usadeepsouth
The Wound The hurting mind and heavy heart Lead one totally from the dream Into chaotic nothingness That only swirls downward No day different from any other You cannot remember the Wounding The sad one will look longingly out the door To see a world pass you by You can hear and see others, But there is a barrier like gauze or glass Depending upon the hour Separating you from every familiar mood Not sabotage for that is saved For those who are operating properly There's even a film between Your tongue and food and drink Others' laughter is a stabbing pain And baby's tears are frightening-- Both salt in the Wound You consider screaming, but You are so deaf--so numb to yours And others' pain, you wonder Would they--could they hear you? Sometimes you hear screams And you aren't sure if it's you Or other companion souls Living in the void where you reside Time passes slowly enough Like water torture, reminding you Of lost minutes, hours and days That will never return Even sunlight is painful Each nerve you have reacts To its well intentioned warmth As if tiny creatures with many legs Were crawling in and out of you-- These lawless personal tormentors You are all but completely deceived Thinking this is the very last And a final situation Your only salvation is to Listen and listen well in the dark For yours is a passage, Not a dwelling And if you remember This via dolorosa-- Your own way of sorrow You needn't walk this path again |
My Soul It is sad For most of my life My soul and I have been aliens Some years I carried this adversary And other times a lover I could almost touch Yet this wiser-than-I part of my deep-down Never betrayed me He was patient, God like-- Who I really am without hindrance Never mocking Somehow he knew What was good for me was good for all He knew all the secrets I pondered for years Without pride Wanting to make my acquaintance He pounded on my guts Trying to come up for air Never saying, I told you so He knew everything already While I sought other answers He knew the way When I stumbled in the dark He knew we were both perfect When I was still so unhappy He knew when to be quiet And he still knows So I listen more these days |
Nawlins Spelled N-e-w O-r-l-e-a-n-s And spoke as Nawlins Food and drink flow from every tap and diner Same way money runs out yo pocket Fancy hotels--sparkley places to Git drunk, git women an git it on Midnight café au lait and beignets By the handsful at Café du Monde Nex day more booze til supper Up Tulane Boulevard for Jaeger's Oysters You quit drinkin long enough To have beer with yo fish Strippers so pretty, you can't tell they boys French Quarter is one big whore hop Walkin the streets with ladies of the night To make new friends you take Royale To Bourbon for Pat O' Brien's punch An still walkin the streets you give yore Last two dollars for blues and jazz At a store front band ain't got no front Put yo money in the coffee can And join they church like hooker love Two hours or all night. An speakin of love If you got any money left you take yo honey For Brennan's champagne breakfast All the way--wine, chicken livers, Grits and bananas Sun comin up so you fall in the bed To start all over come evenin for Crawfish, creole an etouffe` An plenny mo drankin fo sho |
Reverend Phil Bratcher has been a counselor in private practice for over 10 years. Now in his 25th year of ministry, Reverend Bratcher has worked mostly as a therapist and spiritual counselor specializing in spiritual direction, the relief of depression, life strategies and career planning, long-term illness and relationship issues for couples. He is also trained in The Work of Byron Katie, teaching individuals and facilitating groups in the faith community and his community at large. 
Often a featured speaker, Reverend Bratcher is a volunteer chaplain for the South Carolina Department of Corrections, Upstate Coordinator for the South Carolina Global Warming Campaign for the Christian Action Council in Columbia, South Carolina, and is past Secretary to the Executive Board for Greenville Faith Communities United which seeks social justice and interfaith understanding.
Reverend Bratcher makes his home in Greenville, SC, where he is a member of the Metropolitan Community Church and is their interfaith representative to GFCU and past chair of their outreach and singles committees. E-mail Phil at Peacefulstar@msn.com. To read more of Phil's poetry, click here: A Sampling Want to leave a comment about Phil’s poems? Please visit our Message Board or write Ye Editor at bethjacks@hotmail.com. Back to USADEEPSOUTH - I index Back to USADEEPSOUTH - II index |