'purple
heart'
harmful ways
find the soldier,
while the front
lines explode.
then comes the
swirling of random death
with rhyme or
reason, absent.
limp flesh,
a mouth without
a kiss.
torn...God cries
when a purple
heart beats, silent.
jonathan j ames
'the
chimes of armageddon ~ revisited'
scorched innards
encompass the
comings of tomorrow,
a haunting.
you, caught
holding onto the sunsets of the day.
quick...a grasp of
fiery light
leads the
procession of night, and
the reflected
faces form a brilliant flambйau.
your eyes mirror
the flame, as hell dances about the
song.
found twined
around the soul...an invitation.
sent forth to the
underside of the nether world, and
to all the demons
it inhabits.
heard in the
distance, the unsaid secrets of the fall
who chime to the
forgotten.
here, the masses
are forced to witness
the dawn of the
morning star, for
his reign soon
begins.
and caught in the
middle of his own creation,
stands man...in
reprobate.
jonathan james
'liberty'
meant melodies tell
the meaning.
for no thought, nor
song
shall conform to the
many.
careful children,
you play a dangerous game.
darkness falls all
around
and this halo of
lyrical glory, can
only rise so high.
written upon the
walls of history,
the story remains,
undisturbed.
the world spun
darkly in those times,
words of the
prophets spoke, empty.
all while a
systematic madness
mantled the whole of
man.
a weeping for hearts
found beatless,
so many found, so
many weepings.
but there's two
definitions to the rhyme.
the first...hatred,
forced upon the audience
while the second,
silently sues for freedom.
behold, no man shall
stand against the former.
rejoice
children...your liberty is at hand.
jonathan j ames
~ a little insight
to this piece; during wwii the nazis
rounded up orphaned jewish children and
put them in a camp. they made these
children learn and perform various
propaganda songs. these songs were meant
to glorify nazi ideals, but the children
changed the meaning in their heads. so
when they sang they thought of liberation
and freedom. the allies granted that wish
for them with many lives. and as i lament,
it was worth it. ~
~jja~
'bells
for soldier~boys'
icewater mansion
around frozen eye tear,
star in the window,
gold.
cathedral bells ring,
for the dead they sing,
for those who never
make it, home.
the dawn came late, i
stood motionless.
for it is said foreign
lands never give up their dead,
the faceless the
nameless, boys crying and dying.
arms upon the
shoulders of those who fall,
rememberings now not
always sweet,
muted the sound of
marching feet, for those
who never make it,
home.
jonathan j ames
'travelin'
dusty road ahead of me,
dusty road behind.
salted tears feed my
fears,
still uncertain of what
i'll find.
jonathan j ames
'when a
soldier crys'
dusted mourn face,
death is found inside.
today a little less
heart to beat,
with every empty chest.
these brothers in arms.
a sacrifice one for
another,
another for the one,
you stand fast against
the hell
opened beneath you this
day.
we have but just words.
someday you'll return,
to your homes far away.
through fields of
destruction, a
a suffrage on heaven’s
doorstep, remains.
a baptism on the
battlefield.
the sun below the
horizon,
the moon high in the
sky,
in the stars your fates
are shown,
put there when a soldier
crys.
jonathan j ames
'the musings
of mr. bones'
~ rikki-tikki-tavi ~
i wish i were a mongoose!
because then i could kill
cobras all day,
and then take them home
and show them off to my friends.
jja
'the untitled
chronicles ~ no. 76 ~'
~ jeffery bray ~
we all sit as kings,
our tables are filled with
all our dreams and desires
in the form of food,
‘immaculate and simple.'
whether i have a thousand
guests,
or i eat alone,
i may take comfort in the
fact,
'that i will not starve'.
jonathan j ames
'beside a child's
mind'
there are such tales
in children's books,
of ghosts and goblins deep.
silver stirrups
on a summer horse,
where a grove of willows weep.
a little house
on a rocky ridge,
a dragon's breath of fire.
captain nemo & moby dick,
swirls every child's desire.
there are woven webs
where charlotte lived,
countless mysteries.
where words like magic
warm the soul,
and so on for eternity.
there's miners gold
in a lonesome hill,
drama & nancy drew.
a red fern grows
over shallow grave,
now visited by precious few.
a grizzly death
in yellowstone,
tiger eyes in new mexico.
here within a child's mind,
where the rivers of
imagination flow.
jonathan j ames
'an uncertain
path'
a nostalgic scent from long
ago,
weaves it's way into light.
the faces of yesterday still
peer,
into my soul.
i fain greet them with sunken
eyes,
as twisted reeds of sun beat
upon my brow,
not at all knowing...
