Where I’m Going

Hardly, I know where I’m going.

Really, there’s no way of knowing.

The choices I’ve made have led me

to this very moment. The places

I’ve traveled to taught me that

there is no going back. Moving

forward while carrying a sword,

I inch closer toward a new world.

In this life there are no guarantees,

just new people to meet and new

places to see. Where I’m going, there

must be no regrets. I’ll move on

as time resets. Tomorrow, I’ll have

a better idea of where I’m going.

I’ll show up there with a past

still glowing. With rivers flowing

and flowers growing, I’ll show up

with bruises and cuts proving that

truly living takes guts. Time to see

where life will take me. Time to

grow older trying something new.

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.

Read the Room

You don’t have to be literate
to read the room. You don’t
have to know how to sweep
to use a broom. You don’t
need feet to own shoes.
Rooms are like books on
a shelf. People are like words
on a page. Sometimes, it takes
awhile for some to open up.
Each person has their own
definition of life. Views
and perspectives differ.
Beauty is in the eye of
the beholder. Lessons
are learned and days
grow shorter as we get
older. You don’t need
a folder to read the room.
Open your eyes and look
around. Take it all in
as you read the room.
From womb to the tomb,
leave no room for regret.
Read the room and learn
how fires burn. Read
each person’s face. Learn
just how the world turns.
Whatever you decide to do,
know that it is better to
read the room than to
leave the room. Look.
We can all be open books.

Don’t Grow Up

Be a kid for as long
as you can. Don’t grow up.
Be a kid; dream big dreams.
Some say, “don’t kid yourself”
Some are not kids themselves.
Tell me – you won’t grow up.
Be a kid. Be a squid. Be a lid.
Be anything you want to be
before life really begins.
Be an actor – a ballplayer.
Be an astronaut -a farmer.
Be a president – a politician.
Be what you want to be.
Be free, and don’t grow up
because having youth
beats being a grown-up.
Be anything you want to be:
a person your kid self
would be excited to meet.

Under the Weather

Sometimes, I just want to
run away from myself –
take a trip – sail the ship.
Most days, the feeling stays.
Most times, I wish I knew
how to feel younger
without losing wisdom.
I reside in the deep
pockets of my vast mind.
I look for things to hide
behind when I try to find
the time to feel divine.
I search for better days;
I look for better times.
Sometimes, I just don’t feel
myself; I feel like someone
else. Most days, I look up
to see the smiling sun.
I am beginning to see
better days ahead of me.