Walking by weeds.
Working with steeds.
Realms of gold
Cycling to infinity.
Benevolence
Traps you in the scenery.
Simple facts
Contradict the Spelling Bee.
Talking to tarantulas
Occupies me.
Do you give a flying flea?
Frontal lobotomy
On the raging sea.
Why don’t you come with me
To see what you can see?
Glistening eyes
Staring
From behind.
The clock ticks.
The dog howls
In the moonlit night.
Running through the street,
I search for you.
Close your eyes
And count to ten.
Listen to the beetles
Fluttering and buzzing
Around the porch.
Nothing ends
Like a funeral.
A simple type
Of dark words
Closing in on my face.
Have some pancakes.
Walk the dog.
Wash the dishes.
Nearby is true.
Close the door.
Quiz tomorrow.
Relax yourself.
Climb the mountain.
She is here.
Close call is scary.
Funeral ending.
Fried foods are tasty.
Stranded in shelter,
Thirsty and hungry.
No electricity.
Nobody around.
Can you imagine
The devastation?
Can you see
The predicament I’m in?
I don’t know
How I’ll make it.
I don’t know
Where to go.
Don’t know the outcome
Until it’s too late to run.
Trapped in a trailer,
No, flooding isn’t fun.
How many days
Will we go without power?
How many times
Did they say get out now, or else?
Storm surge is wicked.
Never seen such a thing.
It filled up my house,
And might just drowned me!
They said we should leave,
But we’re taking a chance.
Maybe God will intervene
To save a smarty pants.
Coast into the sunset.
The sea gulls cry out one last time,
Swooping down to scavenge.
Down the beach, a campfire blazes.
The water rolls up on the shore.
Fishermen bring in their nets,
After a day’s work is done.
A young boy in a straw hat
Reels in his fishing pole,
Closes his tackle box,
Picks up his bucket of fish,
And heads home in the dimming light.
Did you, too?
Have you been there?
Do you, really?
Thank you.
I’m glad you’re here.
I’m glad I’M here.
This is work.
I want to get better.
I wish I could sleep.
I sleep too much.
I’m ready to commit to that.
I’m ready to quit.
I trust you.
Thank you for being there for me.
Reach out
Into the mist.
There, then gone.
It whispers in your ear.
Silently, it lifts
Up into the air,
Then swoops
Across the sky.
Carry it in your arms.
Roll it between
Your fingertips.
Feel it brush your leg
Like a feather.
Balance.
A light twinkles
In the distance;
It is my hope,
Fragile, yet strong.
Will a big gust of wind
Blow out my candle?
I am protected
By many walls:
Meds, doctors,
Counselors, family,
Friends and helpers.
That gust of wind
Can blow if it must,
But my light will not
Be extinguished.
I will use
The tools I’ve been given.
I will continue the struggle,
And I will win.
Experience.
A light bulb turns on.
Words flow like breathing.
Comfortable.
Fellow warriors
Keeping each other company.
Along for the ride,
Together.
Be there for you,
Whenever you need someone.
Any time, any place.
Trust me.
I’ll hold out a light
So you can see your way.
Brothers and sisters
Of mental illness.
Strong.
Stumbling along the sidewalk 