I

would

.

h

a

v

e

.

followed

.

y

o

u

. 

to

.

t

h

e

.

moon,

.

.

i

f

.

.

you

.

h

a

d

.

asked

.

m

e

.

too,

–

–

back

.

w

h

e

n

.

I

.

wanted

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

would

.

h

a

v

e

. 

followed

.

y

o

u

.

to

.

t

h

e

.

moon . . .

 –

 –

 –

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

did

.

y

o

u

.

truly

believe

.

I

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

choose

.

t

o

.

be

.

t

h

e

.

fool . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

o

–

–

–

would

run

.

t

o

.

you,

.

.

j

u

s

t

.

.

because

.

y

o

u

.

today

.

n

o

w

.

say,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

want

.

m

e

.

too ?

 –

 –

 –

.

.

.

 ~ just

because

.

y

o

u

.

today

.

n

o

w

.

say,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

want

.

m

e

.

too.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in April of 2012 where the romancer refuses to play along when the object of his/her affection in the past suddenly becomes more receptive.

I

know 

.

y

o

u

.

can

.

s

e

e

.

 it’s

difficult

.

f

o

r

.

us

.

t

o

.

know,

–

–

which

way

.

t

o

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

.

.

.

I

.

w

i

l

l

.

allow

love

.

a

n

d

.

kindness

.

t

o

.

decide,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

allow

these

.

t

o

.

be

.

m

y

.

guide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

.

I

know

.

i

n

.

time,

.

.

w

e

.

.

will

.

a

l

l

.

come

.

t

o

.

realize,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

were

kind,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

not

.

s

o

.

blind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that

.

y

o

u

.

knew,

.

.

w

i

t

h

.

.

open

heart

.

a

n

d

.

mind,

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

.

although

.

w

e

.

stumbled . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ still

.

w

e

.

tried . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

no

longer

.

w

i

l

l

.

I

spend

.

m

y

.

time,

–

–

trying

.

t

o

.

decipher

.

y

o

u

r

.

grand

design,

–

–

because

.

I

.

trust

.

y

o

u

.

are

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ because

I

.

trust

.

.

y

o

u

.

are

.

n

o

t

.

so

blind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that

.

y

o

u

.

have

.

t

h

e

.

eyes

.

t

o

.

see,

–

–

it’s

difficult

.

f

o

r

.

us

.

t

o

.

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it’s

difficult

.

f

o

r

.

us

.

t

o

.

know,

–

–

which

way

.

t

o

.

go.

Reflection: This was an inspirational/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in April of 2012 as a reminder that the surest path to closeness with God, the universe, or our higher power is simply love and kindness. I played the wonderful, song “Tonight” by Sixpence None the Richer and the poem pretty much wrote itself from that (playing the song repeatedly on low volume to create the “moodset” for the poem). It was written fairly quickly – like a couple of hours or so. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

I

.

d

i

d

.

something

.

t

o

.

free

someone,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

watched

.

f

r

o

m

.

afar . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

watched

.

f

r

o

m

.

afar . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

the

heavy

.

grays

returned

.

t

o

.

tender-hearted

youth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ leaving

.

t

h

e

.

darkness

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ leaving

.

t

h

e

.

darkness

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

smiling,

–

–

laughing,

–

–

singing,

–

–

dancing,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

bathing,

–

–

within

.

t

h

e

.

warmth

.

o

f

.

sunshine,

–

–

felt

.

f

o

r

.

the

.

v

e

r

y

.

first

time,

.

.

i

n

.

.

a

.

l

o

n

g

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

joy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

beauty . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

a

s

–

–

–

so

fine

.

a

n

d

.

divine,

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

.

it

nearly

.

brought

tears

.

t

o

.

my

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

nearly

.

brought

tears

.

t

o

.

my

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

watched

.

f

r

o

m

.

afar . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

watched

.

f

r

o

m

.

afar . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

watched

.

f

r

o

m

.

afar . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

little

.

d

i

d

.

I

.

realize

.

a

t

.

the

time,

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

.

deep

within

.

m

y

.

heart

.

a

n

d

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

l

l

–

–

–

of

.

t

h

i

s

.

love,

–

–

joy,

–

–

beauty,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

sunshine,

–

–

would

.

b

e

.

forever

mine.

Reflection: This was an inspirational/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in April of 2012 in reflection of how just the slightest warmth or kind gesture can put into motion positive forces that uplift, encourage, inspire, and create happier, brighter surroundings, and a happier, brighter life overall. Always remember that all you put into the lives of others, comes back into your own – and get into the practice of living in this fashion. This poem was written in reflection of a specific something I did for someone – who was anxious and highly stressed out about certain life events – so that I could put him at a peaceful ease. Often the love, warmth, peace, and kindness you offer to others become your own.

