A Sacrificial Sonnet by Richie Ares

As many times He's called for sacrifice

Many times a failure to deliver

For eight long months to pay a deadly price

the offering, now drowning in the river

The written words and keys to open doors,

Below the water's surface, out of sight

And in the witness of the river's shores

The door to here is closed behind me, tight

Now, Brother, won't you say, for me, a prayer

Within this boat, resolve to stand as men

A solid pact, that never would we dare

To find ourselves within this place again.

So here, my Isaac, placed on reverent stone

My heart, my love, my fear of being alone...

I'm Afraid Pencil and Paper Can't Quite Express The Truth by Richie Ares

Hello, dear friend
I write to you again.
This time to tell you how you've been
on and off my mind,
like a wraith
moving through time.
Drifting in and out of my head,
I stand in this nostalgic mess.

Here I confide,
and I must confess,
how I curse this concealed conflict.
I silently cry out,
calling for you.

Yet you continue to keep
that clinkety clank of cups
clashing in cheers of your

callous comraderie...
Congratulations..

Keep it to yourself though, please
because unfortunately

I can't partake.

In what seems to be an ignorant absence
I have found myself quite alone.
It's sad how the arms of Loneliness have shown
your arms to be insufficient and outgrown
(As they reach to pull me into the steps that only the closest of friends may dance)

So,
Tell me.
Where have you been?
For a best friend should never,

by Loneliness,

be bested.

This letter,

signed in pen,

and bound by the ties of friendship tested.

"The end.
A stranger,
Your brother,
Your friend."

The Alchemist Lamentation by Richie Ares

If I could become
the properties of fire,
I thank our Creator
that I am unable.
For months,
I would have kept you
warm, secure.
(like a night by the fireplace)
But my raw burning power,
like a coal,
would press deep against your skin.
I would consume you
in newly discovered
passionate rage.
Like moth to flame,
I would wash over your body like the ocean,
melting skin,
a sickening sizzle.

I would stand atop
a waxy perch,
lighting the room
as a testimony
looking down on you.
Closed casket
ashamed of what
destruction I could cause
and all for nothing.

I can never get back what you have stolen.

I praise my Lord that
I can never be
the properties
of
fire...

I would burn you...

If I could become
the properties of earth,
I thank Him as well
for the inability.
Always with a stone to cast,
a chip and the world on my shoulder,
I would never live,
cold and dead.
My only task,
to hold your broken body,
bones and all,
suffocating what life you had left.
I would bury you in myself.

All to reclaim what can never be returned.

I praise my Lord
that I can never be
the properties
of
earth...

I would bury you...

Worship Caught in Motion by Richie Ares

I will run to You.
I will run.
I swear,
charge to You.
I can make it,
running at break-neck speed,
one foot
after
another foot
after
another.
Quickened breaths.
I take no heed to what surrounds me.
Faster.
Faster.

I must make it to that white horse.
I must see the King.

I can't trip over the foliage,
vines leading to a wall,
a stronghold.
Obstacles in my path
Fear, doubt...
How can I break through, Lord of all?

This race...
the rush, the flow
Blood pumping
blood rising.
I just want to make it.

A taste of Love can heal the dead, they say..
Patient, kind, forgiving Love
How can I forget those words..?
"Father, forgive them!
these ignorant masses
lost in their religion and apathy!!
Please, forgive them...
They have no clue.."

That blood soaked profession of forgiveness and love
That is why I will run.
I will run into Your arms and never leave.
Let us dance a joyful dance forever
Together
I long to feel You deeper in my soul
Waiting for the day to come
Wonderful arms bringing me to You
Us,
You and I,
Together, in constant motion

My feet will take me to You
so I may reach that white horse,
touch Your cloak,
and be healed...

The Alchemist Lullaby by Richie Ares

If I could become
the properties of water
I would descend from your eyes
my darling
kiss your cheek
and comfort you
in times of need
You could splash me on your forehead
when you're sick
and wash away your troubles
when you're weak
weary, distressed
gladly, I would fight the dirt,
blood,
from your worn hands.
Oh, if only I
were of the properties

of
water...

You would need me...

And if I could become
the properties of air
I would fill your lungs,
your heart, your blood,
I would give you life
in every word
you speak
and every song
you sing
Fueling you
with my neverending efforts
to bring you something more than
flesh and bone
could ever offer.
Oh, if only
if only!
If only I
were of the properties
of
air...

You would need me...

Welcome...

Thanks to Billy, I am starting an account here to share different poems and songs and other random writings that have emerged from my brain and heart over the past years and those that emerge now and will emerge each day. I doubt anyone will follow this or care, but I guess it will still be nice to have my writings down somewhere for some random person to stumble upon. Hope you enjoy.

God bless,
Richie