Angry Birds Fight

ANGRY BIRDS FIGHT - Written by Carroll Bryant

You can try and say

Anything with words to hurt me

You can fly away

Spread your wings just to escape me

You can shake your head

If what I am does not complete thee

You can keep the bed

And instigate the shame under the sheets

You can make believe that there was never you and me so

Hide behind your smile

Cheek to cheek and all the while

Hide behind the sun

Let’s pretend I am no one

Hide behind the wall

The one you built so grand and tall and

Hide behind the night

Where in empty nests and empty trees

In the flow within the breeze

There’s just you and there’s just me tonight

Angry birds fight

I can play this game

Everything in life prepared me

I’m Unifi able that way

You're turning into monochrome memories

I can roll my eyes

When I can’t wait for your delivery

I’m less than satisfied

With the state of your satori

I can make believe that there was you and me so

Hide behind your smile

Cheek to cheek and all the while

Hide behind the sun

Let’s pretend I am no one

Hide behind the wall

The one you built so grand and tall and

Hide behind the night

Where in empty nests and empty trees

In the flow within the breeze

There’s just you and there’s just me tonight

Angry birds fight

Life can’t stop the world from spinning

It manages its own rules and sits there in its own time

And love can’t stop my heart from breaking

It gathers in the sins of you just to decrypt my simple mind

You can shake your head

You can keep the bed

I can play this game

You're turning into monochrome memories so

Hide behind your smile

Cheek to cheek and all the while

Hide behind the sun

Let’s pretend I am no one

Hide behind the wall

The one you built so grand and tall and

Hide behind the night

Where in empty nests and empty trees

In the flow within the breeze

There’s just you and there’s just me tonight

Angry birds fight

Seasons Greetings

SEASONS GREETINGS - Written by Carroll Bryant

There’s a sound in the air, could it be Santa Claus?

Rudolph leads the reindeer, waving to Jack Frost

Christmas day is coming, the hour’s drawing near

Have a merry Christmas, and a happy new year

Frosty’s playing in the snow with all his cheerful friends

The Scrooge wants to be left alone, but the message will be sent

Christmas day is coming, there’s no need to fear

Have a merry Christmas, and a happy new year

And oh, that silent night will be peaceful again tonight

Tomorrow kids will open up all of their gift wrapped toys

Sounds of laughter all day long from all the girls and boys

And the angels will sing of Christ our king

And jolly good Saint Nick will bring happiness and things

There’s a sound in the air, could it be Santa Claus?