what tomorrow may bring.
jonathan j ames
'the untitled
chronicles ~ no. 37 ~’
honeysuckle fire
feeds a sea of timid dancings,
while tall lanky grasses
attempt to twine the bite of
winter.
open range winds
roam empty fields, unabated.
such was the scene
while beneath a white pine
brightness.
still,
we listen to the chirps of the
season.
utter brilliance never shared,
causes me to ponder...
how did it come to this-
jonathan j ames
'abandoned heart
cry'
mother...no
don't go, please.
love, death
welcomed shadowy
wish, unknowing.
alone,
the many, laugh.
eyes closed, to
feel warmth's
absence, i cry.
dreams, once.
but
strangers
came for me, here
lonesome, maybe.
in another time now...
new mother
new father
new warmth
new love
family.
jonathan j ames
'revelations'
ignorance stands pleased with
himself.
this fьhrer,
well versed in the language of
pain,
he mercilessly leans o'er a
bare-chested man
and renders a spiritual glow,
tenebrous.
such will live these moments,
horrific.
an imprisoned people, united
beneath
the whisper prayers of their
children who will survive.
death, scantily clad
as the nectar of life drips
from their mouths.
the philosophy of basic human
rights, found
nescient while compassions
dissipate into the underworld.
'meine jьdischen freunde,
Ьbel klopft nach ihrer
welt,
kцnnen gottkomfort sie
in ihrer zeit der notwendigkeit'
evil has a new mouthpiece, as
hellish trumpets wail thus
sounding their arrival,
for a new suffrage, is about
to plague the earth.
and all too soon will the
unthinkable...become known.
jonathan j ames
'one hundred
thousand painted sparkles'
a splash
painted sunshine
splatters, the surface of the
moon.
yellows
whites, change
the color of my heavens.
nebula stars,
comet dust tails, fall
across canvas whites.
a distinctive mark,
gently made by milkyway
brights.
in awe, i stand
shocked.
this painting, before me
illustrated
upon the blank,
dance sweet some things, i
cannot name.
open hands,
hold the sky's brush that
streaks afire
while found in the lower, the
print of my thumb.
a signature,
from cosmic bodies who if but
for a moment,
played gingerly inside my
soul.
jonathan j ames
'the untitled
chronicles ~ no. 10 ~’
~ for the victims of the
holocaust ~ wherever they may be ~
morally compassionate doorways
now render an infamous agenda,
smoldering.
capturing their now mournful war
weary battlefields,
the ones that show remnants of
slate-hued eyes.
the day for honoring themselves
has come to an end,
as the courageously survived cry
for overdue retribution.
but as they sound,
they sound for two,
for the dead have no voice.
and these baneful trespassers of
life,
cradle annihilation, no more.
jonathan j ames
'my brother's
return'
the poor, sick and old,
children of the world freedom is
upon you.
bare witness, for the kingdom of
God is
about to verge your sky.
moroni's trumpet fastly sounds,
marking the day of His return.
devils will have no place here,
cast back into the shadow
they remain bound, for a time.
heaven soon reigns, brightly.
purest beauty
will live beyond all imagination.
magical.
still, souls will be lost.
will i be among them-
for my burdens are both big and
small,
and they grow heavy upon my back.
jonathan j ames
'the way we were'
recognition of the former,
gently tucked away from all who see.
once, vibrant.
beauty begins in pairs,
but everywhere seen the pain,
for silence still listens to your
cry.
understanding the nothings
that lay in the palm of His hand,
eyes closed tight, the former
passes.
shrouded, even masked.
still, ever changing walks the man,
behold, the time of redemption soon
rains.
here, in darkness or light,
where shall you stand
when the world comes undone-
jonathan j ames
'abide with me ~
revisited'
neverness or bright,
there will be those who stand naught.
the shameful specter willing,
still Christ's passion profoundly
speaks.
time moves on melody tides,
an orchestrated ebb and flow of the
heart,
if only you would listen.
moments, kissed
without foundations,
wonderment will speak for the mute.
for the looks about their face will be,
faithless.
anointed tears for His feet fall,
everlasting.
come my brother, abide with me.
jonathan j ames
'the untitled chronicles ~
no. 03 ~’
seven theories of man,
embodied in a jealous sky that looms
ahead.
above the moon,
to sink and touch the fields of the sun.
promises
half~truths
i walk beside the years,
to grow within it all,
even to relish the season.
thus another...
eight theories of man,
embodied in a jealous sky.
jonathan j ames
'brothers in arms'
valleys of mist, left
here for me
as it is,
as it should be.
we return.
to the someday, walk
my
fears, fade asunder.
