Poetry: Ripples on Ponds

Bodies carry hidden
What’s known to us…
Not friends

If known, or even where in us,
They often forget

And when remembering
They know not
At what depths
Looking for perfection
Something not met

Like a pond, that’s alluring
Shimmering with light
Savoring its sun gifts
It’s moonbeams, at night

Ever for the pleasant
Searching out delight
Blind to things hidden
Unseen by our site

Running in, to cool ourselves
Stripping, as we go
We catch afoot something
Something helpless,
Down below

Do we cry, upon our fall
Screaming, ‘the confounded drink!’?
Complaining ‘Damn oasis!’?
Is this how we think?

Do we emerge
Disheartened, then-
Cursing the waters there?

Or do we see our selfishness
And our lack of care?

The body, still is beautiful
In the wind and the sun

Flowering with life
In rest and in fun

Underneath the ripples,
Reminders
Of the past

Return to him
But mindfully
So that love
May last

Mando

Copyright © 2015 Carl Atteniese Jr., AKA ‘Mando’, All rights reserved.

Poem: When And How

Looking up
A canvas is
Soft as silk, across the sky

Look above,
Through tears you’ll see,
The colors changing
Broad and free

The questions heard
The pain that’s felt
They dissipate,
With kindness spelt

In the heart,
As in the sky,
There’s no limit
Nor a ‘why’

Within ‘n out
And In each way
‘Im..’ ‘n ‘possible’;
Words we say

Like blending hues,
Across the vault
Change in moments
Brings us love

What we do ‘n
What we say

Love a minute
Minds the day

Vegan in Korea

I carry my food, because I am a vegan

And because I’m hypoglycemic

And I feel like Ironman.

I consume no sugar, coffee, and no alcohol (except under explicitly certain and special conditions on extremely rare occasions).

I eat no meat, fish, or dairy products.

My moods and energy levels are stable, and I feel like a super-hero.

I love the idea that I stand little chance of contracting heart disease, stroke-conditions, arthritis, diabetes (type 2), or ulcers and other digestive-tract issues.

My toxin-levels will be at all-time lows, and, my physical age is dropping as I adopt healthier life-style practices.

Fifty-four percent of global warming emissions come from animal product food production, to which I contribute virtually nothing.

Finally, I am being kind to animals.

Go Vegan, for better health, humanity, and a better world!

Peace, Love, Joy, & Veganism,
Carlo

My website is: http://carlatteniese.com

My twitter is: carlatteniese

Poem: Ripples on A Pond

Good morning all! Yes, this is a group-greeting.

I’m curious (Especially to hear from artists, poets, Lit. majors, and philosophers):

Bodies carry hidden
What’s known to US
Not friends

If known, or even where in us
They often do forget

And even then
When membering
They know not at what depths
Looking for perfection
Something never met

Like a pond, that’s beautiful
Shimmering Autumn light
Savoring its daytime gifts
It’s moonbeams, in the night

Ever for the pleasant
Searching out delight
Yet blind to things unseen before
And hidden out of site

Running in to cool ourselves
Stripping as we go
We catch afoot a something
Helpless
Down below

Do we cry, upon our fall
Screaming
Screaming ‘confounded drink!’
Complaining ‘damn oasis!’?
Is that how you think?

Do we emerge
Disheartened, then
Cursing waters there?

Or do we know
Our selfishness
And our lack of care?

The body still is beautiful
Brimming with the sun

A grove for flowers, trees
And Life
One of rest ‘n fun

Underneath the ripples, Reminders
Of the past

Return to him
But mindfully
So friendship’s love
May last?

Mando

Copyright © 2015 Carl Atteniese Jr., AKA ‘Mando’, All rights reserved.

Essay: Sensitivity in Japan

In Japan, I didn’t feel as calm and happy as I usually do on my sojourns there.

For the second time, I was there with Bill, which is cool. Two people interested in film and stories, in an enchanting place like Japan, should be able to have a very interesting time, but…

The background music in my soul was a sad ballad. I was thinking about what had happened with that special someone in my life, and about the things she’d said to me the last time I’d seen her lovely face.

And traveling is always a happy, exciting, and even necessary thing to me-to give me a purpose, a breather, a peaceful time; a sort of small reward for the lackluster life I live.

And I love to travel and bring back gifts for my beloved, not only because giving is so pleasurable, but because it can bring such spontaneous happiness to her. She is often disappointed by this life, as she is a loving, compassionate, sensitive, and erudite soul. She is an artist.

Besides, when I travel, I feel bad that she cannot. And even though she is no longer mine, I only think of her when I shop in Japan. She loves cute, sentimental, unique, and cozy things & places.

I satisfied this urge to splurge for her, even though I was hurt by her words Thursday night. I understand. She wants understanding, respect, and to be heard; not gifts.

Sorry, Bill.

Peace, Love, Joy, & Veganism,
Carlo

My website is: http://carlatteniese.com

My twitter is: carlatteniese