Beyond the Realm: Thoughts from Within is a collection of poetry that expresses human feelings of friendship, love, faith and even delves into the dream, or subconscious state of mind. The author's use of metaphors, similes, and imagery lends an interesting perspective to many of today's complex emotions. A number of the poems add an intriguing element of mystery as to the true intent of the author's message, thus offering the reader an opportunity to reflect upon their own interpretations. A section at the back of the book does explain the theme behind a selection of the poems and aids in understanding some of the author's expressions.

Beyond The Realm

(Thoughts From Within)By Jude A. Brattoli

Trafford Publishing

Copyright © 2012 Jude A. Brattoli
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4669-6837-0

Contents

Introduction.......................................xiLet's Talk.........................................1Speak No Evil......................................2Healthy, Wealthy, And Weird........................3A Friend In Need...................................4The Counselor......................................5Love Always ... Isn't All Ways.....................6Dream States.......................................7Color Me Blue......................................8Overlap............................................9P Js...............................................10R.O.T.U.M..........................................11Why?...............................................12Instant Replay.....................................13I'll Be Alright....................................14From the Heart.....................................15To You.............................................16Sleepless Love.....................................17Love Trance........................................18Looking Glass Lie..................................19A Winter Wish......................................20A Distant Love.....................................22Love In The Air....................................23Mercy..............................................24The Way Eye See It.................................25Stampede...........................................26On Deck............................................27Plea Of The Trees..................................28A Note To My Sun...................................29The Winter Warlock.................................30Stones.............................................31Life Cycles........................................32Rap It Up..........................................34Clouds.............................................35Black Rain.........................................36The Temptress......................................38The Note...........................................39Dark Angel.........................................40Brain Storm........................................41Hide And Seek......................................42The Cyclone........................................43The Empty Realm....................................44Dedicated..........................................45Ship Of Jules......................................46Dear John..........................................47The Passage........................................49The Poe M..........................................50Without A Trace....................................51The Sapling........................................52Lyf Is Short.......................................53Noon...............................................54Time Clock.........................................54The Scar...........................................55A Fade In Time.....................................55Set Sail...........................................56Destination Unknown................................56Above And Beyond...................................57The Man In The Chair...............................58Transparent........................................61Stone ColdVisit....................................62Beyond The Senses..................................63Connect The Dots...................................64Hunters In The Haze................................65Full Circle........................................66A Test Of Faith....................................68The Abyss..........................................69Changing Tides.....................................70Encore.............................................71Ashes to Ashes.....................................72Voodoo.............................................73The Reception......................................74Raspberries........................................75Beautiful Thorns...................................76Through Child Eyes.................................77Safe Harbor........................................78Author's Explanation of Poems......................79

Chapter One

Let's Talk

Too often we find that we're set in our mind,
Thus creating an altercation.
If I see things your way and you likewise, mine today,
Then we establish communication.


Speak No Evil

Ask me not of politics,
For I'll corrupt your mind,
But I'd gladly scratch your back
If you're willing to scratch mine.
Discuss not the sexes;
It is a battle without end.
If one finds himself outnumbered
There's no stand to defend.
If you speak of justice,
You may stand alone,
For I haven't enough money
To be the first to cast a stone.
Please, preach no religion
That you'd have me believe.
I can't add to its basket
When my hand's not received.


Healthy, Wealthy, And Weird

Red dye number five;
It's a wonder we're alive.
Don't smoke. Don't drink.
It's a wonder we can think.
Eggs and fat and bacon grease;
More bad things we must decrease.
Let's watch our weight and cholesterol.
You can take a pill for the rest of it all.
Insecticides and pesticides ...
It's all a bit of suicide.
Smog, pollution, and acid rain ...
We live in fear and live in vain.
Decaying birds and mosquito bites,
Allow billboards pop up overnight.
Radiation and microwaves ...
By our own design, we are slaves.
Let's take a moment to catch our breath,
For we haven't lived, but accepted death.


A Friend In Need

What difference has changed your perception of me?
Would you stand bar against all I could be?
Would you steal my thunder, or shadow my dreams?
Would you cloud my visions with deceitful schemes?
Do you blow on the flame of my heart's desire
To let yours burn alone, brighter and higher?
Can you speak without guilt, your words of repression,
To dull my senses, like an act of aggression?
Deny me not life's quest to succeed;
For you measure by points, profits, and greed.
Don't pollute my ears with your talk about rules;
Lest we alter or bend them, we alone stand the fools.
So mute not my words and allow me speak free,
For together, one voice, perhaps we'll agree.
Don't misunderstand; there's no need to defend.
All that I ask is that you just be my friend.


The Counselor

Take to my shoulder when your head grows weary,
That the burden of your grief may rain upon me.
Be it my hand you grasp when you have fallen
And I will rescue your dignity from doubters.
Allow my eyes see what darkens the doors of your mind.
I will light the way and lead you to safe passage.
May my voice be the words you strain to speak.
I will herald the message and you shall be heard.
Give me authority to extinguish your anxiety
And allow my deeds defend your desires.
Trust and believe, that in the loyalty of your friendship,
Lies one who will guide, defend, and protect you.
For I am your shepherd, your strength, your shield.
I am the consigliore.


Love Always ... Isn't All Ways

And the signature read, "Love Always."
But just yesterday, you took friendship away,
Yet the signature read, "Love Always."
I sat reading a note, from the past that you wrote,
And my mind wandered the path of our youth;
How we climbed apple trees,...