our suffrage
falls, into
heaven another.
still
inward battles.
farewell, to
my
brothers in arms.
as yet another,
falls out
of earthly harms.
jonathan j ames
songs and tears'
life essence,
inhaled to the singing angel,
while an ocean of hesitation, patiently waits.
wake fair lady,
for your soul becomes undone.
remember this tear, whilst kissing the breath.
touched eyes,
open to the sleep you encompass.
still you lay, sunken chest spirit.
you forgot the tear, and misunderstood the
song.
jonathan j ames
kindness,
a prerequisite to that which was once whole, but
salvation quickly became the order.
for omniety remains lost throughout this land,
found dead among earthly treasures, lies faith.
divided minds scramble,
and lose their grip on the silky tethers of
life.
all the while, the angel of destruction
restores that which was broken.
here, confounded and overwhelmed
we can smell the stench of our own hearts,
rotting.
undone has our universe become,
for the masses have squandered the word.
there's no one left to read His voice,
the spirits have all departed,
tonight...the world spins empty.
jonathan j ames
'picasso'
immortal color streaks the damp canvas, whole.
lingers are the wounds of a different sort,
time cannot erase such things.
i see where you lie, but where do you live-
fighting fears nestled around your heart,
deep inside where no one else can see,
haunted dreams voice the sadstruck eye.
a mural in the making
these layers of hung color dry where they stand.
this beautifully arranged patchwork of paints
speak to what was lost.
you forget the changing ocean tides
experience age with a smidgen of happiness,
it's not so difficult if you try.
let the world see the picasso that lives within
you.
jonathan j ames
'an english quartet ~ revisited'
four set off to cross the sea,
put forth them that of pure melody.
music opened wider lies their claim,
days grew them weary, this fame.
the four split ways, they could not agree,
directions opposite themselves, and from me.
years passed by the boys apart,
until one was taken, pierced my heart.
the remaining three, closer now
they thought better their course, and how
came time for another, his path to renew,
he parted ways, and then there were two.
jonathan j ames
'once'
vibrations held, by didder night hands.
tomorrows’ oppose
as yesterdays’ smile,
times quickly fade, asunder.
once lived melodies of warmth.
yet the sounds have gone,
who’ve left but the tick of a watch,
now held, by didder night hands.
jonathan j ames
'immolated soul'
on my knees.
screams to an invisible ear,
why!
let me sacrifice myself.
brother...
the time of lies has past.
i fall wilted...
under this ocherous ball in the sky, here
still upon my knees.
jonathan j ames
'meridian'
a stagger and a stumble,
His sanctimonious breath softly
warms your face.
there resides a strange heart inside,
you know of which i speak.
the pieties of those who welcome
your downfall, endlessly chant.
divine moments sewn into heavenly words,
gentle walks His feet in the meridian of time...
this final prayer offered to man, for
His fall is upon you.
jonathan j ames
'pale tomorrows'
yesterday’s hands reach out in curses,
for tomorrow's epitaphs believed to be
outside normal desperations, ring untrue.
yes, love sometimes lives
beyond these painful crimson sighs, but
i marvel at how forgetful you've become.
the artist controls the stoke of your bush,
allowed or disallowed, strands
of watercolor hearts run the canvas whole.
however,
while paints dance asunder,
photographs architect themselves in pyramid
fashion
and thus tell a story, the artist could never
daub.
jonathan j ames
'the hue of rue'
i feel melancholy at it's finest.
like unto a virus, i'm the host.
virtue is gone,
as sunfilled skies remain, clouded.
i thought my days would live forever,
but the creator has a different plan for me,
i'm being called home sooner than i wanted.
these impossible things,
oh how i wish for impossible things,
but my words fall on deafened ears.
causing melancholy to be at it's finest.
jonathan j ames
'true faith'
amputated heart.
contained pleasure
walks wet the man in love.
alive, so alive.
but years pass without reminder.
many nights.
mistaken for dead, the everlasting
burns brighter, and brighter.
all of this fluted among tenor rhythms.
in motion the future is.
costly ceremony, for
those both old and young
who've somehow lost their way.
destiny lies in everything,
as your shaded sun falls quiet.
it lights the pathway home
if only you would walk it.
true faith eludes you, still.
jonathan j ames
‘ ? ‘
ornamental tears
reflect odd shaped colors,
that sparkle in the corner of your eye.
do i dare touch, or do i just listen,
or should i do nothing at all-
are they tears of joy, or of a different sort-
with love or hate they still remain,
reflecting a far off time.
still, these tears you have
in such odd shaped colors,
become ornaments in the corner of your eye.
