TO TOUCH THE SUN

Love has found me in a dark corner
When I thought Death would surely take me
He guided me to the warm light of the sun
He whispered, "Do not fear, child!
I am here and no harm will come to you."
I shivered still from the cold darkness
My cloak was wet and damp
Of snow and ice thawing in the warmth
Of a fire I knew not until now
He said, "I never abandoned you.
You grew stubborn and fled from me."

I soaked in the sun's warmth
Shed off my heavy, damp cloak
Love took it and threw it
Away into a bottomless, black abyss
I cried and protested
He said, "Why do you hold on
To something old and heavy?"
I stammered, "I... I... "
"You have no need for it anymore,"
He reassured me
And threw his arm into the air...

He spread his arms to the heavens
Reaching out to touch the sun
I stared at his strange gesture
He gave me a playful wink
And then a loud, hearty laugh
"You need to stretch yourself,
Stretch yourself long..."
"Long?" I asked, "How long?"
"As long as you can," he replies.
I raise my arms also
Tiptoeing even to touch the sun

I Become

recalling the freedom of curiosity

the detachment to the possibilities

I become a little child at play

dismissing the seriousness of adult life

accepting the world's mysteries

I become a naive observer

remembering the wonders that filled me

learning to live out fantasies

I become a playful clown

ignoring staring eyes

enjoying my selfish fancies

I become an ecstatic fool

DEATH CRADLED ME

For a moment...
Death cradled me in his arms
And whispered wisdom
Of unfathomable depth

Each day is a realization
Each night is a revelation
Love is a power of great mystery
It is a grand never-ending story

Joy is to be shared to all
Every person needs comfort
He gave me back to the world
He is a patient angel

Every moment is a celebration
Every second is a jubilant creation
Life is a miraculous history
It is an epic tale of glory

Note: I wrote this because December 10, 2010 could have been my 5th Death Anniversary. Almost died in a terrible car crash.

CHILD, CHILD, WHY DO YOU CRY?

Child, child, why do you cry?
Is it too much to take it all in?
This world full of light and darkness
That gives intoxicating mirth
And lethal drowning sadness
With a bit of destructive madness

Child, child, why do you sulk?
Is it too grand to see?
This place filled with blessings
And burdens so heavy
Breaking your back at times
That you lay flat for hours

Child, child, why do you pout?
Is it too loud to hear?
This orb full of melody and noise
That scream out glory, then pain
Anguish moans, then joyous laughter
A cycle that never ends nor even begins