; ass!
I miss seeing you smile,
I miss seeing you at all.
And I feel so bad about it,
The truth rendered me small.
I’m sorry that I hurt you,
I’m sorry that you cried,
I’m sorry that I killed us,
I’m sorry that we died.
We were building back up,
To where we were then.
But that buildings now crumbled,
Never to be built up again.

By J. Barrett

Now You Know

Now You Know


I hurt you over and over again,
All because I’m battling insecurities.
I used you, discarded you,
But we still came back for more.
I treated you unworthy,
I lied to you and laid with others.
I dragged you down inside my head.
I set that ship in motion,
And then I sunk it later on.
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry that you met me.
I’m sorry I pulled you in.
I’m sorry I was never good enough.
I’m sorry for what I’ve done.

By J. Barrett

Great Brown Land

Great Brown Land

Travelling this wide open road,

A wound slashed ‘pon the earth.

Roadside trees dusted with dirt,

Rusted delicate sculptures.

Marbles of rock fling with a zing,

Bouncing before joining their brethren again.

The coppery earth crunches ‘neath rubber,

Throwing up plumes of dust.

The spinifex sprouts in spurts,

Rooted deep into earth hard and dry.

The clouds above are yellow and grey,

Brushstrokes on a canvass blue.

The sun is kind at this time of day,

Before it’s rise to a higher power.

Ranges in the distance, grey and hazy,

A teasing mirage of a cool, wet ocean.

The air is dry, the dirt is dry,

Everything is dry,

Especially the flies.

They buzz incessantly,

Their fervour increased,

In their search for moisture.

Eyes, nose, mouth, ears,

The sweat of any man or beast.

And where the land has escaped man’s hand

It’s beautiful.

By J. Barrett

It's Just a Dream

It’s Just a Dream


She lays on her back,
And dreams in the day,
Watching clouds swirl up high.
Blades of grass stab her gently,
Leaving marks on her skin.
It’s a welcome feeling.
She lays on her back,
And dreams of the day,
When all of her worries,
Will just drift softly away.

By J. Barrett

Scars

Scars

Those scars on your heart,

From all of the breaks.

Those marks on your back,

From all of the knives.

All those new pieces of you,

You’ve collected in life.

Know that you’ve grown,

From the aching and pain.

By J. Barrett

World Wide Fart

World Wide Fart

Imagine all the laughter we’d start if,

Everyone in the world suddenly farted!

It wouldn’t matter you were having a bad day,

That trumpet tooting sound you would smile it away.

People would walk laughing and holding their nose,

And all the little girls would say “Ew, that’s so gross!”

Imagine if everyone parmped in their pants,

Dropped one in their drawers,

Smelt it and dealt it,

And claimed it was yours.

If they broke wind in the water,

Or let one rip in a river,

And watched as it bubbled up,

And went pop! with a satisfied shiver.

Imagine if everyone farted at once,

And it echoed around the Earth,

Sure it might just pong a bit,

But it’d be worth it to see ‘em all laugh.

By J. Barrett

Life Cycles in Circles

Life Cycles in Circles

I’m at the bottom of a circle,

Where nothing seems to be going right,

Where everything is fucked in my life,

But everything cycles in circles.

I just need to wait to be at the top again,

For this cycle to run around,

To get to the top where it all goes right, and then,

I’ll be happy with where I am,

What I’m doing,

And who it is I am.

But until then I just need to accept,

That life cycles in circles.

By J. Barrett

And Stop

And Stop

I haven’t worked in 18 months,

I don’t even write anymore.

This cough won’t leave my chest, and

My mind is so fucking sore.

I put all my eggs in one basket,

Was on a promise that never came.

I’m despaired and don’t know what to do,

Except hold myself to blame.

I look for love in all the wrong places,

Instead of letting it come to me.

My efforts are wasted on wanting,

I should be giving my love unto me.

My life has hit a big brick wall,

Without any view to the top.

And this, the first thing I’ve written,

Be better if everything just stopped.

By J. Barrett

Hungry For It

Hungry For It

I know we’ve only just seen each other,

but I’d be lying if I said

I wasn’t already thinking

about having you inside me;

To feel you deep inside,

Filling me

Warming me

Satiating me.

My groan comes from deep inside,

A wanting

A needing

of having

You.

I lick my painted lips,

Anticipating;

What it would feel like.

Would you be as good as you look?

Because you look so, mmmmmm;

Tasty.

I want to take you in my hands

Right here;

In front of everyone;

But I’m not one to make a scene.

I want to feel your warmth,

to run my tongue over you,

to feel every texture;

I want to taste you!

You’re right there, in front of me,

Testing my patience,

Filling me with urges

that I’m struggling to hold back.

Your juices,

I’m sure they’re the sweetest thing

I will ever taste.

The length of you,

I’m sure I can handle.

If we were alone right now,

I would do things to you,

that I would enjoy,

probably more than you.

But that’s what you’re here for;

For me.

Just me.

I stare at you longingly;

How much longer do I have to wait,

To feel you in me,

Satiating me,

Filling me,

Satisfying me.

Your creamy skin glistens;

One nibble and you’ll pop,

oozing your juices down my chin.

I can’t take this much longer,

I can’t take this at all!

My knuckles are white,

Anticipating.

You’ve seduced me long enough,

I’m steaming as much as you are.

I’m ready to have you,

On your bed

of steaming mash.

Gravy dribbled over you

like a silken sheet.

