The night is still but I am restless. My heart is an open wound. I am devoid of passion and empty of desire. I have been undone by you leaving me. I toss and turn praying for morning to come. I wish again for your touch and to hear you breathe in the night. My bed is no longer a place of rest, but of endless longing, a longing for love.

Feelings aroused with passion, the heart is drawn towards a new fancy. The honeymoon is grand but is soon over. Then the marriage goes stale, the eye wanders and soon infidelity can occur. Thus is the way of love and politics. At first the idealist draws a crowd of true believers as two new lovers would meet. The followers are enamored with the passion of the new face, just as lovers are enamored with each other. The similarities are astounding, and the results often the same. Some weather the test of time and others fade away and are divorced from one another. If there is a break up, then one gets the lion's share of the wealth, while the other is left destitute. Thus love is like politics in so many similar ways.

There once was a man who was called to war. He had never served in an earthly army. He was a man of a simple trade. Born a carpenter and raised to work with his hands. He stood for a short time to fight for his fellow man. Then one day, the mortal battle was lost. They captured him and nailed him to a cross. On the tree between two criminals he gave up his last courageous breath. He forgave the enemy, even at his death. Then a miraculous thing happened after the lay him in the grave. On the 3rd day he arose from solider to commander our mortal souls to save. He is now crowned the captain of the armies of the heavenly host. He will come again in power and glory filled with the holy ghost. Who is this simple solider you might want ask, why it is Jesus of course, the first and the last.

I give you my love, all that I am. I offer you my heart and all that is has. I knit my soul to yours and let my life be bound to you. I give you my love that will ever be true.

To be a king I would wear a heavy crown, because I would bear the burdens of my people. I would not take my ease until the poorest among my people was fed. I would give more than I would take. I would not seek riches or lands, but wisdom as my treasure. I would absorb knowledge so that I could help many and not a few. I would seek out the humble and wise to be judges and not the rich and powerful. The door of my castle would never be closed to the poor or those in need. In all things I would show mercy and give justice in kind.

Give me your wish and I will wrap it up with a bow. I will blow kisses on it and shake it 3 time for luck. I will place it under a tree and you can open it Christmas morning as a gift especially from me.

A circle of perfect gold, placed on a tender hand. I give you my love eternal and undying . In the solemnest of moments, I kneel before you and offer you my life. I will sacrifice for you all that I am, to hold you next to me. In good days or bad, I will hold you fast. I will be the anchor to moor you fast as our hearts are joined. Into the eyes of serenity I stare and I am held fast by your gaze, as I submit to your will and I give you my love.

When I give a glass of water to some who thirst, let the glory be God's. When I sew a seed of hope, let the glory be God's. When I answer a friends call for help in the midnight hour, let the glory be God's. In all things that I do that are worthy of honor and praise, let the glory be God's.

I once had a dream that I was in a large field. I was surrounded by Tulips and Daffodils. I tried to move my arms and legs but I had none that I could see. I could only look out over the field in the direction of the sun, slightly turned up to feel it's warmth. I began to contemplate what I had become, then I felt my petals and stems and roots going into the earth. At once an image of myself appeared. I had become a sunflower you see. With a wide Iris and petals of gold. I sat and followed the sun for hours untold. I was content with the warmth of it's rays. I was happy to spend my time there, many a lazy day. As time passed, I watched the others flowers fade, the sun began to set sooner each day. Then birds began to light on me and peck at my Iris. I was upset at first, but then I began to see, they simply wanted to eat out my seed. So one by one my seed went away, until there were none left in me. I awoke suddenly and thought about my dream. I imagined what I might find the next time I sleep. Perhaps one flower has become many and are in many far flung fields, between the Tulips and the Daffodils. I will wait patently until I sleep again, and wake as many sunflowers.

