Early morning mountainside
enshrined behind a gentle mist
fog rising from cool air
as it meets the hot earth
How many other moments of awe
have already slipped beyond the veil
of impermanent, imperfect memory
sudden piercing pang of vague loss
I run my fingers over the fading pictures
I've placed in holy alters of the heart
pleasures made sweeter by the stitches
of pain weaving outward from the past
Is it wrong to endlessly revive old joys
should I put effort into slowing the
inevitable erosion of time or
would it be more kind
To allow old days to disappear
and someday no longer know
what wonders I've since lost
along the long, winding way
Will holding on make me strong enough
to face the many difficulties ahead
or will a tight grip leave me too weak
to embrace the life I've yet to live
There is a stillness in the morning
that emanates from within
yesterday's rustling of the mind
is silenced by the slow sunrise
These soft moments are like medicine
rising early to fill your empty cup
with cool air and fresh hope
absorbing the energy of a new day
Fertile soil invites the sowing
of tender gratitude seeds
enveloped in the crystal clear calls of victory
touted from the dew-damp treetops
The heaviest grief can be be held at bay
in those first fragile minutes of light
the surreal sensation of another chance
the involuntary innocence of waking up
I rose before the sun today
slipped out of my covers
into the dark, artificial warmth
of my well-heated, winter home
my mind is fresh and grateful today
resplendent in the light of another new year
new beginnings are crisp like citrus
invigorating, juicy, crystalline droplets
my heart is opening wide today
admitting all that approaches
the good, the bad, and the unknown
all are welcome within my soul
joy spills from my fingertips today
as I begin to churn the stagnant energy inside
shifting sediment and sadness
transforming it, creating new light, new love
I am so happy to be alive today
that simple gift is all that's needed
for miracles to happen
for gratitude to consume my grief
I forgive myself today
for the dark days behind and those ahead
because I am forgetful and flawed and human
and that is not something to apologize for
I witnessed the pink and orange pallet of the sunrise today
I give myself the love that's in my heart today
I breathe into my beautiful body today
I am so grateful I awoke to that warm darkness today
Christmas mornings are soft and special
they are filled with tender wishes
and warm embraces
evoking the image of flame lit evenings
in front of fireplaces with family
as the harsh world blusters against the door
Let us not forget that this magic in the air
has been inside of us all year
and that we may choose to indulge
in these wondrous feelings
whenever we wish to and
offer our love and gratitude each and every day.
Open eyes, another new day
the inky blackness
of a night not yet over
resisting each surrender
to the sun, just like me
The strained chorus of small voices
reminding me that I am needed
A sigh followed by a smile
signals the transition from a
warm cave of covers into the cold air
A fresh start, an empty vessel
eager to be filled again, but not just yet
The soft stillness of the mind in the morning
is something to be savored
as we make the descent from dreams to daylight.
Make an effort to linger here
as long as you can
Allow your mind to rest
in the spaces in between
That's where I'll be.
Protect the Innocent 