Landscape

You stand in the midst of a lush landscape,
Waiting for the beauty to wash over you.
Instead, you feel unsettled.
You want to see the clear water of the babbling brook,
But the slick film that shimmers on the water’s surface is undeniable.
You turn your attention to the lovely foliage,
Small decorative trees where once stood mammoth hardwoods.
The flowering vines along the fence are lovely,
But you know they are invasive;
Typically smothering the native flora.
This will not do.
You tend to your garden.
Replacing the existing foliage,
With hardwood trees and native flowers.
Endemic plants are installed along the brook,
To cleanse the water and prevent erosion.
The colors are not quite as vibrant,
And it will take time for the garden to mature.
You stand in the midst of a natural landscape,
And you feel at peace.

Cousin

It has been awhile,
Since we last met,
A wedding?
A funeral?
I forget.
Whatever the case,
How are you?
Tell me about,
Everything that you do.

The family resemblance,
Is oh so clear.
And your mannerisms,
Familiar and dear.
But you live there,
and I live here;
So maybe we’ll do this again,
Next year.

A New Place

Don’t be afraid.
Yes, the sounds are different;
A bit louder, harried, alive.
Yes, the people are unfamiliar;
Quite diverse, multilingual, multicultural.
Yes, the terrain is foreign;
A new stomping ground to be explored.
A tentative peek;
A hesitant step;
And there you go.

Turmoil

I thought I had it all figured out;
But once again,
The universe is playing games with me.
What is it telling me now?
In a state of turmoil,
The creativity flows.
I want to sit comfortably in stagnation,
Yet here I am,
In a frenzied state of innovation.

Walking Away


Can’t you see the difference?
My heart is not in it.
Running in all directions.
Anywhere but here.

I can feel the difference.
My head is not in it.
It has lost focus, scattered; 
Everywhere but here.

Can’t you hear the difference?
My conviction is not in it.
Talking in circles,
About anything but this.

Freedom

Such a simple word;
For which people stand;
For which wars are fought;
For which lives are lost.

Such a complex liberty;
Through which principles are set;
Through which power is obtained;
Through which excuses are made.

Such an inspirational privilege;
In which opportunity abounds;
In which creativity thrives;
In which dreams come true.

Such a squandered asset;
Of which time is wasted;
Of which journeys are missed;
Of which lessons are lost.

Friends

Feral Dog

Is it I who sees the truth;
Or am I among the blind?
Your influence is spread far and wide,
Entwined in the very fabric of our being.
Yet, I see through the fabric,
Or so I believe.
I am a lost puppy,
Dragged into your circle;
To be controlled by your propaganda.
Yet, this puppy cannot be trained.
A feral dog who must find her own way.

Between the Buildings

A beautiful reminder
Of the tiny space
Our large lives fill
When viewed in the light
Of the universe.
Just look between the buildings.

Bats In A Tent

Mysterious creatures of the night;
Haunting dreams;
The windows bolted and doors locked.
If only they could do the same;
As they hang beneath their makeshift tent;
Concealing themselves from the curious creatures of the day.