Rudolph leads the reindeer, waving to Jack Frost

Christmas day is coming, the hour’s drawing near

Have a merry Christmas, and a happy new year

Have a very merry Christmas and a happy, a very happy …

Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year

Be In My Christmas

BE IN MY CHRISTMAS - Written by Carroll Bryant

Be in my Christmas

Be my warm winter dream

Be in my Christmas

And every love song I sing

I need you on Christmas

And all the joy that you bring

So be in my Christmas

Be my warm winter dream

With the stockings hanging o’er the fireplace

So special is the night

A loving look all over your face

Our hearts riding on a sleigh ride

Emotions so dear and it’s perfectly clear

That this is a magical time

So be in my Christmas

Be my warm winter dream

Be in my Christmas

And every love song I sing

I need you on Christmas

And all the joy that you bring

So be in my Christmas

Be my warm winter dream

With caroler’s humming their merrily tune

You feel so good in my arms

An angel of love I’ve found in you

I melt to the whim of your charms

Electrical sparks that ignite both our hearts

Blowing my Santa Claus mind

Be in my Christmas

Be my warm winter dream

Be in my Christmas

And every love song I sing

I need you on Christmas

And all the joy that you bring

So be in my Christmas

Be my warm winter dream

With the stockings hanging o’er the fireplace

So special is the night

A loving look all over your face

Our hearts riding on a sleigh ride

Emotions so dear for this great time of year

This is such a magical time

Be in my Christmas

Be my warm winter dream

Be in my Christmas

And every love song I sing

I need you on Christmas

And all the joy that you bring

So be in my Christmas

Be my warm winter dream

A Christmas Carroll

A CHRISTMAS CARROLL - Written by Carroll Bryant

What a beautiful day for a Christmas

What a beautiful day for a song

Oh how I wish that Christmas lasted all year long

Snow falling down is for Christmas

Snow falling down like a song

Oh how I wish that Christmas lasted all year long

With a thought in my mind, I clearly find

That peace could come any day

With the people that try, I can’t deny

That love could find a way - to stay

And bring us all joy every single day

What a beautiful day for a Christmas

What a beautiful day for a song

Oh how I wish that Christmas lasted all year long

Snow falling down is for Christmas

Snow falling down like a song

Oh how I wish that Christmas lasted all year long

With Jack Frost asleep, I’m gonna keep

My nose pressed against the glass

There’s a smile on my face as for Santa I wait

This feeling just wants to last and last

T’is the season for it’s such a blast

There’s a hope in my heart, it lights up the dark

I see love everywhere

With family and friends the fun never ends

It’s just too awesome to bear, I swear

The stockings were hung over the chimney with care

What a beautiful day for a Christmas

What a beautiful day for a song

Oh how I wish that Christmas lasted all year long

Snow falling down is for Christmas

Snow falling down like a song

Oh how I wish that Christmas lasted all year long

Jennifer's Eyes

JENNIFER'S EYES - Written by Carroll Bryant

For all of my life I traveled alone

From North to South and East and West and coast to coast

I never did want to stay anywhere

I never wanted anyone and I didn't care

But that's not the way a mans story should go

And what I couldn't think was something I didn't know

That heaven holds the answers up in the sky

And gave to me a reason deep down inside

To walk right through its doorway and into paradise

From out of the shadows and into the light

To find what I've been missing and now I realize

That heaven holds the answers in Jennifer's eyes

No, this ain't easy, that much I can say

Love so close to touch and yet so far away

And I still don't know just what it means

If all I ever need in life is in my dreams

Then that's just the way I want this story to end

With her in every heartbeat and holding my hand

Heaven holds the answers up in the sky

And gave to me a reason deep down inside

To walk right through its doorway and into paradise

From out of the shadows and into the light

To find what I've been missing and now I realize

That heaven holds the answers in Jennifer's eyes

I know that I'm not gonna live for ... forever

I know that someday I am gonna die

But I wanna live my lifetime her and I together

And I want to be buried in Jennifer's eyes

Heaven holds the answers up in the sky

And gave to me a reason deep down inside

To walk right through its doorway and into paradise

From out of the shadows and into the light

To find what I've been missing and now I realize

That everything I'm missing is in Jennifer's eyes

And heaven holds the answers in Jennfier's eyes

For the rest of my life

Sitting On A Rainbow

SITTING ON A RAINBOW - Written by Carroll Bryant

I can’t believe that this is really happening

Walking in the rain with you

And holding your hand

This is all like some kind of dreamy dream come true

Touching your skin

And I’m such a lucky man

Though the sun keeps a hiding

I’ll keep a smiling

Knowing that you love me is like

Riding on a fantasy

I’m sitting high upon a rainbow

Looking down upon the Earth below

You’re playing with the unicorns

Falling fast for my lucky charms

I’m sitting high and mighty like a king

You to me are everything

Pardon me if I never let you go

Oh, oh, I’m sitting on a rainbow

I can’t believe that I may never ever wake up

Feeling your breath on me

And drowning in emotions

This is all so very unfamiliar to me

Watching you sleep in peace

I can’t take my eyes off of you

Though my heart just keeps on beating

You keep on taking it

Glowing like I’m nuclear

Love is what we make of it

I’m sitting high upon a rainbow

Looking down upon the Earth below

You’re playing with the unicorns

Falling fast for my lucky charms

I’m sitting high and mighty like a king

You to me are everything

Pardon me if I never let you go

Oh, oh, I’m sitting on a rainbow

You know how to thrill

Fill me up with lovey goo

You love me and I love you too

Your kiss always wants to kill me

Knocking me right off my feet

In your eyes I can see … everything

Though the sun keeps a hiding

I’ll keep a smiling

Knowing that you love me is like

Riding on a fantasy

You and me are everything

I’m sitting high upon a rainbow

Looking down upon the Earth below

You’re playing with the unicorns

Falling fast for my lucky charms

I’m sitting high and mighty like a king

You to me are everything

Pardon me if I never let you go

Oh, oh, I’m sitting on a rainbow

Oh, oh, I’m sitting on a rainbow

Oh, oh, going anywhere that you go

Hands Of Mercy

HANDS OF MERCY - Written by Carroll Bryant

Strangers walk among us without faces wearing hats
In the hands of mercy we stand against attacks
First they become neighbors and then they are your friends
Only to discover they’re the enemy within

And I will take you there if you really want to go there
To a place called hell, I will take you and you know it
And I will know your smell; with my eyes closed I will know you
Burn your flesh I fear and make love to your spirit

Danger’s in our presence in the guise of faithful lords
In the hands of mercy we shall die from our own swords
First they start to panic then hysteria sets in
Only to uncover a plot to marry sins

And I will take you there if you really want to go there
To a place called hell, I will take you and you know it
And I will know your smell; with my eyes closed I will know you
Burn your flesh I fear and make love to your spirit

Go behind the meaning, stand beside your reason
Call upon your president to lead you to your kingdom

Turn away from warnings, bow to those in mourning
Call upon your precedence to lead you to your victory

And you will die … in the hands of mercy
You will cry … but the heart will show no mercy
You will fly … on the wings that haven’t mercy
You will die … in the hands of mercy

