The Three Hundred Twenty Second, November 18, 2011

oh the wonder the ear provides
more than just simple pleasures
the gentle sounds around us
birds and breezes and streams

beyond the joy of a giggle
a baby's carefree laughter
a child's imaginative story
the soft whispers of emotion

even better than these things
a miracle of wonder the are
for holding up the glasses
and a place to rest a hat

The Three Hundred Twenty First, November 17, 2011

long days
leading to long nights
deep sleep
just around the corner

wind down
running out of steam
heavy yawn
no more delaying now

eyes droop
head beginning to nod
time comes
logging out of reality

good night interweb.... sweet dreams

The Three Hundred Twentieth, November 16, 2011

tranquility
lacking disturbances at last
finding quiet without
matching within
relaxation

The Three Hundred Nineteenth, November 15, 2011

I watch the fading light
that once was common
common sense
common decency
common courtesy
common interest

the dimming was quiet
now bangs or booms
no oooos or ahhhhhhs
just the fading away
and a small little pop
self-absorbed takes over

amazing amount of centers
the world revolves around
it isn't global warming
its friction building
from too many axis
competing for lubrication

soon all the little pieces
will fly off into space
each their own trajectory
until they slow down
finding their own place
the next big bang....

The Three Hundred Eighteenth, November 14, 2011

vacations soothe the nerves
easing the abrasions of work
smoothing the ruffled feathers
caused by road rage commutes

then they end.....

and all the stress is still there
it seems to have missed me
everything was going into reserve
just waiting for first day back.....

insanity relapse complete....

The Three Hundred Seventeenth, November 13, 2011

people watching in airports

source of abundant fascination

amplified condensed diversity

society viewed in microcosm

all shapes sizes colors genders

attitudes volumes manners

smorgasbord of languages

international flavor spice free

The Three Hundred Sixteenth, November 12, 2011

empathy

a face in the throng

intuition

discordant smile

something amiss

forced laughter

attention drawn

trying too hard

artificial happiness

inside something clicks

a wave washes over

awash in feelings

coming from another

instinct compels

a need to intrude

must make things right

reach out a hand

how often my moods

do not come from me

but a reaction unsought

sharing life with a stranger

send a part of the me

to those I cannot do more

along with deep hope

it will help in some way

left slightly hollow

a sadness lingering

emptiness needing filled

hungry for happiness

a casual meeting

face to face with no crowd

offer warmest smile

tentatively returned

gradual conversation

tensions visually ease

gift of genuine compassion

stranger closer than friend

only a fraction of a lifetime

a whisper in life's saga

altering both journeys

parting the closest of strangers

rare are such moments

each a precious treasure

giving my life meaning

a reason to be alive

perfection ever eludes

too often unable to help

and I pray no harm done

sadly only mere mortal

if this be my calling

illusive meaning of life

one burden made lighter

defines a successful life

The Three Hundred Fifteenth, November 11, 2011

solitude

seeking to be alone in a crowd

block out the humanity

find the quiet

peace 

The Three hundred Fourteenth, November 10, 2011

Conversations with a child

the beauty of the child

shines in their happiness

sings through their giggles

covers them as they sleep

the simple joys of life

they have not yet outgrown

being helpful to others

because it's fun to be useful

asking a bajillion questions

telling stories with no plot

making up riddles and jokes

just to have a grownup listen

it is a blessing in my mind

that I have been given a gift

to enjoy spending time that way

and share the wonder they see

conversations with a child

such a wonderful source

of wisdom and innocence

I learn something every time

thank God for the children

those precious little delights

without whom many adults

would have no value at all 

The Three Hundred Thirteenth, November 9, 2011

it stretches out before

it lingers on behind

the sides reaching out

seeming barren expanse

versatile face presented

fluid transition between

minimal hints offered

prediction from speculation

perhaps glass like smooth

reflecting dreams above

lofty unattainable heights

effectively hiding depths

maybe small rolling waves

demonstrating diversity

dancing jovial merriment

concealed deeper currents

or it could be turbulent crests

powerful surges of motion

continuing relentlessly onward

oblivious to all opposition

the faces of the sea are many

much as the faces of life

each with unique character

and mysteries in their depths

The Three Hundred Twelfth, November 8, 2011

Antigua

rising slowly from the mists

vague shadows of darker gray

color washed away by night

waiting for dawn's lingering kiss

fire on the eastern horizon

grows brighter with each breath

baited and expectant anticipation

hushed world awaits renewal

waves sweep ahead eagerly

painting a watercolor world

rays of sunlight thank them

gifts of sparkling jewels short lived

gray rinsed clean revealing life

transforming into thousands

greens and blues and browns

miraculously growing from the waves

brave new world calls to me

excited as an anxious new lover

passions building with morning

impatient to begin our affair

tropical hug warming the blood

feeling the whispered calls

tracing fingers along my bones

impossible to refuse siren's song

so with long slow inhaled breath

nerves tingling rediscovered spirit

ancestral tradition reincarnated

the explorer marches forth once more....