I let the garbage go until I could not stand it. I refused to wash one more pair of socks. I did not wash one dish or glass because something had to stop. I needed to get things in focus. I had to get him to see things my way. So to resolve all of our problems I came up with a training day. I stopped dressing like a lady and acted more like a man. I walked around in sweat pants with holes and kept my hand in my waste band. I let the house and my duties go. I decided why should I care. I made every meal pizza and an ice cold beer. I didn't bother to the change the channel I just preprogrammed the remote control. Now all we see are racing and fishing shows. When I needed to dress up and go out, I just found what ever was on top of pile of close that smelled like an old wet mop. I pulled my hair into a pony tail and slipped on my flip flops. At first he seemed to like it, but then he said it was getting weird. He wasn't sure how he liked me as one of his friends constantly living here. It didn't take long for him to see things my way. Especially when no bills got paid on time, and the took the cable away Suddenly things got better as he came around to my point of view. He now takes out the trash on time and does what I ask him to do. So if you are having problems with a relationship and a man can't see things your way. Just become a reflection of him and give him his own training day.

Sitting a sacred circle chanting and meditating as the fire roars before me. Waiting for the moon to reach it's apex so the light will shine full upon me. I let my mind escape the bonds of my mortal form and I rise to the heavens. I dance on moonbeams and ride the wild wind. As I become a shadow and shade, I delve into secret places and listen to forbidden tales of how the earth was before mans time. I revel in the night gliding effortlessly through the shimmering silver starlight. I circle the moon as it fades slowly from it's apex and I am forced to return to my mortal form. In a weary state I fall to sleep and dream of the time when I can take a spirit flight once again.

A man on crutches walks by a flag on the town square. His left leg is no longer there. He stops to salute the flag before he moves on, a small child looks in wonder at what he has done. Tugging on his mothers skirt he points and she says that he shouldn't stare, the man hears her words and quietly draws near. The woman looks up startled and seems embarrassed by what she has done. The man just smiles and tells the woman I too have a son. He is in school right now learning all kinds of things. He will learn to be polite and what freedom means. Just like your boy will do someday, so don't be embarrassed because you see I only have one leg. I gave it up for your freedoms, a price I was gladly willing to pay. So don't shed any tears and please don't be sad. I salute that old flag because I am dam proud. I was one of the chosen few that had a price to pay. So you and many others can live a free and peaceful life. God Bless Our Veterans.

Can I do more, how can I give. What can I offer to help others to live. If I fore go a cup of coffee or miss one meal. Will the little sacrifice end my day or cause me to become ill. If I do more to care and make a greater effort to give. Perhaps I can help another person have one more day to live. Though my efforts might seem small, all rivers start out as drops of rain, then when bound with other drops they wash away mountains and form lakes and oceans. So with each act of selflessness, let my actions be as one drop of rain. That through each daily act of kindness, I might help another person live. In one years time may my deeds multiply. Until what I have done is a torrent of life giving hope that does great things and inspires others to ask can I do more?

Colorful umbrellas and waders as little ones splash in puddles. Little streams flow down sidewalks where leaves are used as boats to race down to the mighty ocean. Sprinkles fall down and laughter abounds, what a joy to see children in the rain.

Crystals form on green leaves and begin the transformation. Patterns can be seen on plate glass windows, as distinct as a diamond in the rough. The morning dew is replaced by a sheet of white glistening on the ground. The air is crisp and fills your lungs with life. Fall has come and put on it's tapestry. Things are set in motion. Change has begun as summer fades and furry boots are taken out of the closet with warm coats. Hot coco replaces iced tea. The first frost has come and brings joy to me.

I have fought many battles and I have not always been Victorious. My emotions have been shattered and my heart torn to shreds. Some of those I love have betrayed me and some enemies have saved me. Though I have been knocked down I've always gotten back up. Some wounds are deeper than others, but I have always found a way for them to heal. The scars that are upon me are not always visible, but I would not give them up for anything. Though you may not see a warrior, I promise you I am steadfast in my resolve. I do not know what challenge I will face tomorrow, but I am prepared to battle it all. My scars they do not Define me, they simply stand to remind me. When things seem to be their darkest, I will fight my way to the light. I will stand up for what I believe and I will continue to fight. I will wear my scars like a badge of honor and of them I will never be ashamed. The show others what I'm capable of and that if you are willing you can achieve great things.