jonathan j ames
'my heart in greyscale'
once brilliant and beautiful times
are now painted over by only ashen memories,
while somewhere,
a devilish snicker
echoes in a rueful canyon still.
a spiral of smoke to alert the senses-
hark! the sound of their master's heart.
i stand alone, as a young palette of vibrant
color
quickly scurries away.
the stroke of a sorrow-struck brush
remains, unchanged.
come now, my dear
look upon your life in paints.
see
there's no black,
nor white,
only ashes of grey,
only grey
jonathan j ames
'the eye of a hebrew needle'
we can talk about the simple,
here upon the sand.
quiet and dry,
my words float on rain
which, oddly falls beneath your feet.
untold is your record.
church bells beat you down,
royalty is dead dear.
listen, at your door
cruel life…ratta tap tap, ratta tap tap.
open it child...nay you say-
one cannot outlive one's destiny.
year upon year,
the ratta tap tap will call.
i watch the door go unanswered,
time and time again.
all seen,
through the eye of a hebrew needle.
jonathan j ames
'the taste of grey'
to bend the wind.
pale blue moonlight,
ramifies over yesterday
and on into the morrow.
while underneath,
stands a lone figure,
who meekly sounds
his never-ending caveat.
he speaks for the myopic many,
oblivious to the glassy opal waves of youth
that curtly fade, while under a falling sky.
oft is the warning misunderstood.
drifting are the magical chants,
that charm cold layers
of a color grey snow,
and causes the white
to lose it's way in the night.
i open my mouth to catch
a mosaic flake of ice,
but i'm quickly silenced in curses.
for the taste of life
falls bitter on my tongue.
and ever swirling,
is this waft that pre-dates
the very glory of rome,
still swaddled in the fragile
rays of the moon.
that bend the wind
jonathan j ames
'paved etceteras'
knowledge watches,
as you pave your road
that winds from the now, into then.
recognition believed,
feelings held can rear with a sneer.
what matters in all of this-
trust, pushed to the edge.
but to the edge of what-
the 'what' determined by the road you pave.
sometimes, you can catch the inside turned.
peeled layer for layer, naked
as you walk your road, paved or unpaved.
so again I ask, what matters in all of this-
jonathan j ames
'smile whispers of the wise'
mirror of the sky,
show me seasons from yesterday.
these walls built high and strong.
forgetful time
seasons grow longer as
the older grows the wiser,
with his mirror in the sky.
love taken and given, casts
reflective smiles on snow covered hills.
catch them child, change is upon you.
long is this narrow,
but i may only show you the path,
i cannot walk it for you.
believe the whispered voice
if ever should you falter, simply
look for the mirror in your sky.
hold close the smiles, embrace the change.
jonathan j ames
'withered field'
unmeasured spills, disperse.
found, pale midnight thought.
soft moments gained,
an internal price
always rendered, uncertain.
walls landscape all.
my inward drought, remains.
jonathan j ames
'yesterday's wind'
rainy tuesday,
yesterday's wind blows, hard.
ordinary voice lends credence to what-
me here, beside a tear
a cry or two heard, though how much more-
i ponder, in this age of winter.
jonathan j ames
'true faith'
amputated heart.
contained pleasure
walks wet the man in love.
alive, so alive.
but years pass without reminder.
many nights.
mistaken for dead, the everlasting
burns brighter, and brighter.
all of this fluted among tenor rhythms.
in motion the future is.
costly ceremony, for
those both old and young
who've somehow lost their way.
destiny lies in everything,
as your shaded sun falls quiet.
it lights the pathway home
if only you would walk it.
true faith eludes you, still.
jonathan j ames
'my vision'
i had a dream.
i was with many people,
i didn't know them.
in front of us, the blackest of black.
as i looked up, i saw satan.
he didn't have horns or forked tail,
he was a man, just like you and me.
he came to confront each of us.
as he did, he would do despicable things to us,
unimaginable things.
when he came to me, he punched me in the
stomach.
i remember, how thankful i was that was all he
did.
but the tortures grew worse and worse.
soon, the people around me
began to fall to their knees to worship him,
i was about to do the same.
but just then, the black was split in two by a
brilliant light.
it was whiter than the whitest white,
it was...eternal.
and in front of me, close to my face, appeared
Jesus.
He looked directly at me,
and then it was as if He said, "jonathan,
it's going to be
alright, you don't have to worry."
i felt instant peace, unlike ever before in my
life.
then he smiled.
i awoke instantly,
his image still vivid in my mind.
He has brown eyes, and oh how they sparkled.
i still hold the feeling inside me,
because it was...perfect.
this was the vision shown to me,
and i carry it within my heart with every
