When the anger
held underneath
comes out
when you sleep
and you direct it
at a bad guy
then you wake up
to find
you accidentally
kicked the cat
sleeping with you
in the face
and now she
is mad at you
Play, Play, Play
Once more big eyes look at me
imprinting the need within
that energy needs to be used up
or the threat of chaos will win.
So I look for the toy
knowing the energy I will expend
hoping to release the energy
my furry children need to spend.
Still I love them
and they love me
and nap time will be comforting
as they lay upon me.
Food Sharing
Doling out portions
so everyone gets some.
Social time
as we eat and drink our fill.
Grateful for the presence
of those who sit next to us.
Until you realize your cousin
is putting his licked yams
onto your plate
and you already ate one.
Children of Mine
Proud can be a word.
Worried is usually the answer.
Sometimes it is delight
though often it is empathy
and resisting the temptation
to turn everything into a teachable moment.
Most times it is merely holding their hand
as they walk beside you
or cuddling them even if they are not sick.
Nowadays it is waiting for the door to open
as they come home
grateful they made it.
Lying for Peace
They don’t understand.
If you try to tell them,
they can not comprehend
the words you are saying.
They will only believe
you are trying to hurt them,
yet
all you want is to not have a confrontation.
You are thankful for everything
they have done for you
but
you are you and you will not change.
Not for them.
Not for anyone.
Not anymore.
That phase of your life is done.
For you,
it is time to move on.
Go for the Throat
When breathing you need to relax
the esophagus and inhale deeply.
Slowly and calmly exhale
letting your diaphragm to decrease.
Your stomach can move in and out
but your breathing is your focus.
To be relaxed have your lips gently closed,
your jaw released and your tongue on the roof of your mouth.
Then begin by inhaling
and feel your throat vibrate as you exhale.
Treats
A one time thing
that happens rarely
for no reason at all.
An indulgence
when needed
to fulfill
a small craving.
A blessing
when a friend
shows you they care.
Sometimes all that is needed
is a listening ear
or a word of encouragement.
Silence or a hug
can be the most precious
treat of them all.
Popular Thanksgiving
To sound grateful
or happy
when with family
even though inside
you really would
rather
be anywhere
but here
Time and Again
The circle continues
Unbroken
Forever winding its way
past all the things seen before
New things will be added
but the results will be the same
Nobody believes the signs
and so we come again to the place
where lives get lost
and people close their eyes
to the horrors they helped create
When you really don’t want the bad guy to win
It is like a train wreck
you can see about to happen.
The tracks are destroyed
and the train has no way to slow down!
Not in time.
We all know what will happen
if the bad guy wins.
Yet, we can not see how to stop them.
Because even deflecting or derailing the train
won’t help.
It is too far down the tracks now.
