Shell Shock

The war is far from over. Each day
awakens another demon. To say
that life is a breeze must be a lie.
It is hard to stay positive when
you know, you too, will someday
die. All we can do is try to stay
sane. There is a war inside all
of our brains. There is some sun,
but mostly rain. Life can be fun
if we decide to run before father
time tucks us in. What we lose
in things is gained in wisdom.
When the dust settles, we will
see that past souls have risen.
The war is far from over, yet
the score is far from set. Bet
on yourself and don’t give up.
When feeling shell shocked, be
the rock that does not stop
staying on top. Win the battle
today. Strap on your saddle.
Ride closer to the finish line.
When the war is finally over,
our mission will be complete.
That’s when we will be okay.
That’s when we will feel peace.

Stuck in Space

No way of getting home,
I float endlessly throughout
the vast galaxy. I see nothing
but stars and planets. Human
life seems to be so far away.
I can’t be the only one inside
this place. There should be
another face, but that’s not
the case. My spacesuit and I
hover over sea and land.
I’ve seen the dark side
of the moon far too soon.
It’s a beautiful view above.
It’s not something that I love,
but it’s not something I hate.
It is me: stuck in space
with many moons to face.

Father Time

Don’t hit fast-forward.
Don’t press rewind.
Press play and watch
memories from the past
come to life. Take it
slow and pay attention
to the days that pass by
most of our closed eyes.
Look too far and miss
today. Don’t look at all
as our doubts grow tall.
Don’t rush. In our lives,
things may come and go,
yet we will come to learn
there is more to know.
Father time has his hands
full with grains of sand
flowing to his sandals.
Only he knows when
his palms are empty.
Only we can know that
this life is a blessing.





Gone

It is gone. Nothing
remains. Nothing is
the same. It is gone.
Gone for good.
What is left of me:
a man lost at sea?
What is gone is free.
Paying attention
is free. Things go
until they are gone.
People are right
until they are not.
People lose sight
and it is wrong.
I will try to stay
before I am gone.






The Distance Between Us

Miles separate
me and you.
You live a ways
away. I live with-
out you everyday.
It feels strange
because thoughts
of you surface
on purpose. It is
like you are here:
closer than before.
Distance between
us means nothing
to us. I trust that
we both watch
the same stars
shooting across-
finding the lost.