The

family

picnic

.

b

y

.

the

waterway

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

when

.

I

.

close

.

m

y

.

eyes,

.

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

drift

away

.

a

n

d

.

affectionately

gaze

.

a

t

.

that

pristine

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

pristine

place,

–

–

where

.

t

h

e

.

beetles

.

a

n

d

.

bumblebees

played . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

humming

.

a

n

d

.

strumming

away

.

a

l

l

.

hours

.

o

f

.

the

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

pristine

place,

–

–

where

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

you

could

.

n

o

t

.

only

bathe

.

i

n

.

the

peace

.

o

r

.

just

.

simply

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

!breathe!

–

–

!!breathe!!

–

–

!!!breathe!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!feel!

–

–

!!feel!!

–

–

!!!feel!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

!green!

–

–

!!green!!

–

–

!!!green!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

the

grasslands

.

beneath

.

y

o

u

r

.

feet . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

for

miles,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

miles,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

miles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

e

–

–

–

daylight

smiled . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

daylight

smiled

.

s

o

.

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

so

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

l

l

–

–

–

across

.

t

h

e

.

springtime . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

across

.

t

h

e

.

springtime . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

e

v

e

n

.

time

.

w

a

s

.

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ where

.

e

v

e

n

.

time

.

w

a

s

.

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

everyone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

everything . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

a

s

–

–

–

nice,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

fun,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

fine,

–

–

all

.

t

h

e

.

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

.

t

h

e

.

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

beneath

.

t

h

e

.

dancing

rays

.

o

f

.

that

joy-hopping,

.

poetic

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

that

.

w

a

s

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

that

.

w

a

s

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

today,

.

t

h

e

.

colors

.

o

f

.

the

day,

–

–

carry

.

s

u

c

h

.

weight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

so

much

.

a

n

d

.

so

many,

.

heavy

shades

.

o

f

.

gray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

day,

.

.

t

o

.

.

day,

.

.

t

o

.

.

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

n

o

w

–

–

–

creates

such

.

a

.

bitter

taste . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

compared

.

t

o

.

that

pristine,

.

poetic

place

.

b

y

.

the

waterway . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

everyone

.

a

n

d

.

everything

.

h

a

s

.

changed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

even

though

.

I

.

m

a

y

.

never

see . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

never

feel . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

never

breathe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

place

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

family

picnic

.

b

y

.

the

waterway

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

when

.

I

.

close

.

m

y

.

eyes,

.

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

drift

away,

.

a

n

d

.

affectionately

gaze

.

a

t

.

that

pristine

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

pristine

place,

.

.

a

million

.

miles

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

million

.

miles

behind,

.

b

a

c

k

.

when

time

.

w

a

s

.

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ back

when

.

time

.

w

a

s

.

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

daylight

smiled

.

a

l

l

.

the

while.

Reflection: This was a reflective-themed poem I wrote back in Feb of 2020 where the contemplator looks back on a special, warming, youthful day in the past with those loved, cherished, and appreciated – and wonders whether he or she will ever experience anything like it again. I played a wonderful song I had heard for the very first time and immediately loved: “Kids” by Current Joy. I played this song 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. It wasn’t the lyrics of the song but the sound which inspired me to write the poem. The sound painted a fresh, soothing scene of a sweet, green, serene spring to me. So, I wrote the poem in reflection of that.

The

currents

flow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

.

I

move

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

undertow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

move

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

undertow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

wonder

where

.

m

y

.

life

.

might

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

although

.

I

.

know

.

I

.

a

m

.

lost

.

a

n

d

.

alone,

.

.

m

y

.

.

future

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

future

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

.

.

.

a

place

–

–

without

a

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

n

–

–

–

a

train

–

–

without

rails . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

n

–

–

–

a

ship

–

–

without

sails . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

n

–

–

–

a

plane . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ on

a

plane

.

i

t

.

strays,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

races,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

strays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

without

.

a

.

way

.

t

o

.

navigate . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

although

.

I

.

know,

.

.

I

.

a

m

.

lost

.

a

n

d

.

alone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

my

future,

.

.

i

t

.

.

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

future

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

future

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

train,

–

–

after

train,

–

–

after

train . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

wave,

–

–

after

wave,

–

–

after

wave . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

plane,

–

–

after

plane,

–

–

after

plane . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

day,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

whether

wind,

.

