like frozen rain

snapping against the window pane

battering the fragile soul

and seven days a week is too much to bear

loss is buried in all the dreams

that have us turning and tossing

heavy is the anger held inside

and it’s difficult to turn off

as night is falling fast

a barefoot child flaunts their youth

dancing in puddles

carefree without weight

do not look to carry it all

what is not needed will fall away

the journey is best

with one hand free

if it feels right

move forward now

do not starve the heart

as tomorrow is unpromised

immersed in stunning depths

waves crash in all directions

some wash over

forcing longer breaths

floating upon others

sunbeams warm from above

pulled

power

gasping

fear

exhale

peace

seeking that space

ambiguous but familiar

cautiously forward

questions abound

answers planted in hearts

rooted in souls

• 

a young maple

once lived inside

in yesterday’s gone by

branches cracked with age

carry the weight still today

he now walks with a cane

fear dwells deep inside

wanting always to kill it

but never knowing how

driven down roads of sadness

lost and misguided

he now walks with a cane

hiding in open spaces

with eyes clenched tight

racing darkness

in red and black

this dream is now alive

he now walks with a cane

stars above

swoon against the night

while the heart won’t go outside

dawn will arrive

grey and early

he now walks with a cane

hopeful rays of morning

have cracked the sky

winning for now

having faith in the blue and gold

new words are penned today

he now walks with a cane

• 

the welcome burn of today’s first swallow

quickly fades

as my mind wanders from the edge

seeking space from my own reflection

racing backwards

realizing I never had control

an anchor is weighty at my heels

slowing time

night’s silence has me in the shadows

don’t apologize for the pain

carry on

it’s no one’s fault that I am so afraid

the novel I am writing has no words

empty spaces

guaranteeing I will never reach the end

none of this is what was meant to be

at least that is what had sat inside my mind

the other side of days are making me believe

scripts are often written from the end

waking up without you

angry with everything beyond my reach

trusting in the reasons I have yet to learn

I will forgive all I do not understand

I have found much of myself under settled ash

the fires that once burned

held passion and ushered in grief

sweeping away the weight is proving quite the task

you think you know me

you don’t know me

I barely know myself

the melody inside my soul

opens up the doors

wish I knew where I was going

do you have time for another story

if you listen I will look for words

please just tell me what it means

I will look to leave a piece of me

that rests inside for just a while

it may carry us until the dawn

if I am giving you

everything I do not have

one of us may find the way home

turn away before you fall apart

I will close my eyes

and wait for all the tears to dry

being someone else

will get you nowhere

on the road to yourself

be awkward

fall upon your steps

learn from the cuts and scars

bruised egos travel past

anchored souls are eternal

walk with them

live you

a song

it rests inside her heart

of this I am sure

anxious are the steps

in each unlit morn

a soul so deep

and painfully pure

her hand

I look to take

but so often I cannot reach

innocence dimmed in life’s realities

pushing forward

in hope that tomorrow’s sunset

continues to teach

walking paths laid at her feet

feeling half full

has her seeking a choice

the journey

sows the seeds

a song will be sung

as she finds her voice

even in sunbeams

I’m often standing in the cold

shouldering this war inside my head

is getting pretty old

asking if I am ready for this truth

the face in the mirror looks deep inside

today can carry yesterday’s memories

freedom is smothered if I choose to hide

this long story keeps getting longer

holding moments even when I will not see the ending

breathe and write the script

tomorrow’s chapter is still pending

fear

pain

anger

creating a loneliness inside

our emotions belong to us

yet no one is excluded from these burdens

in this we are not alone

without a release we lay trapped

feel them all

express them

allow for tears

there may be many

salt stained cheeks can also cleanse the soul

its okay to scream

laughter and warmth will also arrive

keep going

and learning will follow

be courageous

you are strong

we all get broken

inside and out our scars tell the story

healing is a journey

in its end is always a new beginning