Banter! Banter! I write Banter!

I am a spoken word artist/writer based in Toronto, Canada. Feel free to send me an inbox!

[merkozis]

Perseverance

Life is not fair and it’s mostly stupid

But focus on the easy, good and ignore the convoluted

Forget the pain even though it always seems to be there

Don’t let it show upon your face

Your insecurities might bring you down

Nobody is perfect, we all have tasted dirt upon the ground

I realized this and it is majorly profound

The only thing that picked me off the ground

I heard the song of life, I got hit by cupid

And I know it must sound fake and stupid

But one thing I learnt with practice

Is when you spiral down, and life is off its axis

Remember to stomp your feet and persevere

Sleep deep, exercise and keep your conscience clear

Stay away from that liquor bottle

Rather put your engine on full throttle

It will push you in the right direction

Believe in that without correction

Next thing you know, practice makes perfect

Your life is changed and all that effort was worth it

It’s like your life has started all anew

You rearranged everything that was askew

Without the help of drugs or of that brew

Of course for me, it helped to have a good support team, you know that crew

Without it, I would not know what to do

Now, next time you are feeling down

You won’t go into fetal position and lay around

You’ll have the arsenal to pick yourself right off the ground

And turn around like a new leaf does

You’ll enjoy life just because

Remember a critical thing I preach

MAKE YOUR MIND RIGHT and everything will fall into place

Life will no longer feel like a competition nor a race

Mirrors won’t be enemies, you won’t be sick of looking at your face

Cheating death is the most satisfying thing I’ve done

Hope this helps you find the strength to carry on

God created us equal, we all deserve to live

To breathe and feel earths eternal kiss

So follow my example and forget that failure and death even exists

PERSEVERE until your pain subsists

Until the wounds heal upon your wrists

Until the tears dry under your eyes

While you cried, the sun lit up the sky

So go outside and soak in everything out there

Out there, beauty is everywhere

And when you realize where you fit in

Perseverance has taken over wish of death and sin

My mission and even yours is complete

And life, just like candy, will continue to be sweet

We have come full circle, which mean the beginning is the end

I do not pretend to be an expert, more a friend

Remember to smile even if you are feeling down

Inhale exhale and listen to a familiar sound

Just like that flesh wound, this will heal too

Repeat that until it becomes true

-Feb 18th, 2013

[merkozis]

Love is sin

Beer bong and paper cups

Shots but I am ready to chug

At the scene, no body, only slugs

What are we supposed to say?

How can a writer turn the page?

Sun brighter than orange bronzer

Shades on; muscles out like Fonze

I found you at the end of the road

Just like an origami fold

Truth be told

The music takes control

Fall a season left behind, in sprawl

Dive into the deep end

As we are fading to pretend

An innocent smile and a curious wink

I am sober but always craving another drink...

-Mykola Em

June 24 2023

1PM

[merkozis]

WINNER WINNER

When you arrive at the Mall

The window stalls

You lose control of your senses

But we are at an age; no need for Depends,

And when it comes down to rent

It is always on time

So there is no vicious crime

The thing that has me committed

Is when I am bad habit quitting...

The smell of food; must be chicken

Music playing in my ears

Without fear but with emotion

Deep unknowing

Like a crystal ball ocean

And coffee comes straight on tap

Ain't nothing wrong with that

So bottoms up

Fill up your cup

Sitting on a bench

Parked near a grassy trench

Inhale some grassy root

Inside the vein like a herbal shoot

Verbally describe what you cannot see

Sober living but I understand the imagery...

-Mykola Em

7:04PM

June 15 2023

[merkozis]

Summer Givin'

The women I try to impress

Leave me in a state of UNDRESS

The influence you can see

Within me; we float like something cloudy

I never knew my life to be so pure:

Like Tyson Fury...

I will drink a topical punch

Got that detectives hunch

Most snacks can have a crunch

But if you got implants

I understand just as much.

May 29th 2023

5:35 P.M.

[merkozis]

Only a Pheonix knows

why Demo.lition is necessary 🦉

-Mykola Em

-May 5 2023

[merkozis]

Rumble in the clouds

Follow the river

To the ocean

Magical smokey potions

Mountain ranges

Under the sun

Tropical fruit

With a side of rum

The candle flame

Flickers in the wind

Fill your lungs

And the pressure is gone

The weight is changed

Like a scale disturbed

By the rain

You walk up to me smiling

Reminding me why

I rise

Early

On that grind [coffee]

Brew a stronger cup

Let us share it

Until that romantic volcano erupts

-Mykola Em

May 1st, 2023

8:04 A.M.

[merkozis]

I pack light

But lift heavy

If I knock

I do it steady

[merkozis]

Dark Times

Gold snap

It is time to walk

Back to the tracks

Next to God

Angels wings on my shoulders

Rings on my finger

Get me a stronger drink

I need something to see past

The shadow people

Zombies; the walking dead

Eating carbs, inhaling bread

Ignore exercise completely

You have to stress your muscles, you feel me?