Where’s that waiter with my damn fork!?

By J. Barrett

To Fly

To Fly


to stand on that ledge
toes over the edge
wind whipping in face


arms stretched out wide
to assist with the glide
ready to leave this place


push off with your toes
and over you go
the scenes rush on by


when grin greets the street
leaving but bloodied meat
at least you got to fly

By J. Barrett

Have You Ever

Have You Ever

Have you ever stood in a cell,

your socks sponging up the blood

that pools at your feet as it pours

from the wounds on your body?

But not all that blood is yours.

Your shoes have been taken away,

lest you use the laces.

Your belt has been taken away,

lest it can tighten around your throat.

Your dignity has been taken away,

lest you feel somewhat human;

Ignored.

Alone.

Pacing,

as you try to calm down.

Leaving sticky oval footprints

on the cold unforgiving concrete.

 

Have you ever been arrested

after being attacked?

When retaliation wasn’t a want,

it was a need;

To ensure your survival.

The handcuffs are too tight,

yet the blood flows from your fist,

your arm,

your neck,

your head.

Bundled into a cage on a car,

amongst flashes of blue and red.

You fought back;

You must be guilty.

 

Have you ever had a bottle broken upon your head?

Hearing the pop before feeling the slice,

jagged glass tearing at your soft skin

as it is pulled down

from scalp to neck.

There’s a vital network of veins and arteries there,

but no one seems to care;

Even yourself.

Rage has filled every part of your being;

Rage at being attacked

cowardly from behind.

Rage of the survival instinct kicking in.

 

Have you ever been caught up in a fight,

of which you know not who,

or why,

or what?

But you’re there,

wrong place, wrong time.

It’s nothing to do with you,

but it’s an emotion fuelled frenzy.

You don’t know where to go,

it’s all around you.

There’s nowhere to run and hide.

There’s no reason to stand and fight.

 

Have you ever had a few too many drinks

and made a bad choice?

By J. Barrett

Excess

Excess


In case you haven’t noticed,
I have a problem with excess.
What starts out as a few drinks,
Always ends up as a mess.

By J. Barrett

Two Flowers

Two Flowers

 

I really miss what we briefly had.

It was special,

I hope you know that.

All I’ve been thinking about,

is how we stayed up all night talking;

then we finally kissed.

That amazing night surpassed everything I ever knew.

And then we grew,

like two flowers planted side by side,

but blown by the weather,

to join together,

to curl around each other,

our petals gently caressing,

our leaves touching,

tendrils entwining.

 

And then, out of nowhere,

a fence was put between us,

we could no longer touch,

caress,

feel;

and worst of all we could no longer talk.

There are a field of flowers on my side of the fence,

but I just don’t,

I can’t,

interact,

communicate,

feel with them like I did you.

All I can think about

is that beautiful sunflower on the other side of the fence;

the one that I had such a connection with,

the one that I experienced,

though only briefly,

that intense passion,

that feeling of perfection,

of belonging…

 

I want my sunflower back.

I want you back.

I miss you.

I miss what we had and could have.

 

I’d love to spend just one more night,

just talking with you again,

sharing space,

sharing time,

sharing minds.

I’m laid bare.

By J. Barrett

Pizza Diva

Pizza Diva

I like it when my pizza is perfectly round,

And sliced into sections symmetrically.

I like when the toppings are precisely placed,

And fresh cheese is layered impressively.

I like when the crust is crispy and cracks,

And splinters into a flurry of crumbs.

I like when the base is a little bit soggy,

And that bit of juice that dribbles down thumbs.

I like when the cheese, all stretchy and stringy,

Finally snaps and caresses your grin.

And that little bit of topping that always breaks free,

You can pop it back on with your fin - ger.

I always save those crispy crusts until last,

I should eat it as a spiral from the centre.

Relishing in the goodness of that topping laden disc,

In that meaty, cheesy splendour.

And after it’s done, I’ll nibble on those crusts,

And make chit-chat with my partner in pizza.

If they’re crusty and crisp, I’m smacking my lips,

Yep! I’m a big pizza diva!

By J. Barrett

I Was You

I Was You

I have lived many lives

Packed into this existence

And I think that’s the problem

Because, you see, I was you once

We even had the same name

But she had to die

She could have never lived on

When the time came and she left me

I knew it was right, but it still hurt

And I think that was the problem

I see a lot of you in her, her in you

I’ve worn your shoes

Your clothes

Your hair

I was you once

And I ran away from it all too

By J. Barrett

Killing Bad

Killing Bad

He killed a man tonight

Put a gun to his head

And blew out his thoughts

He killed a man tonight

That somebody lies dead

But he’ll never get caught

He deserved to die tonight

He’d wronged something right

Made someone else’s life hell

He deserved to die tonight

Without the chance to fight

The trigger pulled, farewell

He killed a man tonight

An evil man, a monster

Who raped and hit and tortured

He killed a man tonight

He overcame and conquered

Disregarding the slaughter

He deserved to die tonight

He was nothing if he was bad

Worth only the bullet in his head

He deserved to die tonight

Gotten all that he should had

And now he lies still, dead

He killed a man tonight

And now he was the same

He could feel the evil burning

He killed a man tonight

And he could feel all his pain

Could feel why he was hurting

He deserved to die tonight

Or so he keeps repeating

It’s his mantra, his chant

He deserved to die tonight

Even though precious life is fleeting

He wants to forget; but can’t

By J. Barrett