Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet

on we go with my shameless book promotion time! continuing with my 2021 collection ‘from my front steps.' can you ever have what you truly want? i lose my appetite thinking about it… ‘from my front steps' is available on amazon for your reading pleasure. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review. today's selection is: ‘not hungry anymore' seems as though everyone's insidechilling skin and protecting themselvesbarriers come in cloth nowas if words did not infect enoughi sunburn my eyesso i can't see what i'm thinking my verse fuels visions and in this heat paragraphs and boozedo not dispel reality so easilydinner seems a welcome thought to fill meso too, once, the thought of you and iyou made it clear you couldn't stomach thatand force-fed i had no choice but digest.these days i am hardened but liquidspilling quietly from the seamsand i can't smell what the neighbors are cookingor tell you you've ripped out my gutswhen i was quite content with the wayyou stole my heart.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

more of my shameless book promotion time! continuing with my 2021 collection ‘from my front steps.' at the time of its writing, i was struggling with the effects of spinal stenosis, masking the pain with copious amounts of booze and unwilling to lean into self-healing even while i still readily helped others. i had to learn that healers have their own process, and timeline, before accepting and stepping into what they already own. ‘from my front steps' is available on amazon. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review. today's selection is: ‘chronic pain' it's borrowed time sitting atop my front stepsno longer can my spine withstand the compressioni grit teeth and knock the amber down my throatdisconnecting anguish from realitymonth by month bowing just a bit morein my head i am still who i can no longer become stare into my eyes before they dull overthere before you the illusion i've married—i am whole; i am whole—but i am nothing. and i am tired. and i am worn;the humidity rolling down my ribsa reprieve to the fire rollingthru my core.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

more of my shameless book promotion time! continuing with my 2021 collection ‘from my front steps.' covid-19 was a helluva time, wasn't it? it began to expose the ugly divide in our country. the selfishness. it only made you wonder if reality was truly a fabrication, & how dependent we are on crutches to see ourselves through… ‘from my front steps' is available on amazon. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review. today's selection is: ‘the forgotten phase' the country closed tightthough like an old whoresome parts insist on parting openaccepting the dime but not the dollarcommon sense priceless and drying in jarsmoonshine gone the way of lemonadeand the sober guzzle itwhile the drunks measure the fingersclinging inside the glasslaughing cause they get it—the hard stuff lends the buzzbut reality is what'll get ya—with swimming heads they toast the drowningknowing thru abandoned heartsthey trained for the marathonnot the race. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

moving along on my shameless book promotion time, another excerpt from my 2021 collection ‘from my front steps.' my daughter is on the spectrum & it's been a tough journey for all involved. everything is a challenge, right down to making friends. it's broken my heart, even while her own knows no bounds.  ‘from my front steps' is available on amazon. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review. today's selection is: ‘if i'm okay'she's having her first sleepover i can feel her glow from down the blockshe's found a friend who accepts her as she isit's all i could ever ask fora lesson i pray she learnswithout my constant remindingit's hard being a fathertrading football jersey for dollsa stern tongue for princess voicesand i'd be a liar if i said i wasn't a bit sadand i'd be a liar if i said i won't consult the stuffed animals lining her bed tonighthoping they'll ask in inflections i impersonateif i'm okay. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

it's shameless book promotion time! i've already shared poetry from my collections ‘a distilled spirit' and ‘scotch & scars.' now we move along to my 3rd collection from 2021, ‘from my front steps.' unlike the books preceding it, where my poetry was selected to make a collection, this was my first attempt at actually writing for a collection. it became a breakthrough of sorts for me. while covid-19 shut life down during the summer of 2020, i decided on a challenge: in only a few days and while sitting atop my front steps, i would write a small collection to whatever i was witnessing or feeling. what came through were the first tellings of my newfound spirituality, my trademark ruminations and a tale of unrequited love. ‘from my front steps' is available on amazon. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review. today's selection is: ‘prophecies and promises' my tarot spoke of a storm comingbut the weatherman didn't warn meso i poured a bourbon and a beerand took to my front steps hopingto divine what the fine lines of my uni-ball pen conjuredwithin a one subject notebooklacking the muscle to supportthe entirety of my complexity something i have endured thru thisthe celtic cross spread of my lifewhile atop the horizon goliaths gatheredchurning in tease of prophecies and promisesi have waited for in unwavering faithtortured by sutured lips of spiritwhose grand notebook far dwarfsmy own.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

