Changes

It has been over a year since I have written here. It has been a hell of a year. I cant truly say I am who I was. So much has changed. I will go into depth on what has changed as the weeks go by. With that said it was a few friends that have inspired me to write. One is a woman whose blog is so beautiful it inspired me to write again. Another is a woman living in LA who I love and adore who was quite insistent that I get back to writing no matter how many hats I am wearing. The last was a new friend, someone whom I would say is a truly great person. He didnt tell me to write, nor did he write, we talked one day about our lives and he took action. He looked at his life, decided there was certain things that he needed to change, bad habits, several of which oddly enough that we share. I saw him less than a week later and he had done it on all fronts. I am so damn impressed. He just did. No more excuses, no more “shoulds” “coulds” or “woulds”, it was just done. It wont be easy for him and there isnt that next day satisfaction but he is doing it. He is giving it the hard work and dedication that it requires. Its time I think that I did the same. Time to man up. I will still put in the occasional poem or excerpt from the books published and unpublished. But this will be my life in words.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/robert-thomas-gladwin/50773790224?ref=ts

Tomorrow

tomorrow I will get in shape

tomorrow I will quit smoking

tomorrow I will start making a difference

tomorrow I will register to vote

and start that diet

funny how it always seems to be tomorrow

everyday I say that tomorrow is the day

but hopefully

one of these days

tomorrow

will be today

Memories

I often find myself dreaming of the future, contemplating the things to come, in an effort to prevent being caught off gaurd by anything.  I spend so much time thinking about the next moment I often forget to enjoy the one I am in, which I believe is a key to life. But today is an unusual day, I am not thinking of the future or living in the present, I am just thinking of the past. A seemingly constant stream of memories, like a highlight reel of my life. I don’t know why, but I am thankful. I am remembering camping trips with friends, days at the lake, kisses on the beach, nights sitting in a restaurant  just talking, sitting and listening to an entire album in silence with a friend, sitting up all night drinking wine, going to the gym with a friend and pushing each other too far every time, sitting in a tin shack chain smoking and speaking as foully as we could think, making a game of insulting eachother, watching “Heroes” every monday, making a promise to a girl on a dock that we would look up at the stars every Friday night for the rest of our lives, endless summers of basketball, more parties then I care to admit to, getting my first book in the mail, holding my daughter for the first time,  hearing her say “I love you”, long walks with someone special, writing love letters for no one, writing love letters for somone, many more flood to mind but I have gone on too long. All and all though I think the flood of memories has been a blessing, no matter what is going on in the now, and in the future, there has been so many happy moments past, I sit here and have to be grateful. I hope whoever is reading this can take a moment and remember a truly happy moment.

Here is a link where you can pick up the latest book.

http://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Secret-Robert-Thomas-Gladwin/dp/1608362213

Shatner, Twilight zone, and the big book of stereotypes

So I saw a commercial today with William Shatner, and oddly enough instead of Star Trek I thought of Twilight Zone. Then my mind spiraled off into my favorite episodes of the show. Then one stuck out in my mind, for whatever reason. In the episode a dying man makes his money grubbing family wear masks until midnight if they want to get their inheritance. At the end of the episode the old man dies and the family removes their masks, only to find the hideous masks shapes has become their face. I thought about this and for the first time it occurred to me I think this is what happens at some point in our lives. We all pick a mask, one we like at the time or feel we must accept, we put it on, but all too often, just like the episode we become that mask. Like opening the big book of stereotypes picking one and settling in to that for the rest of our lives. Myself I picked “Poet/Writer” which had many stereotypes attached to it that I didn’t take the time to read. Though unlike the episode I think we have a chance to have a sort of plastic surgery for the soul. Choice is the scalpel with which we create our image. We can choose to reopen the book of stereotypes and pick a new one or hopefully just write our own.

As always a poem that relates from “Conversations in secret” http://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Secret-Robert-Thomas-Gladwin/dp/1608362213

The Masks We Wear

How can you tell who is real?

so many masks

so many lies

why do people wear these disguises?

So afraid to be who they are

they bury themselves

beneath layers of what

they believe others want

until the day comes

when they believe

their own façade

is who they are

and their unique beauty is lost

to the world

The Masks We Wear

How can you tell who is real?

so many masks

so many lies

why do people wear these disguises?