The Three Hundred Eleventh, November 7, 2011

have you ever tried
looking for yourself
and found you were standing
in the shadow of your parents

we are molded by their hands
shaped with their dreams
even when we think we rebel
they likely did the same

does their shadow weigh on you
making you fell somehow less
do not feel alone in this
it is simply growing up

we learn from those around us
the things we hear and see
eventually being shaped by them
copies or opposites for good or bad

do not feel disheartened though
for in time you too will see
parents often feel self guilt
for their every assumed mistake

realize the shadow felt around you
is a shelter from life's storms
to let you grow beyond them
becoming the protector in the end

The Three Hundred Ninth, November 5, 2011

Today I live
despite the world
rising on wings
so far above

eagles are below
as I climb higher
passing the clouds
gliding through rainbows

misted blurred vision
smoothes all edges
creating a tapestry
fog hugging rivers

passing overhead
no details seen
as morning rises
gently over the land

so many lives exist
going calmly on
I may never touch
very far bellow

are they even real
or pieces of my dreams
do their lives depend
upon my imagination

or what if someone
standing looking up
has the same thought
and we both hold our breath.....

The Three Hundred Tenth, November 6, 2011

there is a hand inside
clenching tight a fist
nails digging deep
no relief in sight

stomach drawn tight
dropping to the knees
dizziness engulfs all
dancing spots in sight

sharp urge to heave
nothing there for it
too weak to resist
another wracking

no sense crying more
no one heeds the sound
struggle to find something
anything to calm it

pray for sleep to come
then you do not know
it haunts your dreams
but it is your only rest

too many children know
too many children feel
they live with this daily
hunger as a teddy bear

think about them this year
as you plan your holiday
remembering their lack
as you offer your thanks

The Three Hundred Eighth, November 4, 2011

the work day ends
the vacation starts
the weight is gone
feel better already

it is time for a nap
just because I can
I am past that stage
I can sit and relax

not running around
just chilling out
doing nothing at all
and it feels soo good

VACATION!!!!
a week away from it
no daily tormenting
the rats will race alone

The Three Hundred Seventh, November 3, 2011

pressure builds
balloon swells
reality stretches
tension grows
everything distorts
bigger and bigger it continues to grow
seeking more space to hold it all in
the is no more room in the inn for it all

BOOM

ballon bursts
pressure gone
stress relieved
only time to tell
how bad the damage
feel it building again
nooooo
sigh and relax

I do not like midterms

The Three Hundred Sixth, November 2, 2011

it is not fair
just plain not fair
totally unfair
did I mention its not fair?

my back hurts
just standing can do it
sitting can as well
twisting wrong too

and there he lays
so smug and cute
sleeping soundly
twisted like a knot

its not fair I say
he runs and runs
leaps high in the air
darts in and out so fast

then falls asleep
twisted three ways
and eyes half open
watching me suffer

yes, he is an evil kitty indeed...

The Three Hundred Fifth, November 1, 2011

how long are the days
minutes seem weeks
and hours are months
waiting is sheer torture

this I can understand
there must be the bad
for the good to exist
for mediocrity is gray

waiting in the shadow
feeling the chill of it
draining the colors
giving cause for escape

all waiting will end
in time the goal achieved
sun will shine brightly
warm and colorful

from the bland of now
to the dreams of then
with reality catching up
I just hope it lives up to the hype.....

The Three Hundred Fourth, October 31, 2011

see them in their costumes
all dressed up to play
running excitedly around
bags held open for gifts

seeking all the goodies
they really do not need
so many bags are filled
but still they want more

they look cute don't they
how sweet they seem
as they smile so happily
as goodies go in the bag

you think of halloween
and smile at the thought
I speak of campaign season
and cringe with concern

The Three Hundred Third, October 30, 2011

when we look into the past
do we ever see the future
can the road behind us
lead to the place ahead

when we look at today
many claim to see the future
many claim to see the past
I think they are all blind

I look into the past as well
and you know what I see
I see the past laying there
not moving but still changeable

I see hints and clues behind
there are warnings there
I see writings on the walls
warning of dangers ahead

and what of the future then
can we see anything there
or is it only speculation
why does it matter at all

we can change the past
believe me on this one
happens more than you know
rewriting the histories

you change the future too
with every breath you take
can we predict what comes
from a chaotic liquid mass

there is no secret formula
that can about tell tomorrow
we have to live through
start with the day we have

choices made today
based on lessons learned
will not promise success
but can reduce the risks

no matter what happens
each day comes but once
so live the today for today
do the best that you can

tomorrow will come along
give it the best of starts
make today all you can
build the future one day at a time