Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

HAPPINESS TIP: HOW TO CREATE A HAPPY, PRICELESS, BEAUTIFUL LIFE FOR FREE!

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

People frequently ask why I am always so happy, why I care so much about animals, and why I pick up recyclables when they see me walking or running. Well, much of it has to do with the way I look at life.

Consider this:

Imagine you loaned the use of your home to a house guest for a few days while you were away. When you return, you find your home has been completely trashed and has become a dirty, stinking, filthy mess. How would you feel about your house guest?

Now, imagine you loaned the use of your home to a different kind of house guest. When you return, you find your home has been thoroughly cleaned, polished, and beautified. In addition, you receive a card and gift thanking you for the use of your home. How appreciative would you feel towards this house guest?

Well, the spiritual world operates in much the same way. We are all just house guests of our creator – who has so graciously loaned us this planet (and everything in it) for all of our days. And those who genuinely care about and express appreciation towards the planet (and every creation in it) will experience blessed lives filled with love, peace, beauty, and happiness – the spiritual world continually recognizing their appreciation and showering them with more to be appreciative of. And this cycle of joy, positivity, and appreciation can continue from day-to-day, week-to-week, and year-to-year.

So, the above summarizes my philosophy on life and why I am ever so thankful and grateful and continually express this appreciation.

Everything that surrounds us has been loaned to us by the most gracious of givers. So let’s all strive to become the most gracious and considerate of guests while living here on this planet. Simply BE KIND, DO GOOD, and BE GOOD and watch your world transform into a life filled with love, beauty, and joy. What a wonderful world we could all share if we each did our part in these regards. So, do this. And do it often.

This and other happiness and self-improvement related tips are provided throughout my self-help oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/ 

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness #relationships

☆°▪︎ BLUE AND BROODING ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

told

you

–

–

I

loved

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

still

do,

–

–

anytime

I

move

–

i

n

t

o

– 

that

same

–

–

old

room . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

same

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

t

–

–

–

the

same

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

same

mood . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ when

.

t

h

e

.

bass

–

a

n

d

–

brooding

brews

–

o

f

– 

“might 

have

been”

blues

–

– 

begin

–

t

o

–

bloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

start 

hearing

–

t

h

a

t

–

same

haunting

tune . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

a

t

–

–

–

same

haunting

tune . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

way 

back

then . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when 

–

t

h

e

–

days 

–

–

were

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ when

.

t

h

e

.

days

–

–

were

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

filled

–

w

i

t

h

–

me’s

–

a

n

d

–

you’s.

Reflection:  I wrote this poem in reflection of a favorite, much-played David Bowie Album called “Hours.” My favorite tracks on it were “If I’m Dreaming My Life, ” “Tuesday’s Child,” “Seven,” “What’s Really Happening,” “Something in the Air,” and “Survive.” However, the entire album is excellent and one of my favorite albums of all time by David Bowie.

HAPPINESS TIP: NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF TRUST

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

One of the more difficult things to do in life is to build trust. It’s far easier to break trust than to build trust. But it’s also much easier to build trust than to repair trust.

So, never underestimate the value of trust. Trust is important for all types of relationships including romantic relationships, friendships and family, and work and community relationships. So, if you want to live a happy and peaceful life, make it your goal to live with a sense of discipline and commitment such that you avoid breaking trust.

The reason why it’s so difficult to repair trust once it has been broken is you have to develop not only a track record of trust and a consistent positive change in behavior but an OBSERVED, DEMONSTRATED, and PROVEN track record in the minds of those you are seeking to repair trust with – people who already have doubts about you and may have a lot of trouble believing your good intentions. This doubt and negative bias can be extremely difficult to overcome. So, do yourself a favor and put forth your best efforts to live a disciplined life and maintain a sense of trust. If you do this, your life will be much easier, happier, and more peaceful.

This and other happiness and self-improvement related tips are provided throughout my self-help oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/ 

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness #relationships

HAPPINESS TIP: HOW TO RELEASE JUDGMENT AND BE THE PERSON EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AROUND!

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Here’s a happiness tip on releasing judgment and being the person everyone wants to be around: think about all of those you love and appreciate in your life – each of which have led unique life experiences which might have changed over time. Some of these aspects you know about and others you might not.

