today i saw a man for a man.

Calloused hands,

rough hewn features

broody eyes, a sunburn.

He said he found it strange

that the manner in which i talked

reminded him of  her

life had once been kinder to him

there was a twinkle in his eye

as he spoke of long lost dreams

a smile skirted across his lips

and in an instant it was gone

his face fell back into

it's a calm resigned state.

He said the only thing worse

than tragedy, was owning it

and refusing to let it go.

Today I saw a man for a man,

trying not to be the bitter kind.

Cuts

we cut to hurt
then we cut to heal,
we cut to explore, fix or reveal
we cut to conceal.
corners. truth. sickness. youth. ties.
we cut to survive
or just to be sure we're still alive.
we cut in an attempt to end misery,then die in it!

mirrored by a tree.

twisted bark and carved arches

life has etched it's mark on me

my roots run deep and so do my cracks

I'm standing tall, but scared I'll fall.

my shadow is a giver, my soul-a taker

I reap from the ground

only to have my fruit ripped from me.

I reach for the heights,

and must contend with nature's laws,

time, season and gravity.

strangers lean on me,

they stop to catch their breath

then move on as they please...

occasionally they'll nest for a while

if the weather so conspires

till autumn comes like clockwork

sending them off in pursuit of more

just as my leaves start to fall

leaving me out there, a lonely bared soul.

i see the smoke from fires

fueled by my brothers

and wonder what fate awaits me,

will i burn or will i rot,

will be carved into something fancy

be set on a pedestal to be shown off

polished and cherished

for the rest of my life

or maybe I'll always be simply a tree

rooted to a spot but altogether free

to embrace my constant friend -the wind,

and longingly wait for spring.

"Dont ever die"

…..these words from a TV series keep running through my head. This was someone’s way of telling another that they needed them alive, In spite of everything- and nothing. Human beings have a way of losing sight of what  is  really important until it slips right out from under them. Then denial, confusion and regret set in and before we know it we can no longer separate ourselves from the wretched thing that we call our lives. We can try and fix it as best we know how, but it never really is completely restored. All around us are broken and patched up people busying themselves with moving on. I can tell because I am one of them. Maybe you are too…or not. Either way, do find a way to let people you care when you still can. As scary as it sounds to be putting yourself out there, it’s a lot less painful than wondering what could have been if only.....

Rain?!?

Rain has always had an equivocal effect on me, threatening and soothing in the same breath. Unbridled passions and  the unaffected parts of me that I dare not show (even to self)  are inspired by the gushing rain...suddenly they are free to run unashamedly through my mind. The drops falling from their high places are like thoughts and feelings that are finally being released, allowed to run their course and find their destinies. Some bind themselves to something greater and gain momentum as they go. Others destroy what ever is standing in their way only to meet  a similar fate or be abandoned. Like all torrents, they eventually wane. Whatever makes it through is left awakened and refreshed . The lingering sadness over what has  been lost is intertwined with the excitement of the new. Nature though often unclear does give birth to clarity. The cold on the outside compels us to deal with the cold within.

Life....

.....and so we learn to start over even as our hearts ache,
we learn to endure present pain for the greater gain,
 we learn to hope for brighter days in the midst of darkness
we learn to give even when we feel there is nothing left,
 we learn to pick up the pieces ,and start to build again ,
we learn to be stong for those who need us
even as we internally crumble to nothingness.