Bringing Us to Words...One Heart at a Time...Changing the World

I am still in my pajamas at 1:00 with no real reason to get dressed I wonder how long this coronavirus pandemic will continue I hear people taking their final breaths on ventilators I see people hoarding toilet paper and more patients than the hospitals can handle I am still in my pajamas at 1:00 with no real reason to get dressed I pretend to go about my daily business—washing dishes, preparing meals I feel the boredom that crept in weeks ago and the panic of those who lost their jobs I touch a fear deep within me that my elderly parents might die from this I worry about the germs floating around in the grocery store I cry that my fifth grade daughter will end her elementary years at home, without fanfare I am still in my pajamas at 1:00 with no real reason to get dressed I understand there will eventually be a vaccine for COVID -19 I say we are washing our hands and taking precautions to help flatten the curve I dream that people are kinder on the other

I am ebb and flow. I wonder about the middle space of ebb and flow, when neither and both are present. I hear silence. I see potential. I am ebb and flow. I pretend to be wise. I feel melancholy, as usual. I touch the holy and the unholy. I worry that the dream is just a dream. I cry about getting in my own way. I am ebb and flow. I understand one does not exist without the other. I say - make it a dance not a war! I dream about open waters and meaningful flows. I try to navigate well. I hope to balance even in the tides and currents. I am ebb and flow.

I am small, yet brave. I wonder where I’d go were I braver still. I hear a voice that says “No, I cannot.” I see all the ways I have already said “Yes.” I am small, yet brave. I pretend that my power is meaningless. I feel self doubt taking hold. I touch my fingers to the pen. I worry that the pen will stay still. I cry because worry drains me power. I am small, yet brave. I understand that the choice is mine. I say that writing is my power. I dream that I fall and fail. I try to remember those are only dreams. I hope my fingers always find my pen. I am small, yet brave.

I am as delicate and as strong as the red caliandra tattooed on my skin I wonder about windows reflected on soap bubbles I hear when the stars blink their eyes I see the hands of time caressing my friends’ faces I am as delicate and as strong as the red caliandra tattooed on my skin I pretend I’m not afraid yet I feel the pain of the world I touch the face of the child I once was I worry poetry won’t be enough I cry for the ones who die, I fight for the ones who stay I am as delicate and as strong as the red caliandra tattooed on my skin I understand love expands your soul I say writing is for everyone I dream of changing the canon  and the world I try to be the best version of me  I hope poetry will be enough I am as delicate and as strong as the red caliandra tattooed on my skin

I am beloved and sad. I wonder if 8 billion people are changing, can change...should change. I hear the collective clamor. I see in each face: resolve, or fear, or defiance. I am beloved and sad. I pretend I am hugging you, when I’m only leaving a token on your doorstep. I feel grateful to do even that. I touch the dry and brittle sticks, collecting them for a fire each night. I worry when the flame gets too high. I cry, driving through the silent, shuttered city. I am beloved and sad. I understand this, like everything, will end. I say that connection exists beyond our sense of it. I dream all night of faces from my past, places I’ve performed and won. I try to love exactly what is in front of me. I hope not one of us escapes unscathed. I am beloved and sad.

I am loved and loving I wonder what needs to die I hear blossoms opening I see my world transformed I am loved and loving I pretend I am connected to all beings I feel an inner aliveness I touch the red hot center of my heart I worry about places inside that are still entombed I cry for those too burdened to wake up I am loved and loving I understand all things are changing I say, “Let me, let us crack open.” I dream we can treat everyone with respect I try to really listen I hope it’s not too late I am loved and loving.