last night

Last night seems so far away.

Time has gone by the wayside.

The morning has arrived. Now,

what’s left are memories from

what was done. Time to look

ahead as I build up the courage

to get out of bed. Dreams, sleep,

and time separate last night

from this morning. Now, birds

are singing. Most are soaring.

We never know when last night

will be our last night. Wrong

or right, the transition to day

brings us closer to the light.

Life isn’t promised or guaranteed.

Tonight could be my last night.

Odds are it won’t be. But, life

is unpredictable as entering

the void is inevitable. Still,

I do what I can to love: to fill

my soul with love and passion.

Don’t forget about last night,

but enjoy the morning. Enjoy

the past, the future, the present

before asking where the time went.

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.

One of These Days

One of these days, when the sun

comes down as the children

play, I will have nothing to say.

I will just sit there and smile

knowing that life was worth while.

One of these days, life will have

showed me all that I needed to

see. I will have learned lessons

that are taught by time. Experiences

of mine will seem divine. Old

thoughts and feelings become

less appealing. One of these days,

I will love to the point of happiness.

I will give gratitude and hate less.

One of these days, I will feel alive

before I look death in the eyes.

One of these days, my dreams will

come true before my nightmares do.

Simon Says…

Get this bread. Fill your head.

Love endlessly. Laugh often.

Nail the coffin shut. Strut

your stuff. Call their bluff.

Say anything except “but”.

Find different ways to

fill your cup. Look up to

your friends, not your foes.

Survive the lows and enjoy

the highs. Become surprised.

Live through your own eyes.

Don’t wait until they dry.

It won’t last if you go faster.

Slow down in times of disaster.

No need to talk when you can

listen to the voices you have

been missing. Enjoy this time

as death will, one day, take

both you and me away.

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.