Daydreams
&
Nightmares
by
Joseph Childress
Copyright © 2011 Joseph Childress
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo-copying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author. This excludes a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.
Library of Congress
Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Childress, Joseph
Poetry
Library of Congress Control Number: 2011939981
ISBN: 978-0-9834307-5-9
Published by G Publishing, LLC
Printed in the United States of America
Acknowledgements
I would like to give thanks to my Family, Friends and Fans. Without you, there would be no solution to my problems, no simplicity to my complications and no sanity to my craze.
Thank You,
Joseph Childress
This Book is Dedicated
TO YOU
Contents
The Prologue: Too Much Dreaming
Part 1: Sunrise
Chapter 1 - Daze
Chapter 2 - Nonsensibles and Whatnots
Chapter 3 - La La Land
Chapter 4 - Poetramore
Part 2: Sunset
Chapter 5 - BlackList
Chapter 6 - Poetry, Trees & Trickery
Chapter 7 - Reel World
Chapter 8 - Truth
Chapter 9 - Night Mayor
The Prologue
~ Too Much Dreaming ~
“Too much daydreaming” was a comment left on most of my report cards in grade school; I got in trouble often for not paying attention. I remember going to school and trying to make it through the day without daydreaming but it never worked, and it still doesn’t. Nowadays the term ADD is thrown at anyone who has a hyperactive mind, sometimes pills are used as the remedy, as if it’s a disease. Although I had a difficult time concentrating in grade school, my daydreaming obsession developed into something much more promising; something I could be proud about. All the ideas for my poetry come from getting lost in my own world and discovering the possibilities.
Poetry is the where I bring my dreams to life. It brings the reader into the world that I’ve constructed arduously throughout the years. In this book you will find ideas that have followed me since my childhood; and some newly developed insight. I find much importance in daydreaming; however it can’t flourish successfully if one does not appreciate instruction. Instruction brought in the form of lessons, lectures and just listening; plainly, the intake of knowledge from the real world. I’m an advocate for daydreamers of the world, but first I’m an advocate for knowledge; in whatever course you choose to peruse. Study! Then develop ideas of your own.
There’s much more to life than leisure; we also have to find solutions to the problems we face. We would not be able to appreciate the freedom to express our ideas if it weren’t for the revolutionaries before us. The goal of my poetry is to promote knowledge and self-expression from an honest perspective. Hip Hop has helped me gain the courage to talk about whatever I want; however I want. The best Hip Hop is not only creative but honest. I approach writing with same intent.
I named my first book, “Nocturnal Poetry” and had Emery Jones design the cover to display a specific message: Dreaming. I consider myself in insomniac; I love the night. It’s a phenomenon I can’t understand. Maybe it was an obsession that spilled over from my childhood. When I was a child, I had night terrors. As creative as my daydreams were, my nightmares were just as wild. I’d try to avoid these nightmares by staying up all night, but inevitably I’d fall asleep. After a while I found out how to combat these nightmares. I began replaying what happened in my dreams in my head, and noticing certain inaccuracies with the real world. After a while I was able to notice these inaccuracies within the dream world. Whenever I realized I was dreaming, I’d kill myself in some way to wake up. I learned how to pull myself out of the dream, without dying, by focusing on the real world; my actual life. It was my solution to night terrors and eventually they went away. Of course, I’d have nightmares from time to time, but the consistency had changed.
As an adult I forgot how to become conscious in a dream state, but the nightmares are more devastating when you’re a child. However, I’ve had to learn to cope with the nightmares of reality.
The realization of how hateful the world can be can drive you into depression. I know this, so I choose not to stress about it; I choose to think about the pioneers, revolutionaries and charitable figures that did things to change it. One man can only have so much power, and to each his own; what you choose to with it is the big decision. I’ve decided what I will do with mine. Trying to battle everything that’s wrong with the world at once is enough to drive the strongest mind crazy.
The big picture is about dreams. I can daydream about a utopian society where everyone is content, and I can also have a nightmare about its alternate universe. I can bring my daydreams into reality and achieve things beyond my wildest imagination, and I can also live a nightmarish hell where the world crashes down on me. The reality: Life is but a dream. When you’re living a beautiful dream keep it on cruise control, take the scenic route and enjoy life. If it at some point it becomes a nightmare, know your options: Suicide only begets pain for those you leave behind, you must recognize you are in a nightmare and use every piece of will in your mind, body and soul and pull yourself out! It’s easier said than done, but once it’s done you’ll recognize how truly easy it was.
A lot of pain, passion and joy went into writing this book. I literally went crazy over it. Approach what you are about to read with an open mind and enjoy!
WELCOME
TO
DAYDREAMS & NIGHTMARES!!!