You will die … surely die
And you will die … surely die

In the hands of mercy

My Little Crazy

MY LITTLE CRAZY  - Written by Carroll Bryant

I’m wishing that I could say what I mean

I see you in my visions

But never in my dreams

I wish that I could hold you here by the hand

Feeling your emotion

Right there where you stand

I think my little crazy is complicated for sure

Opening the windows

Closing all the doors

I know you want to strike me for all I never do

I’m guessing that you know this

I wanna strike you too

And this is tearing me apart

Sleeping my days away while dancing in the dark

And this life belongs to hers

Every single breath I take

Breaks my lungs

It never hurts

This world I own isn’t mine

Everything my eyes can see

She will - and she never belongs to me

But this much I know for sure

This life belongs to hers

I stumble onto moments when I think I want to cry

Holding on to just release you

Living large until I die

Selling all the memories at a discount price

Stealing half the money

While looking into your eyes

And now our love is jumping the shark

Burning my desires in so that you can’t keep my heart

And this life belongs to hers

Every single breath I take

Breaks my lungs

It never hurts

This world I own isn’t mine

Everything my eyes can see

She will - and she never belongs to me

But this much I know for sure

This life belongs to hers

She will soon travel far away from us

Never again for me to find her love

I’m letting her go now

Blood on my hands

I’m letting her know now

My place is in her freedom

I’m letting her go now

I’m letting her know that I’m letting her go now

I’m wishing that I could say what I mean

I see you in my visions

But never in my dreams

Just always in my screams

And this life belongs to hers

Every single breath I take

Breaks my lungs

It never hurts

This world I own isn’t mine

Everything my eyes can see

She will - and she never belongs to me

But this much I know for sure

This life belongs to hers

Michael Jackson's Message (Protect The Children)

MICHAEL JACKSON'S MESSAGE (PROTECT THE CHILDREN) - Written by Carroll Bryant

“Today I was inspired by Michael Jackson while listening to his songs. I began thinking about the turmoil in Gaza and Israel - I couldn’t get the thoughts out of my head of innocent little children dying. Please call for a cease fire and try and work things out peacefully. Protect the children.”

When you hear the laughter of the children

Angels sing from above

The sun will shine and it’s listening

To the voices filled with love

Playing in a field of flowers - we are gay

So happy today

When you hear the laughter of the children

God will smile on us all

The breeze will blow to be gentle

In your arms, all their dreams we should hold

Don’t let their world to turn sour - or go away

Teach them the right way

We are the village

We can’t let them to get lost

We are the leaders

Raising them is all of our jobs

Take the hand of your neighbor

Promise you will be true

For the hope and dreams of our children

Resides in me

Resides in you

Protect the children

We have the power

To gain or lose control

Every minute of every hour

We either save or lose our soul

Know that this life is worth with what we’re making

Open up your hearts to all we have forsaken

It’s easy for me

It’s easy for you

When you hear the laughter of the children

The stars come out at night

This is our time for the living

And we have to do it right

Please don’t let their thoughts go to drifting - or slip away

Please just let them play

The smile of a child is the answer to our wars

Damned all the while we can be torn

Love and protection is the act we all must heed

There’s still time for you

There’s still time for me

Let’s not let them bleed

When you hear the laughter of the children

Angels sing from above

The sun will shine and it’s listening

To the voices filled with love

Protect the children

Please love the children

Thank God for the children

Let the child in you see the children

Protect the children

Don’t neglect the children

Protect the children

Their innocence is on display

Love Hate Carroll Bryant Interview

Check out my latest interview with Ira of Love Hate Poetry Blog. A Carroll Bryant Interview

Your Fire, My Desire

YOUR FIRE, MY DESIRE - Written by Carroll Bryant

Hanging in the back streets

Walking through the alleys

A midnight rendezvous underneath a full moon

Clinging to forever

Thoughts of love too clever

Boy meets girl again to make the perfect sin

Your fire, my desire

Putting the puzzle together somewhere in the dark

It’s always your fire versus my desire

Passion that can never seem to fill two lonely hearts

Talking all the big words

Skipping past what really hurts

Fornicating dreams with the sound of broken screams

Hand to hand our combat

Scratching like two wild cats

Nothing here to feel when everything’s unreal

Your fire, my desire

Putting the puzzle together somewhere in the dark

It’s always your fire versus my desire

Passion that can never seem to fill two lonely hearts

We’ll take it down a notch to catch our breath

Take a break from this train wreck

Eye to eye we still can’t see - what we need

We circumcise our daily life to view the dead

Just outside our window

Going where the wind blows

We don’t care

We don’t know

Not too close to bleed

Our story just continues

Hanging in the back streets

Walking through the alleys

A midnight rendezvous underneath a full moon

Clinging to forever

Thoughts of love too clever

Boy meets girl again to make the perfect sin

Your fire, my desire

Putting the puzzle together somewhere in the dark

It’s always your fire versus my desire

Passion that can never seem to fill two lonely hearts

Doomed

DOOMED - Written by Carroll Bryant

I can hear my heartbeat wail

I’m a clone of humanity’s fear

Inside my head it’s hell

Behind my eyes hides another lost tear

I can’t seem to breathe in my dreams (Nightmares)