So afraid to be who they are

they bury themselves

beneath layers of what

they believe others want

until the day comes

when they believe

their own façade

is who they are

and their unique beauty is lost

to the world

The journey….

I picked up a book that I set down far too long ago. The Dharma bums by Jack Kerovac. It is a story of a man (probably Kerovac) riding the rails, experimenting with life, and opening himself up to different forms of spirituality, new people, new places, and just enjoying the journey of life without worrying for a destination. Now obviously we can not all live this lifestyle, nor would necessarily want to. Being homeless and wandering the country is not always an appealing lifestyle. But the adventure is something we can have in everyday life. We sometimes get so goal oriented that we forget that it is how we live each day that makes a difference. I think we also fall into ruts in our lives and get lost in routine. The only thing needed to break these habits is to do something different. Take a moment and do something new, make little changes. Go out and volunteer. Read a book that is different that what you would normally read, or about something you don’t understand. Go for a drive, just pick a direction and drive, see where the road takes you. Take a moment and talk to someone you normally just pass by. Say yes to something you might say no to because you are apprehensive. Do something you have always thought about but never gotten to. Test yourself. Move outside your comfort zone. Watch a new tv show or movie. The point I am making is that we have to experience life if we to grow as people. No matter where we are at in life we probably do not know everything, and more often then not the greatest learning tool is expierence.

Go to the online bookstore and search “Robert Thomas Gladwin” to get a copy of the book for just 6.99 http://www.publishamerica.com/

or on amazon….

http://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Secret-Robert-Thomas-Gladwin/dp/1608362213/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248234078&sr=8-1

Or just ask for it in your local bookstore.

Nothing is impossible

I am beginning to feel quite stubborn. I want to do something that the world considers impossible.  I am reminded of times in history when the world said it couldn’t be done until someone did it. For example they said it was impossible to run under a 4 minute mile until someone did it in the Olympics. The next summer games several people did it. Life is full of these moments when people have bent and broken the rules and expanded the worlds perception of what is possible. We all too often say that there are things that are unachievable, peace in the middle east, fixing the environment, curing diseases. Also I see people lose battles in their own life because they begin to believe that they cant, that it is impossible. I assure you whatever it is there is a way, you just haven’t found it yet. The only time something becomes impossible is when we give up.They say no one will ever make a living as a poet, never sell a million copies, I even heard a Pulitzer prize winner say it, we’ll see….

http://www.publishamerica.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?Search=Yes

Just search Robert Thomas Gladwin

A dear friend lost….

I lost someone today. A dear friend has left this world. It was a dog friend. He was not my dog but I did help raise him, and more importantly I loved him dearly. I will not go into the details of his death in this blog, all you need to really know is that he is gone and he was and still is loved. He was a wonderful dog that I could write volumes about, but as it pertains to this moment it has caused me to reflect a bit. It reminds me of the fragility of life on this rock spiraling through space, the importance and the preciousness. I think too often we dismiss the importance of life and how lucky we are to have it. Not to mention animal life. We often put ourselves above animals because we think of ourselves as more intelligent and more valuable then them. This dog loved, and comforted. He remembered old friends when years had passed since he had seen them. He was kind and protective. He was wonderful. His life had value. He had many qualities that I aspire to in myself.

From “Conversations in secret”

http://www.publishamerica.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?Search=Yes

Intelligence

They are loyal

they kiss everyone they see

no matter race, religion

sexual orientation, or beauty

they want only what they need

nothing more nothing less

they will fight to the death

to protect you

without a second thought

and yet we think that we are

infinitely more intelligent

than dogs

Intelligence

They are loyal

they kiss everyone they see

no matter race, religion

sexual orientation, or beauty

they want only what they need

nothing more nothing less

they will fight to the death

to protect you

without a second thought

and yet we think that we are

infinitely more intelligent

than dogs

thoughts in the clouds

I sit here with my digital typewriter, looking at my life and the world in a time of transition. My life is in some transition in nearly every sense. They say that the only constant is change, but there are always times in our lives where the changes are more dramatic and obvious. The big decisions with the big consequences. I watch eagerly as the nation and the world begins to hit the wonderful point where they can no longer ignore the changing societies and must now take action. The ideas of the past begin to wash away and the world moves a little closer to the goal. The goal I would imagine in the heart of all of us is peace and everyone having what they need. In this time of personal transition I have similar goals of inner and outer peace in my life, and having my life be what I desire when imagine it. As for the world, what I find encouraging is the sense that all over the world people and governments are starting to make the world peaceful, and help each other in the ways that matter. I see old enemies compromising for peace, and old ideals being finally let go for the hope of making the world a place where we all have a chance to live happy content, peaceful lives.

