Precious Commodities

Drawn and Edited by:  Randy Sturridge

Magnificent lights erupt lighting night sky

The crowd responds with hackles and jeers

A fifteen minute segment every year on this day

Townspeople and young folk cheer and carry on

Innocence envelopes their frail souls keeping out dangers

Parents with fortified presence steer others from a perimeter

Little tyke and his buddies are being watched closely

Daddy catches a glimpse of the works here and there

But he knows that the precious commodities are the reason he is there

Year after year the cheers and the festivals taunt an on-looker

He chooses not to watch the light show but instead watch the tykes Father

This Daddy will never experience the torment of being too fire sky drawn

To learn the cold hard truth that the world can steal more than thought possible

The onlooker watches the finale as tears flow from his yellow somber eyes

This onlooker never got a second chance to make it right a second time

The little tyke's Daddy picks him up, a quick spin, and turns to leave

The onlooker brings the bottle from his mouth and catches the eyes of the Father

A nod from one and tears from another, remembering losing a daughter and her brother

The Father passes without a word, as the onlooker swiftly opens his mouth inserts the gun and pulls the trigger

No more dreams or second chances, all it takes is ten seconds to destroy three lives

Randy Sturridge

Love Regardless

A perpetuating irritation that holds only dead ends

uncontrollable emotions surmount

The strength to exhibit self omni - paramount

The bi-product of such misguided love

Anger that fickels and boils beyond 

strength of the worth of remembering the cause

Love misguided with heavy stress and great fear

The fear that i am not the man you reverred

I tell you once, now and forever

I love your nature that you love most 

The feeling of being free from fall hopes

We are two loves that gravely love each other

yet fight and explode for our care for another

communication eludes the reason

The could have preserved the thought and the care

We must fix this vessel that tears at our sails.

Randy Sturridge

Trapped Awake

Know what it’s like to be trapped awake?

For days on end, hallucinate.

An immense strain upon the body

No falling asleep instead passing out

So damned exhausted one can’t count

Thoughts so jumbled as one mumbles

Can’t make sense of one’s own mind

Speaking to oneself, in search of a sign

Paranoid by now, covering all tracks

Forgetting by this time that sleep one so lacks

Beautiful Monster

Drawn and Edited by:  Randy Sturridge

Reaching and stretching, harder I try. 

Slowly, but surely,the farther I slide.

Chainsaws and bullets, I want you to die. 

Beautiful monster that lives inside.

Happy you make me, such a beautiful peak. 

Though never the permanent state that I seek.

Upward you take me, an invincible high. 

Beautiful monster, dare me to die...

Grenades and razors, and diesel fire. 

Beautiful monster, I slowly expire.

Toys Asunder

Drawn and Edited by: Randy Sturridge

Rapid descent unmasking tyrants

Boys of darkness cackle irrelevance

Pin cushions, broken dolls erase

Child play, on sunny fun filled days

Shadows deep with purple thick heat

Strengthening evil as all the good recedes

Cloaked in corners, drones of dirt

Mismanaged jigsaw, cork torn skirts

Thunder claps lightning, spider lit sky

Shrieking pointed ringing, heaven and hell collide

Swirl of grandiose masterful plans

Holding so close dangling mortals in hand

Psycho lured dwelling that emboss the weak

Raise them by flesh to rip apart and cleave

Randy Sturridge 

Behind Hollow Eyes

Created by:  Randy Sturridge

Hollow eyes with hopeful thoughts

disillusioned, talent bought

Weak frail soul what have you done

It's been a long while since you've had fun

Flesh with dirt canvas your being

You were my role model for everything

Wisdom vast with experiences sound

All for nothing, to lay back down

Your eyes leave traces of who you were

I can see him back there, a prisoner, he lurks

Cynical parasite that has taken his soul

Negative energy as black as coal

Leaves a feeling of loss and nostalgia

Knowing you're gone but may yet return

Gives hope and faith that this invader will burn

I can't say if this darkness gives way

I just hope you will come back some day

Locked in it's hooks it's warped your good nature

Leaving a parasite of a cynical nature

I'm letting you know that I must sit on the side

Resigned to accepting that you may die.

