Poetry Repository: Holiday 2025 Edition

  Had a flood of inspiration recently and wrote up thirty new poems in a short amount of time (mostly haikus, but a few free-verse poems as well). Figured it made sense to do a whole new repository, and title it after the holidays (like I did in 2023). Thanksgiving is in less than two weeks from now anyways…

So here we go:

INWARD & OUTWARD

Some of our poems

Are for looking inward

While other poems

Are for looking outward

And some are for both

In some way or another

ABSOLUTE (TRIPLE HAIKU)

It’s okay to be

Absolutely incorrect

At least once in life

Most times, you’re only

Just a little incorrect

Not absolutely

Remember how

You had thought they would be

Not how they were

AMBIGUITY (HAIKU)

Poems give ambiguity

A way to hide one’s feelings on something

As one releases those feelings

FALLING OUT (HAIKU)

Sometimes falling outs

Are simply just meant to be

No matter the cause

NO SUCH THING AS TRUE ORIGINALITY

People may thank me for inspiring them

But they should really thank the ones

Who inspired ME in the first place

And the people before them

And so on and so forth

ARTSPEAK (HAIKU)

People talk too much

But art can speak for itself

So make art instead

SOMETHING FROM NOTHING (HAIKU)

When you have nothing to say

Just say anything that comes to mind

Then you have something to say

NEW PHASE (HAIKU)

A new phase of life

Just to work towards a goal

A new beginning

INTERNAL (HAIKU)

Internal conversations

Sometimes the only conversations

That are really worth having

BURNING BRIDGES (HAIKU)

Is there a point in making art,

When you have no one left to share it with?

I’m sorry I can’t help but run…

FORMULA (HAIKU)

Internal monologues

And ongoing observations

Expressed through poetry

AMATEUR (HAIKU)

Identities are overrated

But “a poet” is a valid contender

…But I’d rather stay an amateur

NO TRUE SKILL (HAIKU)

When the skills that one has

Apply to nothing substantial

What options do they have?

LOOP

The price of living alone

Is being in a loop

Forever and ever

So make it a good loop

GOOD IDEAS STAY (HAIKU)

Don’t worry about writing

Every single damn idea down

Good ideas stay with you

OLD NEW ME YOU

The old me thought of me

The new me thinks of you

But I became who I’m meant to be

And in the end, you did too

ORGANIC APOLOGY (HAIKU)

If you were truly sorry

Even when others said not to be

You would’ve apologized

WASTE OF POTENTIAL (HAIKU)

People tend to base their identity

Out of only two or three particular things

A waste of potential, if you ask me

VICIOUS CYCLE (HAIKU)

Great art comes from sadness

But who wants to always be sad?

I certainly do not

RECYCLE (HAIKU)

Forgive me if you heard this all before

I can only be so original these days

An old idea is better than none

WANDER (HAIKU)

If only I could wander

Without any consequence at all

From one world to the next one

PARIAH

A drop of red blood

In an ocean of blue

A single incandescent

In a sea of LEDs

And then there’s me

Surrounded by all of you

ADVENTURE

Who really needs adventure?

An adventure can simply be

Listening to music online

Randomly clicking

From one song to the next

THE LUCK FACTOR (HAIKU)

We meet the right ones

At the wrong time of our lives

Some more than others

MY HAIKU STYLE (HAIKU)

The start is the set-up

The middle line is the whole point

And the end line resolves

AND THE BEAT GOES ON (HAIKU)

I don’t have to keep writing

And yet here I am, doing just that

Not sure why, so you tell me

IF IT DIDN’T (HAIKU)

If it didn’t work out

Remember what was wrong with them

Not what was right with them

HAPPY (HAIKU)

The key to happiness

Is to come to terms with the fact

That life is not happy

LEARN (HAIKU)

The human brain can learn

More than most other types of brains

So if all else fails, learn

BUILDING BLOCKS (HAIKU)

Our old art may be flawed

But it serves as the building blocks

For our new art to come

Peace!

Related: Poetry Repository

My "About You Music"

  I saw this new trend going around on the Topster subreddit called “About You Music,” which asks people to pick different albums for different categories (favorite overall, best cover art, etc.). I don’t actually use Topster templates, so I figured I might as well just list out all my picks here instead, providing a quick explanation for each…

So here’s another pointless list of mine:

Favorite album

Guns N’ Roses - Appetite for Destruction (1987)

At this point I really just consider this album my favorite cause it was my “gateway drug” into being a metalhead when I was a kid. That said, even now, I still feel like every song on here sounds like it could’ve been a hit single. Also, just as a quick side note; part of me thinks the original cover art fits much better with the “story” that the whole album tells, though I understand why they needed to change it.

Best narrative

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication (1999)

I know when most people think of albums with strong narratives, they’d choose something like Pink Floyd’s The Wall (1979) or even The Smashing Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness (1995) over this. And while I love those other albums too, there’s something about the way the songs are ordered on this one that really “takes me on a journey” to California and back (which singer Anthony Keidis said was the intention anyway). This isn’t even my favorite Chili Peppers album (not anymore at least), but I definitely think it’s the closest they’ve ever come to making a “concept album,” in the traditional sense.

