Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Portrait


I am resilient 
but I am tired. 

This pain is not who I am,
and will not own me. 

I don't need the devotion
Or to be anyone's one and only,
love's a weapon
time's a trigger
and behind my war paint
it gets lonely. 
Don't feel sorry for me
save your mercyfuck sympathy. 
Stay or leave
think what you want of me
I'm a flicker
I'm a torch,
I make tigers pace back and forth.    





Phoenix


I'm an angel undercover,
I'm every mothers nightmare.
There's no taming the tempest,
I see shackles
I disappear.
Rise up in my face and roar
scream and push,
show me that rage and rain.
I know who you really are
and I secure your heart
in the cradle of my brain.
Everyone's tangled in love's chase,
as my whole world shifts.
Today's the loneliest day of the year,
all the love inside me slips.
With the roof open to the stars
I'm on that twilight ride,
remembering past lifetimes
and effigies of those who died.
The gossip's I'm a bad influence.
The truth's I nurture the nature I see.
Save some face
keep safe,
you'll never find something else like me.

Sunday, May 15, 2016

You Will


Pain can be evolution's way of shattering the glass and pulling the alarm. 

You never know an actual weight,
of the love, loss and return.  
Photos, lullabies concert tickets
Sing "Let it Be" and let it burn. 

Grab me off the floor and shake me. 
Size me up and take your shot.     
   You can't take my freedom from me, 
Shake me, break me 
it's all I got. 

One night on the unfeeling road 
certainly won't bend me,
I'm built like the sparrow 
with a mind like a diamond
and a sailor can't offend me. 
 Night's not built just for the maniacs;
it's for the tangled lovers 
it's for the genius;
it's for silent love undercover.  
The most exuberant love 
is unrequited 
no matter how many letters you send. 
A broken heart hurts everyday
 but you will always love her in the end.

Here


You don't punch a hole in the wall,
you burn the whole house to the ground. 
I stand back and watch the blaze,
Raging, sinking into that hallowed sound. 
But if you want, dear,
you can call here.
Come the night
I'll be at the pier. 
And if you need me
you can find me,
Every night you know where I'll be. 
Scream and kick and fight me,
you've come too late for my heart. 
Everyone says they're different 
and then they tear your world apart. 
But if you want, love
I'll lift you above
show them all what I am made of. 
If you're lonely,
you can call me,
not for my heart or soul 
but you'll get what you need. 



Monday, March 21, 2016

Truths


I take care of my own 
but will not take responsibility 
for being anyone's bad influence. 
Don't try to keep up with me
but keep friends in low places. 
Play your hand close to your chest. 
Let them underestimate you.  
You know thyself,
and are clever enough 
to feed candy to the stupid people. 
We are Vikings,
we carry the torches
when the masses require light
to stay on the course of least resistance. 
I will no longer tell anyone 
to never lose hope,
because you can be robbed of all hope;
your soul vandalized
and your character assassinated 
when it's not your fault. 
There are big truths 
and small ones of the master plan. 
Tell the greater actuality 
and show your war paint. 
Never blame anyone for your choices,
we're all damaged goods to someone. 
I can make you unabashedly happy. 
I promise I will be your lullaby. 
Judge me because you're not the same,
and you're the fatuous believing lies. 

The Return of Mr. Badger

 

Amanda Barnabe is the gender fluid queer expression advocate that can best be as the love child of Bettie Page and James Dean.  With over sixteen years experience in community organizing and grassroots leadership, this mad poet has a port in every city with a light in the window. She's survived homelessness, self harm and a leap off the San Fransisco Golden Gate Bridge. Her passions are photography, performing arts and writing poetry. For the copyrighted work of Amanda Barnabe, also fondly known as The Artful Jake Badger, please forward your inquiries to Klein Padron and  Associates.