I have walked across dusty fields and have broken hard and rocky ground. I have toiled under the burning sun and have never seen a harvest. I open up paths and plant a few seed here and there, then I move on to the next patch of ground. My hands are fixed to the plow and I cannot turn back. I have taken on the task and I must follow it to the end. Though in the present I will not know what comes behind me, a time will come when I will see the work I have done. When my last furrow is cut and I lay the yoke of the plow down, I will wipe away the dust of life's journey. I will then see the workers laboring in the fields behind me, reaping from what I have sewn when God says its harvest time.

I rest under the starry sky in your arms. I feel your warmth and I am blessed. At the coming of  day I must leave you, no matter how much I would like to stay. I long to hold you always and I pray that night will never end. Though I know that I must be to my labors that I will relish when I can hold you again. So in obedience to heavens dictates, I must work with my hands. At first light I will be going, though I profess that it is more than I can stand. So to heaven I commit you my love and ask that your kept safe while I am away. Until the shades of night are falling and I can hold you again.

Sitting under a moon lit sky, watching the Spanish Moss sway in the wind. Listening to crickets chirp and lighting bugs flash. The smell of honey suckle fills the air as the stars fill the heavens. Dogs can be  heard barking as they run through the woods some distance away. The smell of apple pie comes from the kitchen giving a reminder that supper is almost ready. The air begins to cool and the night settles in as the sound of a rocking chair creaks on an old wooden porch. Perfection is not achieved, but it comes mighty close. This is what can be found on just about any southern night.

Let the night shades fall and let the stars peer through the curtain of the heavens. Come to me my beloved and hold me in your arms. Take from me my strength and give back to me your desires. Embrace me and become entangled with me upon your bed. Let the sheets cover us as we embrace and know love. Let me get lost in you and forget the night that surrounds us. Let the sweat of passion pour out of our souls as we know love and rapture beyond the flesh. Intertwine your fingers with mine as we give life to each other. Let me get lost in you and let your love be my refuge. Between your breast let me find comfort and be satisfied. Let not time take away the feeling that we share for the few stolen moments that we can know love. Let the night pass not away too quickly, let me love you until the morning comes.

Haunted spirits that are specters of another world. Moaning souls that are far from their lush green home. Cast out beyond the stars lamenting their voyage into the unknown. Sent by overlords to seek out another persons fortune, only to have their lives cut short by the dangers of an unforgiving planet. Jupiter rises in ascendancy and claims those who have tempted his wrath. Now it holds them prisoner in it's rings. They float along howling in silence as they see their reflections in the sparkling particles of ice and dust that encircle the name sake of the God of war. Peering beyond to the shining blue ball that they left for fortune, now they lament in eternity and loneliness hoping for some brave soul to come hence and follow on and perchance give them company and relief from their cold torment as they sit so far from their home.

Rushing, rushing, running, always in a hurry. Making the most of the hours of the day. Imposing limits on our time, running our lives away. The seasons go unnoticed, our children grow in fits and starts. We compartmentalize precious moments all to complete a task. We scratch and claw for resources, thinking they will give us an advantage, only to come face to face with reality when we run out of time. Our children are grown and our business deals are done. We look at the age lines that we have accumulated and wonder where our time has gone. As we take stock of our own mortality, we realize that we are all ways behind. We come to understand that from the day we draw first breathe that we face our own death, which is our true dead line.

To find another who's heart is in sync with yours is to hold a precious gem. To find a soul knit to yours is to hold a peculiar treasure. To experience complete bliss in the comfort of another's love is to know what a treasure love is.

