Berries and
Sky and
Faded jeans and
Oceans and
China teacups and
Forget-me-nots.
Morpho butterflies in the pit of my
Stomach and
His eyes and
My
Heart.

I sleep with one
eye open, to not
miss the world
as it passes  me,
for even in the darkness
the light of the sky
watches over me.

Eyes of the heavens
looking down, each
seeing something different
to what the others see.  

So I keep one open as I
sleep, not wanting to miss
what passes around me
as I soundly sleep.

Oh King of
mixed signals,
could you once,
be clear?
Your red light,
green light,
yellow light
are all on
at once.
Causing traffic
on the interstate of
my mind.
Backed up for hours,
your red light,
green light,
yellow light
are all on
at once.
Stay.
Go.
Slow.
Oh King of
mixed signals,
make up
your mind.

A solitary stalk of milkweed stands
ornamented with seed pods
most have long since burst
and sent their bounty fluttering on friendly fall breezes
But
one remains
half eaten by the elements
yet still crowded with seeds

Though the seasons have past
and the sun hints of spring
the winter wind still howls and taunts
"Come out, come out, come out if you dare"
but the reluctant seeds remain
huddled with their brethren
in the shelter of their cradle

Then comes a hand
a hand that cares about the butterflies
a hand that remembers warmer times
the fingers invade
and
  after
     a brief
       affectionate
          caress
pry the silky silver sails and their seeds out of their sanctuary
only
to release them
in the big
wide
world
where the fluffs float
buoyed by warm spring currents
finally
feeling
their full
Potential

the times i miss you,
are the times i remember
you're not coming back.

d.l.b

Being happy is a choice
I can wallow in self pity for the rest of my life
Or I can wake up excited to be alive and to be breathing
I want to see beauty in cracks on the sidewalk
I want to be content, ecstatic, elated
Every ******* day
I am going to be happy
I will not be held back
I will breathe in sunshine and exhale rain clouds
Happiness is far more beautiful than this sadness
I will not feel sorry for my past
I am obligated to make the best of it
I will be happy
Because happiness is a choice