Self-Exploration
The furthest shores within my mind
are lands whose sands I must explore—
becoming a conquistador;
to do this quest I am inclined.
Deposits await to be mined
for gems whose worth are rare, therefore,
the furthest shores within my mind
are lands whose sands I must explore.
The journey inward is designed
for those who will engage in war
against their inner Minotaur.
To gain insight, I sail to find
the furthest shores within my mind.
The Alcoholic’s Epiphany
I ponder on life with a stout
and wonder why it went afoul,
then drink until I fume and shout
at anyone who gives a scowl.
I wake inside a cell and think
that maybe I should quit the drink.
But once released, I retrogress,
and that is why my life’s a mess.
The Devil’s Trick
Invite the devil if you dare,
but do not be surprised if he
decides to bring along despair,
as you are swept out to the sea.
A sea of sin where many drown—
you can see them around the town;
their glimmer gone, a buried song,
waiting for death to come along.
Paul Millan currently resides in Glendora, California. His work has appeared on Lighten-Up Online, and will appear in Westward Quarterly.
Very nice poetry, Paul, and all very relatable. I especially like the first, although instead of distant shores, I have often considered the mind as a sort of Milky Way – your own personal final frontier; and who doesn’t often battle that “inner Minotaur”.