From my book Conversations in secret available here….

http://www.publishamerica.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?Search=Yes

Path to peace

The moments where

we express desires

are most crucial,

for they shape us

more than anything.

If we long for the power

to control lives

power will control us.

Same can be said of anything

lust, greed, vengeance

if we crave them

they will consume us,

but if we

want only what will benefit

the world

we send ripples

of selflessness

and we gain

a sense of unity

with all things.

If we united behind this belief

we would know true peace.

Path to peace

The moments where

we express desires

are most crucial,

for they shape us

more than anything.

If we long for the power

to control lives

power will control us.

Same can be said of anything

lust, greed, vengeance

if we crave them

they will consume us,

but if we

want only what will benefit

the world

we send ripples

of selflessness

and we gain

a sense of unity

with all things.

If we united behind this belief

we would know true peace.

Superman

I am watching a documentary on comic books. I have always adored comic books. I learned to read a bit late I was almost eight. I wasn’t interested for whatever reason, until one day my dad sat me down with a Superman comic. I began reading all the time and by the time I was ten I was in advanced reading classes. That was my introduction to the world of reading. Now that I have two books in print I attribute much of that to the world of comics.

The other major effect it had on me was morality. I was raised with good morals, but not with any specific religion. So when I had a moral quandary what I asked myself was what would Superman do? What would Batman do? It might seem silly or sad to you, but they were wise. They were always willing to do whatever they could to help other people. They gave speeches about living by a higher standard. They were uncompromising in their moral standards. They loved deeply and endlessly. They sacrificed everything for the greater good of others. I may not be Superman, or any of the others but living by thier standards the world would be a better place.

http://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Secret-Robert-Thomas-Gladwin/dp/1608362213/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246080630&sr=8-1

Bright Red S

I still want to wear it

the bright red S

right on my chest

I don’t want the glory

or even the power

I just want to help

help the world to seem bright again

isn’t that what he did?

being a standard

for us all to live by

that’s all I really want

just to be someone

that helps others

by being the best they can

Bright Red S

I still want to wear it

the bright red S

right on my chest

I don’t want the glory

or even the power

I just want to help

help the world to seem bright again

isn’t that what he did?

being a standard

for us all to live by

that’s all I really want

just to be someone

that helps others

by being the best they can

Better to be easy…

I have a friend who describes himself as a simple man. He often mocks poetry because he says that he can understand it and it seems like gibberish. I, being a poet of course had a hard time understanding. I understood that sometimes poetry was filled with metaphors and that could be confusing but it wasn’t until I saw an interview on TV that it truly made sense. I wont outright say who it was or even elude to it, but I will say that this poet is very well respected. They did an interview and then read a poem. It was awful. It was gibberish, devoid of any real meaning, but it was beautifully worded. Now I have read many poets old and new and the thing that separates them to me is their focus. Simply put some focus on form and pretty words, some focus on the content of the poem.

For me I find that it is the content that matters more. I give no thought whatsoever to form. I think a little about the flow of my words, but truly focus on making whatever point it is that I am trying to make in that piece. I keep it simple. I am not saying that there is no value in a poem, or any writing, being beautifully worded, surely that is what makes a great writer, but I think the best writers write from the heart and the beautiful construction of their words is simply a byproduct.

I would think it better just to be easy to read and still make people think….

http://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Secret-Robert-Thomas-Gladwin/dp/1608362213/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245816550&sr=8-1

Obama thank you

I had thought all day as to what I would write tonight. I decided on something that I will write on tomorrow. I feel it must wait because I was inspired by a moment that I have often dreamed of. I saw a commercial for universal health care. Now it isn’t the health care that I have dreamed of (though i am all for it).  There were two things that got to me.

One, at the end of the commercial there was my states senators number and an urging to call and be heard. I love that people are getting involved on a larger level. Americans have fought and defended the ideal that we have the right to representation. More and more I am seeing people take that seriously. They are becoming active and paying attention to what policies are being made. I can only hope the days of sitting back and watching are gone and we will start to claim our right as Americans to stand up and be heard.