Closing out the ones we love, shutting off our emotions. Separating ourselves from our feelings. Putting up barriers to block out the hurt of things gone bad. Throwing ourselves behind barricades. Building up emotional walls that isolates us is an unhealthy thing. Only by dealing with our problems can we begin to work through them and move on from the pain and loss.

Look its over here, no its over there. The old bait and switch, a classic con. In politics that is all you get, a promise vaguely made then switched for something not even close to what they said. What do words really mean anyway. Talk and talk and talk some more until your so weary you forget where the ball is. Look its over here no its over there. The old shell game, a favorite of politicians everywhere.

Enticing as divine beauty, deadly as the venom of a pit viper, the lure of power draws people into it's web. To drink from the cup of authority can be a fatal mix if you succumb to it's addictive nature. Holding the reigns of power can give one a sense of superiority, even when the yoke feels it's heaviest, the rush of being able to laud yourself over others is too much for some. In the end, if it is ripped away, the withdrawal can be to much. Once you have tasted the drug, power can become a fatal addiction that is  too much to handle.

Faith is my shield and his word is my sword. I have been through many battles but I will stand for the Lord. In the shadow of the cross I will gladly lay my life down. So that my God may receive the glory and I can win the Victor's Crown. No one said my journey would be easy but I cannot leave a single soul behind. The Son of God gave me the victory, he paid a terrible cost. So one until I am called to his kingdom, I will stand up for the cross.

Born an imperfect creature, I will achieve perfection. Made but flawed by sin, I will be made whole. In the flesh I shall be weak, but through his spirit I will be strong. In myself I shall accomplish nothing, but through God I shall obtain all things, for I am imperfect, but he shall take away my imperfections.

In the news of the day, all that we see is misery. No stories of hope can be found. Let us take each day and do some good for another. Let our children see our kindness and not our distress. Walk in faith with discipline. Give kindness instead of retribution. See justice instead of vengeance. Show that there are other ways to live than hate and intolerance. Instill the lessons of acceptance and compassion. Bring forth children in a right way and they shall use it as a foundation to be a hope for tomorrow.

Holding the razor with a shaky hand. I look into the mirror and see the rings under my eyes. I push the powder this way then that. separating it out in even lengths. I lay the razor down and put the straw to my nose. I close one side so that I can get a strong inhale. I must do this each day, to wake up I need this to feel alive. Putting money up my nose in the form of white powder. I am always cutting the lines in order to just get by.

Cool wind blows through the tall golden blades of grass. The leaves of the summer are fading and the days light fades sooner. The need for a sweater and a blanket have come all too soon. Clouds are a little darker and more mysterious by the light of a harvest moon. I walk on my way as I notice that time has slowly passed. Summers days have gone and fall is on my path.

Oh majestic beauty who's face launched a thousand ships. How magnificent your tragedy is. To flee from wrongful persecution the roaring of the crowd of your accusers. Into the arms of another and the fate of empires lies in the balance. To know that you are sought as a prize worthy of the avarice of kings. How you end as deception brings down a kingdom. Vengeful are thy pursuers in their lust. How their cries for blood haunt you and the hateful venom of their envy brings you low. Take heart, for history will judge you and perhaps remember you kindly. For you were not the architect of your undoing, but the fates did touch you from birth and put your beauty on a path from which you could not veer left or right, until the final judgment came upon those who coveted you and those who spurned you in the blood letting of violence that shattered many lives and taught lessons that few would be willing to learn.

People decry inequality, but they fail to sit and realize that life does not discriminate. While people may be bias, life is not. Life can be equally cruel to the rich and the poor. Life can be ******* persons of color an on those who are white. Many scream about one group being privileged over another, but tragedy knows no lines. Money does not mitigate sorrow and life does not care about status. Death is the great equalizer, just as all will age. All these things are aspects of life that cannot be blamed as being biased, for life is color blind, it affects all of us equally.

