Destiny

Sweet aroma lifts my mind

Into a twisting, turning kind

Of bliss that knows no end,

Only the oneness of a lover friend.

Where to start, I wonder so.

What to believe, tossed to and fro.

Only a simple wish by a pure heart

Can break the spell of this pixie art.

Follow me, down this path,

To a steaming bubble bath,

She said, softly, pointing into a room,

Lit by candles, smelling of perfume.

I won’t charge you a single penny,

Just sink into this lemon honey.

Taste the succulent, fleshy flower

Of my magic star of power.

Let me see. Oh, where was I?

I can stop, if I only try.

Thinking to myself, for a moment.

I must choose to be reverent.

But how can I pass this perfect plum,

So inviting, saying come get some?

I want to be home, I need a place

To save my last, tearful grace.

Wait a minute. Hum a tune.

You can forget you’re in this room.

Hold your breath. Step outside.

Leap across this carnival ride.

Something wakes you, to pray tell,

Someone sees you start to melt.

Run, you say, to yourself.

All you think is true is hell.

Love won’t enchant you,

Capture you or trap you.

It will set you free

To find your own path to destiny!

Ready to Go

Was it something I said?

Or is it something about me

That causes you to doubt yourself?

Some kind of honesty

That penetrates your facade?

Some truth that echoes

In the halls of your heart and mind,

Calling you out of your slumber,

To accountability and renewal?

Is it the low blows and cheap shots

That I’ve taken at you over time,

Coming back to roost?

Is our relationship that fragile?

Are the bonds of our love that weak?

Is our relationship that disposable?

Not from my side, never fear.

When you’re ready to be mature,

To talk things out and make up,

To declare peace over this war torn

Battlefield,

To move on from this stagnation,

I’m ready to go.

Rejected

Twisting, turning.

Emotions churning.

My heart is heavy.

My losses burning.

Oh, God,

When will you come

And save me?

My friends have left me,

And I feel abandoned.

The rejection stings.

Spare me from torture.

Please, Lord,

Let us reconcile once more.

To Say or Not to Say

What I’ve said in anger

Cannot be taken back.

People I’ve blamed for others’

Misfortunes

May have taken it personally.

Pressure I feel on my neck—

The bait from enemies waiting

For me to fall.

And so I wonder:

Is having my silly say

In politics or religion

Worth alienating my

Brothers and sisters?

Maybe a little temperance

Could go a long way.

Maybe if I hold my tongue

When I’m tempted to

Jump into the fray

Might win me

A different kind of victory.

One that lasts.

One that builds up,

Instead of tearing down.

One that reconciles.

One for the kingdom.

Memorial Day

A place to be

Is pleasing when

There is a person

To be with—

Someone strong,

Someone fun,

Someone loving—

Come get some!

In the park,

I toss a ball

With my father;

Spring and summer

Sunny weather

Covers our faces

With warmth and never

Makes us uncomfortable.

So, we go swimming

In the lake.

We ride a boat

Across the water.

We dive in and feel

Refreshed.

Oh, what a day

To be with family.

What a time

To dream dreams,

To enjoy each other’s

Company.

To live in the freedom

Paid in blood

By our forefathers,

And our military

Today.

Please remember

When you drink your beer

And eat your hot dog.

A price was paid.

For a Moment, I Thought It Was Something Spiritual

What does it mean to be spiritual? It’s hard to pin down, really. Is it abstract? That would include ideas and emotions. Is it religious? So many people have gone to a lot of trouble to distance themselves from that term, fearing legalism and hypocrisy. Is it the heavenly realm? That would leave out humans, or wouldn’t it? Is it supernatural? Same. Can animals participate in the spiritual? I would guess that would depend on what version of spirituality one subscribes to. Are some spiritual things more real or more true than others? Is there some overlap? There certainly is some overlap in subjects, and, therefore, content. The same terms are used in more than one creed. Are creeds spiritual, or religious? And what about music? Some believe that all music is spiritual. Does it depend on the lyrics? That seems superficial. Does it depend on the subject matter? Or whether it quotes from a holy book? Are all holy books equal? Aren’t religious institutions the keepers of the holy books? That sort of complicates things a bit. More questions than answers, unfortunately. But that is better than assuming one knows all the answers.

The Impossible

Happy go freaky,

Style for a mile.

Ambulance mind,

So fine.

Go fetch your dream,

Get to it!

Place your hands

On the balance beam

Of life expression,

And make your moves.

Chase that vision,

That holy mission,

For you alone.

Never turn back.

No regrets.

Sail on!

Identity

It’s a part of me,

My personality,

My sexuality,

Individuality.

I am unique,

The way God made me,

The way my parents raised me,

The things I’ve discovered

Along the bumpy way.

There’s no shame

In being this way—

Just because it was

Never mentioned in church,

Or school,

Or at home.

Even the basics

Were not taught.

Trial and error

Was my only way

To discover my body,

To find out

What it means

To be human.

To experiment

Inside and out,

To pop those bubbles

Of misconception,

Perversion of religion,

Crucifixion.

Cutie Pea

Distance grows

In the reflection of sunsets,

Deep in the pupils of your eyes.

Around your bright blue irises,

The once clear white

Is streaked with bloodshot,

And the skin on your cheek

Sags with the gravity of age,

And the weight of worries,

Long forgotten,

Though carried still.

What happened

To the happy-go-lucky girl

That I married,

Experimenting and experiencing

Life to the fullest,

Young and fresh and free?

Oh, those were the days:

Going on long walks together,

Holding hands.

Staying up late at night

And into the morning,

Just talking.

Intoxicated with each other.

Yes, that girl is gone,

But in her place is a woman,

Stronger, braver and wiser.

A more confident and courageous

Caretaker and leader,

Someone who takes risks.

Weathered by suffering and loss,

But soft and loving to the end.

A much improved confidante,

A loyal partner,

A treasured friend.