Second, I had a startling realization. Things are changing. My life has often been dreaming of the world changing, becoming better. With President Obama in office I believe that now there is someone in the white house that shares that ideal and knows how to get there. He will surely make mistakes as we all do, but he is making changes that are motivated with thoughts of peace and prosperity for all. Beyond what he does in the office the president has inspired a nation. He has woken us from our apathetic coma, and opened our eyes to the fact that each person does matter, and we can make our dreams become a reality. I hope that each person will look out to the world of government and say “we can make it better”, but perhaps the most important step is for each of us to do that in our own lives.

This poem I wrote after I watched the inauguration of President Obama

President Hope

I have never had much faith in politicians

They lie

They manipulate

They steal

and so on

but I have always wanted to.

Recently for the first time ever

I have let my guard down

just a little

ok a lot

I have hope

I trust him

I think we have the same ideas

and goals for this country

I believe he is worth believing in

And that is something entirely new for me

Maybe this nation has a chance

after all.

These are poems from “Conversations in secret” Most of which were written during the Bush administration.

http://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Secret-Robert-Thomas-Gladwin/dp/1608362213/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245739602&sr=8-1

Speaking to a Symbol

I went to the statue of liberty

when no one was around

and much to my surprise

she was crying.

Naturally I asked

“what’s wrong?”

“I wont be here much longer.”

I didn’t understand

but I was talking to a statue

so I asked “why?”

“I am not just a statue

I am a symbol.”

She was weeping even harder now.

She continued

“My flesh is metal

but I am freedom.

As your freedoms

slip through your fingers

I die more and more.

And soon I shall cease

altogether,

and even the steel will crumble

for it was only a shell

for your freedom.”

Then I started to cry

I couldn’t handle it

I had felt the changes

in this country

but done nothing

and now she was dying.

113

I had let her rot and decay

and now a symbol

would die,

I had to ask,

“Can I help?”

she kneeled down

and picked me up,

put me right next to her mouth

and whispered to me

“You must fight for me!”

Speaking to a Symbol

I went to the statue of liberty

when no one was around

and much to my surprise

she was crying.

Naturally I asked

“what’s wrong?”

“I wont be here much longer.”

I didn’t understand

but I was talking to a statue

so I asked “why?”

“I am not just a statue

I am a symbol.”

She was weeping even harder now.

She continued

“My flesh is metal

but I am freedom.

As your freedoms

slip through your fingers

I die more and more.

And soon I shall cease

altogether,

and even the steel will crumble

for it was only a shell

for your freedom.”

Then I started to cry

I couldn’t handle it

I had felt the changes

in this country

but done nothing

and now she was dying.

I had let her rot and decay

and now a symbol

would die,

I had to ask,

“Can I help?”

she kneeled down

and picked me up,

put me right next to her mouth

and whispered to me

“You must fight for me!”

Time to Stand Together

It’s our fault you know

there are thousands of them,

but millions of us.

If a third of us stood together

we could remake our home

from coast to coast,

without violence or anger

we can fight back.

We can mold the potential

of our fore fathers

in to a country

beyond their greatest dreams.

We just have to stand together.

What Patriotism Is to Me

I am a patriot,

some will read my words

and label me

with all sorts of names,

Anarchist,

Traitor,

Terrorist,

Hippie,

but labels are the way

the foolish

try to categorize

people and life.

But I am a patriot

because I believe a patriot doesn’t just

sit back and pay taxes,

and smile and nod when his country

is out of control.

A patriot looks for the flaws

so he can help his homeland to become better.

He screams at injustice

and sacrifices his time to

fight the government

when it is doing wrong.

When the people are oppressed

whether they know it or not,

a patriot stands tall

and cries for freedom

even if that freedom costs

all that he holds dear.

So I am a patriot

Not because I love my country

But because I am willing

to stand against anyone that threatens

our freedom,

Foreign or Domestic!

Courage

I know you are afraid.

I know the world seems scary,

and the events in recent years

have petrified you.

And I know it feels like

a lot is at stake,

and it is,

but don’t let that fear

control you,

or the ones who give you that fear

(The government

The media

Outside threats)

will control you,

and everything we truly value

about life (Freedom)

will be taken away.

All because we are scared.

Don’t let your fear

overcome your courage

to stand up

for what is right.