#WATWB – Hope in a Poet

When day comes we step out of the shade,aflame and unafraidThe new dawn blooms as we free itFor there is always light,if only we’re brave enough to see itIf only we’re brave enough to be it ~Amanda Gorman~ By now, most of you have heard of this young, twenty-two year old poet laureate who spoke so eloquently and intelligently at the U.S. Presidential Inauguration on January 20th. Amanda Gorman is a shining star in the world, a bright light, aRead more

The Drumbeat

It echoes from soul to soul Long ago, yesterday, here and now The drumbeat Eternal through time Continuing through ages In myth and unknowing A pounding of words Washing of mind Untruths repeated The drumbeat quickens Spreading fear, doubt Deleting intelligence, validity The people accept It must be true Heard over and over and over again It is loud and voracious Eating sanity Drowning out awareness The drumbeat cares not Of its intent and repercussions It embraces darkness No turningRead more

When I Stop

When I stop in the middle of God I am present in the silence of the wind whispering an angel’s breath swirling in and out of crimson and golden maple I hear His creatures Whistling, chirping, rustling across branches on earth’s floor I feel His blessing Peace, tranquility I understand the grandeur of His beautiful, magnificent creation When I stop here in the middle two eyes well with gratitude for breath, life and two legs I give thanks stay silentRead more

365 Revolutions

Traveling in a straight line giving way to curve Savoring smoothness of sail avoiding potholes and poop Feeling warmth of golden sol or bony dampness of drizzle Suffering under pressure, distress overcome by retreat, security A year has gone by 365 revolutions Winter, spring, summer, autumn snow, tulips, bike trails, red maple A year of never before a year of heart’s desire, emotions, expectations Gone once around the fiery blaze to a day of cake and candles Existence subjective, evolvingRead more

First World Problems

D Here I am with first world problems and woe I ran out of waffles the air conditioner died the cat puked on the bed it’s raining Netflix is not working How sad for me There they are with third world problems and woe They have little food, poverty the roof of a tiny shack leaks the noise of gunfire and bombs fill the air disease cuts through life eyes glaze, bereft of hope Here I am with first worldRead more

Waiting for a Wheel

Waiting for a surrogate to fill time change present tense   Waiting for revision of adult lines drawn dissolved in child’s sandbox   Waiting for about-face pivoting in unison toward the ethical sun   Waiting for diversity melting pot culture inclusive, welcoming   Waiting for reconstruction of harsh society into tranquil faith   Waiting for a wheel to turn down gravel path of communal restoration   Waiting for metamorphosis butterfly dancing world God, make it so    Read more

Digging Heels

Cognitive   Dissonance   The space in between   thoughts and beliefs   where the mind is consistent and not   brain digs heels deeply   reluctant, unwilling to admit mistakes   unwilling to change thoughts   justifying   dissolving truth and reason   dismissing facts   believing the choice is right   because it must be   the longer it is believed   the more certain it becomes   blinded to the negativity   taking sides   heels digRead more

I am white

I am white. I don’t know what it’s like To fear Discrimination, bigotry, name-calling, death under a knee I am white Brought up in a white community With white friends I don’t know what it’s like To feel how you feel To live your existence To have a history of constant oppression and special rules Fighting, protesting for survival I am white I have been privileged In ways I still don’t understand My fear is different and now feels likeRead more

Reflections

Reflections in a mirror Aqua sky, tree, green, atmosphere Reflections on pavement Spokes, frame, gears, the ride Reflections off water Shadow, sunlight, hues, flock of wings Reflections standing guard Neat row, order, vertical, mimicking Reflections circling mind Grateful, content, calm, soulful triumphRead more

Land the Plane, Arrive

To arrive on the other side of pain isolation flying into the sun Find patience   To arrive down river of anxiety stress knotted shorts Breathe, dammit   To arrive across the bridge of fear sadness laying in the mud Ignore angry trolls   To arrive without delay detour roads closed fixing flat tires Avoid potholes   To arrive on land sanity intact clear-headed peaceful in meditation Let go of smelly dung   To arrive on the other side isRead more

SoCS: In This Joint

What is this joint, where I sacrifice? It’s barren, lonely, dark What is this place, where I walk? The path of crushing pain Why am I here? What have I done, my friends to deserve this horrid end? Have I not loved you enough? Not forgiven you enough? I thought I kept you well fed. Yet, here I am. In this joint, this Calvary, I spend my final hours, alone and with bretheren. Eating, hanging out, walking in a gardenRead more

Rain on Fleshy Cheeks

Stop Inhale life Exhale sadness Draw in the earthiness of rain It cleanses pavement Soaks into human joy Stop Inhale life Exhale fear Feel the moist tears from heaven On our fleshy cheeks Tears of peace Flooding hearts with calm Stop Inhale life Exhale doubt Allow the rain to wash it Away to the gutter, the sewer Positive thoughts form a puddle In which to stomp and play Stop Inhale life Exhale the unimportant Let go of frivolous everything FindRead more