Reminder to Catch My Breath

Every breath I push through without break

My skin grows callous

Layer upon layer forming with hard labor

Closing airflow passageways

A plaque to the arteries of oxygen

Deliberately chosen by ignoring signals

The changing terrain

Driving forward into the sandpit

Despite feeling the loss of traction

Foot pressing more and more desperately on the accelerator

Too stubborn to turn back and regroup

At the last possible moment I breathe out

A gasping explosion of acceptance

This is not a game of inward-facing Chicken

One breath in

One breath out

And I stay in place

As I elongate my breath out I begin to reverse course

It is twice as hard to go back

Next time I will remember to slow down

Heed the signs

And breathe

Safety Within

While staring at screens
We lose the means
To observe the fact that we make our own scenes

I definitely get
That it makes you upset
Taking in this unnatural density yet

It's not just the teens
Or even the 'tweens
Robots of all ages walk like Zombeings

But don't forget
It's a filter you set
Resist it and it's resistance you'll get

So here's the truth
This world is uncouth
Being in it at times is pulling a tooth

Don't drop gaze to screen-in
It won't give you mean-in
That comes from relations so lift up that chin

And look around
Without defensive frown
You find security, even in this old town

Clogging up visual field
Deep security won't yield
Nor blasting music as an auditory shield

the deal is that we all need some quiet

if not the world can feel like a riot

like a neverending arms race don't try it

it can be hard to feel loved and secure

in a dog-eat-dog world I'm sure

 but if you find the courage I tell you it's pure

we were made to love and cooperate

no matter how much the news spreads hate

may you find your true self and a way to feel great.

Slow Time Views

I woke up this morning to the most beautiful view.

To the Northwest, the love of my life sleeping next to me.

To the East, the sun rising through thin slits of clouds.

To the South, beautiful formations of ancient rocks jutting up from the Earth like Castles in the Sky.

They were banded by green and red and orange and brown.

At their tops, ancient forests lie untouched, beyond the reach of but the boldest man.

To open my door to this marvelous scene feels at once a privilege and a right.

I suck up fresh air, hoping to store it in my cells for the return home.

Streamers

Disintegrating pink ribbons streak the air.

Twisting cliffs are draped in a translucent purple.

A hazy indigo is spraying on the horizon.

Puffs of peach foreshadow the last hurrah.

A dark purple cotton candy blimp meanders through the sky.

I let myself be wrapped in the white icy breath of the wind.

This marvelous transformation has flooded my senses.

There is no space for feeling when your eyes are stuffed with inspiration.

The last of the day's tail fades out as I pull my bag tight.

Feminine Fullness

Blinding tunnel of pummeling light.

It was almost pitch black and now I see fine.

What tremendous grandeur and feminine might.

It strikes me like a star on the big stage.

I feel safe among this wonderous siren.

I relax my eyes and hoist her to the top of the sky.

Lucky me

There is an endless silence and a demanding sky.

Portals of angry light come hushed by cool smooth floating grey waters.

Ever happily late, the final dopey blue splashes of day skip across the sky.

The last beams of bright white light search just above the horizon like spotlights.

Soon the rainbow alliance will be parted by the deep blue black of the night.

I sit awaiting that last flash dance, wondering which flare orange will choose today.

As the dark clouds pile in they slowly crowd out the remaining day's heat.

I glance back at the greatest thing in my life and realize it's time for us to bundle up.

No One Else's

It doesn't matter her age, your mother always fills a special place in your heart.

It doesn't matter how long you've been there, home is the place you can safely rest.

Each relationship is unique.

People try to filter your experience by placing their own personal asterisk on it, but your feelings are something only you can place.