Voices of Love

Drawn and Edited by: Randy Sturridge

Beautiful something my hand’s dare hold

So fragile, yet powerful, warm yet cold

Beautiful something bring life unto me

Satisfying, justifying, my nerves set free

Grown into me, become my purpose

Giving reason for living with emotions surfaced

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.

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

Skinned Sin

written by: heidi chester

Here you are, down on your knees again.
Crawling and bleeding and ripping skin.
You're dying but trying to breathe again.
But you’re smothered and covered, soaked in your sin.

You're pleading and screaming all apologies.
Your chanting becomes ranting and makes no sense to me. 
While you're reaching your screeching at me to see-
That it isn't yours, there is no you, there is only me.
<br>



Here I am, down on my knees again.
Crawling and bleeding and shredding skin.
I'm dying but trying to breathe again.
Drowning and sinking inside my sin.

There is no you, there is no me, there is nothing here. 
There is no love, there is no hate, there is no fear.
Just silent screams, and empty dreams for no one to hear,
Bloody tears, no memories, souls far from clear.

Here we are, down on our knees again.
Sinking, no wallowing inside our sins.
We're crawling and bleeding just to breathe again.
Locked inside ourselves, in this private hell, stuck inside our skin.

Here we are down on our knees again...

Beautiful Monstrosity

I

Love to provide but not a soul wants

The compassionate nature the hideous boy flaunts

He is precious and so very sincere

Opening the door and speaking so clear

Conduct of kings with love so immense

Not a woman can stay and endure his features

A book burned and blackened contains loveliness with

Refraining from the depression the boy determined to win

He assures himself that all will be sound

With love to give he will find his dove

Aghast though he is his soul sours above

II

The ugly man hides his face by a thick beard

Drunk and confused his mind aggrieved unclear

Just enough cash to buy a cheap whore

Corner of Ridgewood he can afford

Love love love fuck the white dove

A tired crow follows begrudged

Stay in the shadows the ugly man resents

His face of unique characteristics unkempt

Blackened the days have passed with  neglect

From loves excoriating cruel crawled years  

Easy it is to hunt down a whore

A moments reprieve from love’s torturous  sword

III

The old unsightly man now vagrant and beggar

never having found love's beautiful nectar

The emotional burden his soul entertained

For decades upon decades his heart

so pained

Now Bitter and Hateful the old ugly man is plagued

With dreams of love that the ugly boy had slain

 

 Death round the corner for the ugly old man

Pondering memories of love in his hands

Never obtained but dreamed he did

That someone in the world had love for him

Resigned to defeat he finally sees

That god doesn’t bless monstrosities

Death takes the man as he slumbers and dreams

Awaiting a love that will never be. 

randy sturridge

Little Tree Gnomes

I know I’m likely to see the little gnomes that live in the frees

They have left their land again and they come to live here

They always ask me to play, often times occurring around midday

They are so kind…as they juggle their knives

The gnomes in the free’s, they tap on my window

I tell them that it’s late, but they continue to stay

T don’t want to play, not tomorrow, not today

I would like for them to just go back to their trees

They only bother me when they throw thoughts from the frees

I’ve already tried to give them what they want

I have found that they are liars and they constantly  pry

Always asking questions and giving me directions

I don’t want to juggle knives but they keep on insisting

They tell me theirs a reason, but to say would be treason

Fine, little gnome, you persistent little drone,

I’ll give you what you want if you’ll just leave me alone

I learn to juggle knives…Its actually kind of fun…

Finally they tell me…I’ve been chosen for a mission

First, I must promise to keep them a secret

or It would endanger my family…

They tell me of the mission, I strain so hard to listen

When they are finished I couldn’t believe all of the bad bad

Things they could see

I agree to help and to keep them a secret

I am so lucky to be chosen by the secret tree gnomes

My mission is classified I let them move indoors

They are my companions…at night they guard the doors

My family can’t see but I understand…

I can’t tell them anyways…

It would ruin the plan.

I train in the night when all are sleeping.

The tree gnomes tell me that sleeping is for the weak

During the day I sleep if I can..

Woken by mother who just doesn’t understand

Mom and Dad tell me I’m getting worse.

I see it in their eyes…I’m a burdensome curse

I can’t work because of the voices…

I’ve done some things, made some bad choices

But now it’s okay because of the gnomes

My family will see once the plan is complete

They will be so proud…

I would tell them now but it would put them in danger

The gnomes reassure me that it will all be better soon

Tonight is the night my mission is soon

I have all the items and I’m locked in my room

Thank you kind gnomes for all of your help

The moment is now…

I am ready to travel

I have the knives around my waste and I’m in position

I know how to travel because I’ve really listened

The tree gnomes are smiling, it’s time to travel.

They are chanting my name as I climb on the dresser

I will see my family when I return

They will be so proud, I’m a warrior they’ll learn

I wave goodbye to MY EMPTY ROOM

Jump off the dresser, the noose tightens so soon

I CAN’T  BREATH, I CAN’T BREATH

WHY DIDN’’T I TRAVEL?

CHOKING I SEE ALL THE GNOMES

LAUGHING…CACKLING

I don’t understand why are they laughing, I’m Dying

I’m Dying, and they are just Laughing

My Parents break in but it was to late

My dead body dangles with knives around my waste.

Pinned to my chest it says I’m a warrior

It says Ill be loved once I fix the gnome border

My parents cry…

I died all alone, there were no tree gnomes and I…

Am no warrior

I’m just a dead schizophrenic kid,

That wanted the love his parents couldn't give

I am dead with demons in my head

Estranged Passions

Love's first embrace entrenches my soul

Enveloping my mind and shatters my defenses

Entangling my thoughts and clouding my words

Isolating my strength revealing all consequences

Love's first kiss drives my mind insane

Tugging ever-gently at my weak body drained

Fighting is vain Love's enthrall is exhausting

All of my vigor is now caged and detained

I am a prisoner clinging to Love's assignment

Pointing, I wander concerned only with enchanting

The thought of delinquency is beyond my awareness

This Love that consumes is forever granting

I am a grindstone existing only for  Love

Love that has defiled my being of pleasure

degraded and detached I beg Love's direction

Love orders death, I end my oppressor's leisure.

My disgust misconception of Love's indiscretions

Have influenced my heart now tattered apart

I admonish the souls in Love's feasting bowl

Understand the danger that Love sings at kind strangers

End

Randy Sturridge