Black Clouds & Silver Linings

I've got a nightmare to remember, I'll never be the same. What began as laughter so soon would turn to pain. The sky was clear and frigid, the air was thick and still. Now I'm not one to soon forget and I bet I never will. Picture for a moment the perfect irony, a flawless new beginning eclipsed by tragedy. The uninvited stranger started dancing on his own, so we said goodbye to the glowing bride and we made our way back home. Life was so simple then, we were so innocent. Father and mother holding each other. Without warning out of nowhere, like a bullet from the night. Crushing glass, rubber and steel, scorching fire, glowing lights. Screams of terror, pain of fear, sounds of sirens, smoke in my eyes. Sudden stillness wrapped in silence, no more screaming, no more cries. Stunned and bewildered, cold and afraid. Torn up and broken, frightened and dazed. Stunned and bewildered, cold and afraid. Torn up and broken, frightened and dazed. Lying on the table in this unfamiliar place. I'm greeted by a stranger, a man without a face. He said, "Son do you remember? Do you even know your name?" Then he shined a light into my eyes and said, "Take this for the pain." Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony. I am endlessly falling, lost in this wonderful misery. In peaceful sedation I lay half awake, and all of the panic inside starts to fade. Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony. "Tell me, does this hurt you?", said the faceless man. "Can you move all of your fingers? Can you try your best to stand?" I asked about the others, "Is everyone okay?" He told me not to worry as he turned and looked away. Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony. I am endlessly falling, lost in this wonderful misery. In peaceful sedation I lay half awake, and all of the panic inside starts to fade. Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony. Day after day and night after night replaying the events. Did they ever see the red light? Over and over, scene by scene, like a recurring nightmare haunting my dreams. How can you prepare for what would happen next? No son should ever have to see his father such a mess. It's a miracle he lived, it's a blessing no one died. By the grace of God above everyone survived. Life was so simple then, we were so innocent. It will stay with us forever, a nightmare to remember!

Submitted by Dahmers Fridge — Apr 25, 2025

Alcoholics Anonymous/Twelve-step Suite Part 10: Restraint Freedom calls my name, serenity keeps me sane. Happiness, it dulls the pain! Honest to see my place, open to other ways. Willingness to understand! Justice but do not judge, courtesy for others' flaws. Kindness, it's not that hard! Self-restraint of tongue and pen. Inventory, my daily friend. Analysis let down your guard! Look in the mirror, what do you see? The shattered fortress that once bound me. Faithful ascent through darkest fires, I've found the path to take me higher. You're smart enough for me to trust, go live your life now. Just keep these steps in your life, and you'll know how. If you're not sure ask yourself, "Have I done to them as I would have them do to me?" Look in the mirror, what's that you see? The shattered fortress, fly now be free. Faithful ascent through darkest fires. I've found the path to take me higher. I once thought it better to be right, but now I have finally seen the light. Sometimes you've got to be wrong and learn from mistakes, I live with serenity now not self-righteous hate. Part 11: Receive "Help me be a channel of thy peace! That where there is hatred I may bring love, that where there is wrong I may bring the spirit of forgiveness. That where there is discord I may bring harmony, that where there is error I may bring truth. That where there is doubt, I may bring faith" Now that you can see all you have done... "That where there is despair I may bring hope, that where there are shadows I may bring light." It's time to take that step into the kingdom... "That where there is sadness I may bring joy" All your sins will help to make you strong... "That I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted, that I may seek to understand than to be understood." ...and help you break right through the prison wall. "That I may seek to love rather than to be loved, for it is by self-forgetting that one finds it is by forgiving that one is forgiven." Keep all of me, the desires that once burned me deep inside. Help me live today and help to give me grace to carry out your way. I am ready, help me be all I can be! I am ready, help guide me and keep me free. Part 12: Responsible I am responsible when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help. I want my hand to be there! I am responsible when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help. I want my hand to be there!

Submitted by VladTheImpaler666 — Apr 25, 2025

*In Loving Memory of Howard Portnoy, 1940-2009* Remember days of yesterday and how it flew so fast, the two score and a year we had I thought it would always last. Those summer days and west coast dreams I wished would never end. A young boy and his father, idol and best friend. I'll always remember, those were the best of times. A lifetime together, I'll never forget. The morning shows on the radio, the case of the missing dog. Lying on the pillows at the old 812, watching Harold and Maude. The record shops, the stickball fields, my home away from home. And when we weren't together the hours on the phone. I'll always remember, those were the best of times. I'll cherish them forever, the best of times. But then came the call, our lives changed forever more. "You can pray for a change, but prepare for the end." The fleeting winds of time flying through each day, all the things I should've done but time just slipped away. Remember, seize the day! Life goes by in the blink of an eye with so much left to say. These were the best of times, I'll miss these days. Your spirit lit my life each day! Thank you for the inspiration, thank you for the smiles, all the unconditional love that carried me for miles. It carried me for miles. But most of all thank you for my life! These were the best of times, I'll miss these days. Your spirit lit my life each day! My heart is bleeding bad but I'll be ok. Your spirit guides my life each day!

Submitted by VladTheImpaler666 — Apr 25, 2025

Several years ago in a foreign town, far away from home I met the Count of Tuscany. A young eccentric man bred from royal blood took me for a ride across the open countryside. "Get into my car, let's go for a drive. Along the way I'll be your guide, just step inside. Maybe you recall a cannibal curator, a character inspired by my brother's life!" Winding through the hills, the city far behind. On and on we drove down narrow streets and dusty roads. At last we came upon a picturesque estate on sprawling emerald fields, an ancient world of times gone by. "Let me introduce my brother, a bearded gentleman historian. Sucking on his pipe, distinguished accent making me uptight, no accident." I want to stay alive everything about this place just doesn't feel right. I don't want to die, suddenly I'm frightened for my life. I want to say goodbye, this could be the last time you see me alive! I may not survive, knew it from the moment we arrived. "Would you like to see our secret holy place? I come here late at night to pray to him by candle light." Then peering through the glass I saw with disbelief still dressed in royal clothes, the saint behind the altar. History recalls during times of war. Legend has been traced back inside these castle walls. Where soldiers came to hide in barrels filled with wine. Never to escape, these tombs of oak are where they died. Down the cellar stairs I disappear, like the angel's share the end is near. "Come and have a taste, a rare vintage. All the finest wines improve with age." I want to stay alive, everything about this place just doesn't feel right. I don't want to die, suddenly I'm frightened for my life. I want to say goodbye, this could be the last timeyou see me alive! I may not survive, knew it from the moment we arrived. Could this be the end, is this the way I die? Sitting here alone, no one by my side. I don't understand, I don't feel that I deserve this. What did I do wrong? I just don't understand. Give me one more chance, let me please explain. It's all been circumstance, I'll tell you once again. You took me for a ride, promising a vast adventure. Next thing that I know I'm frightened for my life. "Now wait a minute, man! That's not how it is! You must be confused, that isn't who I am. Please don't be afraid, I would never try to hurt you. This is how we live, strange although it seems. Please try to forgive! The chapel and the saint, the soldiers and the wine, the fables and the tales, all handed down through time. Of course you're free to go, go and tell the world my story. Tell about my brother, tell them about me... The Count of Tuscany!"

Submitted by Infernal Flame — Apr 25, 2025