Struggle (Page 10)

Stressed businessman (Image: Nopphon Pattanasri)

Trajectory (a poem)

Having moved on, I remained
caught between obligation and fear.

Worn, weary hands now empty.
Inspiration sifted, removed by the wind.

[continue]. . .

School kid bullies sit on a brick stairway above a boy who is seated, with his head against a brick wall. The victim's expression shows feelings of rejection and ridicule.

To those who never read me. (a poem)

Remember the ones
you passed in the hall
never stopping to talk
or know them at all?

The awkward kid
who didn’t fit in
tried to make friends
but just couldn’t win?

[continue]. . .

A young black woman sits on a gray sofa in a modern living room. She appears peaceful and stress-free while relaxing at home.

A Meaningful Life (article)

The definition of living a meaningful life
will differ for each person.

To some it may be to strive
for a form of greatness.
To others it may be
to make it through each day.

(405 words)

[continue]. . .

Worn wooden pews and colorful windows line the center aisle of a little old church. Taken at First Methodist Church of Jermyn. NOTE: this church was built in 1910. In 1968, it was designated as a Texas Historic Landmark.

Kickin’ Stones (lyrics)

Do you think it’s really so simple,
that everything is just black or white?
Pitting your morals against us,
it’s not a question of who’s wrong or right.

You cast judgment without understanding,
while your foundation is crumbling away.
Believing you’re walking above us,
when your morals are deep in decay.

[continue]. . .

A prisoner reaches out from behind prison bars. His hands stretched toward freedom.

Life… (a poem)

Obligations and desires compete for my time
but are beaten down
when exhaustion enters the ring.

[continue]. . .

A lonely woman sits on a swing in the park villa in the morning. She is reaching over to hold an empty swing beside her.

Andy (a poem)

I wish I had spoken
one simple, kind word.
It may well have been
the only one heard.

Now it’s much too late.
Life goes on without.
Memories will fade
but regrets they do not.

[continue]. . .

A close-up of a dust-covered, dirty computer keyboard.

It’s been a while (a poetic letter)

My mom used to write letters at the end of each year, to keep friends and family up to date on the happenings in our family.

I hadn’t written any poetry in a while. So, in the middle of the night, I wrote a little update letter of my own.

[continue]. . .

A whitetail deer doe is walking through the water, across a small pond.

The clarity I seek is regarding how to remain calm
amidst the storms swirling round about me,
how to be of help and live compassionately
towards those in most dire need,
those who may not appreciate or understand
the choices I make each day.

(1,108 words)

[continue]. . .