The world looks right through me or doesn't see me at all. I disappear easily into the background. It is not that I do not try, I just cast a faint shadow. I want to be part of life, but all I do is blend in. When you hear static in a room, perhaps it is me trying to speak. I am simply drowned out by all of the things around me. For all of my efforts, I am but a shade of an existence.

Block out the background noise and turn to the person in front of you. Put down the cell phone and turn it off. Stop the tweets and emojies put an end to the endless updates. Look at the person you are with and hear what they have to say. Do not talk and do not interrupt, for a single moment be silent and just listen. Hear what they actually have to say, see their emotions what ever they may be. Feel something for your friend or the stranger that is talking to you, just listen.

Wrapped in satin and lace, covered in perfume. A vision of beauty so desirous. Walking across the floor in her flowing gown. A vision of a goddess that would turn any man to sin. She moves close and pulls you into her arms. She sighs as your hold her tight, you feel a ribbon tied at her back as she whispers into your ear that you can unwrap your gift if you like. Your heart beats and your mind goes blank as the lights go low. You are taken to places that not just anyone can go, with a special holiday delight.

The truth lies on the ground like broken pieces of glass. It cuts deeply into the feet of those who walk on it. Reality does not bend to our will or let us reshape it to our liking, it simply is and we must accept that we have to live in it. Emotions are complicated and turbulent like a storm at sea, they can toss you around one moment and you can find a calm patch the next where you will forget the turmoil that you just went through. All of us put on a different face that the one we truly have inside of ourselves. It is the rare soul that will be brave enough to show their truest self for all of the world to see.

From the first step into a rainy day through summers and winter snows. From making friends and suffering loss, we must be bold and show no fear. Though we will feel hurt and find wonder, we must embrace living life. Only once do we get to experience life, then it fades away. Our time is finite and it must be absorbed like the warm rays of the sun. When we choose to live life, a tapestry is built that leads us on a wonderful journey,which allows us the richness of self discovery and the ability to share a little part of ourselves with others. In this we create community and experience the human condition. So in this until our end live life for we never know what our legacy might be.

A sword and a shield, a gun and a knife, my might lies not in any of these things. The strength of my arms and the determination of my will, these things may fail me. The cornerstone of my might and the thing that gives me a foundation set as iron pillars lies in my ability to be of service to others and to give compassion and mercy. Anger, hate and vengeance are easy things to partake in. Loving while you are hated, praying for an enemy while you are reviled. These are testaments to my strength. To seek blood letting is only a last resort. To mend the wounds of those that are afflicted and to render mercy to those who are brought low but not by your hand. This is the mark of that which is my strength.

Battle though I have, the war is all but lost. I have guarded my heart for way too long. I have suffered many wounds but my defenses have held as long as they can bear it. Now you have found a way through the cracks in my armor At long last I am weary and long to rest in your arms. Take me gently and hold me close to you. I raise the white flag and succumb to your enticements, at last I surrender to love.

Winter snow falling all around, ice covering the barren trees. Inside a warm and sheltered home, a bush blossoms. Covered in thorns but placed near a window to collect the days fading light. A bouquet of white roses has blossomed, just in time for Christmas. A special gift to be given on a chilly Christmas day. To each lonely passer by that I might see in the way. A gift out of season, and of stark beauty. Designed to remind them that winter is not for ever, but that you should celebrate life with beauty, as roses grown for Christmas to be cherished and shared.

Love is not a complicated thing, but to look at humanity you think it is. With all of the wars and hatred it seems that love doesn't exist. When in truth all it takes is the want to show a kindness and to listen to another person point of view. When people can learn to do this for one another then love will begin to shine through. So when someone tells you that love is difficult and hard to understand. Simple show them kindness and listen, then tell them this is how to love another and perhaps they will do the same.

To be equal is to be at the same level. It is to have balance and to be on an even plain. A word cannot make you the same as something else or someone else. Often times you must earn your way to it. Not every person is equal in their gifts nor are they born into equal circumstances. The only true fact of equality is that we are all born naked and crying and that we all will pass away in death. For all other things, we must fervently work. We cannot be given equality in this life, it must be earned. The struggle is a life long one unless you become content, to accept that the only thing truly worth while is equal respect that allows each of us to achieve what we are capable of. In this we can leave the world a more balanced place than we found it.