For the end is coming

That’s what they say

I’m so scared

And I don’t wanna think

Even when I am sleeping

Machine guns shooting and bombs exploding

Even when I am sleeping

Preachers preaching and choirs singing

And everything comes crashing all around me

And everything comes crashing all around me

I can smell an evil plot

Before the earth starts shaking

There’s a new face on the clock

In my ears I can hear that it’s ticking

I can’t seem to scream or so it seems (I swear)

For the end is here

That’s what they claim

I don’t care

And I just wanna drink

Even when I am sleeping

Machine guns shooting and bombs exploding

Even when I am sleeping

Preachers preaching and choirs singing

And everything comes crashing all around me

And everything comes crashing all around me

Doomed

I can’t seem to breathe in my dreams (Nightmares)

For the end is coming

That’s what they say

I’m so scared

And I don’t wanna think

Even when I am sleeping

Machine guns shooting and bombs exploding

Even when I am sleeping

Preachers preaching and choirs singing

And everything comes crashing all around me

And everything comes crashing all around me

Doomed

Last Flight Out (The Book)

Right around 2001, I was really hankering to write a love story. Not just some run of the mill love story, but something that could really capture the imagination, and get people to talking about it. I had a good idea floating around my head for which the romance would be built, but I hadn’t figured out my hook. I heard the song titled “Last Flight Out” by the musical group, Plus One, and that was a true inspiration to me, but my hook? That wouldn’t come for some time.

And so I allowed the concept to swirl around inside my head for the next five years while I went through my day to day life. I went through an auto accident and during my recovery at home months later, I was surfing the net out of boredom. This is when I came across a story. It was the Mary-Kay Letourneau story. The 34 year old school teacher who had a sexual relationship with her then 13 year old male student. I had heard about it in the news prior and thought nothing much of it really. I started reading this article about what her life was like all these years later. I discovered that her and that boy are married and have a few children. I couldn’t believe it. Who would have thought? I started to chuckle a little bit because at that moment, I realized that these two people really were in love. Not that I condone what she did for a minute, because I don’t, but let’s face it, how many times do we read about an adult (male of female) having sex with a minor - but then after all the trials and public scorn and the convictions and the incarcerations, the two people in question get married and live a happy life together?

The answer - Never!

I guess I started chuckling at the fact that these two got the last laugh. Seriously, think about it. They are together. After society’s attempt to keep them apart, they still got back together as adults and they’re still together to this very day. That’s impressive. You have to at least admit that.

It was during this train of thought when it dawned on me. I finally found my hook! The student - teacher relationship. The possibilities were endless. I only knew a few things going in, that I didn’t want the story to end like hers did, I wanted it to be more dramatic. I also knew that my teacher was going to be male. I mean, let’s face it, it Mary Kay was a guy, she would probably still be in prison right now. Society is so double-standard. But it was more than that, I also wanted to have two villains in the story. One villain worse than the other because I knew, the reader would look at Kavita Davidson as a villain. I also wanted a hero in the book, Mary Stewart. Then, I wanted to make her something into the villain at the end and make Kavita the hero. I wanted to pull the ole flipparoo. (Or flip-flop)

I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but I think I pulled it off just nicely. From the emails I have gotten about it, I would say so.

Once I had my foundation, my plot, my hook, I went to writing. I knew my two main characters had to have some memorable names. Thus was born Kavita Davidson, and Lily McCourtney. I saw both last names on tombstones in a graveyard, that’s how I seek out my character names. (I know, creepy) Anyhow, Kavita is the last name of this guy I met one time while playing high school sports. He was on the other team. I just remember thinking how cool the name was and for some odd reason, it popped into my head. I settled for Lily for the girl because I wanted her name to be in reference to a quote that I knew Kavita was going to say in the book. Thus, which is why I went with Mary for the art teachers name. Stewart was a by product of Martha Stewart, it had that mixed flavor of home-maker/baker and yet, because Martha Stewart served prison time, it had that element of “bad girl” too.

Okay, so I think on a different level. LOL

I molded the community in the story, Kendrick Park and their school, Kendrick South, after a real life community which I had lived in before called German Village in Columbus, Ohio. The high school there is called South High School. In the local park of the community, called Schiller Park, there is a recreation center and they hold all kinds of activities for the kids from basketball and other sports to arts and crafts. There are homes standing all around the park. Some small businesses too. Thus, Kendrick Park was born.

Almost all of the characters in the story were taken from real people.

Once I got the final piece to the story together in my head, “Last Flight Out” took about six weeks to write the first draft, and another 4 weeks to touch it up. Once the story was finished, I knew I had something special.

One of the things some of my readers were grateful for was the fact that I did not trash it up. I did not turn it into a porno or child porn. I have been thanked on a few occasions for keeping it clean. Not that it was my intention, just a happy accident, as Bob Ross would say. I wanted Kavita and Lily to be friends first, and their feelings to form from out of that friendship. I’m really happy with how it turned out. I am very proud of that story. I know I like it … and I hope you will like it too.