REWRTE

My love has gone

behind the sun,

since you left

darkness has begun,

your smile used to

shine upon me

but now we’re nothing

. . . more than a memory . . .

–

–

–

. . . I see your face . . .

–

–

. . . I feel your touch . . .

–

–

within the dream that somehow

crumbled into dust

. . . breaking my faith . . .

–

–

. . . breaking my trust . . .

–

–

. . . with each and everyone . . .

–

–

–

so today

my clouds hang low,

over the summers

that used to smile

. . . so wide . . .

–

–

. . . so bright . . .

–

–

within mine heart

. . . dying out . . .

–

–

–

–

–

dying now.

Reflection: This was a melancholy-themed poem that I wrote back in January of 2005 where the contemplator looks back with regret on living a life within the tight confines of societal norms just to fit in. We get the feeling he or she will never be happy living in that fashion – because living an authentic, “true to yourself,” kind of life – independent of what others think, believe, or try to convince otherwise – is the only way to truly be happy.

That

one

.

does

not . . .

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

that

one

.

does

not . . .

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

that

one

.

does

not . . .

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

that

one

.

does

not . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

I’m

looking

forward

.

t

o

.

the

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I’m

looking

forward

.

t

o

.

the

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Up

.

a

n

d

.

down,

–

–

spins

’round

.

a

n

d

.

’round . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I’m

looking

forward

.

t

o

.

the

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I’m

looking

forward

.

t

o

.

the

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I’m

looking

forward

.

t

o

.

the

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Anything

.

n

o

t

.

to

feel

.

t

h

i

s

.

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I’m

looking

forward

.

t

o

.

the

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Sunshine

dims

.

a

n

d

.

bathes

.

i

n

.

gray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Sunshine

dims

.

a

n

d

.

bathes

.

i

n

.

gray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

all

.

t

h

e

.

hours

.

w

e

.

dared

.

t

o

.

share . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

all

.

t

h

e

.

closeness

.

w

e

.

embraced

.

b

a

c

k

.

there . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

.

.

.

I

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

.

.

.

replace

you

.

w

i

t

h

.

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

.

.

.

replace

you

.

w

i

t

h

.

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

–

–

–

that

.

o

n

e

.

does

.

n

o

t

.

smile

.

a

s

.

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that

.

o

n

e

.

does

.

n

o

t

.

feel

.

a

s

.

nice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that

.

o

n

e

.

does

.

n

o

t

.

look

.

a

s

.

fine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that

.

o

n

e

.

does

.

n

o

t

.

seem

.

a

s

.

right . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

.

.

.

I

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

replace

you

.

w

i

t

h

.

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

that

one

.

does

not . . .

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

that

one

.

does

not . . .

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

that

one

.

does

not . . .

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

that

one

.

does

not . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

.

.

.

I’m

looking

forward

.

t

o

.

the

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I’m

looking

forward

.

t

o

.

the

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Up

.

a

n

d

.

down,

–

–

spins

’round

.

a

n

d

.

’round . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I’m

looking

forward

.

t

o

.

the

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I’m

looking

forward

.

t

o

.

the

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I’m

looking

forward

.

t

o

.

the

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Anything

.

n

o

t

.

to

feel

.

t

h

i

s

.

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I’m

looking

forward

.

t

o

.

the

fade.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in September of 2004 where the contemplator reflects on a romantic relationship that hasn’t worked out for whatever reason – and has trouble moving on because no one can be identically replaced. As such, it seems the only way to overcome the pain and to move forward is for the memories to fade hence, “looking forward to the fade.”

The

reflection

.

always

soothes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

always

moves . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

t

o

.

.

.

a

warming,

.

welcome

view . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

All

.

t

h

a

t

.

heals . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

.

t

h

a

t

.

wounds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

become

twice

removed

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

truth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

twice

removed

.

f

r

o

m

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

charm . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

expression . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

meaning . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

sensation . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

ever

blurred

.

a

n

d

.

unsure . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

stretched . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

twisted . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

burned . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

eternally

yours . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

eternally

yours . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

marching

forward . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

marching

forward . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

marching

forward . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

reverse.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in April of 2004 where the affected party becomes chained to an addiction he or she just cannot resist or overcome – waking repeatedly to chaos, darkness, confusion, and clutter. It becomes a lifelong struggle – and it seems the affected party will never be able to escape the forces of temptation, addiction, and compulsion. The struggle can represent any form of temptation, addiction, or compulsion: drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, obsessions, etc.

Let

.

m

e

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

So

.

m

u

c

h

.

more,

.

.

I

.

.

wish

.

t

o

.

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

So

.

m

u

c

h

.

more,

.

.

I

.

