In The Middle of My Life

In the middle of my life
I remembered who I wanted to be
when I grew up or otherwise.
Then I remembered who I am
and all the things I haven't done...
not yet.
In the middle of my life
I'm trying to erase disappointment,
celebrate whatever achievement I've managed to obtain,
cherish loves I was fortunate to receive,
treasure friendships I was able to nurture.
In the middle of my life
I'm trying to salvage only memories that hold worth
and eliminate recollections that don't deserve
my precious limited mental space.
Life is too short
and just what would we do if we had more of it?
Would we fill it with more accomplishments,
Or merely multiply mistakes...increase regrets?
We would have much more to remember...
Probably even more we would prefer to forget.
Too short?
For me
In the middle of my life,
Right here,
Right now...
I'm just trying to recall
my name.



Identity Theft


All this time wasted
Loving you
when I should have been loving myself instead.
How foolish to have invested so much
understanding, patience
and love in someone
who didn't take the time
to notice,
to care enough,
to even appreciate how much we accrued.
It's about time to make that long overdue withdrawal
from this relationship...
time to put stock in myself,
time to get a greater return on my investment.
I see a new identity in the making.
You can keep the one you stole.



Words


They sparkle in the midnight light, glistening with a satin glow.
Like mercury, they slither with a quiet power.
In daylight's wake they bring warmth to ease the chill.
They cradle a broken heart, bring laughter to an eager ear.
They soften the thunder of ill will.
Words.
Written or spoken
At a moment's notice their soft comfort
Can be transformed to a sharp-edged weapon.
Giving power...taking it away...often meaningful...
too often meaningless.
Easily forgotten by some, yet longed for by others.
Letters linked together to perform...
Holding promise for some,
Leaving emptiness for others
Once harsh truths unfold.
Words.
Many dress them in costumes to only confuse
While others strip them to unveil bare clarity.
Some can't find the perfect choice to express, guess or confess.
Foolishly they hold onto silence
While waiting for those right words to surface.
Sometimes they arrive too late, sometimes too few --
Overstated or just long overdue.
Words.
When gathered like beautiful, fragile bouquets,
They're invaluable when selected with care...
Treasured expressions...memorable thoughts.
Words...
So much to offer,
Going nowhere...just floating
While waiting...
Waiting to be used.


Improvement


Remember the lie you told me yesterday?
It was different.
Had a tone of sincerity...
Not found in the others.
It captured my attention.
Even nudged my inner belief.
This one actually sounded more like the truth.
I tell you...
You get better every year.


Invitation

She did not receive the memo.
She never heard about the shifting color lines,
insulting new policies or glaring hatred.
She remains standing,
still inviting millions to these shores
of hope, promise and freedom.
Lady Liberty remains unaware
that her welcoming arm could be forced downward,
since the invitation has seemingly long expired.


Memories

Seems like yesterday just won't go away
Can't seem to look to a brand, new day
When the old day just stays in the way.
It's hard not to remember what you need to forget.
Does anyone honestly do this step by step?
And, how can you take one day at a time
When last year, the day before, and tomorrow combine?
Wondering
Didn't I do this before,
Wasn't I here a moment ago?
Weren't you there...somewhere?
Where am I now...and where did you go?
It's not easy
But
I'm hoping
Maybe next week will really be next week
And I can then forget what I thought I remembered.



One


He is an audience of one.
No longer able to participate
in the creative adventures or impulsive decisions
that often delivered the excitement he craved.
His unbridled thoughts and ideas still crowd his mind
unable to be developed or ever completed.
Though his heart may be filled with love
and generosity,
right now he is unable to display
what he may actually feel.
His life's journey took a different path,
changing direction without warning.
without a chance for him to finish his sentence.
I, too, am an audience of one,
who still embraces him with my love
And
I am one who will be listening
if he ever has something to say.