Amazon Kindle - Barnes & Noble Nook - Kobo - E-Book Pie - Copia - Sony Reader The Sony Store

Master Blaster

MASTER BLASTER - Written by Carroll Bryant

Monday, Tuesday, everybody loses
Wednesday, Thursday, days go by
Friday, Saturday, healing the bruises
Sunday comes and goes, say goodbye

You scream, I scream
Love dies in between
Nobody wins
And this is what it really means

Here, there, everywhere
We're the only ones who care
Everybody sees this
Fair is fair

Hold on tight, it's a long ride
Better make sure of your destination
That's right, a long night
Don't be fooled by inspirations
You couldn't leave it well enough alone
Called me out, here I am
Better go home
I can't take this shit anymore
There's no need to feed a sympathy whore

Hold on tight, it's a long ride

He said, she said, everything is turning red
All of this bullshit piling up in my head
My friends, your friends, when will it ever end?
Cyber this, cyber that, cyber sex is pretend

I never thought it would get this far
I don't seem to know you anymore
Wonderland is crashing down
Bodies laying on the ground
Memories, history
Get the fuck away from me

Hold on tight, it's a long ride
Better make sure of your destination
That's right, a long night
Don't be fooled by infatuation
You couldn't leave it well enough alone
Called me out, here I am
Better go home
I can't take this shit anymore
There's no need to feed a sympathy whore

Hold on tight, it's a long ride

You scream, I scream
Love dies in between
Nobody wins
And this is what it really means

Here, there, everywhere
Neither of us even cares
Everybody sees this
Fair ain't fair

Hold on tight, it's a long ride
Better make sure of your destination
That's right, a long night
Don't be fooled by litigation
You couldn't leave it well enough alone
Called me out, here I am
Better go home
I can't take this shit anymore
There's no need to feed a sympathy whore

Hold on tight, it's a long ride

Believe This

BELIEVE THIS - Written by Carroll Bryant

It’s easy to get lost in your life

Feel me when I get lost in your eyes

I can’t let you go

At least, not at this time

I thought you should know

My heart falls inside of me

Believe this, love reaches for its soul

It’s easy to let it all go

This is my truth

I wait for a sign

I run back to you

All the while I cry

How am I gonna change when everything else stays the same?

I’m addicted to you

I’m addicted to pain

I’m addicted to love

And love is your name and I

Believe this, hearts never mend at all

It’s so hard to trust in it all

I can’t run away

My breath won’t escape

I thought you should know

My feelings are all I can taste

How am I gonna change when everything else stays the same?

I’m addicted to you

I can’t turn the page

I’m addicted to love

And love is your name and I … believe this

It’s easy to get lost in your life

Feel me when I get lost in your eyes

I can’t let you go

At least, not at this time

I thought you should know

My heart falls inside of me

The Bitter The Better

THE BITTER THE BETTER - Written by Carroll Bryant

If everything in life was so simple

Then maybe you and I would be together

It’s the complicated way

In the words we can not say

Or the feelings we can’t exchange

That makes it all so hard to swallow

If getting what you wanted was so easy

Then maybe your hand would be in mine

It’s the truth of who you are

That buries me down so far

And always leaves an ugly scar

That makes it all so hard to deal with

To the point I just can’t deal

Yesterday is where I play

The memories only get sweeter

Even though I heard them say

Memories can sometimes change

The more bitter is the better

Tomorrow is another place

The memories are mailed like a letter

Even though just like your face

Memories can sometimes fade

The more bitter is the better

If she ever wanted to change

I don’t think that I would let her

The bitter the better

If nothing in this world was so wrong

Then maybe you and I would be together

It’s the notion that we care

In the way we’re never there

Or the hope that is despair

That makes it all so hard to conquer

If giving up’s the rule to adhere

Then maybe our hearts would beat in time

It’s the lie within the soul

That never lets me go

Which in turn just lets me know

That you’re still not a believer

To the point I can’t believe

Yesterday is where I play

The memories only get sweeter

Even though I heard them say

Memories can sometimes change

The more bitter is the better

Tomorrow is another place

The memories are mailed like a letter

Even though just like your face

Memories can sometimes fade

The more bitter is the better

If she ever wanted to change

I don’t think that I would let her

The bitter the better

You do your thing

So far from me

No hope you bring

To anything

You play this game

So close to me

No way you can say

Anything

That would mean anything

To me

To the point that you’d mean everything to me

Yesterday is where I play

The memories only get sweeter

Even though I heard them say

Memories can sometimes change

The more bitter is the better

Tomorrow is another place

The memories are mailed like a letter

Even though just like your face

Memories can sometimes fade

The more bitter is the better

If she ever wanted to change

I don’t think that I would let her

The bitter the better

Year Of The Cat Quotes

Here are some quotes I took from my book, YEAR OF THE CAT. I hope you enjoy them.

