THE OIL SPILL TRAGEDY

It’s not just another day along the beach.
Ceilings of blue rest high above poisoned
waters, swirling.
Senseless loss of life snarled amid the dark
murky liquid called monetary gain.
Miles of orange booms trace our headlines.

Arguments, pointed fingers, decisions,
black death spewing at will…untamed…

As we drive along the deserted beach road we
see pastel-colored homes that once housed
paper doll families on vacation…..
Sounds of laughter will soon lie as ink stains
in tomorrow’s diary.
The scent of deficiency meets our nostrils
amid every porcelain stare throughout our state.

Arguments, pointed fingers, decisions,
black death spewing at will…untamed…

Yellow metal caravans fill parking lots
along the way.
Now, tainted sands wear the footprints
of unknowns, here to salvage our frailness.
They, too, walk amid our heart prints of pain.

Arguments, pointed fingers, decisions,
black death spewing at will…untamed…

Condominiums stand vacant along
an asphalt trail that curls up
inside my mind…..
Strands of color rippling thru
the blackness, coursing thru veins of
dark oily waters of doom…
Orange-colored misery to remind us of
someone’s mistakes…or poor planning.

Arguments, pointed fingers, decisions,
black death spewing at will…untamed…

Thru the hourglass of time
sifts the sheen of our tomorrows…


June 25, 2010

CHANGES

We are told that our bodies carry seeds of death from birth, cancer cells that hibernate like a bear in the winter time, changes before we even begin. Do we question this medical fact when presented to us for the first time? So, we are changing all the time. Who, or what, determines if change is merciful, just, or necessary? Why are we placed on this earth? Where does our faith lie?

I once read that Leonardo da Vinci put his faith in his paintings, yet most of his art was left to lie beneath the dust of time. What would drive this talented man to do such a thing, forsake that for which he was so well known? Was it pressure from others or was it his desire to study the human body? He studied for hours upon hours, dissecting and pondering his findings, his abstract moods mixed in a myriad of colors and shapes, thoughts and paintings.

Do human beings hunger for change or is change brought about by societal dictates? Must we succumb to pressure from others to succeed?

We set out to look for our own songs in this world. We all have a song to sing whether it’s about love, life, climbing up the proverbial ladder, loss of another, or whatever. Often times we find our songs frozen on the icy roads of change. These roads are called ‘life’ with its many detours, the external pressures, pushing internal buttons, challenging finite minds to step beyond their limits while facing a change…….

MOTHER

Across the sky a few thoughts ago appeared a beautiful rainbow. Today, I found the memorable image of the rainbow amid my thoughts of you and everything you mean to me.

You see, time and circumstances have brought about a transition in our roles. You have stepped across the threshold into a new beginning as you wait for your creator to take you home.

So long ago, or was it only yesterday, you took my hand and led me through life with words of wisdom, grace, and much more. I always knew best, didn’t I? You never said, “I told you how things would be,” when I became tangled up in life’s downside.

Today, I take your hand as it rests softly inside mine. You trust that I will keep you safe, and everyday I pray that God will allow me to know how to keep this promise to you, as I diligently seek to honor you.

You are a gentle soul and will surely reap your just rewards. I know all too well that this will be soon, but until that time comes, I will remember you as I remember the beautiful colors of God’s rainbow. You are the rainbow in my life.

The Cylindrical Cycle

I stand outside and watch as the wind moves across my yard blowing leaves into a frenzy of swirls. Suddenly, they fall into a heap of shapes that mean nothing more to me than raking.
The house on the corner isn’t deserted but looks that way; it might as well be for the care it receives. The leaves and grass have taken over on the outside while visions of what drugs offer reign freely on the inside.
The aroma of marijuana often finds its way into my nostrils.
I wonder about reality and what drives anyone to elude life for a trip into a world of fantasy by wrapping their minds around a white cylindrical piece of paper. We can glide into fantasy without such things...give rise to the wonders of our mind.
I realize they are young...some in their early 20’s. They come and go all through the day and night. The windows are kept blocked to the outside world, yet the outside world can mentally see in.
I often think of the family that lived there not so long ago; loving care always given to their family, home,yard, and all things that we deem proper.
Working for a number of years as a nurse in a drug rehab facility, I heard many stories of childhood abuse, and some were despicable. But there were many cases where drug use was not the result of being from abusive homes. How things can change from year to year and from life to death.

What If

I sat and watched a rather plump lady taking her dogs for a walk along the edge of the beach yesterday. Both dogs were eager to explore. One dog in particular, a wiener dog, wanted to dive right in the water...and stay. The other dog, a more classy lady, wanted nothing to do with getting near the water. What if she was afraid? The thought 'What if' came to my mind about our life as it has so many times in the past. Yes, our lives vary in many ways. We are a diverse people of race, creed, and color. We have fears, likes, and dislikes and may not wish to participate in some things; however, we are often dragged into the water, too, in a manner of speaking, by our upbringing, conscience, inhibitions, and judgement to name a few. Are we all in a 'what if' situation? What if you didn't want to wear a suit and tie to work? What if you didn't want to treat the neighbor next door with kindness?.. after all, maybe he has cursed at you more than once. There are many thoughts about life as a whole; I watched the lady pulling her reluctant pup into the water...by this time the pup was pulling back with all of her might...tongue hanging out from the scuffle along with the tightening up of the leash... Why was this necessary? Life is oft times crazy... some things aren't necessary...are they? What if we didn't do some of those things we really didn't want to do....Just WHAT IF!!

ALONE

Somewhere along the way, things turned from a sunny yellow to a cluster of verbs, adjectives and facts.
The smooth edges of childhood became a tear drop of maturity.
Gone, were the echoes of hear-says, murmurings, and words of wisdom that came from the both of you.
One voice lies silent; a place of sleep inside a world of cement.
Oh yes, I hear the other voice. It seems to be locked inside the lacelike sleep of lost minds.
What did you say?
Oh, that's what I thought you said.
No, I was not prepared to stand upon the stage alone.

Hello Friends

Hello to all of my friends and fellow bloggers. I've finally started the sequel to my first novel, which has kept me busy in thought, for sure. Life moves quickly these days taking me to unknown places. I've had my mom in the hospital three times in the last few weeks. I find myself looking for the path that takes me to the land of placidness. I long for some time for myself; time where I might happen upon a stream of running water; could this be possible to find a place where giant trees would shade me from the world in general; where birds are singing happily; nature can bring both pleasure and pain. I would love to wrap myself in the arms of a quiet evening under the stars for some much needed alone time...My life has become tangled within the destinies. We all have them. I must go now. I just wanted to stop and take a moment to whisper a special hello to all..