Poems by John Pinkney

AFFIRMATIONS

Now I recognize how much my alcohol and drug use kept me from being really close to my body. I’ve been hiding out for a long time.

Somewhere along the way I quit being open to anyone. I quit taking any risks. My only relationship was with my addiction.

When someone approached me in a caring way I was afraid. I’d back away as quickly as I could.

I knew I was not being honest with myself and I did not want people to discover my phoniness.

Now I am discovering a real desire to be close again, to build some honest relationships.

John Pinkney

BE AWARE OF CRACK

She sucked on it, the thin glass pipe She pulled on it with strange delight She told me to go away I thought it was here to stay She fondled it She held it She talked to it She danced with it She loved it

I hated it, for it was the dance of death I hated it, a dance that would not allow her to eat or rest I hated it, a dance that was tearing us apart I hated it, a dance that broke my heart...

Be aware of your thoughts For your thoughts become your words. Be aware of your words for your words become your actions.

Be aware of your habits for your habits become your character.

Be aware of your character for your character becomes your destiny.

BE CAREFUL! Thoughts create feelings. Feelings create actions. Actions bring you results.

John Pinkney

MY BACKYARD

Sitting in my backyard Just drinking my coffee the air is so refreshing. The sounds of the day coming to the soul of man. It makes you want more. And more! The sound of a thousand songs flow in the air. What a day it’s going to be. I must see! Hear the songs of the trees and grass—it must be love. The joy of laughing, smiling, and loving is the divine gathering of friends for a lifetime. Strong tides. Just in my backyard, just in my backyard. A good day to smile. “Smile.” In my backyard.

LET GO

My eyes have seen so much. My heart’s full. My love’s full. My soul is gathering much more. The main thing I want to know is which way to go. I want to know how to let go. My eyes run with tears of love. Why can’t I let go? Yes, I want to know just how to let go, feel my body with joy and show me how to let go. I want to know how to let go.

John Pinkney

John Pinkney

MIST

The wind blows the mist off the trees. It feels so good, so wonderful and loving. The clean pebbles of the mystic love blowing across my face, dropping into my eyes. I rest my mind. I offer it to the above, announcing it—it’s the place to be. My soul knows there’s no other place to be. I walk in just the blue sky, the sunlight. It’s so sweet. The softness of love holds the world in its hands just like the morning dew. Flowing outward. No matter how, who, or where, the love is still there.

John Pinkney