Climb the Beanstalk: a poetic journey through light and dark (and places in-between)

by Shane Bailey

Overview

Climb the Beanstalk will take you on a journey that is profound, simple, funny, serious, deep and thought-provoking. These poetic writings span the gamut of subjects-from Christian to macabre to everyday life and all places in- between. The wide variety of topics is a reflection of the life and struggles of a gifted writer dealing with OCD and bi-polar disorder. Although this is not a biography, after reading the book you will feel like you know Shane in all depth, humor, and brilliance. After taking the roller coaster ride through his poetry you will better understand the bi-polar mind - for much of this book is a journey that Shane Bailey lived and these are places that he has been. As much as possible, the writing has been kept in its original condition, as Shane like to stretch the boundaries of "poetic license". His excessive use of capitalization, ellipses, and an occasional made -up word, add interest and intrigue to what is often an unconventional writing style.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781504910064
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	08/22/2016
Pages:	102
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.28(d)

Read an Excerpt

Climb the Beanstalk

a poetic journey through light and dark and places in-between

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By Shane Bailey, Don Bailey, Terri Bailey

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2016 Shane Bailey
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-5049-1006-4

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CHAPTER 1

A Christian Journey


"I could a died a thousand times
But He needed me to write these rhymes"

"When the night-tide trespasses the day-tide flare ...
And a winnowing tingle starts filling the air"

"He crushed his heart into a fine powder
And fed it to the piglet chowder"


BEANSTALK


I see a time far off someday
When my name falls upon "the late"
They'll look upon my home and say
"Why, that's the house where Shane Boy ate"
To reach his lucid dreamer state
When he was young
His momma slipped some magic beans onto his plate
And ever since he threw them out
And watched how rainfall grew them out
From that spot Once upon a time
He couldn't help but wish to climb
The stalk that only he could see
And conquer with an outstretch
What reached up to a Promised Land
Where angels played his Smphony


The Bright Side


'Tis madness to live a good life so it seems
Such good things do happen to those with bad dreams
And bad things to those who wish no ill at all
And they become crippled with hatred and fall
And every last blinking and still-beating breath
Becomes a step more toward a cynical death ...
Oh, but blessed is he who rejoices, rejoices
While hearing the cry of the troubling voices
It isn't a dreadful or cursed disease
To see in the shadows what no one else sees
To listen to audibles no one else hears
To fear the bright entities no one else fears
To care in the places where no one else cares
To tread through the places where no one else dares.
And he who can swim through the depths of the tide
Though he moves in the dark, he can feel the bright side
And blessed is he who can hear the earth weep
While the others around him do peacefully sleep
Ignoring the devils and creatures that creep
From the earth, to and fro, to the realms of the deep
He knows in his heart that he shares their fate too.
But he smiles a smile, cuz he knows what to do
And blessed is he who, though broken and tired
Can look to the heavens and feeling inspired
Can shut out the darkness and carry his plight
Who can run the good race and can fight the good fight


Peter Pan


    I used to think I's Peter Pan
    with magic powers, magic man
    obliged to pay whatever cost
    to save the ones who we call lost

    But then there came a whirlwind
    confusing me with my own sin
    Amusing me; a wink, a grin
    how it violently raged and shook
    I fell beside a narrow brook
    the reflection was a terrible inception
    cuz I had turned to Captain Hook

    It wasn't s'posed to be this way
    but all I knew to do was pray
    and cry upon this truthful Brook
    I cried for days, I cried and cried
    I thought the Vision in me died

    Then suddenly there came a hand
    emerging from the crystal sand
    I still cannot quite see the face
    but now I know I won't give in
    and now I'm Peter Pan again
    Caught up within a Holy Race
    Caught up within a Holy Chase


    One Night


    One night when the sun was up bright in the clouds
    Two men who were naked but covered in shrouds
    Stood up on their feet and sat under the stars
    And they played a quick rhythm upon air guitars
    An arrhythmic fella who owned a lone drum
    Heard the beat to perfection and started to strum
    A mute woman felt the drum strummy strum ring
    And she looked to the moon and she started to sing
    A deaf child heard the mute woman's true voice
    And she smiled her lovely and danced her rejoice
    A blind sailor from his ship down the bay
    Saw the whole thing unfold as he sailed away ...


    Hill


    On a hill long ago, a poor carpenter cried
    That the world would never abandon his side
    But they killed the poor fellow when they thought he lied
    They killed him alright, but He never quite died


    Selfless Deception


    So ... I was about to trade Your Name
    For a cup of temporary fame
    But Your presence it found me
    Potted paralyzed and bound me
    Without my permission
    You've put me in a selfless submission
    My heart longs for you NOW
    And nothing else will do.. .WOW
    My selfish desperation
    Has turned to desperation for this Nation


    Holy Fear


    I will not fear the calling sparrows
    nor wallow by the tidal sea
    Behold the man, his midday arrows
    What can these creatures do to me?

