Let's Get Weird: Poems, Songs and Other...From a 33 Year Old Boy Navigating the American Jungle

By Gary Hawkes

Various poems and songs about love, loss, hope, friendship, family and mostly what it means to be an American in the 21st century.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gary Hawkes
• Release date: Aug 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301557417

Gary Hawkes

Gary Hawkes spent most of his child hood years on Whidbey Island in western Washington, aside from three years spent in Japan during his mother and step-father's Navy deployment. The experience of living in Japan and calling that country home and then moving back to the U.S., had quite the effect on the young aspiring writer; a unique perspective on what it means to be an American.Early on however, Gary's interests were mostly in music and sports. It was periodic encouragements from family and specifically a high school teacher that spurred Gary to pursue writing more diligently later on. Most of the writer's early work were simple short stories and some poetry.Several years after graduating college he published his first collection of poems and followed quickly after with several more books of poetry and short stories. Currently living in Washington State.

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Let’s Get Weird: Poems, Songs and other…From a 33 Year Old Boy Navigating the American Jungle

By Gary Hawkes

Copyright Gary Hawkes 2013

Smashwords Edition

Part I

33 Year Old Boy

Miss time of old

When deep discussion was about that basketball card you sold

Enjoying life was the main concern

No worry about the clothes my mom made for me, or how much money to earn

There seems to be other outcast and goofballs like me out there

I am still focused on making it, not just living without care

I won’t need a castle to define my success

Helping people who’ve helped me is the first test

If we can give some power back to the people, that would be best

ADDICTION

Have an affliction, not quite sure of the cure

Hopefully love, for sure

Feel drained and out of tune

Don’t think I can carry on till the next noon

All the connections now seem negative

Don’t have anything left to give

If I don’t move

I’ll be very much out of the groove

What am I doing anymore, I think openly

Losing faith in whatever this is, what value do you have if you don’t have money

I can’t go back to her, can’t as in I’d be ill, Not sure any more of up, down, left or right

Don’t want any more shit jobs, have had plenty

I can feel myself slowly suffocate

For some reason I keep waking up

Going to keep heading south

Nothing else to talk about

American Dream

Meandering through the mind field that is the American Dream

Contemplating this life and what it means

How long lost in the swarming fields of pacification and intolerance

Which there seems no deliverance

Living in such a small bubble, that is hard to escape

Enjoy the ride as best one can, although when stuck here, the nerves start to agitate

Follow the white horse as far as he will go

Maintain the interest and let happiness flow

Leave this place behind soon enough

Try a new journey, friendship to be sought

Hopeful musing on this cool summer night

Even though things are barely moving along, the future is still bright

Get back to the deal you were meant to

Silly distractions askew the view

It is yours for the taking, if wanted

Be a man and step up, you’ve spent too much time stalling

SAIL INTO TOMMOROW

Heavenly believer

In the passion, consumed by her

Soul lifter

But now no longer

No regrets

Of what’s left

Nothings in jest

Tomorrow’s the new best

Sail into tomorrow

No more sorrow

Be one again

Righteous feeling

Everything gained

Nothing lost

Unknown cost

Silent cot

Empty lot

Happiness sought

Freedom bought

Impossible, not

Sail into tomorrow

No more sorrow

Be one again

Righteous feeling

ANGEL

Sun sets on the warmth that was left

Eternally grateful for what was saved, but the wondering eye has become a pest

She was a glorious angel who saw light in him

Giving him the confidence to continue, letting this life be

That was long ago, the attachment no longer stable

We will both move on, he preached, more than able

The words wouldn’t be written, without their meeting

But that chance encounter no longer decides the remainder of their evenings

Now what to do with what was created

Not able to share, the times will always be debated

Will never again be allowed to go at true full steam

Those two that from them are more than a dream

The angel will care for them as long as able

Until then the dark one waits, continues to encourage

Preparing for the time to bring them to the table

It is then that there will be full steam again

Lost without them, because of his apparent sin

BALANCE

Always striving for balance

Having already served my penance

But, I am going to strive

To keep hope alive

It has gone on long enough

A small group controlling so many

So many have so little, even though we live in the land of plenty

What will it take to reverse this inequality?

Using our minds, working together logically

Although, I do also listen to the right clan

The one’s with the master plan

Yes, educated by the Wu Tang Clan

Our way of life is out of balance

Some are born with so much; others aren’t even given any REAL chance

We all know it’s wrong, but we hide behind our distractions

Stupid computer screens, our main interactions

Can’t be naïve to the situation

There is hell on this plantation

But in love there is salvation

I refuse to be sent to condemnation

Not sure who else in on my wave

Or am I someone who needs to save

Righteousness shoved down our throats

I’m just now in mid-age beginning to sort

I feel about the same as I did at twenty

Just now I’m older, more beat up, heartache and fuck ups, I’ve had plenty

But the future is still somewhat bright

As it always it, especially when the alternative is a coffin tonight

Our way of life is out of balance

Some are born with so much; others aren’t even given any REAL chance

We all know it’s wrong, but we hide behind our distractions

Stupid computer screens, our main interactions

Can’t be naïve to the situation

There is hell on this plantation

But in love there is salvation

I refuse to be sent to condemnation

Avoid the violence as best you can

But when The Man corners you like a dog, Fighting is the only plan

My soul is mush and rock all at once

The next fight with the devil, I look forward to the chance to pounce

On this damn negative shit that hasn’t gone away

Enlightenment is not an easy game to play

Despite all the injustices, war, prejudices, and general fucked up shit that divides our nation,

I’m still eternally hopeful for the new dawn, striving for light in my own way with little hesitation

HAPPINESS CAN’T BE BOUGHT

Going for a bike ride to put my mind at ease

In this cool Oregon Breeze

Forget about the troubles over the last few months

Happiness doesn’t have to be bought

Blood so concerned with my behavior they want me to go to an E.R.

They don’t know me too well, see ‘em a couple times a year, we are who