Eric Shelman's Poetry Page!

My review of Inklings of a Restless Mind Book of Dreams, by Jesse Batista. Inklings of a Restless Mind, Book of Dreams, is a montage of creativity both dark and light and a few gray areas in between. Terrifically, hauntingly, and horrifically beautifully demented. Has a thin line crossing  of realistic and fantastic realities and actuallties. Truthfully related to my own pyschological and existential angst as well as mention in his book. Ravenously and rawly expressioning himself in every phenomenal thought-provoking, and mesmerizing artistic photograph, prose, and poem inside it. Jesse Batista's talent is by far his own authenticity and uniqueness not mimicking or imitating anyone else. Revieved my Eric Shelman.

 Florida While in Florida On my first ship we went straight there as planned On my second ship our captain was told twice to pull in from their capes however our captain discarded that order our admiral said that there were high waves and stormy weather up ahead  finally our captain was corrected and we pulled in. Went to Fort Lauderdale for Fleet Week twice on my first and second ships their city celebrated our services which were mainly Sailors and Marines by throwing mandatory massive parades giving us four days of three free meal vouchers and alcoholic beverages showing their appreciation for all military servicemen and service women. we all wore our uniforms and showed our military IDs in order to prove that we were actually Sailors, or Marines. Used my meal and alocholic beverages vouchers on those three days, I did. stood twenty-four duty one day again. Drank and danced at bars and clubs. Wandered around and swam at their crystal clear beach. Actually I left here early because o

 Maryland While in Maryland went to Body Worlds musuem there thoroughly enjoyed it got to see all parts of our bodies in separate and together in different positions  Almost donated my dead body to them but they had a whole lot of paperwork to be filled out put first  we were in a hurry because we were leaving soon that day and had to get back quickly Chased a flock of pidgeons trying to have them fly up in the air together but only a few flew here and there Sucked that they didn't fly like I wanted them too Drank American beers and liquors, I did. Gambled Gambled twenty dollars and won one hundred dollars playing Blackjack, at their finest casinos, I did.  Danced at bars and clubs, I did. I wore a long sleeve shirt and a jacket over it, because it was cold there. As daybreak began heaving to the lines that bound us to the Earth we sailed off to a new adventure.

 Rhode Island My ship moored there hauled our officers to go  celebrate the Golden Thirteen Officers, whom were the first Black Officers in our Navy and us enlisted men and women were not allowed to go to it. Drank American beers and liquors. Danced at bars and clubs. Went and saw a whole lot of awesome manors and mansions that were actual historical buildings however they were closed because it was winter there Enjoying the architecture of each one. Went to a super market tried cream soda for the first time and I definitely didn't enjoy it which tasted extremely nasty like carbonated water without any flavor. As daybreak began heaving to the lines that bound us to the Earth we sailed off to a new adventure.

Virginia Stationed at the U.S. Navy in Norfolk Naval Station, for four years, I was. Mall rat my first two years, I was wandering around, buying whatever I wanted without a budget while listening to my favorite music blaring in my ears from a CD player. Went to local, and famous concerts every night except for my days on twenty-four hour duty days in port Not knowing who most of the bands were Moshed in pits Attending Warped Tour twice there. Saw several art museums Exihiting art from local, famous, and antiutity artists, was entranced by some of it. Went to open Mic nights in person at a whole in the wall coffee shop read and recited my poetry there met a beautiful singer/songwriter who tied on a singer/songwriter competition. Went to a secluded park with her where she sang a song about me that she wrote and she asked me to write two poems one on defining order, other one on chaos I wrote her a poem to and about herself called Gayla Robinson. Drank American and foriegn alochol every n

Maderia By Eric Shelman While in Maderia rode a cable car for the first time and it took what seemed like forever to get up and down it. Took a cab, which was way faster than that cable car. Ate local foods Drank local and American drinks. Had a blast on a wonderfully majestic Botanical Gardens conversation tour viewing plants, trees, and birds, from all over the world. As daybreak began heaving to the lines that bound us to the Earth we sailed off to a new adventure.

Ukraine By Eric Shelman Before mooring into Ukraine our ship had worked on both KingPins worm gear, helps us with our CON-REP by moving supplies on pallets onto and off our ship. Anyways, I didn't have any gloves I had to grease it up bare-handed being several hours long while became, I, extremely hungry  out of my youthful arrogance ignorance being invisible and invincible didn't wash my hands before eating a big bag of spicy Doritos. Upon our arrival I was told to be SIQ or sick in quarters, went to my rack because I was puking and crapping at the exact same time and couldn't stop. Didn't go on liberty beause I was beyond sick all three days and the fourth I really didn't feel like going out survived what ever illness I had at that time We did have a whole lot locals praising and warm wishing for us to port and moor there on our first day there. On our last day their locals were protesting yelling go home Yankees because our World War ll mine in the water surfaced