Ben Jones, Slate’s little brother, and Rob Crew, Bear, have been writing poetry. Actually songs, because I can hear them in my head. Here are a few of the songs, two written by Benny, the bulk written by Bear.

Ben Jones, lead singer and rhythm guitarist for Occupy Yourself

You know me best, and that’s the worst
Come through the walls, in whispered sighs
Pushed apart, families fight
Is it the blood, we know to try

Blame yourself, you’re not my face
Blame yourself, this ain’t my race
We fall together
Pushed apart
We know to try

There’s no denying, I’ve heard your voice
We fall together, destined for pain
Outlined and aching, I see your face
Lift to the ceiling, stand in the rain

Blame yourself, you’re not my face
Blame yourself, this ain’t my race
We fall together
Pushed apart
We know to try

2014 © MariaLisa deMora

Gone before I knew you,
Life was easier, made your case.
Love lost in your censure,
Hate growing, lodged in its place.

I was born into trouble
My brother’s burden
His life a waste
Because I was born into trouble
Lines were drawn
Plans were laid

Queen of what you hated,
Life gone wrong, no room for space.
Heels tottering in the nighttime,
Smears and fears of living, written on your face

Because I was born into trouble
I was born my brother’s burden
His life a waste
I was born into trouble
Lines were drawn
Plans were laid

2014 © MariaLisa deMora

Bear (Rob Crew), member Rebel Wayfarers MC

Bear’s song from a night scene set in 2012 St. Louis

The sky turned indigo overhead, and the nighttime breeze stroked our skin with fingers numb and blind.
I felt you shiver lying in our blanket-made bed, while the sadness and pain of leaving you flooded my mind.

There’s nowhere safer than in your arms,
Nowhere to be
I got nowhere to be
Leaving you is hard
Nowhere to be

There was joy between us when we came together, a brilliant collision of lives and love.
I grew with you and you made me better, goodbyes gone aside, no word from my blue-eyed dove.

There’s nowhere better than in your arms,
Now I got nowhere to be
Nowhere to be
You left me without goodbye
Nowhere to be

2014 © MariaLisa deMora

Bear wrote this after talking to Melanie in the clubhouse, early 2013

Frozen in the moment
Walking in the sand
Watching as the wind
Erased us from the land

We’ll never be the same
Time is not ours to tame
Let yourself be okay
Breathe into another day

Days all strung together
Like pearls around your neck
Pain forever present
Lashes an empty hulking wreck

We’ll never be the same
Time is not ours to tame
Let yourself be okay
Breathe into another day

It gets easier, gets easier
At least that’s what they say
Mistakes never forgotten
Impossible since that day

We’ll never be the same
Time is not ours to tame
Let yourself be okay
You’ll be okay
Breathe
Breathe into another day

2014 © MariaLisa deMora

Written the first time he had pen and paper after waking from a dream about Eddie just before leaving Chicago to meet Slate in Little Rock with Essa, 2013.

She comes to me, stealing my dreams, pocketing my sleep
Twining her fingers ‘round my soul, embracing my heart

Words indistinct, blurry unclear murmurs on my skin, impossible to keep
Tongue trailing paths, pleasing me, teasing my lips apart

Her grey eyes leave me breathless
I’m motionless
Still in space
Keeps the pace
Passionate and
Breathless

Walking out of sight, my gaze, pacing out of view
Looking for the woman, dark haired beauty, mine

Striding into my world, seconds to keep, barely few
Heart in pieces, all air is gone, hold the line

Her red lips leave me breathless
I’m motionless
Still in place
See her face
Adoring and
Breathless

2014 © MariaLisa deMora

Looking at the angels paint job on his tank before his run to Little Rock.

Beautiful faces, looking up at me
Beautiful souls, come with me

I’m going on a ride
Taking it out for a run and baby
You should see how much I miss your
Beauty and love
With me
You should come with me

Beautiful faces, watching up at me
Beautiful souls, come with me

There’s a simplicity
Flying low over the ground
Sharing this experience with you, my angels
Wind in our faces
Your hands on my hips
Teasing the breath from our lips

Beautiful faces, looking up at me
Beautiful souls, looking down
Looking down
Beautiful angels
Come with me

2014 © MariaLisa deMora

Bear wrote this as he was recovering from the beating in Des Moines.

I can’t understand the reasons
No consideration for the gain
Nothing burns slower than betrayal
Hanging around waiting, where’s the pain

Breaking, dawning, blooming
Hot anger takes the place of trust
Numb from staying, watching you
Belief and thoughts of rescue turn to dust

Rage into the air
Whirl to find you there
Floor spattered with me
Chaos erupts everywhere

Once brothers, see you cower
In that corner where light goes dim
Stretching, reaching for redemption
Sails flapping in changing wind, no trim

Patterns in the glass, shadows from the past
Streaming uncaring and sharp into view
Down we go, together this time
Every look at you reminds I am due

Rage into the air
Whirl to find you there
Betrayed by you
By you
Floor splattered with me
Chaos erupts everywhere
Owned by me
By me

Rage into the air
Betrayed

2014 © MariaLisa deMora

Written for his mother, when she came to live in Fort Wayne.

Then I see you, Long absence after
Your breath stirs memories in me
Talking through our laughter
Love together brings us in deep, Then we both see

Love bourne flooding
Everytime
We’ve been here before
Everytime
Love bourne coursing
I see you
Everytime

Holding, touching, Love reassuring each
Strung-together lives, Faces shining joy
Blood more thick than on the beach
Stroke my face, cup my cheek, Call me your boy

Love bourne flooding
Everytime
We’ve been here before
Everytime
Love bourne coursing

Entering memories into savings
Keeping close through our love

Love bourne flooding
Everytime
We’ve been here before
Everytime
Love bourne coursing
I see you, Mamma
Everytime

2014 © MariaLisa deMora

Written after Eddie came to the clubhouse to see him.

Tell me baby, what was it like for you
The first time ever we touched
When we came together, love in plain view
Wrapped around each other

There’s a world of love between us
Our joy greater
We got a world of love to get to
Everything you say and do
Through the years
I’ve loved you

Watching us, their eyes on everything we do
Uncaring of the audience
Thumb tracing your lips, we were brand new
A wealth of desires awaiting

There’s a world of love between us
Our joy greater
We got a world of love to get to
Everything you say and do
So many years
I’ve loved you

We waited, until the time was right
A world of love between us
Joy greater
So many years
I’ve loved you

2014 © MariaLisa deMora