Somewhere Nice

He wanted a favor
And I said no
This potential friend
This soul in need
I wasn't going to die
By helping out
I had the power
To do something
Yet, his day worse
And mine better
That's how it is

Their parking lot is stained with fallen leaves
A parking block missing
And found next to its neighbor block
There's a worn loading dock visible from the road
That's still in use this morning,
A sign above points to the back, "additional parking"

Taking out the trash
And the recycling
Improves the health of my apartment
A sigh of relief is taken;
When it's a quarter full, half full, or even three quarters full
It just sits there stinking and rotting
When you're finally ready to take everything outside
The empty recycle bin
And clean trash bag
They smile

Inside are the freshest fruits and veggies
Meat on display and cut to order
All local and organic products
With a small sandwich shop that's usually glad to get you a specialty of theirs, or whatever you want
But it's really very small and quite pricey
I usually shop elsewhere

Losing
Is a part of life
It happens
Everything becomes a competition
Win or lose outcomes
Sometimes things aren't going to go our way
Yet we were there
We still matter
Our voice was heard and will continue to be heard
We aren't going to run away
But pridefully accept defeat
Try again next time 
When we're better and stronger
We won't forget what it means
To compete
We'll live right now, content
With everything we are and everything we've done
Proud to have a voice
Right now

Boating

Crisp, light air

Stinging the cheek muscles and

Tugging at hair follicles

Burning wide-open eyes until they well-up with water

Last seen streaming down to the chin

The cooling of the breeze;

It's so quiet you can hear yourself think

Waves rock your body up and down, back and forth

Open freedom humms and buzzes under the just-too-warm sunshine

Up front the bow jumps wildly in the air

Like an animal in the wild

Smooth and fast

Free and powerful

An unsteady walk to the stern

A time-out from the action

A side-view of the sprawling forests

Clean and well-kept beaches

And a massive divide;

Cut deep into the earth's temporary shape

Fanning out and slowly falling back in line

A long day of excitement

A good laugh

Strengthened bonds

A picnic in the wilderness

And more good memories

Of success

Waiting

I'm trying my best

Remaining humble

And patiently waiting

There will be a time when my talents are needed;

When I'm wanted

I'll be:

Following orders

Fitting in

And remaining useful

Always ready if I'm ever called upon

I've got nowhere to go

And nothing to do

And I don't respect leaving

So I'll be around, just waiting

And training

Watching and hoping

That someday what I have will work

Thoughts

Let us sit in silence
I am a moment
You are forever
There is no power greater
Than love that's almighty
With our hearts full of praise
Oh mighty love
Give us peace

That which is born of the flesh is flesh
That which is born of the Spirit is spirit
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear it's sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes

Lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom
And the power
And the glory forever

We are in a spiritual darkness; death;
That is our natural state
We need to be reborn, with a new heart
We are unable to choose good over evil, we are dead in our trespasses
We are reborn to be alive, free from sin
The word made flesh

God owes nobody his love
It is our responsibility to repent and believe, and trust in the Lord

Sometimes Sidewalks

Encouragement
For that random club you joined, with only a few members
Where you're always hoping everyone shows up
And just gets so much from being there
Encouragement
For that one guy at work
Not because you need the help,
But because he doesn't always make good decisions
And has kids at home and he really needs this to work
To do well and not just fall into old patterns
Encouragement
For that family member that usually does well, but seems different
You know how well things can be when everyone gets along
And know that a little encouragement is all it takes
It works if you give it a chance

A lone beer can lurks beneath a fluffy green bush, awaiting redemption
A young woman reclining in a rocking chair on the porch, lights a blazing candle to ward off the bugs
A shirtless young man wipes sweat from his brow and glances around before returning back under his jacked up car
An aging ambulance rumbles past with scrubbed off emblems from a city 10 hours to the south

Like red, yellow, and orange leaves falling from a great oak
You're not there
I still own the good times
The warm feelings and happy memories
What was and what could have been
What didn't happen
Not now, not ever
I'll be wearing an extra layer
Outside
In this cold, cold world

As the sidewalk ends a sole jogger dances back and forth with the white line, sometimes falling into the road
A stuttering line of cars veer over the lines in both directions to avoid the jogger
One sports car screams past with laughing and jeering out the open window
Along the sides, houses with neatly trimmed grass sport brown spots from the heat and lack of rain

