Monday, November 7, 2016

Nobody reads this stuff...

Good afternoon dear reader,

Today is not about poetry, or music. Today is about social media. Or rather, the lack of social media. I have removed myself from all forms of social media, except for Twitter (and that may not last long either). So, if you are interested in keeping up with me, you will have to check this website once in a while. Better yet, subscribe. By subscribing, you will get an email stating I have posted new content.

I won't get into the reasons for my exit from social media. My reasons are personal, although they are based on some very public stuff.

I would love to hear from you, in the comments section. But, I suspect I won't get any comments, because nobody reads this stuff.

Rod E. Kok
November 7, 2016

Monday, October 17, 2016

;

Hi again, dear reader. The title of today's poem is ;. Yes, you read that correctly. It is a semi-colon. The Semi-Colon Project is a worldwide group of people who's stories have not ended. It is a mental health organization whose members quite often will sport a semi-colon tattoo. I have a tattoo on my wrist. And now I have a poem. My story will not end.  Please enjoy.

Rod Kok
October 17, 2016


A maelstrom of emotions
took over
my already fragile mind.
What was expected  
to comfort
turned into a message
of despair.
As I dangled over
the precipice of damnation,
my handhold slipped;
I felt myself falling.

Yet, a new foothold was found.
A conscious effort
to ignore the hurt
caused me to land softly
on a bed of determination.

Although I may be weak,
this devil driven fear
will not cause my ruin.
I will continue to fight;
my story
will not end.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Time

Good morning, dear reader. October is the month of OctPoWriMo, which is a journey of writing 31 poems in 31 days. I have participated in this in the past, and it is always a real thrill to be able to complete it. But I have to admit that it is a lot of work to get to the end. And honestly dear reader, I do not think I have the stamina to participate this year. However, I will be taking the word prompts and trying to write a poem on the prompt. I will probably write everything in free verse, because that is my strength. And so, with that being said, here is my poem based on the word prompt 'time'. I hope you enjoy. Feedback is always welcome.

Rod E. Kok
October 3, 2016


Oh that I would be relieved
of the burdens
which weigh me down.

My struggle is real,
my body is tired.
My mind weakens,
unable to face
each day.

I hear the answers
to unasked questions,
I get advice
from all directions.

Pray! Sing!
Feel his love!
But what I haven’t said
is what I am fighting.

Very few know
of the demons I face.
Fear and shame
prevents me from telling.

Oh that I could be relieved
of these evils that
torment me.

My cry for help
will be answered,
my pain and tears
will be taken away.

I must wait with patience,
I will wait,
I will fight.

I will not give up.
All I need
is time.

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Rambling

I don't have to love myself.
I only have to fake it.


I don't have to be confident.
I only have to pretend.


I can't believe in truth
when my heart drowns in lies.


I can't expose my lies,
they are too close to truth.


My confession is broken,
my confessor is pain.


My only truth

is my love for you.

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Soaked with Tears

Are my days of words
ending like a sentence
of disappointment?
Or is this blank paper
merely a pause
in world of empty
thoughts?
I hope to fill
my pen with ink
that never runs dry,
so I can write
on tissue
soaked with tears.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Dreams

Hello dear reader...it has been a while since I have posted a poem. The words simply have not been there. I hope that today's offering is worthy. I am proud of it as it really reflects what my dreams have been over the last little while. Enjoy the poem. 

Rod Kok
March 6, 2016


Dreams.
My dreams are technicolor,
brilliant hues
that do not
exist.

Undertones of red
swirl alongside
shades of grey,
creating a dance
forbidden by
rules of love.

Luminous oranges
unerringly mix
with pastels of truth,
thereby cementing
a brilliant tint
of passion.

What no one expected
was the earth tones blending,
coming out from their shadows
to paint their surroundings
with robust patterns
of peace.

Black stole the show,
giving a lusty feel
to a dream without
a coherent theme.

Then it faded.

My dream was
in technicolor,
but when interpretation
melded with reality,
I awoke.

And pretended those colors
never existed.

Friday, January 1, 2016

Alive

Happy New Year, dear reader. I hope and pray that your 2016 will be filled with joy and happiness. My new poem was written roughly 10 hours after the year started. I believe it is a good start to this year.

Rod E. Kok
January 1, 2016

Another year has rolled away;
turmoil defines the time
that has passed.


As I embark
on yet another journey
around the sun,
what will determine
each day’s success?


I am resolved to make
a difference,
steadfast in my desire
to be better.


I will fight,
I will never give up;
I will live,
I will love.


I will.
I can.
I must.


Addictions and obsessions
of yesteryear
will be purged,
I will try my best
to improve.


Today is day one
of a new journey,
a new beginning.


Today is day one,
my mind is clear.
I am convicted to remain
alive.