.

o

r

.

.

flame,

.

.

o

r

.

.

shine,

.

.

o

r

.

.

rain,

.

.

o

r

.

.

snow,

.

.

o

r

.

.

hail,

.

.

o

r

.

.

earthquake,

.

.

o

r

.

.

hurricane . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ my

future,

.

.

i

t

.

.

travels,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

will

.

n

o

t

.

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

future

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

future

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

future

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

a

place

–

–

without

a

name.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem I wrote back in January of 2020 where the affected party exerts little control over his or her life and just goes with the flow to nowhere. Because even if you do nothing – the future will arrive. And it is likely not the future you would want for yourself. I played the wonderful song “Harbour” by Moby 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.

I

lied

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

usual

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

usual

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

the

usual

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

lied

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

told

.

y

o

u

.

I

.

would

change . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that

I

.

.

would

find

.

a

way

.

t

o

.

not

be

.

t

h

e

.

same . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ I

would

–

–

find

a

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ I

would

–

–

find

a

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

change . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

the

vibrant

–

–

color

parades

–

–

which

remain

.

s

o

.

full

.

o

f

.

hope

–

–

throughout

.

t

h

e

.

days,

–

–

always

seem

.

t

o

.

bathe

.

i

n

.

the

shade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

~ they

always

–

–

seem

.

t

o

.

bathe

.

i

n

.

the
shade

.

o

f

.

watercolor

rain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

by

.

t

h

e

.

time

.

.

I

awake

.

t

o

.

daybreak . . .

–

–

–

.

.

~ yes,

by

.

t

h

e

.

time

I

awake . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

find

–

–

myself

unchanged . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

rearranged . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

in

the

.

s

a

m

e

.

place

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

swimming

.

i

n

.

the

gray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

swimming

.

i

n

.

the

gray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

even

though

.

m

y

.

life

–

–

might

seem

.

t

o

.

only

.

b

e

.

drifting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

well,

.

a

t

.

least

I’m

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

swimming . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ at

least

–

–

I’m

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

swimming . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

I

lied

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

lied

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

lied

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

usual

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

usual

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

the

usual

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

lied

today.

Reflection: This was a popular personal struggle-themed poem I wrote back in December of 2019. The opening line: “I lied today… in the usual place… in the usual way…” came to me in the beginning moments and the poem wrote itself from that opening line. I’m sure many who have dealt with significant personal struggles – their own or those of people close to them – will be able to relate to this poem.

I played the song “Why” by Annie Lennox in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for this poem. The song really seemed to fit. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

Let’s

just

–

–

sit

here,

–

–

you

–

a

n

d

–

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

simply

smile

–

a

t

–

the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ smile

.

a

t

.

the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

all

–

t
h

e

–

days

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

even

though

–

–

we

–

h

a

v

e

–

lived

a

life

–

t

h

a

t

–

was

–

n

o

t

–

always

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

even

though

–

–

we

–

h

a

v

e

–

set

aside

–

–

some

dreams

–

a

n

d

–

desires

–

–

which

would

–

n

e

v

e

r

–

take

flight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

even

though

–

–

we

–

h

a

v

e

–

watched

–

t

h

e

–

springtimes

–

o

f

–

vibrant

colors

–

–

dim

–

a

n

d

–

die

–

w

i

t

h

–

our

youth

–

–

over

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

there

–

w

a

s

–

still

–

–

you

–

a

n

d

–

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ there

.

w

a

s

.

still

–

–

you

–

a

n

d

–

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

let’s
just

–

–

sit

here

–

f

o

r

–

a

while

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

simply
smile

–

a

t

–
the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ smile

.

a

t

.

the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

all

–

t

h

e

–

days

gone

by.

Reflection:

This is a poem that came to me while sitting on my balcony enjoying the sunshine sky and imagining I was sitting there with someone who was on my mind at the time – and just enjoying the moment. The opening line “Let’s just sit here, you and I, and simply smile at the sky” came to me in that moment and the poem pretty much wrote itself from that opening line. It’s sort of the flip side of the previous poem I had written that year (December 2019) in reflection of Josh Geyer’s passing [“Starshine (All the While)”] – and a flip from the gloomy perspective usually taken when thinking about days gone by. It essentially says we’ve had all this time in our lives, and how wonderful is that (in contrast to those who leave this earth at a youthful age).