i am nothing but misplaced hope. ‘where gone summer' firecracker mouth thinks it's julythe heat, one syllabic meltand the bleat, bang bang misplaced hope in a waffle conecrumbled into a tree that diedrolled a joint i can't smokefell out the window on east 54th now like a litterbug dropping christmas lightsjoy comes tangled and unpluggedbut sants loves me more than jesusone delivers one don't snowman inflatables depreciate under eyesif mistletoe hung kiss me therei'm told i taste of sulfur and silenceconfession my feet never soaked summer's saltholidays roll faster year by yearno fucks given wrapped ribbonly should i hear before the sleighmy roof's collapsingunder weight adults sayis imaginary. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

a winning hand. ‘casino 1:46 am' i've drunk myselfinto an oblivionthe kind of whichthat spins the worldwhile you stumblestanding still. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

after awhile you don't feel the blows… ‘when i get home' dreaming of uttered exclamationsjoyful breaths across my neck instead i hear your baptized insistencevolley from an old war echoing across the knoll.the chest no longer bloomsthough alive with booted movementsolemn unacceptabilities marching in a cadence led straight to slaughter;and in another breath like a lifetimei find beneath my lids an indefinable shame i've clutched for far too long.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

in need of an anchor, i found what sunk me… ‘the dubious monster' a few points raised by the unhappy mistressas her blue eyes shoneso cerebral in their collapse:it's a shameful ruin,the dubious monster,whose death escapes within its very arms. gently i reached into my pocketand between silence and dreamchose a purpled palm of light. so i see.returning the sameas you gave.a vast nothing.  her tongue fixed on the faithful echoof what she wished to be,but wasn't.circumstance is like a stream,carrying you awayinto a larger body, waiting.no expression betrayed us;we are who we are. there is something so degradingto be found in darknessbut like water, it cleanses.her hand like bleeding silkdismissed meand with considerable efforti pulled what remained of meback between my arms. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

go ahead. underestimate the quiet ones. ‘back off' got a scotch in one hand. a bad attitude in the other. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

all of me, nothing but shadow… ‘worthy' my expression, nothing that isworthy of a beautiful breath;these days displeasure crosses meas most women i have loved,locked under the furrow of my broweyes each a shuttered house i live as a candle blown out—a statement to which no responsewill ever materialize,unfazed even by the splintered corkspoiling bottle,penciled figure awaiting color, a silent star from which hopeperpetually collapses.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

you claim it's communication. i beg to differ. ‘unconditional coldness'  objections like leaves fallfrom mouths unconscious droughtspestilent assemblages of air,swirlingintention prohibited  our feet gifting unconditional coldness. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

i can't take it anymore. ‘taking' the drive is mundanethe scenery is mundane— he takes the trash pail from the drivewayshe takes mail from the boxthe dog takes a shit on the grassthe family takes the walk and takes the shit from the lawnhe takes time from the neighborshe takes heavy bags to the dooreveryone is taking somethingfrom everyone somewhere. you take it all in. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

smooth. she's so smooth… ‘she walks' she walks with summer's swoon, breeze at her backregal considerations alwayson her tongue and you would certainly fall in line behind her, mesmerizedby the cadence of her stilettos alone;alone, she thinks.she rips the cigarette from her mouth and crushes it against the sidewalk, stained red from an unloved mouth.  *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

concluding shameless book promotion time from my 2020 collection ‘scotch & scars!' what is said when nothing is said at all? how could a vacant look carry so much weight..? ‘scotch & scars' is available on amazon for your reading pleasure. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review. today's selection is:  ‘scotch and scars' in the lonely you'll find meshuffling in come boneseyes congealed with secretscontained from spilling lips sewnsave corners there the mouth partsawaiting counsellor's twist of capspilled not poured we drink allour scotch and scarsfilling glasses, raising fleshto the brim. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