For example, some people in your life might have had Catholic, Buddhist, Atheist, gay, and straight aspects of their life experiences. Others might have had politics and political/other activist aspects and philosophies as a part of their life experiences. Still others might have had narrow-minded or liberal-minded views and beliefs or struggled with temptations and addictions as a part of their life experiences. And yet others might be artists or engineers or educators or entrepreneurs or have preferred one political candidate/party over another political candidate/party throughout their life experiences. And the list goes on.

However, no matter which path they might have taken to get to where they are today, always remember that you love and appreciate them as they are. And they might have been very different had they taken different paths or had other life experiences.

So, anytime you are tempted to pass judgment, remember those who you love and appreciate in your life today – those who might have had similar aspects of what you are judging others for in their life experience. And release that judgment and allow people to have the life experiences they truly desire up until that time that they choose a different path (if ever). Feel free to offer loving advice and ideas, all along the way, which you think might help them live a happier life but always remember it is their life experience – not yours.

If you live your life in the above fashion, you will feel happier, and others will feel happier and more comfortable in your presence. The combination of which will create, well, even greater happiness – both in your life and theirs!

This and other happiness and self-improvement related tips are provided throughout my self-help oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/ 

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness #relationships

HAPPINESS TIP REGARDING ALCOHOL (AND OTHER LIFE DISTRACTIONS)

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

People frequently ask why I stopped drinking alcohol over the years. I’ve never had a drinking problem but there are several benefits to giving up alcohol (and other similar kinds of life distractions):

1) Cost: The amount of money you save from not indulging in these kinds of life distractions is tremendous and is money which can be put towards other dreams and desires you might have.

2) Risk: Not indulging in such life distractions substantially reduces your risk both in the near term and long term.

3) Personal Growth: Not indulging in these kinds of life distractions forces you to deal with life’s stresses, challenges, and “ups a downs” in a healthy fashion. Once you’ve dealt with some of these a few times, you realize that dealing in healthier ways promotes more rapid recovery, greater resilience, and mental fortitude. In addition, not indulging in such life distractions also forces you to learn how to socialize, communicate, and deal with social situations in a sober state. Qualities which you develop and strengthen over time which can benefit you (and others in your life) for your entire life. 

So, that’s three reasons I can come up with which might be worth consideration. But, as always, do what works best for you in your life. It is your life experience and no one else’s.

This and other happiness and self-improvement related tips are provided throughout my self-help oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/ 

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness

☆°▪︎ LOVER’S LANE AND LOST AGAIN ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

How

.

m

a

n

y

.

times

.

h

a

v

e

.

I

.

opened

.

m

y

.

eyes

.

t

o

.

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

yesterday’s

rhymes

.

o

f

.

smiles

.

a

n

d

.

sunshine,

–

–

teed,

.

a

n

d

.

tied,

.

a

n

d

.

tagged,

.

a

n

d

.

tossed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

carelessly

.

o

u

t

.

of

.

m

y

.

life?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

m

a

n

y

.

more

.

t

i

m

e

s

.

before . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

–

–

–

learn

.

t

o

.

savor

.

t

h

e

.

wine,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

tightly

–

–

grip

.

t

h

e

.

vine?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

m

a

n

y

.

more

times?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

m

a

n

y

.

more

times?

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

remember

.

w

h

e

n

.

our

days

.

w

e

r

e

.

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ when

.

t

h

e

.

skies

.

w

e

r

e

.

bold

.

a

n

d

.

burning

blue . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

wide

.

a

n

d

.

high

–

–

across

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

a

n

d

.

nights . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

pride

.

a

n

d

.

promise

–

–

burned

bright

–

–

within

.

o

u

r

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ pride

.

a

n

d

.

promise

–

–

burned

bright

–

–

within

.

o

u

r

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

shined

warming

.

r

a

y

s

.

of

sunlight

.

u

p

o

n

.

all

.

a

n

d

.

everything

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

might . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

way

.

b

a

c

k

.

then,

.

w

h

e

n

.

worries

.

w

e

r

e

.

few . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

there

.

w

a

s

.

nothing

much

.

t

o

.

lose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ there

.

w

a

s

.

nothing

much

.

t

o

.

lose,

.

i

n

.

the

days

.

o

f

.

me

.

a

n

d

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ way

.

b

a

c

k

.

then,

.

w

h

e

n

.

everyone

said

.

w

e

.

moved

.

t

o

o

.

soon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

moved

.

t

o

o

.

soon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

me

.

a

n

d

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

moved

.

t

o

o

.

soon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

moved

.

t

o

o

.

soon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

moved

.

t

o

o

.

soon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

me

.

a

n

d

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

perhaps

.

i

t

.

was

–

–

all

.

t

o

o

.

true,

–

–

within

.

t

h

o

s

e

.

spinning

rooms,

.

