Stitches

My clothes have looked ripped,
torn, and haggard from the day
I was born. I didn’t think they
were worn down until they were
handed down. Despite the dirt,
I saw clearly. I got clothes yearly
at Goodwill, thrift stores: clearly.
I have fallen, tripped, and ripped
my clothes. It’s the way it goes.
Instead of feeling bad for myself,
I slowly got up looking for help.
It didn’t take long before I found
a queen without the silly crown.
She was happy to show me around.
Within days, I learned how to sew.
With learning to sew, I learned how
to heal. Each time I fall, I recall many
lessons that lessen the hurt and pain.
When I fall, I know my wounds will
heal and my clothes can be stitched.
When there is nothing left but love,
that’s when my life’s been enriched.

Crystal Ball

I looked in the crystal ball.
I saw my birth, rise, fall,
and death. I saw my life
with its darkness and light.
I saw roots. I saw my family
tree growing tall and strong.
I saw me as a child, exploring
unknowns, with an innocence
only children know and show.
I saw my future. I saw better
days. From an ariel view,
I saw the choices I made
and trees throwing shade.
I saw everyday as a game.
I was the star player showing
no fear: grinning ear to ear.
In the crystal ball, I saw
me at the top of a mountain.
I saw that I found a fountain
of youth. It’s the damn truth.
I saw it all in my crystal ball.
I know what I saw, and I saw
what I know. I saw my life
unfold. I saw me grow old.
In the crystal ball, I saw me
write deep into the night.

Upside Down

Life has turned upside down.
The king has lost his crown.
The skies turned grey. The light
blinded those who could not
look away. Time still escapes
youthful hands every single day.
The ground is falling upwards.
The sky stayed beneath the feet
of those who never took a seat.
Worlds can turn upside down,
but adjustments can be made.
Life is a hard game we all play.
Some win. Some lose. Some
live to die. Some die to live.
Life’s gift is the time it gives.

Before I Die

I want to fly
across the world.
I want to see
leaves of green
fall across the sky.
Before I die,
I want to breathe
care-free air.
I want to be
the ocean breeze
that is warmer
than it seems.
I want to freeze
time. I want
to seize – believe.
I want to rise –
reach new highs.
I just want to live
before I die.

Down to Earth

Bring me down to Earth;
I lost my sense of gravity.
I am losing touch rapidly.
Floating and flying, I look
down and hope to land
safely on the ground.
My head is in the clouds,
away from distant crowds.
I look around to see birds
flocking, gliding, and hiding
from an Earth that’s dying.
I have seen enough; I’m
ready to hit the ground.
Bring me down to Earth;
I want to help restore
order and peace. I wish
to land and hold Mother
Nature’s hand. I know
things will get better
down on Earth because
it cannot get worse when
we are down to Earth.