she’d never been adept
at hanging lefthand curves;
hitting the apex just so,
leaning tight into the turn.
she’d fall out too soon,
or overshoot, rattling
her delicate equilibrium.
but let her lean right,
oh my! and the gods smiled
at the smooth transition,
steely nerves, graceful form.
she pondered a world of
only right hand curves
and ended up exactly
where her ride began.
Peace, people.
left alone with
thoughts unwieldy
too intense for
this bright day
crushed beneath
thoughts of envy
will they always
hold this sway?
gathered close for
future’s telling
slowly ticking in
mad men’s hands
stop the clock and
start the living
mark the place
then heave the sand.
prayed, oh please
don’t let this nature,
keep me wrapped in
jealousies
sifting through grayed
grainy photos
begging for my
soul’s surcease.
narrow lined paper,
college-ruled;
perpendicular
red boundaries,
front and back.
only left demanded
observance, right
a mere suggestion,
a hint of moving on.
what use could we
make of tangible
margins, neat
demarcations to
guide our steps?
as points of entry
and departure ever
providing checks
and balances.
Peace, people.
Think
then do.
Be sure to
mind your
p’s and q’s
Discard any
faith
in yourself,
and
Make sure
all your
needs
are properly
shelved.
What is gained
from
this control?
Surely not
peace within
your soul.
Caveat: This is a narcissistic post from a narcissistic person (me). Read at your own risk.
My life lately has felt like a bad roller coaster. No highs, just a series of gut clenching drops. It’s as if someone out there is wondering just how low I can fall.
I won’t go into details, those would be boring, but I’ve accepted the idea that many of the lows can be attributed directly to my own behaviors. Sometimes I’m not a very nice person.
There is a big hole in my character. I’m needy and self-centered, and I crave reassurance. When I’m happy, the whole world could be going down the toilet, and it just wouldn’t matter. When I’m not happy, ain’t nobody gonna be happy. (Forgive the grammar; I was making a point.)
What makes me happiest is having an event or activity I can look forward to–say, going to see my kids who live many miles away, or planning a trip to Guatemala, or to an impending class reunion. But we all know those kinds of things can’t happen on a regular basis.
So how do I keep going and stay happy, on a day to day basis? This blog is one way. I love the feedback and the “likes” and the clicks. They satisfy my need for attention.
Phone calls with my favorite people are another boost to my attitude. FaceTiming with a grandchild can lift my spirits for days. Oddly enough I seldom initiate those calls for fear they’ll be busy and I’ll be intruding.
My relationship with my mother-in-law, Saint Helen, makes me happy, and news that she might be coming for a visit soon has done wonders for my frame of mind. Yay!
I’m not sure what my original point was in writing this except that I began wondering what keeps others going when they sink, or if they sink, into the pit of self-pity. How do you pull yourself up and ignore the greedy little needs that keep you from being happy and productive?
I’m curious.
Peace, people!
Real life is not pretty;
although, it may have
moments of incredible beauty.
Real life is not romantic,
yet often has the power
to take one’s breath away.
Real life is not easy,
but living well is always
worth the struggle.
Real life is not for wimps
or for those afraid of
sustaining commitment.
Real life is for those
who know the power of
family; the power of love.
A life is more or less what
We choose to make of it
Choose with great care:
More love
Less censure
More acceptance
Less disdain
More family
Less conflict
More hugging
Less pain
More peace, people!
How can elation and pleasure
morph so quickly into doubt
and self-flagellation?
How does a bright day filled
with the promise of beauty
dissolve into ugliness?
I am fragile and built of
hopes and dreams.
Just like you.
Setting: Family room; TV turned to World’s Dumbest Criminals
Wife: It seems that you might be upset about something. I can’t imagine what it might be, and I’ve been wracking my brain all day and just want to say, whatever I’ve done I’m sorry and I will do my best to never do it again.
If it’s about the lack of sex, I realize I haven’t been all that amorous lately. It’s purely hormonal and I’d do something about that if I could. Honestly, don’t take it personally.
Our lives are so entertwined. I don’t know where I end and you begin, so please help me understand your feelings.
Just know that I never take any of this life we’ve built for granted. You’ve worked so hard, and I’ve always been your cheerleader. You’re my man and I love you fiercely.
So maybe we’ve both gone a little deaf, and we aren’t as thin as we once were. Let’s not fight. Just talk and then cuddle. What do you say? Surely we can work this out.
Husband: Did you say something?
THE END
Great artists
work in
a variety of
media:
construction
paper and glue,
glitter and
fingerpaints,
thumbprints in
tempera.
They do not
concern themselves
with brush stroke
techniques or
fickle critics,
their only goal
a smile from a
proud recipient,
a place reserved
on the fridge.
Peace, people!
Praying for Eyebrowz 