*** “The smell doesn’t bother me, merely reminds me of the authenticity of life.” ***

*** I squirmed relentlessly that night in my bed. My thoughts revisiting the girl I saw earlier in the day. She was haunting me profusely. And the heat wasn’t helping me either. After I had enough, I ventured to the patio and sat down in a chair, looking out at the now peaceful evening. Only a few stragglers about here and there. They appeared to be midnight acquaintances, if you know what I mean. (And I think that you do.) This place does have that allure to it, I suppose. Give credit where credit is due. Some places are just like that. You know, romantic in a trashy way. ***

*** “Be careful about vengeance against God, he will smite you with the curse of El ángel negro.” ***

*** The scenes from outside my window rolled by like scattered ink from a faulty pen. The sun was bright. The heat was almost unbearable. The air stung my lungs. I wasn’t used to paradise. I was morbid in my structure and movements. Paradise had always been an illustrated portrait of somebody else’s imagination, not mine. ***

*** “We are all doomed, Yankee detective. One day I will come into work and see myself lying on this slab.” ***

*** And make love we did. Twice! The crashing waves communicated to the passion of the moans we let out in our loving embrace, hiding in plain view of apparitions. Our walk was far from over. The day, like my mind, was over. We made it back to my hotel room where once again, we exchanged our heart felt wishes. I couldn’t get enough of what she had to offer. I was losing my sense of direction, my world spinning radically out of control. I was captivated by her insensitivity. Her sophistication was that of an uninterested monk or a diamond resting at the bottom of a dirty river, hiding underneath the mud. I shuddered relentlessly for the third time that evening, her beneath me, accepting my seed willingly. ***

***  His trickery was beginning to get under my crawl. Then again, what wasn’t in this country? It was always devil this and devil that. Christ, so this is where the devil lives? ***

*** I stood before the armoire in my hotel room. I opened the bottle and began my journey to the netherworld. One sip after another, it didn’t take very long. Soon, my mind was not my own. The room spinning, I thought wise to crawl into the bed. I continued my quest for redemption. Part of that quest was to think about her, whom ever she may be. Jude, Isabella, I couldn’t keep track anymore it would seem. It didn’t really matter; she was everything I ever wanted in a girl, minus the oddity of her personality. Then again, the more I dwelled on it; she was refreshing in a psychopathic kind of way. One thing about her, there didn’t seem to be any drama accompanying the shadows living within. Irrationality? Sure. The folly of her ways facilitated the preemptive nature of my ambitions. And my ambitions were to rape her of the last ounce of pointlessness possessing her. I was sure there had to be some. That whimpering in the corner routine was evidence to that. I concluded that there may have been a time when she wore red ribbons on her arms. ***

*** She waved me off. “Help with what? To help this town deal with its demons? To help me deal with mine? Look at you; you can’t even deal with your own. Yes, yes, I can see your discrepancies through these bloodshot eyes. Everybody sees you with her. You parade around like a couple of clowns, swimming in your lust. Laughing stock, that what you be Yankee American, a laughing stock.” ***

*** We sat in the restaurant at a table in the corner. There were a few people patronizing, but the atmosphere was that of stale decadence and somberness. She picked at her food, eating it with her hands. Every other bite she would feed to me. I couldn’t resist. Tasting the food off of her skin was more arousing than it should have been. I would reach for her wrist when her digits slipped inside my mouth, holding them there, sucking on them, savoring every last morsel she held. Her giggles sending me into a state of euphoria, her attention made me feel like the most meaningful creature on Earth, and feeling more important than any man alive. She is a Spell-binder. How easy it is for her to extort my emotions and manipulate them like a trivial finger-puppet. The abomination of it all is; I don’t think she is even trying to impress me, if anything she seems to do everything imaginable to repel me. Still, I won’t budge from her clutch. How could I? She is gorgeous beyond belief. ***

*** She stepped back, and lifted her dress off in one sweet motion. She tossed it off to the side. “Tonight,” She requested, “you will treat me like a whore.” She came forward and slowly descended to her knees. She undid my pants and removed them from my body, along with my boxers. I tore off my shirt. She took me into her hand, massaging me for a few minutes before taking me into her mouth. She never did this before. In fact, that night, we did everything we never did before. Things I only fantasized about. Things Shelly would never allow me to do to her when we were married. Things unspeakable. Things they do in pornography films. She was my whore. I was her bitch. The night was our Ménage à trois. ***

*** “Every town has its secrets.” He began. “San Felipe is no different. Skeletons are hidden in closets for a reason my friend. And trust me when I tell you, San Felipe has many skeletons. The moral of the story is; don’t go snooping into strange closets. You will only find sins and betrayal. Why do you think we drink tequila so much?” ***

*** I raised the bottle to my lips while sitting on the bed in my room. I can smell deception from a mile away, just like I did in the Emilio incident. Hernando wasn’t fooling anybody, but himself. If he thinks for one minute that I was going to let this slide, he has a rude awakening waiting for him around the bend. I brought the bottle back up. I’ve peppered higher ranking officials in my days with my insidious malcontent when the situation called for it. I’ll pepper his burrito ass just as easily. ***