PART 1
SUNRISE
CHAPTER 1
Daze
Carpe Diem is a Latin expression which means, Seize the Day. This expression tells us to own our days, because they are limited. On your journey to seize the day, everyday, you will face obstacles. Your journey will have days so unbearable that you’ll believe the end could bring more joy. However, no matter how much (or less) the sun shines, it is up to you to determine if the day is good. Your outlook on life determines how many bright days you’ll have before the last. Optimism should be the looking glass as you move through the fog that arrives on some roads in life. Never focus on the fog, the distortion of truth, look pass it or you’ll become lost.
The lost in this dazed perception of life should know that hope is still alive and help is on the way.
Psychedelic Rose
Hallucinogenic eugenics
False beauty
Portrayed poorly
Because it’s unreal
Yet
The feelings pursue me
Persecution
Prosecution
Against this prostitution of emotions
I sell myself cheap
$20.00
The price for my soul
Sold
To the mass
Extinction of reality
Who’s to say this bouquet
Of roses
Can’t arise before
My death?
I decorate
The interior
To design a mind
That’s perfected
In the opinions
Of those who know
No better
Drama setter
Setting the décor
For the setting
Letting the encore
Bring life
In the form
Of more roses
Atrocious Notoriety
From unwanted fame
Or
A poor poet
Starving artist
Projected as a failure
In this motion picture
Called life.
Deep Space
Sweet hits of sleep
Kept peace
In warm sheets
It should’ve showed
As a warning
Ignoring signs
Snoring sounds
Taking ZZZ’s
Addicted to dream
Would wake
If I could
But
I’d rather rest in peace
Spread on the sofa
Or embedded to the bed
Kosher with the couch
Formatted for my connection
Matted to the mattress
Making impressions
Imprints from the prince
Turning pallet
To palace
Complacent
Free as a mason
Mastered my arts
Crafted
Lucid dreams
Lucrative and ludicrous
As
Day and night
Become one.
The Living
The longer I’m alone
The closer
I feel to death
Hope the door out
Leads to a party
Not a closet
Maybe
Only like-minded
Individuals
Will rest in commonplace
So let’s fight
With words
Until we settle
On a moral agreement
We
May not
But one day
Our children will reach it
Peace
Between
Plants and animals
Alike
No pride
But in our pride:
The Living.
Artesian
My favorite artist
And I
Have a personal connection
No one knows me
Like you
We have a vested interest
Art
As artisans
We'll never part
Or get replaced
As long as my heart
Stays
In its place.
Oxymoron
My bullshit
Is clear to see
You say heresy
Well,
Good
About time
Some truth was thrown
My way
Others
Just listen
And move
As if
I am
A messenger from god
I have no message
But a mess
Crafted
As reality
Then practiced
Until
Perfected
I have a duty
No message
But an age
Old tale
Passed down
From generation
To generation
My family’s
Tree of knowledge
Dropped apples
On the mind
Of Newton…
Renew this plain land!
Answer a few questions!
And don’t ask why!
Relative reality
The sad reality
Isn’t really
That real
A demotion
To different dimensions
Is as demented
As intended
Demolition
My mind divides
Life
Into “this and that”
Dementia
No recollection
Of this dimension
Built my own
Reality
A small casualty
In delusion
Illusions are fact
Until revealed
Like magic tricks
Exposed
But eyes
Have no hand
In wisdom.
Mother Earth
Two birds sing
In sweet harmony
Through spring
Smiles
A favorite plant blossoms
On the side
Of a white-washed fence
Blends beautifully
Sun bathes in the ambience
Of clouds
A cirrus haze
Etches
Mountain tops
For days
It sets
As if lying in bed
Lullabies
Cries
From a wolf
Howls at the moon
Goodnight world
Awake soon
Day's bright
Before night
Frost bite…
Flurry?
More of fury!
The wind knocks down
Defenses...
I'll feel it
Though
I don’t know
Why I'm the victim
I'll take
Your worse
And still love
Earth reign on me
I promise
To turn a leaf before
The end of fall
All in all
Through ups and downs
The hurricane
Of life
Brings strife
On my greatest day
I labor
Not pillage
Your tillage
And worship your wondrous
Waters
More refreshing than sleep
Blings
More than diamonds
Under sunlight
Lakes lie
Across as bodies
Embodying art
Au naturel
Awe
As "oooo's"
And "ahhh's"
Set the mood
Hurrah!
No boo’s
From the crowd of bees
Only a buzz
About your love.
Artificial Heartache
Artificial heartache
My heart pumpfakes
Like a jump shot
I wouldn't take
Am I unsure
Or
Trying to trick?
Pull out
Before it's too late
Or stay
And wait?
This slate
Stood like a scaffold
And told fate
Untold fate is still fate
In all ways
Always
All wait to see
What happens
But when the happening
Happens
Don't wait
React like reenactments
Because in truth
You already knew
This would happen.
The Return
God’s eye
Is the reading light
O’er my shoulder
Helping me
See things
As they are
Whispering
On occasion
Suggesting
The path perfect
For me
How can a man
Understand
His life
Plan
Early on
And take measures?
