About irritants:
When used or provided in the wrong way or amount,
a painful rash results,
or the overall feeling that you want to die.
When used or provided in the right way or amount,
a spark ignites,
lighting up the darkness.
It is the same with love.
You want to forget all the things that they said,
you want to forget all the things that they did.
You want to forget all their treachery & sin,
you want to forget all the times they tried to do you in.
You want to forget all the hurt & the lies,
you want to go through just one day without crying.
You want to forget all the lying & cheating,
you want to forget the sadness of all your grieving.
You want to forget the love that did you wrong,
you want to forget the times you were not strong.
You want to forget the times you were cruel,
you want to forget the classes you took in school.
You want to forget your backtalk & your rage,
you want to stuff your dark parts into a cage,
or a box, & lock the sick things down with a key—
Sure, you can, but it won’t be easy,
because the Box of Pain will open again & again.
We are not perfect; we try not to live in vain
but mistakes & depression will rear their ugly head,
& we often become helpless with dread—
Can we be better? Can we follow the light?
Can we say “Good night” to the night?
Impossible! We were born flawed & slow,
fallen feathers & leaves upon the snow.
None of us is born without pain,
our hearts beat wildly as a runaway train.
We must deal with our own darkness as we go.
Hopefully the madness of our minds won’t grow
as they take apart our lives, sinew by sinew— As tears flow freely, green shoots spark from the ground, anew.
Our shadows
can be spectacular,
only when
evil, sadness, anger
or depression
are not attached
to them.
This is the time to extinguish fear.
All teeth need to be cleaned,
after digesting sugary sweets & coffee drinks.
Dentists are not evil.
All teeth need to be cleaned!
“But my gums continue to bleed—”
Dentists are not evil;
they just want to help you
“…but my gums continue to bleed,”
you shake your head; your hands tremble.
They just want to help you.
It’s going to be okay.
You shake your head; your hands tremble
after digesting sugary sweets & coffee drinks.
It’s going to be okay—
This is the time to extinguish fear.
Autumn rain hits hard and cold
outside the Temple, after the long taxi ride;
empty inside, but warm & inviting
He forgot his umbrella,
his mom will be upset when
she finds out;
every man for himself
We can’t forget this night,
apples dipped in honey,
toasting another sweet year
as we wipe away the rain
hopefully, not to bring any more pain—
& the fevers
of sickness and loneliness
are not wanted now,
the trees are still covered in green,
full of wet leaves,
still sweet-looking.
Girl with wonderous eyes,
she stayed & sovereigned so
even though she never thought
she would be in charge for 70 years.
Born third in line,
she was a normal princess.
But, thanks to her uncle and father,
she was first, in everything.
Her nation became modern under her watch.
Even with scandals, she stood firm,
riding out storms, wars & the terrible years
when her family & countrymen experienced their growing pains.
She received the hardest job as a young wife and mother.
Now her descendants & subjects dot the Earth
as spirits showed off a double rainbow at Buckingham palace,
the very minute she passed away in Scotland.
Amidst the tears, Lillibet,
you stood firm & true.
What would we do now
without you?
While others drink pumpkin & apple-favored drinks,
a new chill fills the air
as the kids return to school.
Hopefully all will be well—
A new chill fills the air.
Fear is slowly disappearing.
Hopefully all will be well
before the next disaster hits.
Fear is slowly disappearing.
People are smiling again.
Before the next disaster hits,
we will wrap ourselves in new sweaters!
People are smiling again.
As the kids return to school,
we will wrap ourselves in new sweaters
while others drink pumpkin & apple-favored drinks—
Now that the morning’s gust of air is cool—
could we all come out to play
before you kids go back to school?
Maybe today?
Could we all come out to play
while the sun beats hot?
Maybe today?
We can’t be foolish
while the sun beats hot,
(& you, drink plenty of water)
We can’t be foolish
but we want to get some iced coffee
& you, drink plenty of water
before you kids go back to school!
But we want to get some iced coffee
now that the morning’s gust of air is cool—
The light glimmering from the trees—
the schoolgirls’ long socks look perfect as they talk together
Between temples and majestic trees,
she wanders alone in the soft evening.
A wedding procession, charmed by trees
& flowers; as they approached the temple
she remembered her wedding day. The trees
in New York seemed so miniature then—
Now moved to L.A., the palm trees
seem like friendly aliens.
The paper tree
of dreams and wishes
haunt her as the shadows of the trees
paint the Pacific Sugar moon.
And the humidity’s too high today—
another trip to a new park
is cancelled. Too darn hot outside!
When will we finally enjoy Summer?
Another trip to a new park
bit the dust, thanks to falling rain.
When will we finally enjoy Summer?
Now the winds come in; the clouds are heavy; the hot air
bit the dust, thanks to falling rain.
It’s too windy to sail on the Hudson.
Now the winds come in; the clouds are heavy; the hot air
dissipates, but only for a while.
It’s too windy; the sail on the Hudson
is cancelled. Too darn hot outside!
(dissipates but only for a while)
and the humidity’s too high today.