I think
as artists
we owe a lot to pain.

Put on
a robe of thorns
and write

about the nice weather outside
and that delicious burger
you had today.

Write about happiness
when you're in pain-
beauty.

Is it worth sketching
An alluring portrait,
That will catch the eye of many,
Except for the person portrayed?

Is it worth making
a steaming cup of tea,
On a cold rainy day
for a guest who is
more eager to stay outside?

And tell me,
Is it worth it if I
were to light a candle,
For a dead man's birthday cake?

There was a storm today,
A tree older than me,
Taller than the walls of brick
                                          Broke.
Why can't I stop thinking about it?

Hunkering down in that small world of yours,
Knowing not what purpose it serves,
Not being able to tell your left from your right,
You still choose to stand up and fight.
I salute you, I do, my brave soul!
Take it, own it, reestablish control.
It’s your life, your dreams - yours to live.
It’s your love, your light - yours to give.
Your sorrow, your tears to shed.
Your own fate, your own path to tread.

I'm sorry
I ruined everything we had
Our simple smiles, our everyday dance
From the morning hi's and evening good nights

Before my unveil
Everything was simple - routine
I took you for granted, thought you'll be there
But one morning I realized, someday we won't be here

From there I saw you
With brand new pair of eyes
That saw through the simple routine of our lives
What once was norm, was now beauty in all forms

I loved you, from that day on
Everything was different, from my eyes including my soul
I burned fast and I burned hard
And the fires and the flames scorched all of our cards

And now I'm saying sorry
For ruining everything, for feeling these feelings
With the beat of my heart, our friendship was bruised
I'm sorry, I love you. I'm sorry, it's true.

****** on the rice fields of Vietnam,
Where was God when his children wanted to sleep,
The burnt villages should make you question;
Is your love really too young to weep ?

(Grandfather’s murmurs – here to stay,
The woman I love wouldn’t have it another way.)

Life from the shores of incredible pain,
Your mother gave birth to shifting sands ,
A woman’s love should make you question;
Did god kiss her bridal hands ?

(Father’s advice – never fades,
Our love will outlast his coming decades.)

Early mornings at red-sacred dawn,
I still remember your un-spectacled eyes,
A mother’s prayers should make you question;
Why does God believe your innocent lies ?

(Mother’s beauty- touches all,
She wants you to sing this coming fall.)

****** on the rice fields of Vietnam,
Where was man when his brothers wanted to sleep
A squandered earth should make you question;
Is her love really too young to keep ?

(Grandmother’s pearls – here to shine,
I am glad I made you forever mine.)

Love the wife of Loyalty stands with her husband's arms wrapped around her and her arms wrapped around him in an warming embrace.  Loyalty looked into the eyes of Love and said

"My beautiful, beautiful, wife you filled my heart with joy by becoming my wife.  My world revolves around you.  I will always be there for you.  I will stand by your side and help you chase after your dreams.  I will protect you from all threats."

Love gave Loyalty a squeeze and said

"I too will stand by your side and help you chase after your dreams.  I will be there for you in your time of need or when ever you just want me by your side."

Love and Loyalty looked into each other's eyes and began to kiss.

Written by Keith Edward Baucum