Thursday, May 28, 2020

exit

if i could walk
out of myself
i would leave behind
no mess, i would
close all of the doors
and turn to face
this path
if i could walk out
of myself
i would not
feel this pain again.

~

RN

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

harsh awakening

the kind of shooting
where no one cries
out or screams
just BOOM
and slam and it's over.

~

RN 

Monday, May 25, 2020

skim

there is a bird
skimming across the water
like a boat with both
paddles out
pulled evenly
like a kite carving
through the air streams
but the surface
is my mind
and the bird
is a feeling of calm.

~

RN

Thursday, May 21, 2020

begin

what would you do today
if it were your last
day
what would you
let go of
who would you forgive
what would you stop
carrying around
how would you change things
for the better
who do you need to say
thank you to
and where would you
begin--right now ?

~

RN

lessons

Need
is the greatest teacher
said the lock
it forces you
to search
for the key.

Desire
is the greatest teacher
said the craving
it demands
that you decide
on a solution.

Grief
is the greatest teacher
said the empty arms
it lies
and says that nothing
will change.

Hope
is the greatest teacher
says the sunshine
it speaks the truth
that rests
in every seed.

~

RN

reflections

do not let other
people's decisions
determine the perception
of your own
self-worth.
their choices are not
a reflection of who
you are,
but a reflection
of themselves.

~

RN

Friday, May 15, 2020

out on the water

out on the water
no land or refuge in sight
we rock with every wave
a breath
up - inhalation
down - exhaling, a slide
and in our boat we battle
currents not meant for us
the heavy pull
of dark and swirling anger
cold distrust and sparkling,
bruised hurt,
the ocean
capable of holding so
many emotions
they throttle
the boat til it swings
on the verge of flipping
over,
crew and cargo drowning,
but wait--
the rowers sing--

THIS IS HOW WE LEARN

with every new storm
a new skill
with every upheaval
a choice
a chance to learn how to repair
to respond
not by avoiding the passage
but by traveling with our whole
hearts
open--the sails
unfurling in the sun
up - inhalation
down - breathing out
and raising
our voices, as one.

~

RN