Ups and downs
he held my hand when i was small
walking the whole block down to the water
one foot up on the curb, one foot down on the street
up and down up and down
he looked down on me, eyes laughing
as he whistled a tune
he held my hand the day i wed
and danced with me to that one song
that brought tears to both our eyes
as the song ended he lifted me high
and hugged me - up and down
whistling his tune he waved me away
he held my hand on his last day
his last moment
breath softly whistling breathing so slowly
up...and down...up...
he smiled one last time
and let my hand go
Inner Peace
What is the mind at peace?
Is it all chatter put to cease?
Is that even a possibility?
To enter a silence within, so deep, that time seems to solidify.
A silence you can access at any given time, in any given place.
Do you have the strength it takes?
Once you reach the silent sanctuary within, your suffering will not be felt at the same frequency you once experienced.
You’ll see, in time, with a response through just your grin, causes a cascade of interferences.
You will surely still coexist with the random chaos that resides within this world.
Yet, once you have truly listened to the silence, you will know how to channel that random chaos into powerful intuitive guidance.
Peace
Some find peace inside the worn cover of a playbook
On a baseball diamond swinging their hearts out
Running fifty yards for a touchdown at the big school game
Making that perfect set in volleyball
Others say it only comes to them when their violin is at the ready
When their ukulele strings are in tune
When the beat of their drums can drown out all their problems
Or some claim it resides in faded yellow pages at the public library
How each tells a story even if the words don't
Finding the perfect nook to pour over every detail and hypothesize over the ending
Eyelids growing heavy just as the last page dawns
Or it is time spent sunbathing with family
Barbecuing on the new grill
Gingham tablecloths and tic tac toe
Unwilling grins from the sibling or cousin that didn't want to be there but is glad they are
Or traveling to exotic locations to be one with the birds and trees
Or even just down the street is a harmonious escape
Or finding that room in the house with extra thick walls to play music really loudly
For many, peace is yoga and hot tea
Lattes from Starbucks after school when a mountain of homework seems easier with espresso running through their veins
Favorite TV shows and knowing their ex's Netflix password
Fluffy blankets and pillows without tear stains
Comfy clothes or wearing pajamas all day
Peace is knowing there is somewhere for everyone
Whether it is sold out stadiums with the bass ricocheting through the whole city
Or a cafeteria seat where you know you're wanted
Or a class that you love
Peace is knowing what your heart wants and following it
