Brendan Howard, Author

LIGHTHOUSE
(1987)

Loneliness fills his heart. The keeper waits for the proper moment to fire up the beacon. It shines like starlight into the pitch sky. His job finished he crams hands in pockets and descends the long stairway taking thoughtful steps. His mind starts to wander and he cannot recall why he does what he does. Reaching the ground floor he performs his tasks and glances at the door. Through a small glass window he spies the majesty of the wide sea rolling into forever. At that moment he feels the numb pain in his soul wither away to nothingness. He knows peace.

LIFE IS LIFE
(1986)

     What is life?
          Is it a cereal
that Mikey likes to eat?
          Is it a magazine
with neat covers
          and
     informative articles?
          Is it a board game
where you
          go to college
          get married,
          inherit an oil well,
          and have seven kids,
all in the same day?
          Or is it a state of being
     with random,
     meaningless,
     strange,
     and stimulating elements
such as the words you are presently reading?
     What is the answer?
                                   Hmmm...
     Could you repeat the question?

LANGUAGE
(1987)

and if "or" and "but"
appear
between and betwixt
but ain't
why was "where" where "when" was
when it was as it was?

MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY
(1988)

Awake
between oblivion and ecstasy
on a tightrope
not wishing to drop yet
tensed by the altitude
pattern in reflex
leaden lids
diffuse to black

VERTICAL OR HORIZONTAL?
(1989)

Granted, we have only known
Each other for a short
Time, but we’re both consenting

Adults. If I’m reading you right, then you
Want it as much as I do. No need to be
Awkward about it. Simply close your eyes and shut
Your mouth and enjoy the ride...
!

SENSATIONALISM
(1988)

Hoopla, hype, and judgement from the
Whuttering, sputtering talking head
Wearing a sharp jacket and tie as he disgraces the
Wench, as accused, with all her dirty laundry
While smirking to his scandal-hungry viewers

RUSH
(1988)

If an hourglass drops one grain at a time;
If a windstorm whips at a leisurely pace;
If the ocean ceases its turbulent lapping;
If eternity stretches across every day—

The passage of time relates to experience,
The length of a day somehow withers each year.
If the rush and the hustle were somehow erased
Would the impact of urgency soon disappear?