"One." (for Paris) 11/13/2015
We stand on one planet
kept alive from the same breath.
We share the same feelings
through sickness, struggles and death.
We turn together
yet often feel we stand alone.
We want a better life
yet argue how it should be done.
We divide and sort
in defiance of who we really are.
We mark the map and draw the lines
to show that we're apart.
We hold our greatest strength,
diversity, hostage out of fear.
We numb our human unity
until we see suffering far and near.
We'll learn one day to stand as one
and find purpose helping one another.
We'll see the strength of many
outweighs that of every other.
kept alive from the same breath.
We share the same feelings
through sickness, struggles and death.
We turn together
yet often feel we stand alone.
We want a better life
yet argue how it should be done.
We divide and sort
in defiance of who we really are.
We mark the map and draw the lines
to show that we're apart.
We hold our greatest strength,
diversity, hostage out of fear.
We numb our human unity
until we see suffering far and near.
We'll learn one day to stand as one
and find purpose helping one another.
We'll see the strength of many
outweighs that of every other.
"The Art of Winning"
I'm just a thousandaire
dimes a dozen, nothing rare.
Not yet jaded by the greenbacks,
not harangued by what I lack.
My comfort's a mile high
in rocky switchbacks stretching to the sky.
Where fresh free air and a peaceful heart
fill ones soul with life's best art.
dimes a dozen, nothing rare.
Not yet jaded by the greenbacks,
not harangued by what I lack.
My comfort's a mile high
in rocky switchbacks stretching to the sky.
Where fresh free air and a peaceful heart
fill ones soul with life's best art.
"The Cusp of Greatness"
Trust I stood
perched on the rimrock
staring down into the wild brush
running the banks of the ancient water below.
Trust I could
taste grit from miles walked
in the dusty flats beyond my
back and beneath the rays of the rising Sun's glow.
Trust I should
stand poised and nocked
to start on down that great divide
with the same step started so many moons ago.
Trust I would
climb up those red chalk
walls as stale fears washed away.
Ready to scale the cliffs to further paths unknown.
perched on the rimrock
staring down into the wild brush
running the banks of the ancient water below.
Trust I could
taste grit from miles walked
in the dusty flats beyond my
back and beneath the rays of the rising Sun's glow.
Trust I should
stand poised and nocked
to start on down that great divide
with the same step started so many moons ago.
Trust I would
climb up those red chalk
walls as stale fears washed away.
Ready to scale the cliffs to further paths unknown.
"Waiting on Shy Summer" 4/19/2015
With a deep breath and a nervous step she inches outside,
a Spring wallflower beaten, with her back up against the cold high steel
the icy north winds howl with laughter as tears sting her eyes.
With barbs of lightening and tempestuous thunder his fury seems surreal
but she stands tall, certain of a sign pointing to the Old Man’s Achilles heel.
Winter’s reign of the lake lands shakes her, refusing to be put under;
her bawling fills the streets waiting for her dear friend, Shy Summer.
She coaxes the first buds from the tall oaks, and calls the ivy towards the sky.
The Old Man balks, backed over the Great Lakes his strength repealed.
He wails. His cool breath lingers, left on the streets as a cruel disguise,
winter’s Houdini sinks down to the depths consigned to the escape wheel.
With a long sigh, her smile signals the end of the long ordeal;
bird songs, bikers, and base runners emerge from the season’s slumber
shaking off their dust and preparing to meet her friend, Shy Summer.
North Side charcoal smoke stokes the hearts where four stars fly with pride.
Her mellow vibes warm the chilly ground bringing back the Second City’s feel
of life lived in the streets, of these streets pursuits and passion recklessly provide.
The dewy sweet air of the first warm night lights the lakefront with zeal
as the fireflies take to the sky. The choice season of the year revealed,
welcomed by old friends, sought by urban explorers and fabled for the newcomer.
With open arms she greets her confidant, her favorite friend Chi Summer.
a Spring wallflower beaten, with her back up against the cold high steel
the icy north winds howl with laughter as tears sting her eyes.
With barbs of lightening and tempestuous thunder his fury seems surreal
but she stands tall, certain of a sign pointing to the Old Man’s Achilles heel.
Winter’s reign of the lake lands shakes her, refusing to be put under;
her bawling fills the streets waiting for her dear friend, Shy Summer.
She coaxes the first buds from the tall oaks, and calls the ivy towards the sky.
The Old Man balks, backed over the Great Lakes his strength repealed.