Randy Sturridge

Papa's War

"Wake, my boy, for I have little time

It's papa, calling, now awake your mind"

A boy of ten grumbles and stirs

hearing his father force rushed words

"What, papa? Why do you wake me?

It's still dark outside, can't you see?"

A father smiles and then he cries

A son so pure, full of youth and life

"Rise my boy, I must bid you farewell.

I must take leave for now, and must not dwell."

"It's fine papa, go, go if you must

I will see you when you return, I will not rust"

"My boy, I leave and may not come home

I've been called to war, to leave you all alone"

The boys opens his eyes and sits up in bed

The look in his father's eyes conveyed that of dread

"Leave to war, what do you mean?

Don't go, just stay here with me."

A father swells with all of strength

To hold back the tears that only war makes

"My boy, I can't, they would take both our lives

I must go, so that you can survive.

I love you son, I just wanted to say

Take care of your mother, and your sisters, okay.

You are the man of this household now

If I don't return, make your father proud."

"Papa, Papa, I love you Papa

I will make you proud Papa"

"That's my boy, now get back to sleep.

When you wake you will remember me"

The boy nods his head, and grows stern inside

The boy lays his head down, to dreams he returns

A father backs out of his lovely sons room

No longer a boy but a man now blooms.

Randy Sturridge

Beautiful Creature

She walks with such grace; so hard not to stare

Intrigue and wonder sweep the crowd

Whispering inquiries from ear to ear

Captivated onlookers from a distance off peer

Abruptly she stops and takes in the crowd

Without saying a word all the towns people bow

Her face, so beautiful, I look down as well

My heart beating so rapid; I feel so ashamed

Her features so perfect, to much to absorb

Uncanny respect though mischievous, I think

I don't understand, my body reacting alone

As if being forced by some devilish vex

I lift my head and take in puzzling images

I close my eyes and stare in her direction

Aghast, I look into her eyes, so beautiful

I can see the crowd scattered all about the ground

It matters only that this creatures stares in me

I slowly walk toward her stepping over the bodies

My gaze is fixed upon the beauty

Her body covered lightly in silk

Impossible not to trod on all of the lifeless

Her eyes have my soul, I will happily give

She turns down her head as if to breathe

I suddenly realize the horror and reality around me

Night it is no longer day

Eight hours passed in just a few seconds

Then I remembered stepping over the bodies

I look, down, around, turn in full circle

The ground is dead, lifeless, the bodies of townspeople

Confused, so scared I look back toward the creature

I meet her beautiful eyes and I remember her grace

I step over the bodies to meet her in the town center

A sweet smile begins to spread across her face

As her smile spreads my life is slowly erased

My last thought, so clear and dear

This beautiful creature is the image all fear.

Randy Sturridge

The Cautioned

Chorus of laughter breaks the silent night

Limping sensations drive desires wild

Pack of hyenas shriek laughter in want

Charismatic gestures influence their hunger

Scavenging hyenas seeking out goods

Vulturous rats slop want tongues that drool

Explore the premise of juking The Cautioned

They are so called for they’ve gone quite rotten

Empathy Void The Cautioned are feared

For all of their mysterious Existence these years

Disregard Warning Laughing hyenas engage

Letting long wants drive their masquerade

Nearer they are for rich smells grip the air

Hyenas shriek with lust seek in their Stares

The Cautioned positioned in no particular order

Alone by fire suddenly encumbered by less space

The Cautioned now stand they can smell the want

Hyenas snap bloodlust curses threatening the 

Cautioned to give up the purse

The Cautioned appear alert yet calm

Relaxing, then sitting with smiles all wrong

A great confusion stirs the night

Drawing out of focus the hyenas of night

Laughing erupts but from the cautioned so smart

Readying the feast caged hyenas with salt and small tart

Scavenging hyenas loot nothing this night

Laughing no more for The Cautioned Now Bite

Hyenas of want long tongues now sliced

To late to take warning as The Cautioned Take Lives

Randy Sturridge

Balance Measured

Prior to...