Voyaging
Through the fog
Of friendships
True and blue
Yet
Misguiding
My awkward
Steps
Are mocked
As Freud
Or fraud
Devoid of flaws
His law
Was laid
Before me
Like stones
Deciding
Which isle
To search
For treasure
You
Ushered me
Through aisles
Of a church
I sat
Perched upon a bench
I felt
I’d never sit
Though
I used to visit often
This isn’t
What I expected.
Windmills
Life’s short
From the gate
Better use time well
Spend sparingly
And wait
For your chance to dwell
Forever comes
Sooner than later
More often than never
When
millions of men deny
Windmills spin
And time testifies
As an eye-witness
It spent
Like seconds
Collected as you went
Saw dust dance in the air
Took for granted
Then used as evidence
Of what happens
When we go
Dreamland
I'm childish, immature,
Wild, reckless,
And
A bit too wired
Tired
Right before
Naptime
Cozy cots
Bring deep sleeps into dreamland
Where the fun never stops
Where it rains
Lollipops
And gum drops
Dreams take place
At a pace
No conscience mind could handle
When
Lost in thoughts
Insecurities break free
Logic
Takes leave
And
Creativity
Makes arrays
Of light
That shines beautifully
Out of body
And experiencing
Life on another side
Or
On the other side
Who knows?
Who cares?
Besides, the answer
Leaves no room
For questionnaire
No mystery
Nor story
More boring
Snoring
Fast asleep,
Sound
Or count sheep
Falling down
Deep
Let go
And float away
.Imagine.
.Build.
.Create.
CHAPTER 2
Nonsensibles & Whatnots
To make sense of life we must welcome the nonsense. Losing your mind goes against all the rules of life, but rules are nothing but guidelines on how to be great by another man’s standard. What’s right for the next man isn’t always what’s best for you. We have our own genes, patterns, make-up, fabrics of being. Common sense was made for common men, maybe you’re unique.
I urge you to indulge in the nonsense created by your imagination and gain a better understanding of what’s nonsense and what’s not.
Nonsense
No one gives a flying flock
Of birds
A bag of Alka Seltzer tablets
Without
Being a bit mad in the attic
Now how come the outcome
Of their outing
Resulted in shouts
Madman with the bag can
Tell you all about it!
Pout kids
I’m glad to sadden faces
Story time
Through boring lines
And rhyming all about it
I'll
Put you to sleep
And bore you to death
Quick
Before you fight it
Then kill your time
And feel your mind
With outrageous topics!
Regrection
Feels like
I’m going on a failing spree
In an asinine lane
Trying to cover
Every section
Then it’s
Hours in line
To buy back minutes
I spent on a pastime
All the while watching
The seconds slip away.
Jumping 2 Conclusions
My mind jumps from
Subject to subject
Subjected to
Landing awkwardly
How did he
Come to those conclusions?
From using
Hi or
Hello’s
When byes
I should bellow
Since leaving is out the question
And staying
Is their suggestion
I guess nowhere
Is where
The quest ends.
Graffiti
The graffiti
Bandaged
Abandoned building
In the heart
Of the city
Juxtaposed
Unjustified feelings
Of removal.
Mega Millions
Rational suicide
A billion
Mega Million Lottery
Losers
See beautiful numbers
These mathemagicians
Pull them out of thin air
And receive
A lot less.
The Ole Factory
I was produced
By a factory
Machines made me
With bare arms
That pivoted
To place my parts
In this position.
The Crest
The crest
Imprinted
On every vest
Meshed chains
Protect veins
Artfully arming
Our arteries
With the artillery
Of defense.
X
Say X 4 times
Then have XXX sex,
And
XX chromosomes will come out
X amount of times,
And don’t XY
X marks the spot
So it’s X’s on the Eyes,
This is Dead Man’s treasure
What’s the meaning of his countenance?
Just crossing the line,
Yea,
You can count on it.
CHAPTER 3
La La Land
Daydreaming is the most efficient way to self-discover. Kids are quickly interrupted during their discovery. The teacher yells, “Get out of La La Land!!!”, and the student returns to the lesson. School may not be the best place for daydreaming, but on your own time it will have amazing results. The greatest musicians, painters, writers and philosophers of all time would have never made it, without hours and hours of daydreaming.
Now is the time to play some music, kick back, stare into space, and return to La La Land.
A Muse Sings
Move
Let the music lift
You
When life gets rough
Let the grooves soothe
Smooth
The tune can boost
Never let it abuse
The blues
Can keep you down
When you’re trying
To stay up
Take the tempo
Up a bit
And get your heartbeat
Upbeat.
Ink Blot
I'll write
With my eyes closed
Let my soul
Take control
Hold
The pencil in the folds
Of my palm
Then draw my weapon
Success
Is but a word away…
….
….
….
….
….
Left
My pen
On the pad for too long
The ink blot
Reads
"Writer’s Block"
Thinking
With the brain
Doesn't make art
It comes
From the heart
You can study masterpieces
And still not create
So I created a mind state
That tells my hand
To write
What my heart states
Even when my heart aches
Like stabs from a stake
It does whatever it takes