shameless book promotion time! continuing with my 2nd poetry collection ‘scotch & scars' from 2020. anatomy lesson: the bones hold you up but certainly don't keep you together…  ‘scotch & scars' is available on amazon for your reading pleasure. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review. today's selection is:  ‘bone and matter' you're completely ignorantto the fact that i diedeath upon death after midnightglass to lips as sweet oblivionlulls me again. i do not know what resurrects me;the pain, the desire to self-medicate,the justice of self-flagellation— no matter the truth remains i am a corpsewhite bone and grey matter;in every way i do not matter. in every way, i hardly matter.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

shameless book promotion time! sipping again from my 2nd poetry collection ‘scotch & scars' from 2020. it hits you sometimes…most times…a truth that in your sober you deny. but not anymore… ‘scotch & scars' is available on amazon for your reading pleasure. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review. today's selection is: ‘one more' the perception is you drink too much when you are alone; the reality is you are alone. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

so tell me…how do you share the comfort..? ‘best of intentions' repeated, her legitimate question:“how do you console the blackstreams of memory?how do you distinguish miles from a slowly shimmering mirage?” suffice to say the bright of my eyesfadedand i softly cleared my throat“glory and illusion are inseparable,”i told her,“still i'm not one to gloat.you see, the fearless man perishesfor every right he's ever donerecognized faith turns suicideall convenience stripped of hope.” her mouth churned a funeral orationand from that moment i knewshe'd bury me with the best of intentions. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

shameless book promotion time! another selection from my 2nd poetry collection ‘scotch & scars' from 2020. a hill to some is a mountain to others. light to some is darkness to others. i guess what i'm saying is please don't ever judge unless you wear the same shoes… ‘scotch & scars' is available on amazon. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review. today's selection is: ‘bank account' all the money in the worldwhy would he go and hang himself? i pondered the questionsipped my scotchwhile conversation surged through the baran incoming tide of bewildermentand bullshit. i had one more for the road. sometimes i drive the highwaywhen it is empty and darkwith my eyes closed tight. i do this without a buck to sparein my wallet.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

shameless book promotion time! continuing with my 2nd poetry collection ‘scotch & scars' from 2020. a meal is just that, a meal. but did you also know that chow is a harbinger for many a relationship? you didn't? luckily now you do. and you didn't have to count any calories to find out, either… ‘scotch & scars' is available on amazon. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review. today's selection is:  ‘pizza' they sit masticating dreamsfrom cold crustthumbing through their phonessharing slices of pie. the cheese binds themstronger than their promisesmundane conversationreduced to crumbs. the only thing left to rouse thema dash of hot sauce.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

shameless book promotion time! the spotlight shines on my 2nd poetry collection ‘scotch & scars !' i released ‘scotch & scars' in 2020, two years after ‘a distilled spirit.' while the collection still featured ‘bar observations,' it did begin to reveal more of my darker thoughts and emotions. good, raw poetry should be unflinching and that's where ‘scotch & scars' delivers. also, it helped that every single one of the poems contained within was written with (many) a scotch. ‘scotch & scars' is available on amazon. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review. today's selection is: ‘served what was not requested' the color gradient is offperhaps it just plays that wayto the untamed eyeyet a drinker of scotchcan catch the kool-aid straight off don't think i don't knowwhen things have been sweetened; you're talking to a manwho lives for the bite. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

stare straight ahead. they'll leave you alone eventually… ‘seep' blissful, ignorant silence—to seep alone in ruin indulgent alcoholic consumption.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠⁠

should you ask, i won't hold back… ‘sharp things' you thought my pen was sharpyou should hear my fucking mouth. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠⁠

some prose poetry from november of 2021. my daughter, now 17, has special needs. i help her get ready for school every morning. i walk her to the school and return to pick her up every day. i still brush her hair. i've been doing this since she's been 4 years old.  life is far from fair, and to this day i have trouble accepting the why's. but if god is who i think he is, he'll have me guiding her once i'm gone. each of my dogs at my side, waiting…  ‘bench' of course it's a trick but fix your gaze long enough and you'll believe angels dance in light. fingers of breeze play through leaves the way i spent mornings brushing your hair. sleep knots tied your locks and i'd do anything on earth to still be there. get yourself ready for school, you don't need my help, but i'd hurry to you the moment you asked. i know your fingers didn't work quite right. neither did my head accepting it. but look at you, wise woman grown from girl, goddess amongst mortal things. you must know by now the palm grows to cup the flame as slowly the wick withers. so i must let you be. i've had little to blind me of this life save you and a westward sun. please slip those once awkward fingers through the frightened of my own. stay till i can no more. i'll sing a soft song of the days i held to your tender heart and we'll spin along with spirits and i'll keep my limbs like this old oak till my strength flees. bench:a long seat for two or more persons *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠⁠

bar observation: listen in on some conversations. it's just blah blah blah. but the drinking? it's all business. ‘dumb, or are they' waste the wordsthe meanings but never wastethe alcohol.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms⁠

i call these ‘lubrication pieces.' most of my writing sessions start with zero ideas. so i write anything! what's the first thing i notice when glancing out the window? what seemingly mundane thing might've stuck in my head during the course of the day? how do my clothes feel on my body in the moment? whatever written doesn't need to be good…it just needs to break the ice.  start with one small step. ‘i've never been here before' sometimes change entailsa new bara new seatentirely new lightingto gain fresh perspective. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'Dead Bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

i tried to get clean.i swear i did… ‘junkie' i loved younot the devolved persuasivenessyou lowered likea coffin into ground you had an unconditional impatience i had an analytical moderationof grace together we doted a new testament(our complex game so easy to play) i crowned your necessity believingany good thing could be improvised; i'm left now in trembling light; like a needle it skips andit jumps over my pores.  *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

a simple little ‘quip' today. tired has handles.weary keeps straps. i know.  ‘bags' i have bags under my eyes. they used to be full of somethingnow they only carry weight. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

hello everyone! happy new year! i hope the coming months will be kind to you all and open the doors to your manifestations.  today's poem is one i posted a long time ago but fitting, i believe, to share once more. our world has gone downhill with no end in sight, i fear. more than ever, we must find the champion within… ‘beacon' we live in a worldof posers and followersdesperate for thefree and braveto liberate usfrom all the shit.  *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

i haven't shared one of these in a while so here we go. it's what i call my ‘prose poetry.' i take an uncommon word and write to the emotions it stirs without using the actual word anywhere within my conjuring. enjoy! this one is from june 2023.‘basorexia' mother and father never taught love they lessoned set it free. i enlightened myself the anguished prophecy of borrowed wings. there remain two deaths in this life the moment you cry from womb the other you noose faith around your neck. i learned thunder keeps deep woods. broke on the falsehood limbs ascend with wind. the whisper from the colonnade corkscrewing like something vintage yet aged enough to drink. to sink is to swim i rose above kith and kin treading like the hanged man open as the fool. why does what you yearn most arrive come dimming light? and in that twilight she at last appeared. all i once thought spectral raining like truth atop the eaves. thieved of the notion i'd die a complete version of myself her palms cupped as though doves the revelation my removed piece come home. who'd have taught love might be a prayer turned thought? what's yours never leaves it's just hope strips the bones till you finally set free and both her green and my brown eyes knew it.  basorexia:the overwhelmingdesire to kiss*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

shameless book promotion time! one last poem from ‘a distilled spirit' published in 2018. i suppose what makes me proudest about ‘a distilled spirit' is that it's my first poetry collection, poems lifted from my booze-stained notebooks and cobbled into cohesive form. it was my launching point as i've refined my voice over subsequent years and that's the most important opportunity any writer can have. sometimes ruminations are part dream part recollection. the following poem is just that.  ‘a distilled spirit' is available on amazon for your reading pleasure. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review. peace! today's selection is:  ‘mercy killing' do you remember that day you shushed me?silk finger on my lips stillingmy pulseclouds fell and youcaught them, dabbedtears from my eyes, stole thesun's rays, stabbed themthrough my heart.mercy killing, so was whisperedstill i,i could not talk, notwith your fist down mywindpipe, sweet charm tearingme apart.i should have thanked you, admittedyou were neverto blamestill i,i was the quiet oneand you,you so insane.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

