For all three
of my Sons,
Whom I Love and Appreciate
Forever, Without End...

You Dance to the Beat
of a Different Drum;
If you Lose your Balance,
I will Always
Be Here
To Steady You...

I write a message to you and just delete it
I guess that's progress
I check my blocked messages a little less
I guess that's progress
I see your name, and my heart flutters less
I guess that's progress
I obsess over you a little less
I guess that's progress
I hear a song that we like, and I don't skip it
I guess that's progress
I fly over for work and don't wanna just rock up at your doorstep
I guess that's progress
I see a guy with tattoos, piercings, dark hair, and dark eyes, and I don't think of you
I guess that's progress
I see a blue-eyed staffie and don't think of boofhead
I guess that's progress
I play the video games we used to play, and I don't think of you
I guess that's progress
I can write these words and not cry
I guess that's progress
My eyes aren't bloodshot from crying anymore
I guess that's progress
I wanna die a little less now
I guess that's progress
I no longer wanna scream until my lungs give out
I guess that's progress
I think of our times together, and it doesn't hurt anymore
I guess that's progress
I stop and smell the roses now
I guess that's progress
I'm talking to people again
I guess that's progress
I've been intimate with someone else  
I get that's progress
My silly, fun side is slowly returning
I guess that's progress
I laugh and sing again
I guess that's progress
I miss you a little less
I guess that's progress
I crave you a little less
I guess that's progress
At least that's what I tell myself..

Its the way
You turn and look
Straight into my soul
The way you caress
The steering wheel
Like its my face
The way the sun
Seems to radiate
Off of you
And you ask me
"Why are you smiling
Like an idiot?"

It only seems fitting
That the first poem of this series
Was one of heartbreak
And that the last poem
Be one of happiness and hope

So here's to you
For taking a chance
On a hopeless romantic
Here's to the journey
We are embarking on
And here's to whatever happens
Along the way.

Fin.
(Of the Numbered Series)

Breakthrough
Found at the
Bottom
Or in depressive
Basements
Don't waste away
The days
For a dead man can't
Be saved

Sitting here
In a hotel
In Albuquerque
In Awe
Of how we got here
It really is just
A series of chances
Events that dictate
Outcomes
As you sleep
I Am granted
The time to realize
I like this outcome
So far.