    There is a fear, a Holy fear
    that lives within our very breath
    And if you listen you will hear
    the fear that even conquers Death

    The perfect LOVE of staff and rod
    His kindling fire, smoke, and ash
    Salvation and water-born, the ONE TRUE GOD
    'Twas bought with every nail and lash

    Thanks be to God Who saved my soul
    Who reached into the pits of Hell
    and pulled me from the Fiery Hole
    His Spirit does within me dwell


    Dear John


    There's something to be said about a man who'd gladly lose his head ... for a
    cause ... Refused to put his tongue on pause even amid the jail cell walls ... In
    his BIG LIFE he had very little ... No bread and no Money ... Just his Maker,
    some locusts and honey ... John the Baptist you're a true inspiration ... Your
    story will be heard by every tribe, tongue, and nation


    Coming


    There is a day we're told about
    And sorry for all those who doubt
    This day rings loudly in my head
    The message simply must come out
    The Hero God is on His way!


    Do Not Forsake


    Do not forsake the gathering of Believers
    Do not forsake the scattering of Deceivers
    Do not forsake the cursing of Diseases
    Do not forsake the dispersing of Jesus


    Angels


    Angels are most Beautiful ... mild and dutiful ... yet fierce and wild. Makes me
    feel just like a child. Amid those ancient eyes ... It's like a disguiser lost his
    disguise. The shine that emanates from their being ... makes even the Thomas
    believe what he's seeing ...


We Have Many Names For You


We have many names for you
Deceiving and Iniquitous
And through the creep of human time
they've all become ubiquitous
down-trodden friend, how did it ever come to this?
I'm a curious lad if only you could hear me
why surely you've a moment from eternity to spare me
Oh, and what a sight that fateful night
when "good and evil" finally met
I wonder if you knew ... exactly how and
when it happened nobody really knows
'Twas from that place where you were driven
now you'll never, no you 'll never be forgotten or forgiven
He took away your harp and crown
cut off your limbs and threw you down?
blame the errors of the human game
It's puzzling, yes, to think about this tragedy
this creature that we know today
the angel that you used to be
Your story's end is DARK but TRUE
Potential lost is hard to bear
The symphonies we've yet to hear
The symphonies that died with you.
So sad to see you fall from GRACE
So sad to hear your story's end
Because you hated Second Place
I wished SO MUCH to call you friend.
and if only I could somehow see you now
just wishing to hold your harp and crown again


Freak


Freak ... That's what they say you are
It hurts ... it leaves a brutal scar ...
It's pain ... and it leaves a horrible stain ... cuz that's what you are ... right? ...
But think of the One who went first ...
Who's painful scars stand out the worst ...
Jesus ... that's what they said about Him
Hey Freak! Why can't you just be quiet ...
We'll kill ya' if you start a riot
Twinkle somewhere else you ... dangerous Little Star ...
Never know what you are
Can't you see we glisten ...
We're up too far ... to listen
From our banner thrones
They spoke in the same sorta tones
But He shot them down one by one
This Holy Man – this Holy Son
With a holy gun ... He shot them down
Because it was He who wore the crown ‐ not they
So when someone says Hey Hey
You's just a freak ... you's a kook
When you speak it gives us a spook
When we see your face we wanna puke
I know it's hard not to lash out
And feel ugly and hated and berated and wanna slash out and shout ...
But know you are not alone ...
And behind every hateful groan, there is the fool waiting to be found
And behind every spiteful tone there is a jewel
In staying peaceful and sound
Like the One ... like the Son
So be a freak like Him ... it's okay
When they say hey hey ... stay meek and mild like Him
For you are His child
And the way He thinks of you ...
Is so very different and beautiful ... and this Beauty is what's true ...

AMEN


Midnight Walk


It's 12 o'clock
My midnight walk
The stars – My friends, and they all talk
Insomnia has many pills
But this is not a brain mistake
It's just – I'd rather be awake
To feel the choice of moonlight thrills ...
There's music in the air at night
That isn't present in the day
And though it's dark, it feels SO bright
The angels have come out to play ...
The sounds that rain down from the skies
So beautiful ... can't shut these eyes
They seem to hold a silver speck
Like something timeless bit my neck ...
I just won't sleep ... I'll sell my bed
And rest in Heaven when I'm dead ...

