An Ambiguous Tale

Control By: Brendan Cadman Either stalling midflight and crashing into a ravine, or in charge of my surroundings and navigating the turbulence, taking the scenic route back home, avoiding the demons onboard that remain unseen. The path laid out before my feet and my compass's arrow points due north, the further I go the more I am confident in the direction I'm headed, until that fork in the road of temptation makes itself known, tripping over the unearthed roots of the mistakes to which I've become wedded. Euphoria and bliss shower over me like summer rain, but the distant rumble of thunder and blinding streaks in the sky, bring with it the cover of ominous black clouds, until the momentary and empty feelings of joy transform into pain. The last time and never again is the oath that I make, as the black clouds give way to golden rays bursting from the sun, but the chill in the air raises the hair on my neck, as a storm swells on the distant horizon until suddenly I'm b

"The Feeling Of Nothing At All" By: Brendan Cadman  I can't escape this feeling, this feeling of nothing at all. And I'm falling in,  falling into the deep black abyss. And all I want, baby all I want is to feel you again. I drive down to the ocean side, up the pacific high going 95. Outstretched arm flying in the wind, past whipping cars, not raising a hair on my skin.   I step outside digging my toes in the sand, as the holes around my feet cave in. Wading into the dark blue, with the water up to my waist,  floating there patiently for you. But you're nowhere to be found, as I slowly start to drown.  I can't escape this feeling, this feeling of nothing at all. And I'm falling in,  falling into the deep black abyss. And all I want, baby all I want is to feel you again. Just as I lose my final breath, the liquid drains from around my lips. Slamming down the glass mug on the counter top, from the last stinging and inebriati

"He" By: Brendan Cadman He wants to let down the walls, he's built around his heart, but the ever watchful sentinel at the top of his post, can not make out what awaits him outside, between the malevolent barbarians and weary travelers, looking for a place that they can call home. He wants to be the person he sees, when he looks outside dark office windows, in the deep trance of wishful daydreams.  In the dim light of cozy pubs, he drowns his inhibitions in a flowing river, of burning whiskey and coldhearted ale,  to make him feel like the person he,  thinks that the other drunken patrons want him to be. But in the blinding light of the early morning, he can't remember the person he had become.  He's been burnt by the fire, of past mistakes and miscalculations, because he's only human just like you man. He covers the scars of fresh wounds, on his arms with long black sleeves, as he looks for ways to mend them.    He yearns to spea

"The Bystander" By: Brendan Cadman A bystander stood patiently at the corner, staring at the orange light telling him to wait, as he eagerly anticipated making his next move. Emerald green lit up in his eyes as he started to walk, until a thunderous crash and a staggering explosion, sent him down to the unforgiving pavement below. Shaking the cobwebs and fog out of his mind, he woke to the distinctive smell of fire and smoke, gazing in horror at a scene of carnage and twisted metal.  People ran to the site in futile attempts to help, while he remained frozen in a pompeian state.  Hours after the grizzly setting had been cleared,  he drowned his memories of the day  underneath an effervescent stream of icy ale. As the setting sun gave way to the rising moon, a women with hair of gold and rose red lips, sat down across the crowded and buzzing bar. For one brief but telling moment his eyes met hers, his faced flushed red and his heart crawled into his th

"Deadly Weapons" By: Brendan Cadman Laid as the bedrock of our foundation, inscribed on the certificate of our birth, through the black ink of feathered quills. Its power can tear through the strongest armor, equipped with scopes for accuracy from miles away, the targets locked in its sights have no way to escape. There are ones who use them for protection, to preserve everything they've worked for, shielding from the strays the ones they love.  But often they find their way into the hands of the wicked, the people who would use them for chaos and evil, to set the world on fire just to watch it burn. When treated and shown the respect they demand, they are harmless in the proper hands. Gifted with the ability to right what has been wronged, beseech the ruthless and tyrannical from their thrones, and inspire the change that affects and benefits us all. When used with ill intentions and contempt, they can oppress and silence more than hearts and minds.

"What Would I Say?" By: Brendan Cadman An aging man sat with his feet and his thoughts, buried in the warm summer sand.  He looked out far beyond the white caps, crashing down onto the soaked beach front.  As he watched the red sun slowly drown into the horizon, his past rose from the shallow watery grave in his heart.  Not all was trouble that crowded into in his mind, with the remaining light of the dwindling sun warming his face,  and illuminating his soul with remembrances of fond times. Though scatter clouds would pass overhead from time to time, blocking out the sun and casting a shadow of darker days.  It wasn't too long before a young child walked past, hand in hand with his father toward the water. When they reached the shore they began skipping rocks, splashing and rippling the calm evening sea.  The aging man couldn't help but notice the child, who wore a face that reminded him of his own long ago. He amusingly studied the two talk and