Steady Stream of Consciousness

By T.J. Swisher

Steady Stream of Consciousness is a collection of poems that encompasses the perspective of the author as she has experienced the world. From sitting in a small town café inspired by the genuine interaction of patrons to horrific life experiences to where she is now in her journey of life.

This book was developed over the course of a lifetime. Poems that span the last twenty plus years and are only a hint at the words written in that time. Poetry that has been a means to express what has been experienced, feelings, thoughts, deep-rooted emotions, etc. often sparked by inspired perspective. There is no set format other than what the words and emotions of the poem direct. The poems where the depths of the words lie, there is the soul of the author, the perspective of the world that surrounds her. Allow your mind to take you where it may as you read each poem.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781638441793

Book preview

Volume I

it was easy when the cover

was all that could be seen,

when pages became visible

the existence changed yet again,

each time the book has opened

contents scare the viewer,

pages of love poured out,

reasons from the past

that molded the determined

independent soul,

an understanding of the circles,

and an honor code,

beyond superficial circumstances,

where words are written

and an ironclad promise is kept,

an epitaph explains

the life goal of service,

where imperfections exist,

desires to be accepted

grace every chapter,

examples of sometimes trying too hard

to outlive shadows

and crushing betrayal,

where fear lingers on the fringes,

within the pages exist a life

that once viewed by the outside

is left unread and cast away,

as though a disease exists

to be caught,

yet the book survives,

adding chapters,

regardless of the loss

that always comes,

changing nothing, love given

will remain,

promises will be kept if ever

called upon,

someday when all the chapters

have been written,

there exists a hope that love

will be received like it was given

and forgiveness will be found.

2005–2015

Memories Reflection

in the early days it was

the rooster crowing the breakfast bell,

with Holsteins depositing their due,

the lunch break was caught

on a wagon catching bales,

supper came after barn chores

and always with words of thanks and praise,

times rolled forward

into the weekday workforce,

pushing hands too raw to sew,

but always tender touches at home,

forward the calendar passed

with the next generation to the fourth,

like the garden from a Victory planting

to general vegetables to share,

time began to fade

into stories of bygone eras,

the soul eternally strong

but the physical body weak,

gave one last breath

and into His light she passed.

2014

Send: Solace II

lines of immature cursive

consume legions of pages,

words seeping with hurt and anger

scattered with confusion and fear

and visible glimpses of aloneness and sadness,

hold brief peeks of rare joy and acceptance,

survival was ink on paper

and holding a far-fetched dream,

each word a fieldstone building the wall,

enclosing the soul,

each page a droplet in the brewing thundercloud,

each journal a hardening of a shell to withdraw to,

years of screaming through the words

and attempts to have them viewed

fell in front of raised covered eyes,

the masquerade stood for decades

fear and hurt remained strong in their grip,

still a black sheep cloaked in red

to be shunned for the past,

the nightmares of then

fill the waning moments of darkness now,

to explain to the circle

brings the sense of being a nuisance,

the words remain hidden,

only temporary glimpses appear,

healing comes slowly like the thickening of ice over a lake,

words spoken to Him above

in lines of prose and prayer

usher in solace like the change of seasons,

and the past haunts that drive today remain

a shadow along the road.

2013–2017

Maddie’s Elegance

she walked hunched

with two whittled sticks

adorned with orange flaggers tape

waving at the top,

a crocheted brimmed hat

with a ribbon of flowers

hung delicately around her head,

the pinnacle of Jenny Joseph’s Warning

shades of purple too short in some areas

and too large in others,

into the café on her morning stroll

sitting her sticks against the wall,

talking to them before she goes

to purchase her coffee,

addressing others with mannerisms long forgotten,

in a tone stereotypical

of a well-aged kindred woman,

time and grace her company,

taking in all that passes

along the street and sidewalk outside

through windows in old fashion style,

she lingers greeting the day,

conversing with any and all,

content within her own

as she slowly indulges in fresh coffee.

2013–2017

WVES Colleagues

the difference is you,

the one who stands beside,

understanding, tolerant of frustrations,

sharing concerns and joys,

teaching without disdain,

including as a team member,

offering diverse boundless encouragement,

the difference is you,

demonstrating pride and passion,

devoting time and talent,

caring, and dedicated,

a part of the change,

changing beyond lessons and assessments,

inspiring beyond words,

the difference is you.

2013–2016

Epoch Moments

(To those we remember.)

shadows of glowering sun

edge-printed words to neon,

conversations turning to sullen hums

of motion without comprehension,

crow lines denied access

when speckles of gray turned to grim-filled rufous,

embraced in somber touches

encompassed with woebegone faces,

envelope in divine weeps

slipping from above patterning places once walked,

puddles casting back time

to jittery excitement of vows exchanged,

simple moments incinerated

to epoch attic spaces,

held perpetually in fortitude.

2007–2013

View: Café Ladies

they sit, each with a steaming cup of joe,

chatting about youth and middle age,

cataracts and greying hair,

two ladies well-graced in age,

adorning classic jewelry,

dressed in pale shades of sunflower yellow

and magnolia pink,

each in a partial perm

carrying flowery handbags,

elegance flows from them unknowingly,

true friends from years of life’s adventures

she walked by, hair covered in a worn bandanna,

her face dwarfed by cataract sun-glasses,

age apparent along smile lines

and wrinkled hands,

her gait