Distance
the great separator
Between two once inseparable forces
Long forgotten memories
Cartoons and baseball
Time that has passed and won't change
Time that's correct and forever wrong
Time for something new, yet again
Time to forget
Now blended in like burnt grass of the lawn
Now so special and perfect in every way
Now coffee and cake, alone
Now different

Hope

I will make the most of my time

Not too much

Not too little

With a vision that's just a bit out in front of me

Far-off dreams

And what's gonna happen tomorrow

I know what I'm not gonna do

What won't or shouldn't be

Because I'm strong

And I have faith

I see even a tiny little rock

An adventure through space

Which might not mean much

But there it is

There it will be

My own

Family will be a part of it

I have hope

Friends that are already there;

Hopefully staying a while

I have strength

The future can be wonderful

Just focus and work hard enough

I know what's good

Where I'll fall or change course I can't know

But that's OK

I have hope

Gratitude

For having something

When we could have nothing

Gratitude

For those before us;

And after us

For those above us;

And below us

Gratitude

Keeping us well-mannered and honest

For things we have and that we don't

Gratitude

For the new clothes on my back

And my worn out shoes ready for the trash

Gratitude

That I have the chance to buy fresh produce

And not the misfortune of stale bread

Gratitude

I'm healthy and happy and whole

I'm free and exuberant and ready to be competitive

So glad to be me

The Crest Of The Hill

When disaster strikes
I will not be ready
I imagined today
A wheel fell off while driving to work
I dreamed last night
I forgot to lock the door and someone broke in
I fear for what I'd do
If I ever got injured or something happened at my job
I don't have protection or know about cars
I'm not great with relationships or networking
And that's how things will be

At the crest of the freshly paved hill
A brand-new house, spotless paint and trim
Freshly stained patio furniture and a flag proudly waving atop it's pole
A small barn by the road with a wooden flag nailed to the top
Two immaculately maintained vehicles sit in the gravel driveway, perched next to the open garage

Happiness
Is being alive, early to rise, early to bed
Happiness
Is steady work, benefits and decent coworkers
Happiness
Is belonging to a caring family that keeps in touch
Happiness
Is clean and sober, couldn't be healthier
Happiness
Is dreaming big or small or any way we choose
Happiness
Is a warm, home-cooked meal while watching sports on TV
Happiness
Is remembering to be grateful and having good manners
Happiness
Is the euphoria after a long run or a tough set of pushups
Happiness is freedom

Much deeper into the woods sits a very large blue house
With a rustic stone wall spanning the length of the property
Opening up to greet visitors
An old bucket loader rests quietly in the backyard
Next to a small pond complete with a dock and beach chairs
The side yard is a sprawling flower garden marked by more stone and old wooden fences

Hard work
Is buying new jeans when our old ones wear out and get holes
Hard work
Is going to bed at night and being able to fall asleep right away
Hard work
Is remembering everything we have planned, and showing up on time
Hard work
Is eating right so you have the strength and energy required for the day
Hard work
Is staying motivated and positive, even when you want to give up
Hard work
Is being well-liked, fun, and caring about pretty much everyone
Hard work
Is having seconds for dinner and then burning it all off
Hard work matters

Worship

Spending time with what's good

Practice and repetition and love

For something we know that's greater

Because it has to be

We are not the best

And should never hope to be

We do what's right every day

Exercising our bodies with goodness

Eating healthy and choosing nutrition for wellness

Tying our minds to virtue

Practicing over and over

With humbleness and respect

Our worship brings strength

Our actions are the symbols of our meaning

Our future is bright and positive

Great and possible;

Wide open and focused

Bringing us un-ending joy

Humility

We're not always the best

We weren't the first and won't be the last

There's stronger and faster and smarter and even more handsome

We are going to be wrong sometimes

Someone else was there

Someone wants it more

We can be proud of everything we have

Brave when we work to get there

For a moment strong and courageous

For a while very clever and likeable

Our time may never come, but some day

There will be a time for reflection

For an expression of awe and understanding

The winters journey of a thousand miles

Done in a day and with nothing to show

A lifetime later a moment will be there

A careless second is something and nothing

We must remain grounded and small

In order to one day grow big

In order to be ever what we want

The best is the best is the best

We are all here, trying our hardest

Thoughts

We know where we came from
Rooted and build up, in Him, and established in the faith
Just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving
You need nothing but faith to overcome
And let everything we do in our lives be a perfect offering
Our lives will be one of thankfulness
Freedom comes from the death of evil desires
We remain rooted in faith; we remain free from sin
And you have been filled in the head of all rule and authority
Not thank us all, our God
All praise and joyous be
Let no one disqualify you

