trust

Both Ways

Sharing smothered thoughts,

Restricted feelings abound.

Hesitation rules the imagination,

Hiding from the truth,

Although it tortures me.

Yearning for stability,

Some kind of consistency.

If only I could have it both ways!

Truth in Love

Heavy thoughts

And sinking feelings

Got me caught up

In a sea of sadness.

I wish she knew,

Only a good friend

Tells the truth,

Even when you

Don’t want to hear it,

Even when you

Don’t believe it.

Someone who cares

Doesn’t lie to your face

Just to make you feel good.

It’s hard to be that

Kind of friend,

Because you risk

The friendship.

But if you lie,

There’s no friendship

To lose.

The Best of Friends

I know you,
Yes, really know you.
And you know me,
The real me.

You accept me for who am,
As I am,
Inside and out.
We don’t keep secrets.

Tell me what you think,
Exactly what you think.
Be honest.
I value your opinion.

What have you experienced?
Where have you been hurt?
What works for you?
What have you discovered?

I want to hear your story,
Feel your pain,
And your joy.
I want to laugh with you.

So give it to me straight.
I can take it.
Don’t hold back.
Tell me the truth.

I appreciate that you
Feel free to be yourself
Around me.
We don’t have to hide.

We trust each other.
I know that you
Only want the best for me,
And I only want the best for you.

So, let’s go together
Into this big scary world,
Holding hands,
And holding hearts.

Faith comes at the strangest times:

When I read a good book,

When I am touched by another’s actions,

And, yes, when I go to church.

I pull back, though, in mistrust,

As if to say to myself:

“Don’t start that again!”

For the many times I’ve been burned,

And the many doubts I’ve had,

About the bible, the church and God.

Rocking back and forth

In a spiritual quandary,

I struggle so much,

And I hesitate

Before jumping in.

Who or what can be trusted?

(Poetic Asides

Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 135)

truth and treasure

drumming so slowing so coming be something
looking so screaming so crawling so being
drinking so lifting so splitting so changing

coming through something closes in and
then a truth breaks free, breaks in, breaks down
barriers are buried and sticks in the mud

are pulled out. so what’s the truth? is there
such thing as truth? is there anything true?
anything trustworthy? is there anything safe?

anything worth investing our lives in?
is there anything worth living for?
can we trust ourselves to make a sound

and clear judgement? is that possible,
in these times? can we break free of media
bombardment and peer pressure?

what other factors cause us to twist our
values, change our minds, compromise our
priorities? where is your heart?

there is your treasure.

Reaching Out

Reaching out takes reaching in
For something stable, something strong.
Sharing of feelings, thoughts and struggles
Takes strength, trust, and bravery.

Those who always keep their heart
Closed tighter than a coffin,
Buried six feet under a swaggering attitude
And a big bright smile,

Don’t really know what it’s like
To connect, to hold another’s heart
In your hand, gently, oh so gently
And give it back when they are ready.

To give healing, and to receive it back,
There must be two persons willing to risk
A broken heart, a cold shoulder, a deadly stare.
To risk rejection is not easy, and it is not done

Lightly, or carelessly, when it is really done.
To give another something you hold dear,
If only for a moment, is like risking a fortune,
And takes more fortitude. But the gamble

Is for wonders immeasurable,
Jewels much more precious:
Understanding, acceptance, compassion.
These treasures are priceless.

Digging for Truth

Deep down, I dig to the bottom.
What lies in this hidden depth?
Fear, grief, rage, confusion…
It rocks my reason, clouds my vision.

But what is the answer?
Where is the road out of this darkened wood?
Is it faith? Trust? Logic? Courage? Peace?
Is Love the answer? Where will it take me?

Right now everything is scary.
I feel caught in a cage,
In chains, buried deep underneath
Miles of ground, isolated by time,

Place, and no relationships that bring
Relief, connection, revelation, peace.
Anxiety rules the roost, it conquers all.
Fear is my father, abandonment is my mother.

Rage is my brother, grief is my sister.
This is my family. My friends are shadows,
Ghosts in a mist that only evaporate in my
Hands when I reach out to hold their hands.

I am lost in my mirrors, erroring in my program,
Nothing makes sense, nothing works.
What is the truth? Who is my savior?
From where does my salvation come?