.

o

f

.

.

flickering

hues

.

a

n

d

.

margarita

moons . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ perhaps

.

i

t

.

was

–

–

all

.

t

o

o

.

true . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

there

.

w

a

s

.

nothing

else

.

I

.

could

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

no

.

o

n

e

.

else

.

I

.

could

pursue . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

were

.

s

o

.

beautiful

.

i

n

.

your

youth.

Reflection: This was a forgotten but important romantic-themed poem I wrote back in December of 2018 in loving appreciation and memory of those special, wonderful people that I got to share such pleasant (and sometimes very passionate) times with. They added such warmth, color, beauty, and music to my life and to the living collage that is me – and today I am the result of all of those contributing parts and pieces (and more). And I cherish and appreciate each and every one of them.

So, yes, I’ve had some fun times and adventure in my life. 🙂

☆°▪︎ GONE AND FOREVER LOST ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

You

.

a

r

e

.

just

.

a

.

silhouette

.

i

n

.

the

fog . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

those

days,

–

–

when

days

–

–

were

l—o—n—g . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ a

silhouette

.

i

n

.

the

fog,

–

–

that

once

–

–

danced

across

.

t

h

e

.

pages

.

o

f

.

journal

entry

songs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ the

journal

–

–

entry

songs

.

o

f

.

you’s

.

a

n

d

.

me’s . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

carelessly

crumpled,

–

–

torn,

.

a

n

d

.

tossed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

.

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

my

days

.

a

r

e

.

dark,

.

a

n

d

.

filled

with

.

t

h

e

.

grays

.

o

f

.

your

once

–

–

warming

rays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ your

once

–

–

warming

rays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

shivering

.

i

n

.

the

shade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

shivering

.

i

n

.

the

shade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

.

.

.

the

final

trace

.

o

f

.

memories

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ as

.

t

h

e

.

final

trace

.

o

f

.

memories

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

still

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

still

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

love

.

t

o

.

find

a

way

.

t

o

.

communicate . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

l

l

.

.

.

of

.

m

y

.

sorrow

.

f

o

r

.

the

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

tell

.

o

f

.

all

.

t

h

e

.

ways,

–

–

I

would

make

.

y

o

u

.

smile

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

.

you

.

a

r

e

.

just

a

silhouette

.

i

n

.

the

fog . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ a

silhouette

.

i

n

.

the

fog . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

.

o

f

.

those

years,

–

–

now

.

h

a

v

e

.

gone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ all

.

o

f

.

those

years,

–

–

now

.

h

a

v

e

.

gone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

are

forever

lost.

Reflection:

This poem largely reflects the regret of having ignored someone or not treated him/her as well as we could have in the distant past. Looking back, we feel the person could have been a much larger, brighter part of our lives but the distance and the barriers now seem far too great to overcome.

This poem was inspired by the Moody Blues song, “Watching and Waiting.” I played this song repeatedly in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for the poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ NO ONE, NOTHING, AND NOWHERE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

It

was

.

t

h

e

. 

tumble

–

–

before

.

t

h

e

.

fall . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

.

g

r

a

y

.

before

.

t

h

e

.

dawn

.

o

f

.

awakening . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

awakening

.

t

o

. 

this . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

everything . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

–

–

–

had

done

–

–

to

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

to

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

to

everyone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

who

might

.

h

a

v

e

.

lived,

.

a

n

d

.

laughed,

.

a

n

d

.

loved . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

there

.

w

a

s

.

no

one

.

a

n

d

.

nothing

there . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

n

o

t

–

–

–

even

.

a

.

shred

.

t

o

.

share . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

I

.

h

a

d

.

gone,

.

.

f

a

r

.

.

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

reaches

.

o

f

.

despair . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ far

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

beaches

.

o

f

.

the

thousand

.

y

a

r

d

.

stare . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ far

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

valleys

where

.

n

o

.

one

dared . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

far

beyond . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

far

beyond . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

far

beyond . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

– 

no

.

o

n

e

.

cared.