You

were

here . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

you

–

–

were

gone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

you

–

–

were

gone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ as

gone,

–

–

as

gone

–

–

could

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

we’ll

–

b

e

–

haunted . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ we’ll

.

b

e

.

haunted

all

–

t

h

e

–

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

that

warming,

–

–

welcoming

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

those

eyes

–

s

o

–

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

that

spirit

–

s

o

–

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

always

willing

–

t

o

–

reach

across

–

–

the

dangerous

depths

–

s

o

–

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

lighting

even

the

–

–

most

sinister

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ lighting

even

the

–

–

most

sinister

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

warming,

–

–

welcoming

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

those

eyes

–

s

o

–

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

spirit

–

s

o

–

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

every

blackness

–

–

could

spontaneously

ignite . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

transform

every

chaos

–

i

n

t

o

–

melodies

–

a

n

d

–

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

t

o

–

–

–

melodies

–

a

n

d

–

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

A

warming

welcome

–

–

once

wrapped

–

t

h

e

–

world

–

i

n

–

a

wondrous

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ it

once

wrapped

–

t

h

e

–

world

–

i

n

–

a

wondrous

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

shimmer,

–

–

smile,

–

–

a

n

d

–

–

starshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

making

everything

–

i

n

–

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

seem

–

n

o

t

–

just

alright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

so

much

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

so

–

–

much

more

–

–

than

fine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

shimmer

–

a

n

d

–

starshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

–

–

wondrous

wine,

–

–

guiding

ahead

–

–

all

that

–

–

fell

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

giving

the

lows,

–

–

new

reasons

–

t

o

–

fly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ making

a

life

–

–

so

much

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

so

–

–

much

more

–

–

than

fine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

shimmer

–

a

n

d

–

starshine…

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

–

–

wondrous

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

breaking

circles

–

i

n

t

o

–

lines . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

creating

inclusion

–

b

y

–

design . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

welcoming

inside

–

a

l

l

–

who

might

–

h

a

v

e

–

otherwise

–

b

e

e

n

–

tossed

aside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ all

who

–

–

might

–

h

a

v

e

–

otherwise

–

b

e

e

n

–

tossed

aside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

we’ll

–

b

e

–

haunted

–

–

all

–

t

h

e

–

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

haunted

–

–

all

–

t

h

e

–

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

the

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ until

the

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

we

each

–

s

a

y

–

goodbye.

Reflection:

This is a poem I wrote in the loving memory of Joshua Geyer who was such a wonderfully warm, welcoming, positive, spirit of a man. Nothing I could ever write could possibly do him justice, but this was my humble attempt to do just that.

You will be greatly missed, Josh, by all and everyone you came in contact with. You were such a wonderful example of how warm the world could become with just a smile, a kindness, and a joyous spirit.

I used the music from the song “On the Square” by Mac DeMarco, at low volume, to create the “moodset” while writing this poem. So, if you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

Yesterday

.

w

a

s

.

filled

.

w

i

t

h

.

rain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another

.

t

o

o

k

.

its

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

day

.

o

f

.

rain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

.

I

.

closed

.

m

y

.

eyes

.

t

o

.

the

shade,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

turned

into

.

t

h

e

.

wave

.

o

f

.

a

.

n

e

w

.

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

.

n

e

w

.

day

.

f

a

r

.

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

that

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

.

n

e

w

.

day

–

–

filled

.

w

i

t

h

.

hope,

–

–

beauty,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

grace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

for

.

a

.

moment,

.

.

I

.

.

smiled

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

for

.

a

.

moment,

.

.

I

.

.

danced

.

a

n

d

.

played

beneath

.

i

t

s

.

warming

.

r

a

y

s

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

for

.

a

.

moment,

.

.

I

.

.

thought

.

i

t

.

could

–

–

remain

.

t

h

i

s

.

way

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

that

.

w

a

s

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

that

.

w

a

s

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

from

.

t

h

e

.

dream

.

I

.

now

awake . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ from

.

t

h

e

.

dream

.

