Tossing

I am what I have become...
a product of where I've been
Those I've known have touched me
I've been moved and shaped by what I've seen

The order was important,
though maybe not designed,
it brought me to where I am
standing here...
...in front of you.

Your world throws you
from one place to the next
"preparation"
a myth we delude ourselves with
to impose order where there was none

Our journeys are in progress
We can travel together...
... or just the same way
   for as long as our paths allow
"Smell the roses" lest they be forgotten
"A smile will keep them guessing"
... and may convince ourselves for a time

The choice is ours to enjoy...
... or regret

-- 2013/03/25

Off station

I once began to hum a tune
I'd never heard before
I recognized it right away
A smile ran 'cross my face

A radio inside my head
between 2 stations found
the melody that filled my soul
and brought me to this place

I'd speak of blooms and lush green grass
if you think you'd believe
but, no, I'll let you dream a dream
and follow in my thought

Walk with me now, let's look around
and hold my hand, along
and be with me, experience,
this world that tune has wrought

2013/03/09 inspired by a haiku by Garnet Psaltery

Falling up

A single event
unique in every way
except
it happens everywhere,
every year...

over

and over

and over ...

They fall slowly
with grace, with beauty
and in their falling
give wings to dreams
give flight to fancy
give life to the future

To return to mother earth

and rise again

[inspired by Grace and Sean, image courtesy Grace McDunnough]
2012/11/20

Silent Butler

It's often said
a second head
(when deftly led)
will aid the plot

When raised from bed
(still feeling dead
and not yet fed)
it strains our thought

But please decide
that you'll abide
the words that guide
and light your way

And we'll provide
the picture, wide
you've been denied
until today

2012/07/14
Artist: Scott Rolfe

Sam

She spoke to me of days gone by,
reminded me of things I'd missed
of passages from both our books
as if she'd read the words in mine

The passion flowing from her eyes
(it burned away the clouding mist)
recalled the detail of the days
so distant now and so remote

Through other's eyes the world becomes
a different place from what we knew
quite often changing what we've seen,
the episodes we'd lost in time.

So, with her words, a new design,
her point of reference, thoughts and view,
added new color to this past;
and faded greys found antidote.

2012/07/08

A question in the rain (100 word version)

A butterfly asks its brother
"Does the tree live?"
He replies
"How can it be? It hasn't changed in all of our lives!"

The butterfly asks the tree
"Are you alive?"
The tree answers
"Think of rain. I am but a raindrop in the ocean.
"I pass through life for a moment.
“Does that answer your question?”

but the butterfly was gone.

The tree asks the mountain
"Are you alive?"

The mountain thinks...
when the mountain answers,

it finds the tree is dust (the butterfly forgotten)

the mountain looks to the universe and asks
"are you alive?"

The universe thinks...

Original version 2009/06/20

Passing on the light (100 word version)

Each star is the soul of one departed
A bell sings out, an angel receives wings
One close takes a new path where I cannot see
Have they ceased to be?

No...

While the light of their face shines for me
their voice echos in my ears
their memories fill my heart

… they are here.

I travel my own road, but always feel them close
They are gone, but not. They will forever live in me

Hurt mellows, tears dry.

Stories shared bring back the smiles
… some day, I, too, will be a memory

For today, I live.

2012/07/02