Reflection: This was a forgotten personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in December of 2018 where the contemplator looks back with regret on a life where he/she created distance and largely lived in isolation – and wakes up to a loneliness and despair which is far beyond repair. He/she lives the remaining days of life haunted by the painful strings of memories of everything he/she had done to arrive in that state. I played the wonderful, haunting gem of a song “Tuesday Afternoon” by The Moody Blues in the background to create the “moodset” for the poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ WHAT ONCE WAS TRUE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

.

time

.

o

f

.

types,

.

a

n

d

.

divides,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

ways

.

t

o

.

decide:

–

–

–

.

.

.

This

one

.

t

o

o

.

tall . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

this

one

.

t

o

o

.

small . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

This

one

.

t

o

o

.

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

this

one

.

j

u

s

t

.

plain

too . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Yes,

.

t

h

e

r

e

.

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

.

time

.

o

f

.

types,

.

a

n

d

.

divides,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

ways

.

t

o

.

decide,

–

–

which

.

a

l

l

.

went

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ which

.

a

l

l

.

went

away,

–

–

when

.

y

o

u

.

arrived

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

even

though

.

I

.

could

–

–

clearly

.

s

e

e

.

you

were:

–

–

–

.

.

.

too

tall . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

too

small . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

too

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

just

.

p

l

a

i

n

.

too . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

even

in

.

t

h

a

t

.

crowded

room,

.

.

t

h

e

r

e

.

.

was

.

n

o

.

one

.

b

u

t

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ there

.

w

a

s

.

no

one

.

b

u

t

.

you

.

a

n

d

.

I

.

all

.

t

h

e

.

while,

–

–

building

.

t

h

e

.

bonfire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ building

.

t

h

e

.

bonfire,

–

–

higher

.

a

n

d

.

higher . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

higher

.

a

n

d

.

higher . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

higher

.

a

n

d

.

higher . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

t

o

.

a

.

forest

fire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

breaking

out

.

i

n

.

the

wide

–

–

open

wild . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

consuming

.

a

l

l

.

that

–

–

used

.

t

o

.

be

true . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ consuming

.

a

l

l

.

that

–

–

used

.

t

o

.

be

too . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ for

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

there

.

w

a

s

.

only

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

a

s

.

only

you

.

a

n

d

.

I,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

the

moon

.

o

f

.

June . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

moon

.

o

f

.

June

.

i

n

.

full

bloom.

Reflection: This was a forgotten romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in November of 2018 where a typically picky and selective romancer finds there can be lust, love, and romance with someone outside of one’s perceived or self-prescribed preferences.

☆°▪︎ THE OUTCAST ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

cried

today

.

w

h

e

n

.

I

.

saw

.

y

o

u

r

.

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

no

matter

.

h

o

w

.

much

.

I

.

say,

.

o

r

.

how

many

ways

.

I

.

hate

.

a

n

d

.

berate

myself,

.

.

t

h

e

.

.

haunting

remains . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

never

.

g

o

e

s

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

never

.

g

o

e

s

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

.

o

n

l

y

.

escape,

.

i

s

.

to

fade

–

–

the

pain,

–

–

the

guilt,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

the

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

simply

.

g

o

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ go

away,

.

a

n

d

.

erase

.

t

h

e

.

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Sometimes

I

wait

.

a

n

d

.

hope

.

f

o

r

.

warmer,

–

–

brighter

–

–

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

wait

.

a

n

d

.

hope

.

f

o

r

.

warmer,

–

–

brighter

–

–

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

it

.

i

s

.

just

.

a

.

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ just

. 

a

.

short

.

a

n

d

.

gray,

–

–

somber

delay,

–

–

until

.

I

.

see

.

y

o

u

r

.

face

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ until

.

I

.

see

.

y

o

u

r

.

face

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

.

o

n

l

y

.

escape

.

i

s

.

to

fade

.

t

h

e

.

pain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

go

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

.

o

n

l

y

.

escape

.

i

s

.

to

fade

.

t

h

e

.

pain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

go

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

.

I

.

w

i

l

l

.

see

.

y

o

u

r

.

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

w

i

l

l

.

see

.

t

h

a

t

.

bitter,

–

–

unforgiving

–

–

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

again,

.

a

n

d

.

again,

.

a

n

d

.

again,

.

a

n

d

.

again,

.

a

n

d

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

.

t

h

e

.

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ until

.

t

h

e

.

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

it

ends

.

t

h

i

s

.

way.

Reflection: This was a forgotten but powerful personal struggle-themed poem I wrote back in November of 2018 where the affected party is haunted by and cannot escape the guilt and shame experienced in the past. This is one of the few poems I have written that was inspired by a movie. This one was inspired by the moving, powerful movie: “In Bruges.”