I

.

now

awake

.

t

o

.

another

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ another

day

.

o

f

.

rain.

Reflection: This was a melancholy-themed poem I wrote back in November of 2019 where the affected party lives a largely dismal life that seems to stretch out for lengthy periods of time. Every once in a while, he or she will experience warmth, a light, a love, or a kindness only to return to that same dismal place. It reflects the struggle that so many people go through in life. I played the wonderful 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.

The

sunset

waves

.

a

t

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

.

w

i

n

d

.

whispers

.

f

r

o

m

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

bay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

tell

.

m

e

.

everything

will

.

b

e

.

okay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

tell

.

m

e

.

to

wait,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

the

days

.

w

i

l

l

.

sail . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

tomorrows

generate

.

o

t

h

e

r

.

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ other

days

.

t

o

.

find

a

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ other

days

.

t

o

.

ease

.

t

h

e

.

pain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ other

days

.

t

o

.

erase

.

t

h

e

.

gray,

.

.

o

r

.

.

make

a

change . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

create

warmth,

–

–

glimmer,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

grace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

u

p

o

n

.

.

.

a

future

.

tomorrow’s

page . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

tomorrows

.

fade

todays,

.

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

.

fade

yesterdays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

tomorrows

.

fade

todays,

.

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

.

fade

yesterdays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

day,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

there

.

i
s

.

a

place

.

where

.

t

h

e

.

sunset

waves

.

a

t

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

t

h

e

.

wind

whispers

.

f

r

o

m

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

bay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

tell

.

m

e

.

everything

will

.

b

e

.

okay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

w

i

l

l

.

sail . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

new

tomorrows

create

.

brighter

places

.

f

a

r

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

far

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

place

.

o

f

.

today.

Reflection: This was an inspiration/hope-themed poem I wrote back in November of 2019 where the affected party presently experiencing a difficult time has the experience, patience, and wisdom to understand that life is comprised by a series of ups and downs – and that things will get better and the challenges of today will seem much smaller and less threatening over time. I played the wonderful song “Sailing” by Christopher Cross 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.

You

have

.

t

o

.

keep

going . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

have

.

t

o

.

keep

going . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

.

y

o

u

.

never

know

.

w

h

a

t

.

might

happen . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

when

.

i

t

.

might

happen . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

how

beautiful

.

i

t

.

might

.

b

e

.

when

.

i

t

.

happens . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

when

.

y

o

u

.

arrive,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

might

.

j

u

s

t

.

find

.

a

.

n

e

w

.

reason

.

t

o

.

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

.

n

e

w

.

reason

.

t

o

.

warmly

wipe

.

t

h

e

.

joy

.

f

r

o

m

.

your

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

come

.

t

o

.

realize

.

there

.

i

s

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ so

much

more

.

t

o

.

a

.

life,

–

–

beyond

.

t

h

a

t

.

point

.

i

n

.

time,

–

–

when

.

o

n

e

.

mourns

.

a

n

d

.

then

cries

away

.

t

h

e

.

hours . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

turns

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

light . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ beyond

.

t

h

a

t

.

point

.

i

n

.

time,

–

–

when

.

o

n

e

.

mourns

.

a

n

d

.

turns

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

light,

–

–

that

.

w

a

s

.

there

.

a

l

l

.

the

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

.

w

a

s

.

there

.

a

l

l

.

the

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

there’s

.

s

o

.

much

more

.

t

o

.

a

.

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

it

won’t

.

b

e

.

half

.

a

s

.

lovely . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

it

won’t

.

b

e

.

half

.

a

s

.

nice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

f

–

–

–

you’re

.

n

o

t

.

there . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

you’re

.

n

o

t

.

there

.

t

o

.

share

.

t

h

e

.

highlights . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

you’re

.

n

o

t

.

there

.

t

o

.

dance

across

.

t

h

e

.

shimmering

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

you’re

.

n

o

t

.

there

.

t

o

.

sing

beneath

.

t

h

e

.

dazzling

delight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

you’re

.

n

o

t

.

there

.

t

o

.

shine

.

a

.

smile

.

u

p

o

n

.

each

.

o

f

.

these

wondrous

times . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

. . . (and more) . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

please

.

