Mountains With Secrets

majestic giants rising from the earth

mountains have pierced the skies

since their ancient birth

they all have secrets to tell

about human beings

seeking hell

in their dark interiors

in caves and tunnels

with craggy exteriors

but doorways nonetheless

to the nether regions

and the hot mess

of mankind’s myths

-30-

Growing Old

I still don’t recognize that old man in the mirror who stares back at me mockingly

I remind him that I’m still young… at heart

not some old warhorse pulling a cart

I’m still able to walk unaided by a cane

Froggie is still my knickname

in my mind’s eye

I see an entirely different guy

a basketball player and a fan

a very active young man

that stranger in the mirror

is vaguely familiar

a reflection of days past

that went by too fast

-30-

Tempest in Time

Washed up on the shore of depression

barely sane

a tumultuous soul calls out my name

scratchy screams in the storm

of life

a weary survivor of constant strife

no surcease for my sorrow

no hope for the morrow

but I continue to go on

every dawn

every day

wanting to be okay

-30-

The Language of Color

The poet paints meaning into every color

each cleverer than the other

Blue is as inspiring as the sky

Purple makes people sigh

Gold is shiny and bold

Sea Green is slimy and cold

Orange is an autumn day

There’s various shades of grey

Yellow is bright and enlightening

Black can be good or frightening

Every color in the rainbow

delivers messages in nature’s road show

-30-

Essay: Religions and Promises Made

The is no highway to heaven.

Despite the spiritual myths perpetrated since the dawn of civilization there are no guarantees you’re going anywhere when you pass from this earthly veil.

With the creation of God stories clerical leaders were able to control the masses with threats of going to hell if they didn’t adhere to their rules. Control was established early on in human history and the various religions today continue that tradition of using a higher power to further their version of what people should believe.

The amusing part of this mind control technique is the promises made by various religions.

If you’re a good practicing Catholic, you will go to heaven and see all your family and friends when you die.

If you’re a Protestant heaven can only be achieved by following their six main expressions of faith.

Muslims believe in a paradise for men stocked with beautiful virgins attending to them if they held the faith for all of their life. I’m not sure what the women get in paradise, but I suspect it’s not a bunch of pool boys at their beck and call.

Faithful Mormon women go to different levels of Heaven depending upon how many children they have. Men automatically go to the highest level if they follow the teachings of Joseph Smith.

Buddhists believe that human life is a cycle of suffering and rebirth, but if one wants to achieve enlightenment (heaven) and escape this cycle and achieve a state of Nirvana then they must follow the teachings of the Buddha. They don’t believe in any kind of deity or God, although there are supernatural figures who can help or hinder people on the path towards enlightenment.

So, you can see they all make promises to lure you into their control and how you should live your life if you want to go on to a better place.

I believe there is a higher power in the universe who frankly doesn’t give a damn about humanity’s fear of the unknown.

-30-

At the End of the Road

My first steps were awkward down the path of life

as I tried to navigate through the strife

As the years loped past like a frightened antelope

I learned to cope

the trail widened in time

as I hit my prime

picking my path

and accepting the aftermath

to stay on the trail

and prevail

but old age slows me down

keeping me closer to the ground

at the crossroad

near the end of the road

-30-

Brandon Andress

Author. Writer. Adventurer.

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