There was a knock, knock
on my door I locked tightly
to lightly nap well
to quell the energy sapped
from a trying week’s toil
that spoiled my hopes
to cope with personal thoughts
brought by my distress
of living unblessed by god
in a forsaken, cruel world
rife with deception
even from black robed, Roman
Catholic, slick priests
bathed in oil to spoil
the innocence of young boys
through the violence
of sweet seduction to please
their erection’s need
to feed upon their power’s
creed to amass more tribute
like burglars lusting
for their legitimate lute.
Who waits at my gate,
iron wrought for protection
of my distraught, twisted soul?
It’s Kevin and Bree
remarkably to see me
unexpectedly.
What a pleasant surprise, Bree
to see you for high noon tea
with Kevin and me.
What occasion grants this boon
to commune with friends?
[Bree]
A friend of a friend sends word:
each of us are invited
to a closed session
slated for the expression
of our thoughts on
the fondness of song and dance
and all delights of romance.
[Kevin]
Crystal wanted us
to convey our bias
for the bitterness
of regret that besets hearts
deceived, betrayed and broken.
[Bree]
It was her firm wish
that you attend to help mend
love lost, once cherished.
[Joseph Ward]
Why would Crystal need input
from the likes of me covered
in the soot of torched
feelings scorched by intense heat
from rage infused hate
that waits for chance circumstance
to eradicate a life
rife with polished moves
that quell innocents’ defense
against narcissists.
Would you like tea or coffee?
I have ginger-cashew soup
and a great crumb cake.
You’ll stay of course to help me
shine happy smiles.
[Bree]
Crystal said we three must be
prized traveling companions
arrived as comrades
united in the struggle
to transcend awful
challenges to be managed
to heal damages incurred.
[Joseph Ward]
What the hell ! Tell me
she’s joking about poking
around my secrets
within a public forum
no matter the decorum
she swears will be safe
based on her impeccable,
indisputable,
iconic reputation.
[Kevin]
I trust her sincerity,
her integrity
and, most of all, I will trust
her fierce honesty.
[Bree]
No one’s ever forced to speak.
Think clearly. You’re invited
never commanded.
Your conflicted, anxious state
of irate feelings
may reflect that you’re dealing
with reciprocity’s strength
and the breadth and depth
of a terrorizing fear
that debilitates.
I know the strong gratefulness
that impregnates all spirits
helped by her kindness.
I know fear that penetrates
comprehensively.
We three are definitely
metaphysical comrades.
Your practical choice
is to join membership in
a social triad:
three musketeers who always
sneer at danger’s dark frontier;
or stumble through life
with fumbling antics as
the good three stooges.
Perhaps we three could agree
to be fine, supportive friends
to extend our
insights to fend off tricky,
sly self-deception.
[Kevin]
Accepting Crystal’s request
rests upon your primary
decision to see
the true burden of your soul
or to hold-up in
well fortified, stone bastions
to fend off the healing pain
of suturing deep
muscular lacerations
or having to set
a major bone brutally
broken deliberately.
How does your fondness
and respect for your good friend
contend with the real,
honest fear to hear yourself
speak the truthfulness you lived?
This struggle we’ve lived.
[Bree]
Be careful. Know that there’s no
conflict to restrict
your allegiance to Crystal.
Speak; don’t speak. It’s all the same.
Have you ever known
Crystal to foam at the mouth
or browbeat others?
This soup is very tasty !
I’d like another scoop, please.
[Kevin]
Me, as well, and I
smell fresh baked bread alluring
me to spread butter
on a thick slice to suffice
my need for your cake instead.
[Bree]
Your crumb cake is best
when sipping tea, so I will
be skipping your bread.
[Marlo]
Greetings, all who can recall
my modest contribution
to what solutions
could be had in Marlo’s Tale.
Back again, my friend,
to assist in what could be
missed without my intimate
and collegiate
rapport with fine folks to score
soft inspiration.
The Restorative Justice
Project reflects a needed,
serious move to
infuse the legal system
with a drive for truth
to override crimes’ guilty/
not guilty resolutions.
Such verdicts depict
grueling investigations
pursued by police
and legal presentations
by diversely skilled people
as debates that rate
clever strategies to free
or to completely
restrain one with extensive,
sustained incarceration.
The painful need for
retribution and vengeance
is a consequence
of human emotions stung
by tangible, criminal
affronts to person.
Crystal had reason to share
her life’s energy
to blunt the despair victims
must overcome to fathom
the path to take through
the aftermath of events
one could not prevent.
The Restorative Justice
Project known as R J P