Wiser

I saw a name today
That truly made me start
A singsong sound to it
That felt like living art

A call to years gone by
Disappearing in a trice
A haunting memory
Of an internal, burning vice

Left along the way
The knowledge of this lust
Wiser now than then
Understanding we all return to dust

Don't. Give. Up.

No. Just No.
Stupid. That's what this is.
Potential. Being wasted.

Life. Grinding on.

Hearts. Being beaten.
Stop. How can we?
Promise. Of a new day.
Focus. On the sun. 

Immaturity

Oh you stupid, stupid girl!
Can't you see what's going on?
A momentary shiver
Turn around and it's all gone.

Remember these words I say
You'll think back on this I know
When life's hard and bitter winds
Have had their time to blow

One day you'll understand
The folly of your youth
And wonder with regret
How you missed the deeper truth

Maybe it's your age
Your young-ness in heart and soul
That's leading you astray
So far from life's ultimate goal.

Quiet Place

I have a private life
It's one you cannot see
It's right there inside my mind
It's only meant for me

It has a lovely garden
Filled with greens and reds and blues
And a lonely beach at sunset
For my secret personal use

A mansion there stands glowing
With rooms of now and then
Of fantasy and fiction
Of friend and foe and ken

In this world my eyes can see
As brightly as before
But with more clarity and vision
It's where I am for sure

Those who enter in
Are fleeting and very few
They come by invitation
For if they only knew...

But now I've said enough
To stir the mind and soul
To let it be presented
You see only part of the whole

Ode to a life built together

There was a gulf between us
A chasm wide and deep
Eroded slowly through the years
Created by the sins we keep

But now there is a bridge
Where none appeared before
A structure delicate yet strong
Willed there from our very core

We were young and kindred spirits
Connected easily through song
Dancing to our very own soundtrack
Never thinking things could go wrong

But, we let the years slip by
Intent on living life
Fighting through the peaks and troughs
Honoring vows as man and wife

And then one day we found
That our souls had gone to sleep
Lulled into a numb submission
From wounds silent but going deep

Yet we were meant to be
You know it as I do
Two troopers bound for life
With hearts both bold and true

We'll meet there in the middle
Where we can feel once more
We'll fill the gulf with memories
And let our spirits soar

The music has restarted
Softly, yes, but there
A reminder of the beginning
Of just how much we care

So, hold tight the ride's not over
Not yet as far as I can tell
We have many years before us
So, let us live them well

Name

Your name ties me to you
In ways you cannot know
A sweeping fuzzy feeling
That leaves me all aglow

An assurance of the past
Of what you meant to me
A solid, comforting rock
An escape to history

I'm sure of just one thing
That despite my age and time
Your name will always soothe
With no reason, just lovely rhyme

Still Singing

Left and back again
A slowly burning pain
Desire that smolders away
Intensifying with the grey

Hearing of a stolen glance
Of a once-in-a-lifetime chance
Knowing it's just a fantasy
Daydreams that set you free

Despite the years gone by
These thoughts still wrench a sigh
Of what could never be
As fancy can't do reality

Surprise!

Turn it up to 10
The heat is way up high
A curious side effect
Of time passing by

A welcome "hello there"
From a slowly waning friend
Come to shake my hand
Letting me know it isn't the end

I'm definitely awfully glad
To have received this little gift
A welcome small escape
A pain-free, lovely lift

Fingers crossed that it lingers
Throwing sun into my days
Showing that there's hope
 As the stitch slowly frays

First Romance

Hold my hand, blond boy
Follow me away
We've only known each other
For forever and a day

A flame lit early on
Sheltered by shyness and age
A happy melody
Of voices lost on the same bright page

Where this leads is mystery
A path we both don't know
But a jaunty escape before us
Is what's giving us this glow

Teamwork

You're heart is on your sleeve
It was very brave to do
A question in the breeze
Answered in full by she and you

A lifetime in the making
Strung together day-by-day
Of peaks and troughs alike
And an edge starting to fray

But despite the horrid ride
You've battled your way through
And are making lifetime choices
For what you know is true

Interview Prep

Another day is dawning
Another test to pass
This time not entirely wanted
This time just for greener grass

But looking all around
I see the winds of change
Turning from a gently blowing breeze
To a gale of mighty range

Preservation now is key
As I've got a ways to sail
With lives held in the difference
So I must weather the gale

Staring competition

Smolder at me
Hold my gaze
Penetrate the wall
Holding me back
Lift the veil
Burn it away
Blue, blue depths
Piercing and beautiful

Timely Musings

Falling down the rabbit hole
How far can this thing go?
Never really wondering
That we might join the show

Now the world has shifted
And the players have cleared the stage
Setting up for the final act
Stoking the fires of rage

Forget the past they say
Focus on our narrow claim
We know what's best for you
As we've already tasted fame

Follow us to glory
And never mind the rest
Our show is the only one around
Clearly the very best

But scared we are of darkness
And the rabbit hole seems deep
Fingers crossed we land softly
After all, we're more than just blind sheep

Glowing embers

You did nothing to deserve this
Inconsistency of mind
Nothing but steady and loyal
Traits so hard to find

But the thoughts just add sizzle
To the fire already there
And bring it home to you I do
In ways we both can share

I'll never really waver
From the choices I have made
Except to stir the embers
So that passion doesn't fade

Interactions

Only 15 minutes
That's all the time you had
Yet you stopped the clock
Capturing the moment
Enchanting your subject
Drawing every eye in the room
The curious seeking you out
Intrigued by your tools
Your equipment and your looks
A shutter closing on a rose
A veteran deserving of the praise
You were just as good
If not better

Sizzle

I watched you work
And felt pulled

I acted aloof
But followed your every move

Our conversation casual
But our glances electric

Your presence quiet
Yet potent

The perfect lanky package
A throwback

I know your name
Do you know mine?

Capturing the moment... or the past?

I opened the door
Our eyes met
And shock registered

You were familiar
Yet a stranger in every way
We walked the tunnels

You did your job
Marking the light
Capturing her truth

Before leaving
We shook hands
The shock intensified

Who are you?
Have our souls met?
Were we friends?
In another life?

You felt it too
I know you did
Perhaps... we'll meet again.

Winnipeg

Here in the tundra
A frozen glacial embrace
Winter's hand awaits

Time is passing by

I couldn't stay away
Listened to your voice again
It pulled on my heart
As it always has
But this time it was with a twist
A reminder of time flying
A gentle push to a familiar face
Not yours but someone with greater power
A friend of long standing
Who's place has never wavered
But it was your voice
That reminded me
Of what I have.

Hamlet

A bittersweet memory connects me to the past
A constant crazy yearning to places that did not last
A fragile thread unspooling through the centuries
To times lost but not forgotten, emotions scattered in the breeze
One trip was clearly not enough to lay rest to what I know
The place is calling, calling to me, and I'll clearly have to go
Another time to search for the people once among my peers
Who were dragged from home and hearth amidst cruel and senseless jeers
Maybe it was the sunshine? Or even the smell of autumn in the air
That keeps me reminiscing of our glorious Sunday there