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.  

Song of Sam

"I know someday you'll have a beautiful life, I know you'll be the sun in somebody else's sky but why, why, why, can't it be mine?" -Pearl Jam

http://youtu.be/cs-XZ_dN4Hc

Heather's Song

The most beautiful girl in the world, 

her smile could change your life. 

She gives you laughter 

She gives you heart

and flawlessly hides her heavy strife. 

I would die for her 

because she'll defend me if I'm wrong. Her loyalty's her lifeblood

she's exuberant, egregious, 

and god damn is that woman strong. 

 

I love you Heather, you're my only!

Soul sisters xoxo

a. 2016

 I want to give it up for Heather Grim.  She's a genius, the person I trust with my life, my real talk straight up soul sister, the strongest person I know and no one works harder than Heather.  And she knock out stunning.  God she's beautiful.  She is my only.  My sister.  This girl was the only one in the world that did not rest while I was in the hospital.  She was getting my property, finding my car, keeping in touch with my connections; this girl saved me.  Everyone, throw one back and burn one for Heather.  She's my best friend and a hero.  I love you baby girl!

Broken Lullaby

“I may have failed but I loved you from the start”

I write you letters

that you’ll never return

and tiger lilies dry in the sun

withering under

the piercing rays prying

at the doors of their life.

I miss you.

Your laugh rips my heart out

as it lingers like a riled spector 

moving through my body.

I don’t think I’ll ever

be without you again,

which is ironically 

what I’ve always wanted.

I am in love with you

but I can’t see you

so I have to get out of this city.

I will miss her 

but she did me wrong,

so I’m walking away

with my back against the rain.

I had to be broken apart,

ripped down to nothing

but a pulse, lifeblood, and bones

and I am unashamed.

But I’ll always love you,

you’re my weakness, my inspiration,

and my addiction,

my pride, my joy, the love of my life,

and you are my fatal affliction.

Love is More

I'm not running away, I'm moving on. Love is beyond the philosophy, more than the earthly limitations of good and evil, and keeps you honest.

Tempest

I'll hold you come the dawn

when love is leaving

as sunlight shines in your tears. 

Secure yourself to me and

I will hold you up, 

I always come home,

and cradle you deep in my heart. 

With your tempest 

I am driving to a fearless future

with whatever tomorrow brings. 

 

Control

You really had me going there. 

Damn I straight up lost control. 

The door drops out,

I kick and shout

Adrenaline grabs me by the soul. 

Tattoo guns and old school gangsters,

sex, drug and rock and roll. 

You shoved me hard 

and shook the bones in me. 

A one inch punch

and you took my home from me. 

I know why 

you're not satisfied,

take what you want,

I still have my pride. 

Your cruelness unwinds me

because a part of me has died.

I loved you for years and years,

and never saw this side. 

I am stronger than romance and chemicals. 

The pyre around me has spoken. 

I might be in seething pain now

but I am far from broken. 

So forgive my manic shock

and remember that I always survive.

She's not the one that broke my heart,

so she rages a riot in my life. 

I'm over it now and cut it loose, 

You know I'm always fine somehow.

I rock back and forth in remorse,

no more foolish regrets allowed. 

Swinging

Come on out kicking and swinging,

I can take you with a hand behind my back. 

You don't get to feel sorry for me,

I leave no debts

I'm in the black. 

I feel your scorn and your horns

I am not the pacing beast. 

Take a look at who's breathing hard 

because it's not me in the very least. 

The market's full of damaged goods. 

You can't capture lovers with a ring,

our hearts only feel what is real,

cage this bird and watch her sing.

So if you're not going to help me

just get the hell out of my way. 

I'm going to compose great things,

and rise above this dramatic decay.