Eyes Wide Open

(inspired by writing prompt "manifesto" from Sunday Scribblings)

i grew up by the ocean

listening to the rhythm of the waves

ebb, flow

strength of the undertow

pulling at my ankles

little girls

shrieking at the sight of jellyfish

their vomity appearance

threatening to sting their toes

i felt so small

and yet so big

the power of the water moving,

growing somewhere deep inside

at the edge of the water

there was no end

there was more, always

than what my eyes could see

so i learned to trust

the beyond the bigger picture

that i can't always see

i see it in the eyes of a friend

who speaks to me without words

but through a tear, a hug

i hear it in the music

that ignites the soul

that once was dead

but is now alive

i feel it in the prairie winds

that i cannot see

but whose power

cannot be contained

and i know

i believe

that

there is always

hope.

The Guide

i don't know how it happened
but one day i finally decided
i had to step off the road
the one that i'd always taken

it was a good road
a trustworthy path
with all the milemarkers
and signs to lead me forward

but one day it all felt wrong
and i knew i had to get off
or somehow i would die
and so i did

out here it's not so simple
things aren't as clear
the paths not clearly marked
and sometimes I panic

but deep down inside
there is a voice
a spirit, a center
that stops me, stills me

when i trust that voice
i can follow it into the unknown
i can walk into the darkness
trusting my feet will find the path

beautiful things happen!
the colors, the depth, the richness!
carved out of the dark
formed in the anxiety, uncertainty

sometimes i weep
but my tears water the earth
allowing the path to be unfold
toward places i've never been, never imagined

i will trust the inner voice
call it spirit, call it life, call it god
it has brought me safe thus far
and i know it will lead me home.

a little tickle from God

woman weeping
beautiful
tears shinging
like spirit-stars in the dark

you're embarrassed
yet I have to squint
sometimes
at the brightness
of your spirit

woman laughing
giggling
at the absurdity of yourself
me
others
this life

grace-moments
injected into intense living
like a little tickle
from God.

She Remembers

her daughter says
her mind is gone
she can't remember her life

she can't remember
how to feed herself
or use the bathroom

she can't remember
if she has any children
or if her husband is dead

but if you say, "Our Father..."
she will finish the prayer
word for word

she remembers
that God is in heaven
and that God's kingdom is coming

she remembers
that God prepares a table
for her

and she isn't afraid
to walk through the valley
of the shadows

she doesn't fear evil
for her cup runneth over
with assurance

she doesn't remember
who she is
but she remembers

she is not alone.