take your time

Don’t forget to take your time

before someone takes it for you.

Breathe. Relax. This game is life

goes so fast. Smile. Laugh. Sit

back before the chickens hatch.

Enjoy your time and others will

too. Take your time. Go. Live

your life, and I will live mine.

Together, we can take small steps

on the stairwell to eternity. Then,

we will know how it feels to be

free. Look ahead: not at a watch.

Forget all that you were taught.

Don’t rush. Be patient. Say that

it will work out. Say that

it will be fine taking your time.

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.

Hamster Wheels

Round and round, I am bound
to get dizzy. Sometimes, I feel
like my head is spinning. Brains
possibly missing. Beans possibly
spilling. Like a whirlwind, I spin
round and round, dancing to
the sound of a familiar song
What goes up must come down.
It’s just a circle, not a hurdle.
For the last time, I will jump off
this whirling hamster wheel.
Time to get off the roller-coaster
that makes nothing feel real.

Move

Hey. You! Yeah! You.
Move. Take a step.
Take a chance. Move.
Buy a new pair
of dancing shoes.
Find a different
groove. Don’t be
afraid to lose.
When you play,
pay your dues.
Move. It’s much
better when you
get to choose.
Keep on dancing
for your love is
everlasting. Move.
There is nothing
for you to prove.

The Key

There are gatekeepers
that hold the key
to the kingdom –
the key to success.
They hold the key.
There are street sweepers
that hold guns and cuffs.
They hold the key.
There is a grim reaper
among the living.
He holds the key
to the afterlife.
With him, it’s on sight.
There are timekeepers
watching from the other
side. There are spirits
that know when to hide.
They hold the key
to the somber skies.
There are old leaders
driving imported cars.
They hold the key.
There are people
like you and me.
We, too, hold the key
that will, one day,
set our souls free.