*** I couldn’t help but recall the words Gomez spoke to me. Lie and live. The truth is death. And why did he agree with Hernando when he said that Emilio chose death? And the warning that Irene issued to me was not extracurricular. She meant it. She was serious. Why she said it and what she meant remained a conundrum. There seems to be, in my estimation, more than just a serial killer on the loose. I have now concluded that surreptitiousness surrounds San Felipe and its people. If I may be so bold, I don’t think I want to know what those underhanded shadows are. I may not have any say in the matter. I’m beginning to think that everything in San Felipe is tied together, like one big knot. Wouldn’t that be a kick in the ass? ***

*** And then there she is, living in the depths of my unrest. Jude, Isabella, Elsa and Iris. A multitude of scientific research studies rolled up into one person. How many psychologists would love to get their hands on her? And not just for her screwed up mental state either. There would be many men lined up to take the beating she hands out with just a passing, flirtatious smile. A vixen of absolute trouble to the highest level of ominous one can possibly reach. Even her innocence is menacing. And yet, all are willing to sacrifice themselves on her alter of benevolence. Just as I have. ***

*** Our movements were in sync. Her moans traveled lightly in the semi-darkness. Our shadows cast on the walls what our bodies were immolating under the sheets. The smell of her womanhood penetrated my nostrils like a variety of spices in a gourmet dish. Two bodies merging together, melting into one. “Dame gloria.” She passionately cried. While I don’t understand a word of Spanish, for some unknown reason, I understood this remark as if she had spoken it in English. She said, give me glory. ***

*** The following morning, I awoke. The same results as times before. She was gone. I slowly lifted myself out of the bed and gathered up my clothes. One candle remained lit. I have grown accustomed to seeing in the dark, just like her. Just like a cat. I walked outside, the light was hurting my eyes. It took a few moments for them to adjust. When they did, he was there. “The American vampire has surfaced, I see.” It was the painter.

“You get around, don’t you?”

He sat before his easel and canvas, applying the oils in quest of completing my commissioned piece. “What is it you seek this fine morning, wisdom or absolution?” He responded.

“Both.” I mumbled, moving to get a better view of his work. “That’s turning out nicely.” I complimented.

“The seeker of both is a greedy whale. Be careful of the harpoons from the fishermen of Haiti’s.” ***

*** “I know more about you than you do of yourself. You are an empty shell of a man, lingering like the fog in the heart of a cemetery at midnight with bats swarming all around and hiding from the sunlight of redemption and truth.” ***

*** She stepped away and threw her head back. “Yes, yes, Mr. American Yankee, take me with you. Take me with you to the land of reality television and a fucked up democracy where your politicians argue and fight more than the Federales and drug cartels. Yes,” She continued to layer, “take me to where the economy is dropping faster than a cheap whore in an orgy full of sailors.” ***

*** Where was she taking this? What road was she leading me down? The impeachment of her hypocrisy eats at every fiber of my being. I couldn’t take it any longer. I just couldn’t. “I can think for myself. And after tomorrow, this relationship is over.” I walked to the side of the balcony, fixating my sights back down at the people below. “You are welcomed to join me if you so desire.”
“What I desire,” She made no bones about it, floating up behind me and again, wrapping me in her arms, “is your body on top of mine, where I can dictate this conversation.” ***

Missed By A Mile

MISSED BY A MILE - Written by Carroll Bryant

We didn’t miss by much

All those times we talked about forever

We couldn’t feel that touch

All those nights we seemed to spend together

I know it’s crazy now to

Always think about you

I try everything I can not to

I know it’s hard to fathom

Hard love and ectoplasm

I ran and still somehow

It’s meaningless to me

We didn’t miss by far

All those days we laughed and played

We couldn’t find our star

All those times we left and stayed away

I know it’s crazy now to

Reflect and think about you

I try everything I can not to

I know it’s hard to cherish

Soft love will always perish

I ran and still somehow

It’s meaningful to me

We didn’t miss by much

Only by a heartbeat

Only by a smile

Only by the skin of our teeth

Only by a mile

Only by a moment passing

Only by an everlasting

Only by a story

Only by a screech

I know it’s hard to ponder

Fake love and endless wonder

I ran and still somehow

It’s meaningless to me

We didn’t miss by much

Only by a hairline fracture

Only by a while

Only by the coming rapture

Only by a mile

Only by a New York minute

Only by a glare

Only by a mystery

Only by a stare

We didn’t miss by much

All those times we talked about forever

We couldn’t feel that touch

All those nights we seemed to spend together

I know it’s crazy now to

Always think about you

I try everything I can not to

I try everything I can to forget you

We didn’t miss by much

Trust

TRUST - Written by Carroll Bryant

I’m watching the clouds

Passing by in the sky

From the corner of my eye

I can see you watch my every move

I’m shaking my head

You’re rolling both your eyes

Why do we even try?

