Having people think we are:
sexy
artistic
funny
intelligent
powerful
spiritual
popular
beautiful . . .

all of these
feel so good
that very often
we make them more important
than truth
and kindness
and love

It is not best

    
Is it a good day 
If all has gone smoothly
If new stuff is gained
If joy and fun have come easily
If there's been no pain
?

or

Is it a good day

If struggle's brought great learning
If life’s value is made clear
If there is change in heart
If now goodness is held dear?

or

is a good day
in our hand
?

we are selfish beings . . .
only barely clinging to remnants
of what we hope to be true love . . .
ever thankful for forgiveness

Do not demand that which is rightly only received of love.

It will not satisfy.

So . . . 
today my daughter is getting married.
So many thoughts . . . 
I am nostalgic and emotional
pensive and hopeful
I am happy and crying all the same . . .
you know that feeling.

She has been such a joy
a learning in my life
It has been a privilege to be her father
truly, she is a wonderful blessing to me.

About two years ago I posted a song that I ( Read more... )

Truth . . . prevail over hope.
Promise . . . prevail over feelings.

All this is flashy rhetoric about loving you.
I never had a selfless thought since I was born.
I am mercenary and self-seeking through and through:
I want God, you, all friends, merely to serve my turn.

Peace, re-assurance, pleasure, are the goals I seek,
I cannot crawl one inch outside my proper skin:
I talk of love --a scholar's parrot may talk Greek--
( Read more... )

heavy burdens
spirit crushed
dragging soul 
through pain and dust
exchange offered
for ease to bear
with help from one gentle 
humble hearted with care
 

love the life you are given . . .

to love the giver

it is rare that I experience depression
when I do 
it rarely hangs on 
today
so far
depression is with me
hanging on
fighting efforts to let it go
sadness motivated by sadness
in me some strange mechanism
wants to let it live and evolve 
in spite of associated misery

I don't like to admit to this
because of pride
because I want to be encouraging.
because I want ( Read more... )