A mother leaves her children in a hot car and gets by with their death. I person tells someone God bless you and gets sent to jail. Someone paints a building with graffiti and the owner is called a hate monger for not loving art, when he tries to clean his building. A person speaks their mind in a peaceful protest and they are called a bigot, people riot and burn down a city block and they are called misunderstood. Why do wicked person thrive and those of good nature and righteous intent suffer?

I look into your eyes and say no words at all. I hold your hand and feel the warmth of your touch. I hear you breathe and I forget the world around me. I am not sure how you can love someone so much. I want to freeze this moment and keep it in my heart forever. I want to let you know how deeply you are loved. I am just not sure what to say or how to express it when words are not enough.

We strive to live on a path, but often we are diverted this way and that. What we thought we could achieve, is often sidetracked. Try as we might our human selves gets in our own way. Frailty, pain and our own mistakes happen to the best of us. Perseverance and sacrifice are not ingrained in us but must be learned. Through trial and error we figure things out. Some will learn faster than others and some will never get it right. Trying to figure out a path or goal that will work as planned is often impossible. All we as humans can do is move forward and hope to learn from the past missteps. This is the basic truth of life.

From birth, we fight to draw our breath. We are often put at a disadvantage from our first day. Not being born to privilege, most are forced to struggle for their daily bread. To those who go through the harshness of life, we are purified like precious metal inside a fire. It is this that gives rise to our strengths and makes us a success. Though many may never know our accomplishments, our greatness is in the legacy that we will leave. As we rise to life's challenges to let the world that just because we were forced to struggle, that we will not be held back from achieving our dreams.

I look out from a mountain top and let my sails unfurl. I rush forward and jump into the sky. On the invisible hand of the breath of the earth, I rise into the sky. The canvas billows into the wind and my soul soars. I feel the warmth of the sun as I draw closer to the edge of the heavens. The hue of light Blue turns into darker shades as I ascend on the invisible hand of the air. Turned this way and that in quick motions, I pull on the cords of my sails. The billowing silk forms a silhouette against sky as the sun reflects light off of silver clouds that form my new horizon.  For a few stolen moments, I have left the mortal constraints of the earth and risen to the highways where only Eagles dare to fly. As the distance fades and the wind lightens it's grip on me, I pull on my sails and let them take me softly earthward. As the forms of the earth begin to take shape, I feel a bit of emptiness. Part of my soul remains in the heavens and is caught by a strong breeze where for a moment, I was riding the wind where ever it would take me.

Climbing steps to a darkened roof top, I open a door in to the chilly night air I step out on to tar gravel that slides beneath my feet. I walk out into the darkness and move towards the edge of the man made mountain that towers  high above the streets below. I feel the wind blow into my face as it rushes up the side of the glass and steel. I look out on to the land scape and see visions of wonder. Thousands upon thousands of lights shine up brightly from the streets below. Each one like a star radiating their cold light up towards the tops of mans monuments. I stand in silence as I watch the lights form lines running this way and that. I follow them with my eyes, admiring their symmetry. As if they were a map going to some distant place, they light up the road ways and side walks. For a little while I get lost in the beauty and serenity of the view of the city. It helps me escape the grit and toil that lies just beneath the surface of artificial beauty that we have created to hide our true selves.

Oh let my soul be down cast and let the lord be set upon high. Let the mountains tremble at his coming. Let me be as the dust and he as the  mighty Eagle that takes flight as the wind. Let my soul contemplate the ways of my goings and comings and meditate on the instruction of the lords wisdom. Let my soul lament it's folly and sing in the morning with the new day the praises of the lord of host. Let me seek out the council of the lord in humility and with reverence beg his pardon, that I might find rest all of the days of my life.