When Love Isn't Enough

Listening becomes a chore
Giving is used as a weapon
The fighting becomes dirty
When Love Isn't Enough

Words becomes short
Conversations disappear
Butterflies fail to flutter
When Love Isn't Enough

A gentle touch is not welcome
Emotion is a memory
Confusion and Anger win
When Love Isn't Enough

Let's Do It

Let's do Something we never knew was Possible,
Leave Doubt where it is so the Positive is Probable;
Step aside and let Impatience be jettisoned, 
Or quickly pass us by as we work to be Ready.

Let's do Something we always knew was Possible,
Serving as examples of how to work for More;
Setting the bar for excellence,
And becoming a living example of What's Next.

Let's do Something we purposefully connect to our Dreams,
Building the foundation for the Unthinkable;
Relinquishing Personal Ambition for our Destiny,
Yet remaining who we are, individually, is the Spice of our Life.

Let's do Something.
Let's do it.
Let's Be...Together.

Approaching Dessert #937

I graze the top...slowly, without any design in mind.
Gently, I assess the surface, as I am looking for the
Tastiest place to begin...

I move around the sides, counter-clockwise circular motions,
Because it feels right to me, which is all that matters, for now;
I have to be comfortable with my technique before I try 
Something new -- when I find the
Tastiest place to begin...

I dive in, but not too deep, but deep enough to make an impression.
Slowly, moving out and about the area I've entered, looking for 
Ways to even the surface out again, 
As I plot my next plunge because I've found the 
Tastiest place to begin...

Until I begin looking for the best way to end...the last course.

Writer's Block #324

It's not supposed to be this...hard...
I mean, ink should flow on paper
But this...is the normal, stay between the lines
Rule that has my creativity so stagnant?

It's shouldn't be this...hard...
I mean, biting my nails, then,
Wondering why I can't scratch my scalp
Or that itch on my back that distracts me from reality;
Why is my creativity so stagnant?

It can't be this...hard...
No jokes about something she said,
Because her voice isn't the one I'm hoping to capture;
I've been searching for a character for so long that now,
My story isn't as clear as the day I thought of sharing
My creativity...is stagnant...

One Day It Will All Make Sense

I was so used to being misunderstood that when I finally met you I didn't understand what I was thinking; Feeling like I had waited a lifetime, I wasted a lifetime trying to make my lifeline pair with a few deadlines - flat lines...

I was so used to only hearing my own voice that when I finally heard you whisper in my ear I didn't understand how you knew the lyrics to my heart's theme music; Accusing me of opposing sincerity,  my adversity was that I was severely impeded by my lack of clarity but here I see what I've been hearing throughout my lifetime, there's more to life - flat lines...

I was so used to being me; a mister.
Under stood Wonder
under My Thunder was
Light flashing
Heights grasping
Sight blindly
I
began to see
you
begin to see
Me be
Imperfect.

I was so used to being misunderstood that when I finally stood...I didn't know if I could... but I knew I would
For you
Who understood.

Except from "Becoming More"

Running towards an open door with her eyes closed tightly, she felt the heat against her palms.  Sweat racing down her face, she dared not to rub any away for the moisture may be another layer of protection.  Soon, the smoke strangled her to her knees, as cheers and taunts collided in the cedar scented air.  After taking one last deep breath, she lunged forward, with arms outstretched for a member of this peculiar audience.

As the air began to move through her lungs more smoothly, a smile grew upon her face. Another challenge completed.  One step closer to achieving her goal of becoming a fireman.

My Mom

Most may never know that my thoughts are initially negative with any situation. I'm attracted to the worse case scenarios when deliberating issues and oftentimes I'm stubborn to change my point of view. My temper isn't the best...in fact, I have a horrible temper--one that takes me from zero to a thousand in less than three seconds! Sure, I may not always say the right things. Some have even said that I'm rude (picture that...me? rude? Ha!). But if you know me, you know that I say what I mean and I mean what I say. So, most times, when I open my mouth, my mom comes out.

As a young man, I recognized that I was Blessed with the gift of observation. I watched the world around me and learned quickly what to do and what not to do from others. I still do this today. There are also times where I will throw caution to the wind, roll the dice, and let the chips fall where they may. I enjoy this reckless behavior...because it's all calculated. I grew up with an affinity with numbers and math. My dad always said that my mom was a wiz with numbers and that was all the encouragement I needed. But, I turned out to be an English teacher, so figure that one out. I teach with passion and I tie my experiences into the examples I give my kids to help relate the lessons to real life. Most can't believe what I've experienced, but it seems to work with my students. And when I'm in class, getting those kids ready to learn and I open my mouth, I know my mom comes out.

My sister and I are very close. Life's circumstances allowed God's plan to work wonders on us, as we have always been each other's best friends (I think...I mean she's mine so...wouldn't I be hers?). But just because we are best friends, doesn't mean we have always gotten along. There were arguments, fights, scratches on my face that left scars for weeks and kids at school teased me that I was attacked by a bear because we lived in the country (Sherif, bka Button - Chester High Class of '95 had lots of jokes), bullying, brainwashing, mind games and all the love siblings could share (Sarcasm is a gift). There were also times when we were all we had, looking out for each other, being strong for each other, loving each other and most importantly, teaching each other how to be strong. Within most of these times, when we opened our mouths, our mom would come out.

As I grew older and began to put some pieces together in my life that had been broken, either by my own accord or by the choices of others, I would think back to my mother singing in the choir. I would think of her praying and I would think of not only how she cared for me, but for some reason, I'd think about the mistakes she had admitted she made. I would look then, and I continue to look now, at how she navigated through her adversities. I look to those moments to find strength, courage and a little extra push to carry on. I look at how she grew in her Faith and how she uses her gifts to help others. And when I think on these things, I know that she is Blessed and I know that my family is Blessed to have her in our lives. So, today, when I open my mouth, it feels good to know that my mom comes out.