j

u

s

t

.

keep

going,

–

–

because

.

y

o

u

.

never

know

.

what

.

y

o

u

.

might

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

never

know

.

w

h

a

t

.

you

might

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

warms,

–

–

glimmers,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

glows . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

further

on

.

d

o

w

n

.

the

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ further

on

.

d

o

w

n

.

the

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

hold

.

y

o

u

r

.

head

high,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

try

.

t

o

.

look

above . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

turn

.

there

.

w

i

l

l

.

still

.

b

e

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

i

l

l

.

still

.

b

e

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

i

l

l

.

still

.

b

e

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

i

l

l

.

still

.

b

e

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

there’s

.

s

o

.

much

more

.

t

o

.

a

.

life

.

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

cries . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

turning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

light . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ beyond

.

t

h

e

.

turning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

light . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

was . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

is . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

always

.

w

i

l

l

.

be,

–

–

there . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

time,

–

–

after

time,

–

–

after

time,

–

–

after

time,

–

–

after

time.

Reflection: This was an inspiration/hope-themed poem I wrote back in November of 2019 to inspire people to keep going – even when things seem so dim. Because there might come a time when things become wonderful or that you contribute to something or others in such a way that you would have been glad to have experienced them and sorry to have missed them. One of my best friends was engaged in a lifelong struggle but finally overcame after several attempts, and created a wonderful life for himself – and I couldn’t be happier. I played the wonderful song “Planets” by Emily Haines 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. This poem was also inspired by the wonderful gem of a movie which really moved me: “A Single Man.”

She

.

h

a

d

.

cocaine

.

o

n

.

her

lips,

.

.

o

n

.

.

that

night

.

o

f

.

bliss . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ cocaine

.

o

n

.

her

lips,

–

–

granting

.

m

y

.

greatest

wish . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ my

greatest

wish

–

–

throughout

.

m

y

.

years

.

o

f

.

innocence . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

greatest

wish . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

greatest

wish . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

ever

since . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

.

e

v

e

r

.

since . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

warmly

remember

–

–

bits,

.

a

n

d

.

pieces,

.

a

n

d

.

bits . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ bits,

.

a

n

d

.

pieces,

.

a

n

d

.

bits . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

that

first

kiss,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

all

.

t

h

e

.

hours

missed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

she

.

h

a

d

.

cocaine

.

o

n

.

her

lips . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ she

.

h

a

d

,

cocaine

.

o

n

.

her

lips . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

n

–

–

–

that

night

.

o

f

.

bliss.

Reflection: This was a passion/romance/adventure-themed poem that I wrote back in November of 2019 where the contemplator looks back on a wild romantic night of bliss. This simple poem came to me one night while out at Will’s Pub listening to an excellent live show (Paul Simon Tribute) orchestrated by one of the best musicians in Orlando (David Vanegas). Well, a couple of intoxicated young women saw a small container of lip balm that I was dipping into and thought I was putting cocaine on my lips. You should have seen their expressions change from excitement and bliss to gloom and disappointment when they discovered it was only lip balm. I did offer them some, but they declined. I’m not sure why. It’s really fascinating how much you can learn about complete strangers in just one interaction. 🙂

I

saw

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

saw

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

that

might

–

–

take

me

to . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

boundless

.

b

u

t

.

erratic

views . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

ecstatic

.

b

u

t

.

elusive

moods

–

–

that

consume . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

saw

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

saw

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

nothing

–

–

I

could

do

–

–

would

move

–

–

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

past

gloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

move

through

.

t

h

e

.

present

brood . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

move

even

into

–

–

a

brighter

future

–

–

blooming

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

a

s

.

nothing

–

–

I

could

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ nothing

I

–

–

could

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

.

i

s

.

when

–

–

I

finally

knew . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

then

.

i

s

.

when

–

–

I

knew

.

t

h

e

.

truth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

there

.

w

a

s

.

nothing . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ there

.

w

a

s

.

nothing

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

a

s

.

nothing

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

that

might

–

–

take

me

to.

Reflection: This was a popular romantic-themed poem I wrote back in November 2019 about a romantic encounter that consumed – even long after it had passed.

I played the song “Good Love” by Zola Blood in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for this poem. The song really seemed to fit. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.