shameless book promotion time! more from my 2018 collection ‘a distilled spirit.' this book wasn't just about writing what i observed while drinking at bars. this book was the first time i began to dissect my inner feelings and put them on a plate to share.  i've had zero f*cks since.  ‘a distilled spirit' is available on amazon for your reading pleasure. link is in my profile. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review. peace! today's selection is:  ‘empty, still you try' my bones gleammy eyes acheas your unwavering lightsearches across my pores. you curse my resolvewhile you continue yourbloodletting—when will you learn my veins drieda long time ago.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

shameless book promotion time! on we go with ‘a distilled spirit' from 2018. there's a story written on every face but few take the time to read them. even fewer know where to begin. start in silence. ask the bartender for a drink. then sit. expand beyond yourself. then draw in that energy… ‘a distilled spirit' is available on amazon for your reading pleasure. link is in my profile. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review. peace! today's selection is:   ‘the tree' her face was riddled. dug into her cheekan empty heartlike lovers carve into a tree. there were no initialsno datesjust old skin rough and crumbly like bark. she stood alonebowed an ancient tree in the forestawaiting a fallno one would ever hear.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

shameless book promotion time! continuing with ‘a distilled spirit' from 2018. long before i had my spiritual awakening, long before i became a reiki master, i learned the hard way that you are not meant to save everyone, not even those you truly want to save. and sometimes, not even yourself. it's a hard lesson. one that has served me well.  ‘a distilled spirit' is available on amazon for your reading pleasure. link is in my profile. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review.peace! today's selection is: ‘dulled' i need to listen closely—the pain you shareshould be sharp yetcomes delivered dull, spokenat the price of a worn tongue; how it rends me to hear yourecall the worst of all you have been;i sit quietlylistening to your soft gracebetrayed by the brokenfragments of your words. i can't ever glue you back togetherbut i can hold you in my hands.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

shameless book promotion time! continuing with ‘a distilled spirit' from 2018. as i previously said, while putting this collection together i had been known for my horror fiction. my poem ‘you' became a fusion, a dash of my horror background mixed with my emerging though still yet defined poetic voice. i wrote this over a few strong beers. ‘a distilled spirit' is available on amazon for your reading pleasure. link is in my profile. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review.peace! ‘you' in a trick of light i found youpouring venom from callous handsripping faith from gibbous mooni've loved you ever since. your cruel grace matched byeven the coldest of gray januaries and as the sun diedyou spoke to me the foulest nothingswhispered from your alligator snout. you poured acid in my ears to quell my methods of thinking when you knew full welli had no free will at all. chant a new song of turpitudeblasphemous act;i'll love you ever more.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

hello all! time for some shameless book promotions of which i am long overdue!i'm starting with ‘a distilled spirit,' my first poetry collection published back in 2018. up to that point in time, i never read poetry let alone craft it. i was becoming known for my horror fiction and prose. between projects, i'd go to my local bar and jot into a notebook as a way of keeping myself sharp. i eventually realized something. i wasn't writing about my usual made-up horrors but rather expressing the horrors i was feeling, both within and around me. my gift of being an intuitive empath had been revealed, but that's a tale for another day. for this telling, it was the birth of the barflypoet. ‘a distilled spirit' is a collection of some of my first ‘bar writings.' i knew then that somehow my voice and presentation were decidedly different and took a chance to share it. i haven't looked back since.‘a distilled spirit' is available on amazon for your reading pleasure. link is in my profile. if you enjoy it, please indulge me the favor of a review.peace!today's selection is: ‘perils of greasy calamari' he didn't so much kiss her from across the barthan he devoured her face;the calamari i'd just eatentasting even greasier on my tongue. i swear if he kissed her one more timei'd push my fingers down my throat.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

to only hold what once we held… ‘in silence' make theatre of this vowa complex game of illusion stage squeezed out from lungsour old science exhausts the cellswe fell gracefully as childrenwhile an astral lamp accused usof life now seeking peacewe pencil ourselves with sharpened expressionsthoroughbreds, the slightest hitchall but derailing us.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

challenge accepted. ‘i can do this' there is nothing worsethan holding in a pisswhen you have important words to write.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

bar observation again. let me be clear about something: i fully support the LGBTQ community! nothing but love here!  ‘i love lesbians at the bar'the men boast of the pussy while the women truly get it. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

