Life

Choices

Life sometimes is not kind. 

We face decisions and challenges all around us.

Pain and suffering rear their ugly heads.

Some choose to risk.

Some choose to stay safe in a golden prison.

Life has no guarantees.  It only offers opportunities.

Some chose life with all its potential pitfalls.

Some chose to merely exist, a living death.

Nancy Judd, IL

Hero

You come to me with all your honesty, your deepest secrets revealed and offer me the gift of your trust.  Over time, you share each memory that is seared into your soul; every agony, the pain and suffering you have been through in this lifetime.  I long to be the balm that takes the hurt away, knowing within my heart that only God’s grace flowing through me is the source of your healing.

I gaze at you in wonder as I marvel at how whole you are, how strong you have been and I see your innocence still intact.  Life, with all its ironies, has not robbed you of your pure essence.  You stand tall in your integrity.  Life’s challenges lie spread before you and you eagerly embrace them.  Following your path, wherever it may lead you, you seek to fulfill God’s plan for you. 

Your noble spirit leads you onward and upward until you crest the mountaintop and see that you have overcome the world.  More importantly, you have vanquished your inner demons.  The world is not fair in many cases; but God’s ultimate justice reigns supreme and you, my love, will revel in Her bountiful blessings that you have so painfully earned.  You are my hero!

Nancy Judd, IL

Let Go, Let Go

Suffer not, oh mortal man

Burning, burning so.

A fire surrounds thee,

not from within

but from without.

The fire of rage.

The fire of fear.

The fire of anger.

The fire of doubt.

The delusion, all consuming.

Burning, burning so!

Oh mortal man, 

Let go, Let go!

Carol Canova-Reed, FL

Painful Growth

For every thorn that pricks you

with its reminder of painful growth,

there'll be, I promise you,

a million petals of soften the path.

Carol Canova-Reed, FL

Paradox

What is a weakness?

It is nothing more 

than a strength

in disguise.

Carol Canova-Reed, FL

Choice

The wheel of Karma

Turns in rhythm of needs.

Each bucket drawn We may

or may not drink,

Depending upon our choice.

Choose carefully;

For with that  choice,

The cycle of lives may be complete

In this turn of the wheel.

Carol Canova-Reed, FL

Life

The splendor of living happens

to those who are open.

The living dead experience only

the passage of time.

Carol Canova-Reed, FL

 

Homeless Wanderer

                        This morning    

I drove downtown

                        to the Greyhound bus station

                        and picked up my 35 year old

                        wanderer       

my homeless eldest son

                        who’s been seriously on the run

                        from the “Ghoulie” within his restless spirit    

all his adult life

                        but he may not know that

 

                        damned if I know

                        what he knows

                        he never

                        really

                        lets

                        me

                        in

                        anyway

        he’s back again

                        on a snowy Thanksgiving morning

                       

                        he’s hauling two plastic bags this time

                        as opposed to the one

                        he had the last

                        has a little bit more meat

                        on his bones

                        a little bit more spark

                        in his eye

                        a little bit more life

                        in his speak

                        and at least $4 in his pocket

                        he’s proud

                        that he didn’t come home

                        penniless

 

                        I didn’t ask him to dinner with us

                        because my life partner

                        thinks he’s insane

                        and dangerous

                       

        he just might be

         and I might be

        too close to see it

        but yeah

        I know the “Ghoulie’s” there

        I’ve seen it too often

        to be blind to it

 

                        besides we’re heading over

        to her son’s today

                        the one with the PHD

                        and he and he just don’t mix well

 

                        and there wasn’t much notice

                        just a day or two

 

                        he’s going to hunker in with his mom again

                        spend the winter in her apartment

                        sleep warm on a futon

                        maybe find a job

                        kind of share space with her

                        and his brother

                        who’s still washing dishes

                        and working off his probation

                        working on Thanksgiving Day

                        for minimum pay

                        the felon’s way

 

                        his mom will be going to her folks’ at noon

                        going alone

                        he’s not invited there either

                        they think he’s crazy too

                        gave up on him a long time ago

                        no grandchild of theirs

 

                        it’s hard to be accepted home again

                        even on Thanksgiving Day

                        when so many times before

        you’ve thrown it all awa

when so many times before

        you’ve walked on out the door

                        without a wave goodbye

                         and there’s been years

        between collect phone calls

        asking for emergency money

                        or postcards

                        just to let family know

                        that you’re okay

 

                        no

                        not much home

                        to come home to

                        the longer you’re astray

                        David McKenna/Chicago