Light of the world
Without it there is darkness

He conquered the sea
The deep, dark, chaotic sea
The wind and the crashing waves
Delivering the boat safely to its destination
And within us,
Our mystery and the storms we go through
There is a guide
Faith.
Hope, goodness, strength

The light of the world
Will lead us to our destination

Revival

The bright, brilliant blossom

Flourishing along the perky, green vine

With preposterous friendly leaves

Dies during the first winters frost

The warm air and vibrant sun

Brought the gentle life back from beyond

Not for long, as the season presses on

And the days grow shorter and colder

The season of revival is always next year

And the year after

And every year after that

If left undisturbed

Dirt Road

I'm too busy
Chores at home and tasks at work
I've no time for concerns of the past;
Present and future
Consumed by what's happening
At hand, right now
Not worried about things of no consequence
I may not need to remember to forget
I will be focused and ready
Fit and pleasant
Already winning, which need not matter anymore
The present of forever is consuming
Happiness and satisfaction
Never done

A pair of tire tracks, indented, becoming part of the road
Coming from the opposite direction of the narrow road that sharply opposite
Smooth and well-groomed in the middle,
Rough and unruly along the shoulder

A frenzied moment of exuberance and delight, brought about by meticulous planning and constant hard-work
That doesn't need to be great
That shouldn't be overlooked
And is proud and honorable
Close to home, yet soaring through dreamland
It's gonna keep going when we get tired and frustrated
It's gonna help to stay as long as we see fit
And move us up the ladder as we're ready
It's gonna help us work together
To build something real
Even if we fail
We can get up again
It needs to be us
It is great

Dark green, thick forest covers and old stone wall just out of sight
Covered in moss and ever-so-slightly falling apart
Buried in the dark vegetation for years now
Among fallen trees and bare sticks of all shapes and sizes 

Not always the best idea
Or the right thing to do
But sometimes we rest
Everyone
Needs their sleep
Time off
Breaks or vacations
That restore the mind and body
To where we need it to be
We are at our best when we are there
And we give the most from what we offer
Injuries and accidents happen
People get sick
Tired, worn-out, bummed out or just unmotivated
So we have our breaks
To return better than ever
Refreshed and ready to go

A Day Of Victory

We are allowed to see the sun rise in the morning

We may look up at the stars in the sky at night

We take the time to enjoy the leaves

As they change color and fall to the ground

We get to partake in the grand and the minuscule

Time spent training and burning with struggle

Time up early and staying late

Listening and learning and waiting and wanting

Living and loving and blessed with tears of happiness

Today it was worth it, today was enough

All glory and honor

All respect and esteem

Earned and won

That can fade and be lost

Just as easily

Sunset begins the night

The new moon comes in turn

We are allowed to know the joy

Of holding a new-born baby

We are allowed to compete and win

Comfortable

Relaxed,

Stress-free,

Happy,

Alert,

Connected,

With the ones that matter

A life that's stable, successful, and productive

Needs that get met and bills that get paid

A bit of savings and a bit of exercise,

When there's time and support and resources required

Asleep,

Quiet,

Talkative,

Energetic,

Smart,

Savvy,

Not wanting for something somewhere else

Or somebody that isn't part of the here and now

Ready to show up and participate and do good

Be good

When life is comfortable

Freezing Cold

A double layer coat with a weather-proof shell

a hat and gloves

Sneakers and jeans

Are what's needed for a freezing cold walk

Along the frost-stained and wind bitten pavement

Littered with salt and sand from this and other storms

Snow adrift here and there along the way

Just across the bridge an inch of flurries from the night before haven't been shoveled or plowed

Squeaking under foot from the much-too-cold air

Crunching a fresh path; the bottom half doesn't get cold

The top half wind-whipped and thankfully zipped up to the chin

Exposing just the nose and beneath the glasses

The cold, the freezing cold causing fluid leaks

Threatening the safety of the whole situation

Obstacles in the storm

Cheeks and nose running away

Bravery and health and strength and triumph at stake

A simple walk in the freezing cold

Menacing Machines

Every winter morning when I start my car to warm it up in the freezing cold

I grab the brush and the scraper from the back seat

Close the door and clean it off

So I can see out the windows before they fully thaw

And I just know that with the keys inside and the doors all closed

This rotten machine is going to lock me out

Somehow

I just don't trust it

That's my way to work and how I get back inside

Sitting in the ignition

Behind closed doors

That could just lock on their own

Somehow

But they probably won't

I hope