Favorite cover

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (1975)

This cover art is just simply badass. There’s nothing more striking than watching a man shake hands with another man who’s on fire. He’s saying goodbye to a friend who’s dying (literally and/or figuratively), wishing that friend could stay.

I’ll listen someday

David Bowie - Blackstar (2016)

Everyone says this is the best “farewell” album of all time (Bowie apparently already knew he was dying when he made this). Not sure why I haven’t gotten around to it yet, but I will.

Personal impact

White Zombie - Astro-Creep: 2000 (1995)

I’ve said elsewhere on this blog that this album is basically what gets me up in the morning. It’s pure caffeine for my ears.

Bad day cure

Red Hot Chili Peppers - By the Way (2002)

When I think of a “bad day cure,” I think of something that’s beautiful, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything more beautiful than this album, though The Smashing Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream (1993) comes close. Nevertheless, even people who absolutely despise the Chili Peppers admit that this album is good.

You enjoy it but most don’t

Guns N’ Roses - Chinese Democracy (2008)

I get why most people don’t like this. It took too long to make, it’s overproduced, it’s not even really Guns N’ Roses, and most of the songs are either too sappy or too industrial. Nevertheless, in Slash’s absence, Axl found some pretty badass guitarists to replace him (most notably Buckethead), and being a “guitar head” myself, I can’t help but enjoy this album in a guilty-pleasure sorta way.

You don’t enjoy it but most do

Slash’s Snakepit - Ain’t Life Grand (2000)

In keeping with the theme of GN’R-related albums, I’ve noticed that most diehard fans say this is Slash’s best work outside of GN’R proper, and I just don’t get it. Only about half of the songs are good, in my opinion. This is the first album Slash made after leaving GN’R, and to me, it sounds like he had yet to figure out his new identity here.

Underrated

Metallica - Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016)

For me, this is the album that really put Metallica back on track. I understand that it’s not as “thrashy” as Death Magnetic (2008), but that’s kinda why I like it. This was the first time since …And Justice for All (1988) where they were neither chasing specific trends, nor trying too hard to be their younger selves again. They found a solid middle ground here, one that has thankfully continued with 72 Seasons (2023).

Overrated

Metallica - Death Magnetic (2008)

Look, I don’t think this is a bad album. In fact, I have it ranked as my second-favorite album of 2008 (behind Chinese Democracy, funny enough). Furthermore, this was definitely a step in the right direction after St. Anger (2003). That said, while I felt St. Anger and the few albums that preceded it were trying too hard to “chase trends,” this entire album felt like Metallica saying “look everyone, we sounds like the 80’s again! Please like us again!!” Nothing new here, really. For better or worse, it’s Metallica’s The Force Awakens.

Not usually my thing but…

Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)

Probably my favorite non-rock album of all time. Don’t even know what to say about it that hasn’t already been said. It’s just simply awesome.

Best instrumental

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium (2006)

I assume by “instrumental,” Topster doesn’t mean a purely-instrumental album, but rather the instrumental layer of an album. If I’m wrong, then replace this with Buckethead’s Claymation Courtyard (2014). If I’m right, then I would like to state that John Fusciante’s work on here is probably the best guitar tracks I’ve ever heard in my life (I’ve said that elsewhere on this blog, but can’t say it enough). In fact, I’m listening to the isolated guitar tracks while I write this (as I do for most of my longer blog posts).

Best vocals

Soundgarden - Superunknown (1994)

Whenever I listen to Chris Cornell’s voice on here, I can’t help but think “how the fuck does he do that?!”

Simple but fun

The Beatles - A Hard Day’s Night (1964)

Of all the early Beatles albums, where they prioritized short, simple love songs, this is easily my favorite. Not sure why. Just something fun about it.

Best mixtape

n/a

While I like some hip-hop (Outkast, Eminem, NWA, Dr. Dre, Run the Jewels, etc.), I’m not familiar enough with mixtape culture to make a fair call here.

Consistent discography

Alice in Chains

Not only was original vocalist Layne Staley one of the best of all time, but the band somehow managed to continue making great music even after his death. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013) is the only AiC album I feel mixed about. Everything else they’ve done has basically been gold, as far as I’m concerned.

Biggest letdown

Velvet Revolver - Libertad (2007)

For those who don’t know, Velvet Revolver was basically just Guns N’ Roses with a different singer (in other words, what the other oldschool members of GN’R were doing while Axl was taking forever to make Chinese Democracy with other people). I loved the first Velvet album, Contraband (2004), so I was pretty stoked for this one, as I was still a kid at the time, at the peak of my GN’R fandom. Sadly, right away I could tell something was wrong with this LP. I only ended up liking about half of the songs, and my opinion hasn’t changed much since.

