Autumn's Shadows

The hazy September sun peered through the open

window, casting long shadows against the wall.

And although she had always loved the fall,

it often reminded her of death once the

trees stood tall and naked, limbs

outstretched, like arms longing to be

filled.

And it was what came next that unsettled

her most… winter… cold, lifeless and

seemingly without end. But she reminded

herself of season’s change, and how nothing

in life was truly permanent, except for change itself…

a feeling that both comforted and distressed her.

Still, she was wise enough to know there were

those things she was unable to control…

things like people, emotions not her own,

and seasons. So she smiled, just a little, knowing

all would pass, giving way to yet another spring.

Bulletproof Vest

This was written for a student...

She watched him from a corner of the room –

head down, pen in hand,

eyes trying to remain focused on the

paper in front of him –

struggling –

forever struggling.

At sixteen,

he had seen his share of trouble –

drugs,

family difficulties,

problems with the police…

but from their private conversations,

she understood his rebellious spirit…

he sought permanence –

permanence in a world where

nothing endures except change.

For a brief moment, he looked up

and their eyes met. He gave her that

cocky grin – the one that used to make

her want to smack the hell out of him…

but she smiled in return,

for she was wiser now.

Because when you live in a world

where change has been the only

constant in life,

you more often than not

cling to your armor –

cocky grin no exception.

Change of Season

Change –
he recognized it
by the gray dismal sky
and
the chill in the air.
But
more than this,
he sensed it –
in the frostiness of her words
and
in her icy cold glances –
this
death of a season

As Though it Were Yesterday

Eight years have passed and
I still remember the pain in
Your eyes that June afternoon
As though it were yesterday.

I wanted to reach out to touch
You – hold you – brush the
Tears from your eyes.
Instead, I sat – motionless –
Silent – fearing your rejection.

Every so often, you
Invade my thoughts –
Forcing me to wonder
How different our lives
Might have been if I had.

The Gift of Reason

Sadly, it seemed
Everything she had accepted as truth
Could no longer sustain her. Shattered, her life lay in
Ruins. If only she had had
Enough wisdom to
Think before opening her mouth… for
She now knew there were those things better left unsaid

Ultimately

A thought…

Playing itself
out in his mind…
Like a small ball
continually bounced
back and forth.

He tired to erase it…

But it seemed the harder he tried,
the stronger the thought became.

It had exhausted him for days…
Rendered him
sleepless…Left him
with a an ache
in the pit of his stomach.

Why was it that this
one action
was so difficult?
He was a grown man…
Had seen and done much
during the course of
his life.

He swallowed hard…

Took a deep breath…

Now
making a conscious effort
to allow himself to
contemplate the thought…

To ponder the words…

To slowly say them
out loud…

“I’m sorry.”

He shuddered at the sound of his own voice
as the words escaped from his lips…
Ultimately deciding his pride
far more important.

Crosses

Here, beneath summer showers,
Where lilac's scent and thoughts
Hang heavy, he gathers memories
Of the not so distant past –

Faces, places, voices
He wishes he had long
Ago forgotten.

Yet, they drone on –
Like the beat of a drummer
In a marching band,
Continually tapping the same
Monotonous rhythm with each
Step he takes.

He ponders choices –
Good, bad, indifferent –
They were his to make.

But, these thoughts –
These memories that
Plague him, are what
Affect him most –

For often he feels –
In some strange, twisted
Way – they have chosen him –
Now, his cross to carry.