Summer In My Mind

Icicles are hanging down,
And the curtain’s overflowing.
I’m not sure where we’re headed now,
Not sure where we’re going.
The frigid air surrounds, then leaves me, numb – caught in a bind,
I just can’t help but feel, like it’s summer in my mind.

I can’t believe it’s happening –
I never thought that it’d be me.
If you only knew the lengths I’ve gone,
It’d be plain to see,
That even though the winter struck me like a blizzard – so unkind,
I just can’t help but feel, like it’s summer in my mind.

I’m honestly amazed to feel,
The warmth behind your smile.
If this passion has to end someday,
You know, it still would feel worthwhile.
For even with the frost that’s cooling up and down my spine,
I just can’t help but feel, like it’s summer in my mind.

The wind blows sharp like ice,
On a cold and iron storm.
I’m 25 years old,
And yet I’ve only just been born.
I’m living everyday inside a snow globe out-of-time,
I just can’t help but feel, like it’s summer in my mind.

Here you are, in front of me –
Your blue eyes still appear brand-new.
The light caresses your brown hair –
Even the sun’s in love with you.
Winter’s come and gone – spring has pushed it far behind,
But thanks to you it’s always been, summer in my mind.

 

 

 

 

 

To See The Earth With Hazel Eyes

To see the Earth with hazel eyes,
To spot the flies a-buzzin’ by,
Listen carefully for the sounds –
And keep both feet – firm on the ground.

To help push through a world of pain,
Where one grieves loss, while others gain –
Think hard upon the aching ones,
For we all share the rising sun.

To live a life and stare down death,
Where cries and laughter draw coupled breath –
Climb every daunting mountain peak,
Or you’ll never find the Earth you seek.

To wake up on the ocean floor,
To answer every knocking door –
Clear your mind and dip your hand,
Between the salty running sands.

To see the Earth with hazel eyes,
To taste the clean air in the sky,
Embrace your faults, both old and new –
There’s always something left to do.
It’s all about your point of view.

 

 

 

 

 

Putting Down The Torch

I’d like to think, that in another world,
There’d be luck that seems more kind –
But as it is, here right now,
There’s no hope for us to find.

It really isn’t easy,
To let go of something rare –
And shedding off your shelter,
Has robbed the sweetness from the air.

The fact is that today,
I’ve decided to let go –
Of the chains of futile hoping,
And give up the seeds I’ve sown.

I never thought I’d fail,
To repair this broken bond –
But there’s just no future waiting,
Here on this side of the pond.

I hold no anger towards you,
And I’m not even upset –
I hope you find who you deserve,
And I hope you don’t forget.

There are always new horizons,
If I just open up my eyes.
Years of tireless searching –
But love has always been close by.

It’s hard to find the beauty,
In a landscape that’s been scorched –
But if I burn this bridge, so be it,
For I’m putting down the torch.

 

 

 

 

 

Ode To The Artist

Ode to the artist,
Who cannot paint his mind,
With his pallet full of colors –
And his deadline far behind.

For once he held a passion
That was borderline devout,
Now his canvas – always bland,
And riddled in self-doubt.

I knew him once, before his fall,
And he appeared to hold the sun.
But every day must find its end,
Now his work is never fun.

One day as he wallowed,
In the mistakes of his past,
He picked up all his brushes,
The urge – returning fast.

With a neglected hand of sorrow,
He drew the strains inside his heart.
It seems this was his destiny,
He just needed to start.

Justin Albinder is a 26 year old poet, born and raised in New York, working towards a degree in forest ecosystem science. He is currently the Vice President of ESF’s Poetry Society.