Missed the Boat

BEEEEEEP
*Emergency Broadcast*
Get off the mainland. Unidentified aircrafts have overtaken the island and are launching, what appears to be, green goo all over buildings, causing them to melt on contact. There are too many aircrafts to count. All boats have departed. Those of you left, hurry to the last departing boat. I repeat – get off the mainland.
*Broadcast Ends*
——————–
I wake up. I get ready to leave.
I slap on some causal clothes.
Dress shoes: I don’t need those.
I look up and notice the time.
I have 30 minutes to get to
the last boat. The mainland is
sinking, and I can’t float. Hope
is shrinking. Without thinking,
I rush to the dock with a bad
back and a knapsack. I approach
the dock with holes in my socks.
I see a light fading in the mist.
I get the gist. I missed the boat.
I drop to my knees. I curse
the skies and the stars above.
Seconds later, a flying saucer
takes shape of a loving dove
that spits green slime in my eye.
I wipe my face. I see a light.
No way this can be right.
The dove transforms back
into a flying saucer. A black-
eyed, small, frail, lifeform
comes flying out its door and
has its hands around my neck.
I jam my thumb in its green
head until, well, you know,
it was dead. Not after long,
I climb in the vacant saucer.
Just like that, I was a goner.
I may have missed the boat,
but I killed an alien and flew
to places only NASA knew
about. It was a better route.
Now, I stay put in Area 51,
where I hide from the sun.



Trails

Without fail, we blaze trails
that will help others with
their paths. Like those
before us, we’re born into
life without foresight.
Like many before us,
we try harder than
those who came before.
We trust the process. We
step through unopened
doors to progress.
Whether walking alone
or with someone else,
blaze trails that will
make it easier for
generations to come.
The work is never done.
It’s better to blaze trails
than to chase tails.
Look far and wide for
beaten paths. Follow
your heart, and if you
get lost, blaze a trail
like ships set sail.
If need be, try new ways
to navigate the maze.
Blaze on and reach
the top before life
stops and our vision
is gone. Without fail,
create your own trails.

Time on Earth

For what it’s worth,
let’s have the best
time we can on earth.
Life flashes by like
a dragonfly. Time
is beside us, and life
is inside us. Invisible
clocks tick. tick. tick.
The circle of life is
visible at night. We
count stars and sheep
from time to time.
Most of the time,
we lose count and
drift away. Days
grow wings and fly,
yet memories stay.
Life, as we know it,
is a gift: a present
to use in the future.
Our time on earth
will drive our souls
to meet unmet goals.

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.

Raise the Bar

Try to face challenges
that bring your best
self out. Walk away
from the path that was
once your past. Reach
for the stars you seek.
Raise the bar and see
life from the highest
valley. Be better than
you were yesterday.
Don’t run in place.
Find strength to go
against the grain
despite the pain.
Feel peace at last.
Enjoy what you have
before it becomes
a part of your past.
It’s not too late. Raise
the bar if you can
and find a place you
would want to land.