Past Tense

What is done is done. We wave hello to the sun.

We never forgot about the moon. We need both

the fork and the spoon. The day may be gone,

and time may be flying, but I am still trying.

In the sky, I see birds bobbing and weaving.

I can’t take my eye off what is now leaving.

I loved, cried, and smiled in the past tense.

I live in the present where it just makes sense.

The memories stay as the past fades away.

The future is bright: I’ll be there one day.

Baby Gray

Since the day you were born,

you’ve shined brighter than

a shooting star blasting across

the pitch-black sky. You glisten

in the reflection of my eye.

Your wide smile cheers me up.

Your youthful eyes tell me that

the sun will surely rise again.

At just 8 months old, you’ve

given me the ability to see

that life has many meanings.

You have taught me to love

unconditionally. You fill me

with joy and energy. I can be

me with you. I am so proud

to be your dad, baby Gray.

You’ve given me the light

that I cherish night and day.

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.

in the way

As life goes on, things can get in the way.
There are roadblocks, people, problems
that slow us down. We can even get in our own
way. It is hard to say how it happens. It just
does. Sometimes, we can get stuck in the mud.
Sometimes, we choose hate over love. Stuff
can pile up, and life can become a pain.
Once we regain strength, all we have to do
is maintain. To fight through is to gain insight.
The odds may be against us, but we must
trust the process. We must do our best
when things get in the way. These strong
feelings of doubt will not stay. We must
not run away. We must solve the case
before our optimism becomes misplaced.
When life gets in the way, don’t give up
or give in. You will get over it. Look at
your life as a knife that will cut through
a dark night. Find light and hold on tight.

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.