those eyes

When I look into those eyes,

what I see is no surprise.

Those eyes can’t tell lies.

They tell me a story of love,

pain, power, sunshine, rain.

Words can’t do justice. Looking

at you gives me a chance to

stop and think about my life.

I see all the places you’ve been:

all the tight spots you’re in.

The things you have seen

reveal themselves in real time.

Those eyes know that the sun

still shines. All of your misery

will eventually become history.

Those eyes are windows into

your soul, and your soul glistens,

as my ears learn to listen. Often,

I see those eyes invite mine

to an unspoken conversation.

They talk in ways the mouth can’t.

They tell me I can overcome

any situation. Without hesitation,

those eyes show me a new world:

a world lonely, lovely, and magical.

I get lost in those eyes. They reassure

that unpredictable things will occur.

When I see those eyes, I stop. I stare.

Deep down, I see someone who cares.

Eyes of Fire

I look in the mirror and I see 
eyes of fire staring back at me. 
I feel warmth burn from within. 
There’s a fire creating heat 
that forces me to my feet. 
The ice in my veins melts away 
the second I head on my way. 
In the mirror, I see flames 
become untamed. When I turn 
around, nothing is the same. 
My eyes of fire ignite my sight. 
These eyes of fire feel right.

Behind the Mask

Behind every mask
hides a hurting face.
People mask emotions
by concealing feelings.
People mask pain
every single day.
Everyone wants to
know who’s behind
the mask, but they
never ask what is
behind the mask.
So much more is
behind the mask.
Don’t be afraid
to show yourself.
It’s time to take
off the mask
and face the world.
Rid yourself of
the hurt and pain.

Behind the Scenes

I am the leading actor
in this movie of life.
The cameras are rolling
all day and all night.
The scenes are shot
from my eyesight
with or without light.
The film developed
is stored in my brain.
There are no ‘cuts’ or
‘do-overs’. The camera
keeps rolling whether
sleeping or bowling.
As my movie finishes,
my memory diminishes.
Once the movie is made,
all things in life fade.
Only if you saw behind
the scenes, you would
understand the man
that I am. You would
see all that I was:
the good, bad, and ugly.
See me for me and look
for all the good things
that I am and will be.


The Same Shadow

I keep seeing the same
shadow. It follows me
wherever I go. I know
this shadow can grow
when lights turn low.
My fear seems to flow,
and paranoia ensues.
With every step, I look
to my right – my left,
and I feel the shadow
around me. Can it be
mine? Can it be me
from another life? Is it
the same shadow I see
in my mind?
Anyway,
I walk away: leaving
shadows in my wake as
I swim across life’s lake.