August 2019 – Ralph with Coffee

White

I glanced at my hands,

Skin is thicker than I remember,

Bones hardened with blows I endured more than I can bear.

Bittersweet wrinkles are the ones that stare back at me now.

Crimson sun rising beyond dark blue sky reminds me again: it ain’t over yet.

Perhaps I’d need to tear off this white shirt

Run with bear feet a thousand mile

And shout with wills of the thousands that passed out behind me

I am here!

8.1.2019

Stranger, hold on to that vine, you are

Stronger than you believe, a

Soldier of resilience and unquestionable triumphs.

Whirlwind spins around you faster and

World blinks and turns and

Whiplashes blindspots impassive and strong

Real man holds it in, they said.

Still, have you seen these tears?

Here, hold on to your dream, my dear.

7.31.2019