Distant

Wait
Just one minute
Slow down
And take a breath.

This can't move any way
But fast
Too fast
And we need just a minute
To think.

I don't know
What you're playing at
I don't know
What this means
But I could use a bit more time
To think about
Why we're here.

It's not like
I can't live
Without you, and I
Realize that now and must
Take a break
From all that.

Keep your distance,
Stay away,
And don't
Look at me
That way.

I've put away your picture
I've put away our souvenirs
I can't clear you from my head
Or erase your sweet laugh from my ears, but
I can live
Just fine
Without you,
At least
For now.

Just a Thought

I had the pleasure last night to be in the company of some of my favorite people in the world. There were my parents of course, my best friend, her mom, and a family of beautiful souls that I've known for almost two years (come this November). I won't name them, for the sake of privacy, but I will say this: it is still extraordinary to me every time we meet just how kind, enthusiastic, and generous these people are. They have every right to be cool, distant, and haughty, boastful of the talent contained in their one family. But they're not. They treat everybody like family, and pay special attention to the people that they feel need a little extra love in their lives. I'm friends with not only the son, but the father, mother, at least one sister, and even their 'bodyguard' and his wife. We share a love of music, of a specific love for Elvis, and the need and capacity for laughter. I've seen Joseph perform the songs of Elvis more than ten times now, and I am still blown away every time. I've watched him grow in his talent for and his love of the legacy that is Elvis, and I'm proud of him, proud as if he was a part of my own family. But I suppose in a way, that's how it's gotten to be. Some of my best memories of the past year have been eating, talking, singing, and laughing with him and his family, and getting a glimpse of the young man behind all the hoopla and spiffy costumes. My favorite thing about these people is how real they are. I love the fact that I've eaten ice cream with Joseph's parents, that I've made Joseph himself so happy he's speechless (which is NOT an easy thing to do), and I love the fact that he found me special enough to sing my favorite Elvis song right to me, when there were so many other people in the room vying for his attention. Kiss after kiss, hug after hug, song after song, this family remains near and dear in my heart, and it'll be a blessing to see them again after so long.

Woods

If there were woods

To be found nearby,

I suppose I could walk

Through them, daring

To live deliberately.

Or I could always

Run there with my

Favorite yellow bear

And his timid pink friend.

Perhaps I’d roam them

Blind, wearing a bright

Yellow cloak to ward off

Those We Do Not Speak Of,

Stumbling, determined to reach

That mysterious place beyond.

Or worse, I’d run for my life,

A dark hooded figure at my back,

Wide mouth dripping unicorn blood,

Thirsty for my redeeming flesh,

And hope the centaurs

Or maybe Hagrid

Were close enough to save me.

Wherever the wood, however tall the trees,

I would do none of these things, for I am not

A character in another’s quiet masterpiece.

I might sit with a book

Or a pen and paper

And write

An adventure

Of my own.

What Can I Do

Oh I wish I was

Wish, yes, wish you knew!

In the land of cotton

C’mon, c’mon, oh, you can DO it!

Old times they are not forgotten

Pssh, you can say that again, buddy!

Look away, look away, look away

Don’t think I can.

Dixieland

What can I do? Is there anything?

He says you get nervous, you get

Self-conscious

When the time comes.

I understand that.

Maybe not in the same way, but

I’ve felt that way too.

But why you?

When what you have is so

Incredible,

You shouldn’t be afraid to

Show the world all that

You can do.

And you can do it. You have,

And you will again.

And maybe, just maybe, I’ll be there

When it happens.

All my trials, lord

Soon be over…..

The moment comes, the flute rises,

And you stand with your head

Bowed low, your hands crossed,

Your expression so solemn.

What are you thinking about?

What goes on in that head of yours

In that moment?

And then.

Your eyes glow bright

In the light

Your jaw is set, your soul determined

I’m praying now, you understand, praying

That this time you’ll

Do it

Go for it! Try! Shine!

Glory glory, hallelujah

His truth is marching on

Yes! Now! Go!

You want it, I can see that, FEEL it!

His truth is…..marching….

A deep breath shared by two souls

On.

Nope. Not this time.

What can I do

To help you

Believe in yourself

As much

As I do?

Enough

I believe
That you can never have
Too much
Of a good thing.

You can have too
Little
Of a good thing, or
Too
MUCH
Of a bad thing, but
Never
Too much
Of the good.

Contrarywise, I have had
Enough
Of a good thing, just
Enough
To get me by for awhile.
Simply
Enough
For now.