Steadily spiraling out of control

The Fall is not only a season

Cyclic things happening for no reason

Hospital visits and hefty bills

Lacking cheap trills

The cathedral is now a condo

Time make a move: Pronto

I'm a John

Locked up without being a threat

There is no respect

Medicate the populous until they feel completely wrecked

Choke hold

I'm running out of time

All in, not fold

Go big or go home

Look within yourself for motivation

It is about self appreciation

Look in the mirror and if you are not glad

Life's a journey to be had

No need to destroy the things you've built

Coffee can cleaned even if it is spilled

Don't cry over things you cannot change

Just focus your mind on positivity

And the doubt will fade

-April 19 2023

[merkozis]

God Please

God please:

I am already on my knees,

The emotions that I feel,

Were passed to me by others;

The stories that I hear,

They are spoken freely;

Pain is meant to be shed,

My curse, is I share it,

With all of the ones I meet,

I would rather it be passed on to me,

An empath at the core:

I am feeling lost though...

Looking to you,

To provide me with a path,

A side road.

I want to lead the way,

It does not matter if the snow is deep,

And the thicket overgrown,

Just throw a dog a bone;

I will make sure those who need the help,

I will sheppard them to a better place,

God please:

Give me the strength to rise up from bent knee,

Be the shield that can carry wounds unstitched,

The poor will always have a place to eat,

I love so many I have met,

Did I give them enough respect?

Did I really do my best?

God please:

Allow me to take on the scars,

Bump bruises and broken bones [stars]

I want to package all the hurt,

And locker in my broken soul...

I know my destiny is to be alone

But I will never leave your beautiful home.

The promises I have made across my life,

I will work hard to keep my promised word,

I see the paradise, it is here,

You left us such a golden key,

I have just strayed from Eden,

To a concrete street.

Where my root are torn,

Cannot find a place to grow...

God please:

The path does not seem clear,

I am drowning my problems in tubs of beer,

My liscence is missing, no willingness to steer,

The colour palate changing to ember from crystal clear,

I have no idea if it is me:

Bleeding or already eternally asleep.

God please:

I am praying,

Bowing to you, on my bent knees,

Englithen me!

Like a smoking pipe being emptied,

Yet I cannot light it...

Tobacco drowned in tears,

A different reality is what I fear,

I will stomp my feet to persevere,

The lessons I have learnt thus far,

Came at a bitter cost,

Relationships torn, bandages at exhaust,

Bleeding out of my heart as it pumps blood

Try to hang on but I leave a bloodied scud.

I breathe yet cannot fill my chest,

Those who carry a load,

Be safe to avoid guns, and those do explode, [gun combustion]

God please:

I entered your church but you were already long gone,

I asked for strength but you forgot your son,

My choice is left to go to a neon cathedral down the street, [road]

And spend my money,

On a double whiskey, pack a smokes

Not enough for a bite to eat.

A coffee, black or with a splash of cream,

Watch the cloudy whisps swirl,

It is a science, part of the Big Machine:

I understand the master plan,

Although I misplaced the blueprints...

So...

I will work to live off the Earth,

As you planned it, just for cause,

My message might never be heard...

God please:

If you can,

Hear my words,

And cure my mental health disease...

Please.

Dec 3 2017 3:09AM 

Mykola Em

[merkozis]

Casino Royale

Whatever cards I get, I play,

I never fold -

Whether betting or bluffing;

I'm going all in:

You know the outcome is the same,

I win.

The king is high,

Because he hoards supply.

Monopoly the game he plays,

Watching his back for that ace...

But double kings: I raise!

I don't count cards,

I am playing as a sport,

With luck on my side,

I'm betting more -

Risk takers remorse,

But beginners luck -

My fate to stay at this table until I'm outta bucks,

But with win percentages like covid sucks,

I'm social distancing myself from poverty's block,

Most drinks I order without rocks,

James Bonds the name -

Casino Royales the game -

I take a sip and suddenly I'm flushed...

Did my competitors poison my cup?

If so, in life, I'm outta luck -

And they found a way to beat me,

Those cheap fucks.

-Nov 18 2020 12:34 PM

[merkozis]

State of Ukraine

Eyes closed, light flashing

You feel the warmth of the fire

Ears ringing, head buzzing

Trying to hit the ground running

Legs broken, soul is open

Your cigarette cracked in half

Lighter not working

Warm blood dripping

Sirens filling the streets and

Children crying, baby toys in puddles

The smell of gasoline

Fill the road rather than broken machines

A piercing scream:

Brings you back to reality

Natural disaster has taken on finally

So sudden, the change was quick

Like a dime dropped for a pocket onto the pavement;

Pin amongst the weeds

Gravity takes over and in the same way

The newspaper report will describe

What happened in the shadow of the flames

-Nov 1, 2017 9:05AM

[merkozis]

Plain Force

Resonating strings:

Externally strung

Internal motion, beating of a drum

Flying over, birds eye view

Engine sputters, all out of fuel

You look at the pocket picture,

Of your daughter in her school

Shades of red are mixing

Becoming a colour scheme

Before the crash, close your eyes -

Dream.

