Gentle river
Lick me clean
Take my sins
And slam them
Against the rapids
Wild river
Grant me freedom
Let me float
Along your bank
Let me sing with you
Let me roar with you
Until the birds call me home
Rising river
Rise with me
Rise with me
Rise with me

When I think about you
I think about the Journey of a woman
Who's been grinding since she was 15 years old
In a world that doesn't care about us
I see a woman
Who did whatever she needed
To make sure her children were good
Still to this day
She has a grind like no other
I appreciate the battle scars on your heart
From being done wrong
I'm amazed at the smile that hides
Some of the pain inside

Pulpy and juicy
to the touch

Rasberry to the taste
it bleeds

down my chin
and blossoms on my shirt

as my heart bleeds
for you

similar to this pen
that bleeds bad verse

all over the pages
like fall leaves

brittle
and ephemeral

Whit Howland © 2020

So many years ago
but you

are still fresh in my
mind

your face your eyes your shape
same full color

and still in Panavision

why did you go why
won't you ever call

Whit Howland © 2020

When you are pushed to the ground
Rise up and find your reason for contiinuing
It may not be obvious or apparent at first
You have to remain open and your purpose will make itself clear
While others attach themselves to fading stars
You will shine brightly in your own good time
So go forward and carry on and if you should  fall
You keep striving until you have it all.

C@rainbowchaser2020