yet time and time again i stalk this graveyard of the mind.mourning… ‘buried' buried in everything i have ever wrote,i refuse to resurrect you.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

hold me. ‘i'm suffering' awakened;what a formidable alternativeto deathsubtleties weighing your whole beingan ideal only children could paintwith any sort of vibrancyconvince yourself you've held the secretand i'll signal the director: the cuewas missed.multitudes rolled in sushi blocksit inspires, i supposerounded corners and there's a piece to us alla protesting hingethat slams the door on circumstance;i'd be delighted if you saidlimbo is nothing more thancontemplatory religion cold as it is sensual. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

i'll show you where the real fires are… ‘bad mistake' never handa rioting minda pen.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

this job will kill you… ‘i drank till 2am' 11pm and i have no businessdrinking this fifth scotch but it is business. strictly business.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

i may have shared this before, but either way it's from 2016.when bar writing i often engage in what i call ‘machine-gun fire,' meaning i write snippets of thoughts one after the other without pause. the irony is even though they're thoughts they really aren't in that i never really gave them thought in the first sense. i know, i know, i'm a complicated man… ‘puppy dog' you leave;i linger.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

‘my cost' a misfortune has occurredan inconclusive blooming flowera strange illusion for the ghostwho feeds on more than pretty wordsi'm more heinous than my faultsand if expression is merely speakingtell me then is it worth more than my cost? i'm not sorry for who i amtaciturn in my suspensiona suffering outlet in the artand i am everything who i ama temperamental superstitionall i've thought is what i've lost. i may be virginal under so many dazzled lightsbut i swear i'm conversationalwhen it comes to my inconsequential lifeand i'm aware that all my shadows havegone and broken outnever mailed or read aloud. i'm not sorry for who i amtaciturn in my suspensiona suffering outlet in the artand i am everything who i ama temperamental superstitionall i've thought is what i've lost. expectancy only happenswhen hope is placed in all abandoned.  i'm not sorry for who i amtaciturn in my suspensiona suffering outlet in the artand i am everything who i ama temperamental superstitionall i've thought is what i've lost.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

the struggle is real… ‘dependency' i hurt so deeplythen that first splashof scotch kisses my lipsand dear fucki come alive until morning. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

this poem is from 2017: playing on the beach with my daughter when she decided coating me in sand was far better than any fun a shovel and pail could provide. an eventual dust-off later and i went scrambling for my phone to type the following down. have you ever been hit by words that come hell or high water you had to pull from your brain before they disappeared? much like my ‘observations from a bar' writing, these are ‘in the moment' writings. nothing profanely poetic, but the feeling captured for always.   ‘little girl on the beach' she sprinkled sandacross my armand in thosecarefree eyes of hersi built a castlethat would never knowof incoming tides.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

ouija not necessary… ‘i see them' lost souls do not goundiscoverable to me.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

bar tales… ‘he told good stories so i bought a round' we sit listening to the beatlesand he reminiscesabout the timehe once drove the autobahn with the windows rolled downtunes turned up and by the time hey judeslicks the speakersi swear i feltthe winds of germanywhip my bald head. *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

don't singe your fingertips. ‘choose your purpose' some long to be the candle;some the wick.*#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms

a typical poetry writing session for me lasts between 3-5 hours. whatever comes to mind is written, the page flipped and on to the next. no poem is given a second thought or remembered until months or even years later when it's finally typed from my notebook to computer and given a quick edit for possible punctuation, spelling and structure. some pieces stick with me while others i deem ‘throwaways.' i consider the following poem a throwaway. what do you think? i wrote this back in may of 2015: ‘drugs are bad' you suck me dry and not in the waythat would make me smile. you pull that band tight round my armfind a vein the first try every time. you're a drug i never wantedi can't give you up now if i tried.  *#barflypoet#josephapinto© Joseph A. Pinto*'dead bird,' 'From My Front Steps,' 'Scotch and Scars' and 'A Distilled Spirit' poetry collections available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.*instagram at joseph_a_pinto*https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephPinto *subscribe to the ‘Joseph Pinto, the barflypoet' YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/y2stm5ms