Biggest surprise

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Unlimited Love (2022)

When it was announced that Frusciante was rejoining this band (again) in 2019, I was pretty pumped. The thought of him making a new album with them is basically what got me through covid. Then the first three singles leading up to the album’s release came along, and while all those songs have grown on me now, I felt pretty lukewarm about them at the time. So when it came time to listen to the rest of the record, I was pretty nervous, to say the least. Thankfully, I ended up loving all of the other fourteen songs upon first listen. My overall experience with this album ended up being a nice combination of surprise and relief, which is something I don’t think I’ve really felt before, or since.

Best soundtrack

Lin-Manuel Miranda - Hamilton (2015)

I assume vocal albums count here. If not, then replace this one with John Williams’ soundtrack for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980).

Most unique

Mr. Bungle - Mr. Bungle (1991)

I don’t even know where to start with this one. You’ll just have to listen to it for yourself.

Favorite band

Red Hot Chili Peppers

I understand why these guys aren’t for everyone, but I think the reason I like them so much is that they have a huge catalog that feels consistent, yet varied. If I wanna listen to something chill, I got By the Way, or the Josh-era albums. If I wanna listen to something epic (especially in terms of guitar), I got Blood Sugar Sex Magik or Stadium Arcadium. If I wanna listen to something that sounds kinda like a concept album, I got Californication. If I wanna listen to something a bit  heavier, I got Mother’s Milk or One Hot Minute. If I wanna listen to something “punky,” I got The Uplift Mofo Party Plan. If I wanna listen to pure funk, I got Freaky Styley. And that’s not even factoring in the b-sides, non-album singles, etc.

Favorite solo artist

Michael Jackson

Not really sure how to explain this one. I just find his music, voice, etc. to be on another level. I guess I also like that he always challenged himself to be different every time he made a new album. Shit, I even like 2001’s Invincible!

Best EP

Alice in Chains - Sap (1992)

I consider Jar of Flies (1994) to be a full-length album (it has seven songs and is over half an hour long after all), hence why I’m picking Sap here instead. Either way, they both showcase just how great and diverse Alice in Chains can really be.

Most depressing

John Frusciante - Smile from the Streets You Hold (1997)

This was the album Frusciante made when he was at his absolute lowest with drugs, poverty, etc. Right from the opening screams, you can tell that he’s crying out for help, and you can feel his pain across nearly all 17 songs on here (or 18, since the title track was split into two songs on later pressings, for some reason). I like it, though.

Well, that was a nice way to waste a Saturday.

Peace!

Related: List Repository

The Case for Drawing

Awhile back I mentioned how I started using the Freeform app on my phone to do small, “raw” drawings as a form of therapy. I had called this “visual journaling” at the time, but really, it’s just drawing…

When I first talked about it, I referred to it as just something I would do every now and then on the side, but recently, it has actually become my primary form of self-therapy. Lately, for reasons I don’t quite understand, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I would do if I were a kid again in certain scenarios, or what I’d do if I had a kid of my own, in said scenario. I could be wrong, but I think it’s my subconscious telling me to “connect” to my core child within, somehow, and since I used to draw practically all the time as kid, I figured that doing so again made sense. Also, some thoughts and feelings are just easier to express as images rather than words anyways…

Applications like the aforementioned Freeform make drawing on the spot easier than ever now. That said, I think using traditional means of drawing are perfectly fine too. In fact, I would even recommend just imagining drawings in one’s mind. Similar to the mental journaling I’ve talked about before, actually. Sometimes even just drawing and/or imaging a singular word or acronym can be enough to put oneself at ease in the moment, depending on the situation…

Now that I’ve been doing these Freeform drawings for awhile, I can admit that I’ve already forgotten what some of my own drawings were supposed to represent in the first place. I don’t really see this as an issue, though. As long as a drawing was able to help you get through a stressful situation back when said drawing was first made, it doesn’t matter if you then forget whatever the initial stress trigger was down the road. In fact, forgetting stress triggers is a good thing. And if those same triggers come back later on, just make new drawings…

I can also admit that all of my drawings look childish, but again, I don’t consider this a problem. It’s not like I’m planning to ever share any of these. Besides, the whole point of this exercise is to feel connected to the innocence of one’s youth, so having drawings that look rather childish is kind of the point. That said, if you have the talent to draw something that looks more “adult,” then by all means, go for it…

I should probably also take this opportunity to address the stigma associated with drawing. While said stigma does indeed exist, like most things, you just have to learn to not care about it. Again, a lot of this is about connecting back to childhood, and one of the good things about being a little kid is that, at that age, you don’t really give a fuck what anyone thinks (yet). In a lot of ways, our childhood is our “core.” The kid you once were is you in your purest form. This doesn’t mean to always be childish, mind you. There’s a time and a place for everything. I guess if the childhood logic doesn’t work for you, then another way of thinking about it is to remember that drawing is one of humanity’s oldest forms of self-expression and/or therapy, dating all the way to cave drawings…

As always, I hope my constant rambling about mental health on this blog is able to help someone, somehow…

Peace!

PS: Something I almost forgot to mention is that some humans apparently have a hard time “visualizing” things in their heads. For these people, I recommend sticking to journaling/poetry, or something like music, since that’s another one of humanity’s oldest artforms.

UPDATE: I don’t really do this stuff anymore, but I’ll leave this post up in case anything here still helps anyone.