Writing

mornings begins with a drizzle of cold coffee
gulping down with an almond milk
my mind submerged into a serene focus
words I had not known flows on my keyboard
hammering a period and flipping a sentence.
some say it’s a marathon, but I’d call it a sprint.
you give all you’ve got while you remember
your body weighs your mind down
and the time limit is up:
it’s time for lunch.
good luck on your next run of writing.

1.14.2023

Strength

“to withstand things that I can’t”
may be a modern underrated life element
so much power we yield when we want
stop and wonder if all’s gone in a moment
what strength we have left
to withstand all that’s f’d
perhaps we run as fast as we can on bubbles
one day we’ll find gone are all troubles
who knows what future brings
but withstanding pain does sting

Listener

to be honest, I am not sure how it happened.
it is as though it was meant to be.
I sat, stared, and let what may be heard, heard
yet, conversations flowed.
felt, deeper feelings of warm glow
thanked, all those who shared a moment with me.
perhaps, if we run each moment with all we have,
we will at least be able to stand on this land
and know that we have done our best
and leave the rest for the rest.

1.7.2023

Parade

a far way friend talked to me on a screen
a long prepared project presented to a mentor
a scholar presented an eye opening talk
a talk with a genius in a restroom stall
a renewed talk made me a new friend
colleagues who weathered a long hour work
house chores conquered with a roommate
a talk on a bus with an old man who blesses
a bystander who rung the bell for you
a cashier, who’s bitter about your Covid mask
a European woman in a headscarf in a bus
two Hispanic workers asking for a hospital
friends’ text messages, recommending novels

we march on, as far as we could go.

Slowing down

there is a few people who have faith in me.
They believed my words,
generously offered their time,
and graciously shared their love.
Being with them gave me enough courage
I took off my blinders,
started to see the world as it is,
and continued extending their love to others.
even as the vast distance remains between us
even as we no longer see or hear each other
I feel their warmth glow in my heart
living as vividly as when we were together.
I am grateful for their generosity
and I wish them well.

1.4.2023