Would rather have a fifth of gin

Than the stench of gasoline

Your mind can create an existence - unseen

The only sound you hear:

Is the flutter of the wings,

No single ring...

Point your head out the window

Our future is oil rigs

The tear shed rolls down your blackened cheeck

Gravity is the sniper, camo, under maple leaves

The stones that mark the grave

Are on an island never to be found

The plummet is a dive off of Rocky

Mountains -

Covered in Evergreens

Mossy escarpement massaging feet

At the very least, before the explosion on the ground

Serenity will fill your soul

Knowing you saved so many boys & girls

The last words uttered

Might never be found

Always kept & remembered

Stamped, passed down like an aged token

The promise I keep,

Is I will respect the story;

No need to be written, but spoken.

-Nov 12, 2017 2:47PM

[merkozis]

Addiction BARZ

A drowning vice:

That pulls you deeper,

Than Marianas’ trench…

Subwoofer broken on a speaker,

Addictive personality:

Now that’s a profound thrill seeker.

Ancient part of the brain,

Activating pleasure centers

Shame…

It is not your weakness,

It makes the strong crave,

And the weak weaker

It’s been a minute, an hour, a week and,

The sand is turning quickly;

Mirrors melting into smoky pits,

Even the weekend is living for the weekend;

You can’t speak to,

Anyone, they don’t listen;

How do you explain pain,

If there is no prescription?

The rehab centers are closed for the winter:

Under construction,

Until further notice,

Same story during construction season;

That is the state of affairs,

Common view, societal condition,

Deal with it for now,

You’ll be fine.

Yeah? The sky’s never looked bleaker,

My white flag is cold as a steel bleach-er,

The closer you are to the cure;

The further it seems to go,

It does not help,

That along the journey home,

The temptation keeps your eyes busy;

The sensation you feel,

Is a positive feedback loop,

Like shacking soda until fizzy;

It controls the electrical flow,

Inputs blurry, not clear;

If sober, I am comfortably numb,

When using, life is fear…

How do you pick from bad and worse?

At this point, contuinuing to use just because:

The chalk marks under columns are lost,

Dinner recipe simple yet robust,

Cooking up whatever is left:

Smoke, snort or inject,

Plants that turning into pests,

To err is human, that IS a common fest;

To find your fix:

But nothing is broken…

Wait… a dopamine rush will take care

Of any problematic mess.

Stare into a mirror,

Until there is nothing left.

Nov 5 2017 4:18pm

[merkozis]

Short Words

One serving friends exist everywhere;

And disappear just like papier mache

under heavy rain.

[merkozis]

Yank the Chain

I am the guardian of peace

Fighting poverty, violence, disease

So join me, please

Raise your hands

And if you believe

It should be with utter ease;

I can be the oil and the grease

The voice behind the scenes

The peanut butter to your Reese;

A synergy of people Is the only thing

That can cure this world

Make honest women out of little girls

Give purpose to those without a cause

Gather the wandering and lost;

That hunting wolf will never die

Its hunger is everlasting Its claws sharp, fang large

To fall into them is the last thing

That you want But we are all victim to its prey

Since we are droning away...

We do not notice its presence

As it approaches

From its perspective, we are on the level of roaches

Exposed to its power, its human control

He abuses our energetic soul

To build an empire of biological things

Oxygen is the fuel in our lungs just like the gases from the trees

Unfortunately the only thing that you see

Is the glow of the blue light screen

And as you daydream

You are contributing to a well-oiled machine

An energy source, for something

That is NOT what it seems

- Sept 2nd, 2017 12:07 pm

[merkozis]

Connected, but alone?

As we expect more from technology, do we expect less from each other? Sherry Turkle studies how our devices and online personas are redefining human connection and communication -- and asks us to think deeply about the new kinds of connection we want to have.

Very, very important. MUST SEE.

[merkozis]

Listen to me speak I am Prometheus Feel my lungs on fire I am Atlas Helping to lift Gaia Mother Nature is not always strong So we have to use oak to build her bones Ever giving & everlasting Never lacking in gifts nor passion Created hills & valleys To give us balance Knew we would get distracted By technological advancements Us, her children, we make her proud But even she asks us to turn it down If we are too loud When we colour outside the lines Step over that intersection Of destruction, of crime She cracks her whip And shows us that she Is the reason we exist.

-Dec 1, 2015 12:23 p.m.

Art by Maxim Grunin from Night and Day Studios (FB)