Document


    You proclaim, "Blessed are the peacemakers" ... but what say you of the peacetakers? In
    God we trust? Brother? My friend, we're in rust ... why have we turned to another end? ... It
    gives me great grief ... that half of my brother has lost his belief ... I don't remember the last
    prayerful time ... or even so much as a tearful rhyme ... and I'm. I'm ... the fool to blame.
    cuz in school ... prayer is still the same ... Nonexistent ... It's true ... why haven't I been more
    persistent ... with you ... When did the peaceful blue ... turn to bloodshed red? ... When did the
    peaceful rings ... turn to probing pings ... and other wanton things? ... I can remember "all the
    good things you are" ... Remember when you played guitar? ... and just for fan and praising.
    not for bloodstains and hazing ... Can you come back, Dear Brother.. .and play good music
    with me ... just like it used to be? ... Like it used to be.

    OCD


    Turn your obsessions
    – yoyr greated confessions to him
    Cry while your head is doing things
    that seen wild, yet productive
    The burden that you place upon
    the heart becomes destructive

    Silence


    The bright ideas you fail to mention
    Become a leader to pretension
    This leads to hatred and dissension
    So don't forget to give your pension

    Heaven Calls


    I hate to feel my own poor voice, it rattles me into the mirror ... The
    imperfection of my choice,
    it's all I see and hear ... I hate to look into my room, I hate to look into the
    bank ... It feels like such
    an empty gloom cuz it reveals my earthly rank. But something calls to those
    who'll hear ...
    However loud or weakly faint. Whatever differing restraint ... It feels beyond this
    sucking
    fear ... Like all is not a pointless chase ... Through woods so lovely Dark and
    Deep ... it isn't
    such a Random Race ... Cuz He has promises to keep ... With our utmost potential
    full – Then
    EVERYONE is musical ... All geniuses, How cool, How cool ... And all of us are
    beautiful.
    Like nothing that we've known before – See no one NEEDS to take a drink ... and
    no one
    hungers anymore.We're filled with thoughts we WANT to think.and moving is no
    task at
    all ... And those whose darkness stole their prize, will never stumble, slip, or
    fall ... Cuz they
    have brand-new blessed eyes ... And NO ONE'S ever cold or sick ... See, it's the
    GREATEST
    Magic Trick ... But now is just a glimpse to glean ... Will you believe in what
    you've seen?

Heaven's Dares


I've seen the show of darkness and I'm not that all impressed
It comes to those who give in to the fear and are distressed
A trick or two, a flick for you
A little inch by inch
Don't give in to worry, let its desire make you flinch
See none compares to Heaven's dares, to know all that you're worth
It trumps even the greatest fears, the greatest show on earth

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Climb the Beanstalk by Shane Bailey, Don Bailey, Terri Bailey. Copyright © 2016 Shane Bailey. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

A Christian Journey, 1,
Beanstalk, 2,
The Bright Side, 3,
Peter Pan, 4,
One Night, 5,
Hill • Selfless • Deception • Holy Fear, 6,
Dear John • Coming • Do Not Forsake • Angels, 7,
We Have Many Names For You, 8,
Freak, 9,
Midnight Walk, 11,
Document • OCD • Silence, 12,
Heaven Calls • Heaven's Dares, 13,
Fall, 14,
The Art Of Mime • Quarterback • The Seed And The Stone, 15,
Drinking Ego • Servant • American Idol • Tryin', 16,
7 Men Inside, 17,
For Brooke, 18,
Eli's Song, 19,
Symphony Universe • Sailing • I'm Alive, 20,
God Reflected, 21,
An Everyday Journey, 23,
When I Was Four, 24,
Rainbow?, 25,
I'm A Writer • Piano Poem, 26,
Super Hero, 27,
Great Heights • Hero • Turn, 28,
Bullies • Eyes, 29,
Second Line Beat • Stars Have Crossed • Someone, 30,
Be Careful • Better, 31,
The Plane, 32,
When Thirst Does Come, 33,
The Old Man, 34,
Tones • Rain • Words, 35,
Everyday Temptations, 36,
Social Fist, 37,
Arbuckle Island, 38,
I Had A Dream • Colors, 39,
Remember The Days, 40,
Pookie's Song, 41,
A Macabre Journey, 43,
The Phantom Of Morbidity, 44,
Dilly Treasure Pills, 45,
The Murderer Of Solemn Gloom, 46,
Utopium, 48,
I Saw Their Faces, 50,
Used To Know, 51,
The Magician, 52,
Evanescent Wonderland, 54,
String Puppet Theory, 57,
Nine-Eleven Rap, 58,
A Christian Journey Continued, 61,
Newtown Shooting, 62,
Stars And Stripes, 63,
Just A Moment's Sake, 64,
Timelessness, 65,
The Tree, 66,
God Reigns • I Can't Keep Quiet, 67,
Alive, 68,
Pedastool • A Dream • Goaled, 69,
Wings • The Battle, 70,
Sand Castles, 71,
The Call • Scales • Trust, 72,
Holy Dove • New Day, 73,
Tell You What • Peace, 74,
Another Story • Let It Show, 75,
Drummer Boy, 76,
My Best, 78,
Facebook Posts, 81,
Shane's Song, 89,