The Three Hundred Sixty Fifth, December 31, 2011

and so ends the path
the last step is taken
no more going forward
a wall stands before me

one lone door closed fast
the only blemish to be seen
the rest a perfect infinity
left, right, up, down, always

standing alone with a door
wondering at the other side
what I will find beyond
knowing now that I can go

hand reaches slowly out
finding the cool of the knob
soothing the heat of expectation
contact provides point of focus

long deep breath in and out
shake out the tensions
turn the handle and push
the other side exposed at last

what vision greets me at last
after this long adventure
a vision of some better World?
no, simply my reflection in a mirror


And so we close out this year long project. It has been a great pleasure to know that you have shared it with me. I know that I have found out several things about myself, some good and some not so much. There were some laughs and a few tears shed during our time together... at least by me.

So now comes the time of evaluation - would I say this project achieved the desired objectives? On a personal level it has met and exceeded all my expectations. Truthfuly, I never was totally certain we would reach this point. There were several days I doubted I would be able to find inspiration to write. It was those moments that I gained my greatest gift, I learned to let go and ask for help, to step outside my box and share and let others be a part of the process. I could never have done it alone.

As promised, I am writing this while sailing on metal wings, high over the vast Pacific Ocean. It is dark outside. I struggle with the changing time and the question of sleep. Perhaps listening to Kevin Carmody in the headphones is helping me find a mood... perhaps not. Questions race in my mind: what will I do now? will I find a way to remain creative? and what will I do without this time with you?

Pride fills me as I realize that I have actually managed to completely fill the year. An even greater joy comes from knowing that many of you have been with me through the long and often strange trip and for that, I will always hold a special place in the core of my being with each of your names, to warm me when my soul grows cold. As for tomorrow, I do not know what it holds, but I do know this blog will remain as long as they let me.

This has been one of the most special times of my life.... I will miss it no matter whether I choose to add more pages and writings. Once again I want to thank each of you for coming along to play in my mind and I hope you found something to take away from all this as a gift... and maybe you even managed to think a little.

and so we say goodnight to 2011 and tuck it into the bed of history, close our eyes and boldly step out once more into the great unknown...

The Three Hundred Sixty Fourth, December 30, 2011

heavy is the heart
when separation courts
holding hands with loss
waltzing with sadness

I know this is true
this torment is mine
though not yet gone
already bearing a burden

anticipating emptiness
where now you reside
unable to recall in detail
what filled before you

alas comes the moment
with that last lingering taste
your essence has departed
I swim lost in my confusion

then a voice reaches out
shining hope into despair
its song irresistible siren's lure
"can I get you another beer?"

happiness fills my world...

The Three Hundred Sixty Third, December 29, 2011

tweedle dum and tweedle dee
were sitting on the hill
doing a lot of nothing much
as that sort often do

when one said to the other
it does not matter which
I wonder how our lives would be
if we were only rich

the other looked at him in shock
why do you wish to whine
what do we need vast wealth for
our lives are rather fine

the first replied with rolling eyes
you just don't understand
we could have a larger house
one that's very grand

the second looked around him
cleaning this one is a chore
why would we need a bigger one
that's cleaning even more

you do not see the picture though
think about the food
wines steaks lobster and caviar
now wouldn't that be good

I have enough to keep me fed
that is enough for me
I do not wish for more than that
why not let things be

with riches we could live like kings
servants caring for our needs
never worry about a thing at all
just live a life of ease

you would not worry at all I see
about things like theft
wonder where the money went
can you live upon what's left

I need nothing more than what I have
food and a roof over my head
clean clothes each day to wear as well
and at night a safe warm bed

I have all the wealth that I will need
I will not hope for more
but you can seek it all you wish
and I wish you luck for sure

so if you find yourself someday
wishing for vast fortune
think about the things you have
then whistle a happy tune

The Three Hundred Sixty Second, December 28, 2011

warm sun layers heat on the beach
like a house painter with a hangover
a cool morning grows into a hot day

the waves take no notice

people come and go through the day
picnics and surfing and just relaxing
enjoying a day on the sunny beach

the waves took no notice

I sit here and watch them all around me
the people the waves and the sun the sand
content for now to sit an observer only

the waves take no notice

through it all the sand remains calm
though the waves pound and feet kick
constantly distracted by everything

the waves take no notice

the sands do not care

The Three Hundred Sixty First, December 27, 2011

age is a figment of the imagination
you are as young as the one you feel
but it is wrong to seek out a young one
just to feel younger than you are

I feel my age today for the nth time
forgot how old I really was again
the vitality of youth pumps again
and like a fool I believed the voice

it felt good for a moment.. just one
the rush of the moment thrilled me
felt half my age again... for a moment
but all reciprocal in the final tally

feeling twice my age tonight
long day leading to longer night
slowly aches set into the joints
muscles tighten into tight knots

feeling every single minute of it
the exhilaration of the run
as long as the doctor doesn't hear
felt good to be the fool for a bit

have felt 50 for a while now
was nice to prove it all wrong
day after was not very bad
only as old as the one you feel....

The Three Hundred Sixtieth, December 26, 2011

drawing closer to the wall
see the path clearly now
the wall cuts across it
does the path end there?

a small door appears ahead
perhaps a way beyond
getting close enough now
can almost touch the wall

when I reach the stoop
decisions must be made
do I open the door then
or merely sit and reflect

only a few more steps
the journey nears the end
tired feet prod onward
soon..... very soon.... decisions

The Three Hundred Fifty Ninth, December 25, 2011

and so it came to pass
the world was wrapped
a gift to everyone of us
filled with peace and joy

it doesn't matter at all
who you are or were
where you are from
or where you are going

they say tis the season
I ask why limit ourselves
let this be the generation
for peace on Earth, good will to men

A very merry Christmas to all.