All we need is just a little proof

Trust

It’s rusting in the yard

It’s breaking both our hearts

It’s lying there and wasting on the floor

Trust

It’s dying to be heard

It’s crying from the hurt

It’s trying to bust down the door

I keep checking your emails

Nothing but an internet hell

Looking for a clue

You’re checking mine too

We claim to know the facts

Talking behind each other’s back

The questioning never ends

We even question friends

Trust

It’s rusting in the yard

It’s breaking both our hearts

It’s lying there and wasting on the floor

Trust

It’s dying to be heard

It’s crying from the hurt

It’s trying to bust down the door

And we hold the key to everything

We could be

But instead we look away

From what we’re losing

And we

We hold it all in the palm of our hands

We can’t begin again

We can only end this foolish game

This charade

I’m watching the clouds

Passing by in the sky

From the corner of my eye

I can see you watch my every move

Trust

It’s rusting in the yard

It’s breaking both our hearts

It’s lying there and wasting on the floor

Trust

It’s dying to be heard

It’s crying from the hurt

It’s trying to bust down the door

It just doesn’t live here anymore

Year Of The Cat (The Book)

Year Of The Cat is perhaps the most unusual of my published works thus far. First of all, the story takes place in San Felipe, Mexico. I use a lot of Spanish in this book, but not too much where it will drive you crazy. One of things readers have mentioned to me is that they appreciated the translation. I think often times when a writer goes to telling a story using multiple languages, they don't translate very well for the reader. I do this by way of the characters. Mostly through Lancaster Parks because he himself doesn't speak Spanish so there are parts throughout the book he keeps looking to somebody to translate for him. It almost becomes somewhat comical.

Originally, I thought to have the story take place in Paris, France. That idea went by the wayside when, through one of my Mexican friends at the time, I was reminded of the deep historical value of Mexicans when it comes to religion and superstitions. This is the main focal point of the story so having that tradition behind their culture really made a huge difference. And with the help of a few Mexican friends, I was able to better write and translate the language.

I have also been thanked by my Mexican (and Spanish speaking) readers for properly writing their language. I think too often, especially in todays everything access via internet world, some writers depend too much on translation sources. Sure, it was a big help to me too, however, being able to have friends who speak Spanish was what made this process so much easier. I used a few of my Mexican friends to help me with corrections when the story was completed.

The idea for the book rested in my head for about three years before I decided to write it. When I made the last minute change from France to Mexico, I had to quickly come up with some names. As for the mystery woman in the book, I fell back on a friend at that time and pretty much used her name(s), seeing how just as with my female character, my old friend also had a personality conflict. (If I may say it in that manner)

Much of the female character in this book was taken from that friend.

As for the main character, Lancaster Parks, I fell back on a guy I knew in the miliatary. I drew from him to create my asshole detective. One of my favorite things to do is to make my main characters unlikeable in the beginning then get the reader to actually start liking them. I do this by cleverly placing an even worse asshole in the story. Of course, in the beginning, many do not realize who the biggest asshole is until the end. 

As with most of my books, I like to add many different elements into the story. Many different characters that are needed to carry this out. Comedy, drama, suspense, mystery, romance, or in this case, mild erotica. I also like for my main character(s) to change. To be different somewhat at the end than what they were in the beginning. I also provide reasons for these changes. Often times, those reasons are nothing more than just the evolution of life. Everything around us is changing. That's just the way life is. it is constantly changing and we need to change ourselves just a little if we are going to keep up. I make sure my characters go through this too. It makes everything a little more realistic. 

One of the elements I decided to use in this story was the paranormal. I think it adds a little something/something to the whole story. It helps to keep the mystery going along. And in this case, it helps Lancaster to solve his case.

Police corruption is in full force in this story through the character of Hernando Felix. The history of man is filled with abuse of power. Not one person has ever NOT abused what power they were given. It's humanly impossible. Even I have abused my powers from time to time. Even my father. Abuse of power doesn't always mean somehting horrible. In my father's case, he had the power of hire and fire of employees. He had given a friend a job a time or two who had no experience over people who did have it. That's a form of abuse. In this case, with Hernando, he is no different. he does what we all do to try and survive in the society we were born into. That's all. Granted, his abuse extends into the realm of horrendous, but still, even his intentions are somewhat fairly good. (I think)

People seem to really like Gomez. He is the "comic relief" in an otherwise very dramatic situation. many readers feel that he is smarter than what he lets on. (And perhaps he his) But without Gomez, I don't think this book would be as interesting. Still, through it all, most readers have confessed to being blown away by the ending. (Just a little) And certainly not what they were expecting. But I tell them, in reallife, not all justice is served. Some inncoent people get locked away and or die while some guilty people go free. It's not a perfect world. I wanted that imperfection in this story.


Check out Year Of The Cat - available for all major E-Readers.

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Also available @ Apple Store Dot Com for ipad users.