He wails. His cool breath lingers, left on the streets as a cruel disguise,
winter’s Houdini sinks down to the depths consigned to the escape wheel.
With a long sigh, her smile signals the end of the long ordeal;
bird songs, bikers, and base runners emerge from the season’s slumber
shaking off their dust and preparing to meet her friend, Shy Summer.
North Side charcoal smoke stokes the hearts where four stars fly with pride.
Her mellow vibes warm the chilly ground bringing back the Second City’s feel
of life lived in the streets, of these streets pursuits and passion recklessly provide.
The dewy sweet air of the first warm night lights the lakefront with zeal
as the fireflies take to the sky. The choice season of the year revealed,
welcomed by old friends, sought by urban explorers and fabled for the newcomer.
With open arms she greets her confidant, her favorite friend Chi Summer.
"Germs of Thought"
A fire burns low, the great Promethian heat
ages old, dancing with flames of fancy who's unknown departure lingers nigh
The embers glow, germs of thought, chaos and creation steeped
On the hunt the onicilla prowls the shadows deep
lurking in search of mana to feed the muse on high
Soft cool winds rouse the undergrowth, the ants jive as the flames march on.
Placed limbs stacked by patient hands shoot new life to greet the sky
Graciously we soak the warmth, knowing in a moment our good company's moved along.
A tune and in tune we wait for our old friend to stop back by.
ages old, dancing with flames of fancy who's unknown departure lingers nigh
The embers glow, germs of thought, chaos and creation steeped
On the hunt the onicilla prowls the shadows deep
lurking in search of mana to feed the muse on high
Soft cool winds rouse the undergrowth, the ants jive as the flames march on.
Placed limbs stacked by patient hands shoot new life to greet the sky
Graciously we soak the warmth, knowing in a moment our good company's moved along.
A tune and in tune we wait for our old friend to stop back by.
"Break Away" written 2/27/12
Oh if only I could tell you of all the marvelous things
I've seen in the dew dawn break of the early morning.
The birds make haste rising and flying with the day,
A privileged time to waste, up with joy. Up and away.
Soul, body, and mind linked with the cosmos as one.
Binding and unwinding, man and earth together. Stunned.
With peace and serenity of a city not quite alive
Restless undertones for one second abide.
I've seen the sun rushing to chase away the night
while fluffy billows pluming in the sky and beyond
catch and magnify the screaming rays of sunlight,
cleansing the heavens with a blazing fire on the horizon.
All of the divine pallet is in use, striking hues
of purples and pinks, oranges, yellows, and blues.
Words aren't enough to paint on the canvas of the mind
value in a distant memory that year's later one will find.
The full moon lingers on the crest of the foothills
daring Apollo's chariot to make its move.
This epic battle of the heavenly bodies, ideas fulfilled
of peace, tranquillity, rebirth. Symbols of a natural groove.
All this, a chosen few to view this classic skirmish in the sky,
The moment is short, and gone within the blink of an eye.
A macro of life and love, evidence in its full effect.
Those who truly know stand far from the inept.
And so it goes, what is above, so too below.
An ancient wisdom left buried and unknown.
Stride with a saunter rather than the depraved run
of life. A step back. Simplicity lets escape none.
STOP and listen... STOP and watch.
Break away.
I've seen in the dew dawn break of the early morning.
The birds make haste rising and flying with the day,
A privileged time to waste, up with joy. Up and away.
Soul, body, and mind linked with the cosmos as one.
Binding and unwinding, man and earth together. Stunned.
With peace and serenity of a city not quite alive
Restless undertones for one second abide.
I've seen the sun rushing to chase away the night
while fluffy billows pluming in the sky and beyond
catch and magnify the screaming rays of sunlight,
cleansing the heavens with a blazing fire on the horizon.
All of the divine pallet is in use, striking hues
of purples and pinks, oranges, yellows, and blues.
Words aren't enough to paint on the canvas of the mind
value in a distant memory that year's later one will find.
The full moon lingers on the crest of the foothills
daring Apollo's chariot to make its move.
This epic battle of the heavenly bodies, ideas fulfilled
of peace, tranquillity, rebirth. Symbols of a natural groove.
All this, a chosen few to view this classic skirmish in the sky,
The moment is short, and gone within the blink of an eye.
A macro of life and love, evidence in its full effect.
Those who truly know stand far from the inept.
And so it goes, what is above, so too below.
An ancient wisdom left buried and unknown.
Stride with a saunter rather than the depraved run
of life. A step back. Simplicity lets escape none.
STOP and listen... STOP and watch.
Break away.