Run your mouth not thinking of others

Confused and surprised when you’ve angered another

Be mindful you must of what you say

If you’re not aware people are sure to hate

Rightfully so as you’ve said passionate things

That in some ears will only make them steam

Everyone has their right to believe

Whatever it is that they perceive

For you are no more righteous than they

Do not upset people with the things you convey

Pay more attention and mind perspective

If you disagree approach with balanced measure

Choosing right words mean all of the difference

In keeping or losing good friends from opinions

Remember this for all of your remaining days

That it matters to people the words that you say.

Result...

Point the finger call out names

Stir the clouds bring on the rain

Pick your poison fix right your sights

Break them down with all of your might

What did they do to suffer the brand

To become the subject by your hard hands

Confused, surprised you scream chords at them

You feel relief and tomorrow you start again.

Randy Sturridge

A Long Night

A girl of twenty puts down her phone

Suddenly realizing that she is alone

Thoughts race fresh with buzzing fear

No longer a joke, All to real

She sits so still on her bed

Not moving, in shock,

After a while she slowly rocks

Back and forth, going over and again

Alone, no money, half committed friends

Parents, brother, significant other

Yeah, time to give him a call

What will he say? What won't he?

New questions never considered

Sit with her while she rocks in thought

Three tests serve as confirmation

She knows a doctor appointment is in order

Verification, for reasons unknown

Of course the question came, and went

To keep or not to keep?

So easy to answer when it's not you

Keep.  She made the right choice

Knowing she just ended her youth

All the parties, kissing booths,

Gone, memories of blurry nights and ignorance

The future, is still there to hope for

She will see this...she doesn't right now

Right now, everything seems impossible

And it will, Ironic how she grew that night

All alone, making decisions, internal fights

A long night, a hard night, A bad sleep

Pregnant and lost, hope without defeat

Randy Sturridge

Drawing: Gaze

Look about the room,
Canvas all the corners
Catch a gazing stare
Look away moving on


                   Look about the room
                   Full of silent watching
                   Facing forward all but one
                   Look that way just for fun
     
                                         
                                         He is staring still he stares     
                                         Why's he facing backwards                     
                                          A slow spreading smile
                                          Contorts his long wry face

                                                             
                                                            Open mouth empty eyes
                                                             Blanket, alone, in pain
                                                             He settles back in his seat
                                                             Facing forward, conforming                    

The strange things that happen. That we will never know why...

Randy Sturridge

Drawing: Inner Being

Artist: Randy Sturridge 


The expression "inner beauty" is often used to compliment a person's amicable nature or characteristics.  The drawing above serves to depict the "inner thoughts and characteristics of the other end of that spectrum.  That being said I now seek your advice. What do you think could produce a mind and inner being such as this?

This will be an interesting discussion for I am very interested in what everyone comes up with. 

Please share your opinion...

On the art or the Inquiry.

No Release

Written by: By: Heidi Chester 8/26/2011

My eyes are open and instinct tells me I breathe.

Though I cannot be certain, I only feel it when I bleed.

My heart skips a beat, then pounds in my chest.

One more reminder, one more piece of me near death.

I have grown empty, and I do not feel distress.

There is no confusion, just inside a bloody mess.

There is nothing that can hurt me, so numb I feel no pain.

I tear myself wide open, searching for life inside my veins.

But I find nothing, no freedom, no release.

I cannot even feel remorse, for the lack of inner peace

I do not long or love, miss or wonder, nor seek the reasons why

I do not fear that I do not know just how I am alive.

I do not ask if it will end, or somehow disappear.

I won't survive if feeling returns. No, I much prefer it here.