.

wish

.

t

o

.

show . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

So

.

m

u

c

h

.

more,

.

.

I

.

.

w

i

l

l

.

own . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

So

.

m

u

c

h

.

more,

.

.

I

.

.

w

i

l

l

.

control . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Gold

.

a

n

d

.

diamond . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Diamond

.

a

n

d

.

gold . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Gold

.

a

n

d

.

diamond . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Diamond

.

a

n

d

.

gold . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Diamond

.

a

n

d

.

gold . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Diamond

,

a

n

d

,

gold . . .

–

–

–

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

.

.

.

although

.

I

.

know,

.

.

I

.

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

slow

.

t

h

e

.

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ never

leave

.

t

h

e

.

soul

.

o

f

.

stone,

–

–

which

.

h

a

s

.

become

.

m

y

.

home . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ never

repay

.

t

h

e

.

debts

.

tomorrow

owes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

a

l

s

o

.

know,

.

.

I

.

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

.

b

e

.

alone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

.

b

e

.

alone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

political

snow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

others

.

w

i

l

l

.

always

follow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ other

driven,

.

ambitious

souls

.

w

i

l

l

.

always

.

b

e

.

eager

.

t

o

.

know,

.

.

t

o

.

.

own,

.

.

t

o

.

.

show,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

t

o

.

.

control . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

m

e

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Reflection: This was a reflective-themed poem that I wrote back in Feb of 2004 in reflection of politics and the ambition of youth. I wrote this poem based on my observations of people when I went to Washington D.C. So many were dressed up in business suits, with very serious expressions on their faces, and working late hours.

It

snows

every

.

d

a

y

.

in

LA . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

you

may

.

b

e

.

entertained

.

b

y

.

her

smooth

champagnes,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

costume

party

masquerades . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

her

sweet

.

a

n

d

.

charming

arrays

.

o

f

.

dessert

trays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

her

beautiful

smiles

.

s

o

.

nicely

arranged,

–

–

they

skip

.

a

n

d

.

dance

across

.

t

h

e

.

page . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

in

.

t

h

e

.

distance,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

will

always

remain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

you

.

w

i

l

l

.

always

feel

.

a

.

little

strange . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

a

.

little

out

.

o

f

.

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

come

tomorrow,

.

.

a

n

y

.

.

tenderness

.

f

o

u

n

d

.

today,

.

.

m

a

y

.

.

vanish

without

.

a

.

trace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Come

tomorrow,

.

.

a

l

l

.

.

memory

.

o

f

.

your

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ your

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

may

fade

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

alleyways . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

.

.

.

if

you

.

a

r

e

.

fortunate

enough

.

t

o

.

discover

distant,

.

welcoming

rays

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

might

.

h

a

v

e

.

gone

astray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

warming

words

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

pass

.

y

o

u

r

.

way,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

better

.

t

u

r

n

.

right

around,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

give

.

a

.

quick

embrace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before

.

t

h

e

.

summer

escapes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ before

.

t

h

e

.

colors

bleed

.

t

o

.

gray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

.

i

t

.

snows

.

e

v

e

r

y

.

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

snows

.

e

v

e

r

y

.

day

.

i

n

.

LA.

Reflection: This was a reflective-themed poem that I wrote back in September of 2003 in observation of one of my first visits to Los Angeles. It got warmer and better over time, however.

Reflection: This was an inspirational/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in June of 2003 as a poem of hope, perspective, and inspiration to a wonderful friend of mine who had struggled with an addiction problem for years. So, he went to rehab for a couple of months to try to kick the habit and he was just getting released when I wrote this poem. It was a lengthy, heartbreaking struggle, but he eventually kicked the habit for good and has thrived in his life ever since. I am so happy about that.

Here’s the poem which comes from my book “Burning . . . Burning Blue:” https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/The-Rest-of-Your-Life.pdf

I

saw

.

y

o

u

.

today,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

almost

.

f

e

l

l

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

haze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

saw

.

y

o

u

.

today,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

barely

.

g

o

t

.

off

.

t

h

e

.

plane . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

barely

.

g

o

t

.

off

.

t

h

e

.

plane . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

many

.

years

before

.

h

a

d

.

you

swept

.

m

e

.

away ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

many

.

years

before

.

d

i

d

.

we

bow

.

o

u

r

.

heads

.

i

n

.

shame ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

back

in

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

o

f

.

adventurous

play . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

back

in

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

w

h

e

n

.

you

.

w

e

r

e

.

straight,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

strayed

.

i

n

t

o

.

gay.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in September of 2002 in reflection of a brief, but powerful, wonderful romantic experience I had back then. I’ve had multiple experiences like this in my life – especially in my youth. The movie: “Big Eden” partially inspired the writing of this poem and the memory of what happened during that time of my life.