Surfing

08 February 2008

Surfing

 

Every surfer knows

it takes practice

to acquire balance, coordination,

and the wisdom – gained from

experience – to read

the water, the way

the waves will rise and fall.

 

It takes patience

and determination,

but that moment eventually comes

when I stand and ride,

carried along in the thrill,

the exciting rush

of the moment.

 

I forget all those times

I’ve wiped out,

crashed and burned,

or swallowed more than

just my pride.

 

I’ve learned

to respect the waves,

ever mindful of that delicate

balance between

ecstasy and pain,

between standing up

and falling down,

between remaining the same

and courageously

accepting change.

 

And the funny thing is,

I’ve never even seen the ocean.

Scour

07 February 2008

Scour

 

broom and dustpan

sweep the dirt up

old blue bucket

hot soapy water

oversized hand sponge

wash and scrub and rinse

looks and smells clean

too bad my heart

couldn’t be

renewed so

easily.

Audition

04 February 2008

Audition

 

On a lighted stage,

I recite my lines,

unrehearsed and improvised,

yet with an honest sincerity

undisguised.

 

Within this real unreality

do I play a part,

pretend, make believe,

or genuinely wear my heart

on my sleeve?

 

Such power in words,

to touch heart, soul, and mind,

but I am not acting

for approval or applause

this time.

 

I didn’t audition for this,

I am just being myself,

and when the curtains close

and the audience all leaves

I will still be just me.

I know I could fall

18 January 2008

 

I know I could fall

with all of my heart and soul –

that’s never enough.

 

And I understand,

no one will measure a man

by how much he loves.

 

Others define love

by what I am willing to do

to show how I feel.

 

But all I possess

is just what’s in my heart –

and I’d give it all.

Changeling

15 January 2008

Changeling

 

I never asked for the gift,

ultimately, all power comes with a price.

Such a guarded secret creates a rift,

I never asked for the gift.

Most never notice the subtle shift,

‘though truth is always revealed in my eyes.

I never asked for the gift,

ultimately, all power comes with a price.

Whats the worst

04 January 2008

 

“What’s the worst that could happen?”

she asked and I silently cried,

imagining losing all we’ve mysteriously found,

wondering how many times one heart can die.

 

It’s almost like we’ve known each other

long before that first innocent “hi”.

There’s a closeness, a bond, a connection

that all rational logic cannot deny.

 

I feel like two souls have touched,

my heart is no longer mine,

but the enemies I must always face

are circumstance and time.

 

Please don’t blame me for dreaming,

she’s awakened something that cannot die

and even if the worst does happen,

I’ll cherish her memory for a lifetime.

Im terrified of

23 December 2007

 

I’m terrified

of lurking shadows,

those dark demons of

insecurity.

 

They stand

before me like a traffic cop

directing traffic with his loud whistle

and commanding voice

of authority yelling “Stop!”.

 

And I obey, sit and wait

for permission

to move forward,

watching the demons

in the rearview mirror,

tailgating and inching closer.

for DF

21 December 2007

for DF

 

Happening too fast, this intense whirlwind

of unknown to falling, this giddy,

almost reckless emerging from

dark loneliness to ecstatic, inexplicable

fullness and joy.

 

A myriad of questions tethers me to safety,

dangling near the edge of

absolute abandon, even when the answers

my heart offers are sensible and sincere.

 

And I know if I close my eyes

I will dream of you,

but with eyes wide open

I’d rather dream with you,

exploring the questions

and the answers together.

 

Sure, I wonder what tomorrow holds,

but for now, I am content in

blossoming love,

as long as it is yours.

Tango

18 December 2007

tango

 

We dance in intersecting circles, touching

oneness, yet losing all we hold too tightly,

moving through illusions, hoping for one chance at

eternity … And sometimes, we find what we

need, what we want, in ourselves and in each other.

At least, if we are willing to hear the music, the dance

never has to end, even if someone chooses to

dance alone.

Maybe someday, in some way, we’ll discover that magical

equality of melody and harmony, if we’ll take the risk and

never give up on learning to dance.