header image
 

I’ll Be Just Fine

Useless. Unless I can free myself from my mind,
my fate is trapped. My body can’t take this fee
but, you know, eventually, I’ll be just fine.

My life has never followed any rhyme
or pattern. I fear that I will always be
useless. Unless I can free myself from my mind.

When I was young, my life had no design.
All I wanted was a whole family tree.
But, you know, eventually, I’ll be just fine.

I have figured out theirs, but cannot find mine.
She says there is still an inkling of hope for me…
I’m useless. Unless I can free myself from my mind.

My notes look like a penny, without the shine,
a mirror of my mind, an evil sea.
But, you know, eventually, I’ll be just fine.

I know I can do more than sit here and moan and pine
for her dancing eyes. I am lost hopelessly,
uselessly, unless I can free myself from my mind.
But, you know, eventually, I’ll be just fine.
- Joe Clayton

Babe Ruth in a Casino

I’ve never been around these tables.
I’ve never put my money in these slots.
You only live once,
so why not try it?
But I can’t do this
without them.

These stimulating friends trap me
in a comfortable and familiar place,
surrounded by flashing lights.

Anytime I try to leave,
I see how uneasy and sad life can be
without them.

I’m so high,
flying through the clouds
they try to make me land…
But I’ll never reach the moon
without them.

Now I’m losing everyone,
except my “teammates.”
As long as I’m rich,
I’ll never be
without them.

What would my life have been
without them?

‘Home run king,’ ‘the best ever,’
could I have been the best
Without them?

-          Joe Clayton

Poetry Assignment 1

Uncle Allen’s Bookshelf

Too rigid and straight
Everything is aligned
Bottom: medical text
Middle: family pictures

Top shelf: Empty

302 Poetry Test

Blah, blah, blah.