Ebb and Flow

I am the bumbling brook, bouncing back and forth

my waters chilled, frosted from the winters up North

I grow stronger as season expires further, day by day

traveling from home ever farther, a ways away

I am the cautious creek, curiously trickling along
finally finding my rhythm, my flow begins its song
muster strength as I earn my path, turn by turn
new knowledge at every pass, learn and learn

I am the steady stream, so straight and so swift
even while so young, I bring bountiful gifts
cause I collect mama's tears, drip by drip
and wash away the sins of man, bit by bit

I am the rumbling river, my rampage roars
my rapids splinter rocks, be weary of my shores
I carve canyons out of flat landscapes, this for that
yet give back everything from which I take, tit for tat

JC

A jumbled up sense of flawless direction.

          And so I find myself here again, searching for direction in a world w/out a clue. Subjected to types of thinking that have led us only down a hell-hole. Each of us wondering why, never once looking in the mirror. It dawned on me sadly that 98% of folks lack both the strength & conviction to do the right thing during difficult times. Yet I am thankful of how much more it matters due to such bitter circumstance. Dog-tired of the systems of rationale that explain only how far one would go in order to convince oneself of the absence of one's misery. Life is not a cage, tho we'd love to decorate it w/ golden bars, hang up a swing to hang ourselves, speak only in tired repetition of what's already been said: "Polly want a cracker. Pretty bird. Pretty bird." Saltines sold down at the local food-chain, next to the aisle filled w/ souls in plastic packaging. Benefits come in many shapes & sizes, but it requires a mind of bold character to fully recognize potential. A daily challenge: Don't let bitter hearts guide your destiny. All things are truly possible. Greatness requires both dilengence & effort. You'll find no easy way out, so stop looking for one. We each have something valuable to give this world. Isn't it time we start giving only our best? Mistakes will be made, but redemption is more than an empty abstraction. So fly on all you pretty birds. Time to seize the carp!!! The waters may be deep, but I once heard of a man who was able to walk across them. Then the one who couldn't was wize enough to build a boat. So float, don't sink. See the rapids for what they are. The only things keeping you going. Celebrate difficulty for it's inherent gift of strength. And I promise that one day we'll each float high up in the air, just beyond the edge of the waterfall. Just when we thought we'd plummet to the depths. Heaven will grapple us to give us all a home. And there ain't no cage up in the sky, just love, life, laughter, joy, hope, faith, courage, & clouds in the shapes of fuzzy animals.

(Forgive my lack of craft & form in this one. I simply didn't have the time to perfect such a message. For such a message arrives only in imperfection. So I hope the point delivered is one of only encouragement. Take care. God bless. Good luck. And in the words of Samuel L. Jackson: "Hold on to your butts!")

RH              

I once knew a man who shared the same name

I once knew a man who shared the same name.
His fire was infectious and I'll be forever changed.
And as I gather in the hall with all his loved ones, my strangers,
I am reminded of life's infinite dangers.
So we mourn and celebrate the loss of one whose lust for life could never be quenched.
Overcome by emotion, tears flowed into my beard until it was doused and drenched.
My heart is heavy, though I know, his spirit flies on the wings of a dove.
With a room full of people there to pay our respects, I realized, life's greatest reward is love.

RIP
Jared Schlimgen

[JC]