Infernal fires flicker underground

And pearly clouds of white do float above

But I do love the burning smells I’ve found

The licking flames and billowed smoke hereof

For nowhere else does fire blaze so bright

As in the realm below the one we tread

For nowhere else can darkness seem so light

As in a realm where all the light has fled

So why is it that burning rays of sun

Above a world of blinding light so stark

Are so preferred upon oblivion

A world of peacefulness and blissful dark

For there are those who think of night as day

And hell as heaven reached another way

I once had wielded, strong and fierce
A simple stick, a shaft of wood
A twisting branch to me had been
The gleam and shine of fearsome steel
And with the might of many men
I hacked and slew the helpless air

Today the stick lies buried deep
Unused and lost, without a thought
No mighty hand to grasp it firm
No swinging arm to hack and slay
Today the stick lies buried deep
Buried deep; no more to keep

I once had played in pouring rain
The soaking sweet had soothed my soul
The falling sky was mystery
But as it was, I let it be
I’d laugh and splash in driving rain
Until the cold drove me insane
And then I’d rush inside my house,
Dry off, and rush right out again.


Back then the rain meant happy days
Today the battering of bitter rain
Shrieks as it bursts like rifle pellets
On a battle plain; my tender skin
I shield myself and throw on a coat
And rush through waves of enemy fire

Back then a simple stick
Could bring to life a world of wildness
Back then the raindrops felt so cool and fresh
As they splashed upon an upturned face
And now, oh how the world has changed
As I look upon my past with hopeful eyes,
And wish I could lead such a carefree life

I wish I could lead such a carefree life

The soft padding of my running feet,
Rhythmically ran at a hypnotic beat.
My legs moved smoothly, forward and back
Propelling me faster, across the race track.

A quick glance behind showed that I was in lead,
While the rest of the group tried to quicken their speed.
I focused my run, tried to steady my pace,
I’d a long ways to go, had a long run to race.

When all of a sudden I spotted near my side,
A quick paced runner, with a long-legged stride.
He smiled at me like he’d already won,
Yet he looked really happy, like this was great fun!

I smoldered inside cause I had to win,
Not some dumb idiot with a stupid looking grin!
I ran ever faster and soon was ahead,
Yet the long-legged runner just laughed and then sped.
And once again he was in lead of the group,
My body felt exhausted and I started to droop.

This wasn’t fair; I had to get past him!
Though my lungs were burning and my eyesight was dim.
I barely even noticed when he ran o’er the line,
To win the race, which should have been mine.

I realized with a start as I gasped for air,
That though he’d won the race I didn’t even care.
What mattered was that the race had been fun,
And now it was over, now it was done.

The thought made me smile put a laugh to my lips,
While I opened my water container and took a few sips.
It wasn’t about competing; I didn’t care if he’d won,
All that really mattered was that I'd had fun!

Oh fastened, strong and steady stone,
To be as you; forever firm.
Although physically as such,
Mentally as flickering wind,
Two separate states merged as one.

Feelings thoughts and knowledge spread,
As wild as the chopping waves,
As scattered as the blinking stars.
Oh steady stone, so definite,
So focused and unwavering.

But soon a spark, a catalyst,
To forge my scattered thoughts as one.
Ordered and set, clearly grouped,
The turbulence slows,
Oh steady stone.

Wishes have born fruit
Oh steady stone, I've followed suit

Much like the shining freckles of light
That gleam so bright in the pit of night
So far away from my outstretched hand
Above the sand of this windswept land
The distant road of my future bears
Many snags to catch me unawares

I ponder and think; I wonder why
Every choice I try to modify
But the future always makes it seem
Like it has no theme, no place for a dream
And I feel so scared; I feel so lost
The future's will shakes me tempest-tossed

An ocean of chaos, confusion, and fears
My life-boat is near a sea of tears
Drifting along with the ocean’s will
Living the thrill yet inept to fulfill
My dreams, my wishes, as well as my hope
Are caught in a whirlpool, devoid of a rope

Frightened of failure; unsure of success
I need to address an engulfment of stress
Racked by worries and subsumed by doubt,
Is a land of drought the only route?
I cling to the wish for an uphill climb,
And hope for the chance of a lifetime.

I weigh each moment I have yet unspent
I’d never resent to trail my intent
Yet distractions make it hard to decide,
Do I push them aside or let them reside?
Each choice I make creates a new road
So I’ll take the one that’s best bestowed

The summer sun bears its noble course
Steadfast, strong, yet bound by destiny’s grip
The illumined orb is held by great force
To dim its bright light in citizenship
With the blossoming of seasonal flow
The fiery ball; its grandeur will go

The lively hum of nature’s varied life
Basking under a blanket of warm rays
Soon to feel the chill of autumn’s harsh strife
Human hope is a heap of wishful delays
Unhindered, seasonal methods spring change
Tree leaves switch to a new color range

We may complain that summer leaves too soon
But summer needs fall to sing its sweet tune
And accepting the path from light to dark
Allows the seasons to leave their strong mark

Frenzy, bustle, and buzz…life.
The stimulus of modern-day strife.
Tranquil peace has flown its course,
And in its place is something worse.

Peaceful rest and quiet sleep,
Have fled away; no more to keep.
Replaced by stress and fevered rush,
Life’s simple times have become less.

Rushing here and rushing there,
With no relief, please do beware.
Our spirit lasts only so long,
With no recharge, we’ll soon be gone.

Why can’t we read between the lines,
And share in life’s quiescent times?
For frenzied stress can do service-
Only when joined with calming bliss.