You climbed inside my skin
And made me promises
I know you'll truly keep.

I sailed across the vast sea
To escape my many woes.
It did not occur to me
That here there would still be foes.

Light breaking through the clouds.
I sit with my dog on my lap,
My cat curled by my head
And an autumn breeze blowing in.

There’s no sound but breathing.
Smoke from incense curls in the air
Joining steam from my tea
Smelling of roses and jasmine.


The temple is at peace.
My mind and my body are not.
I sit at the altar
Praying my thoughts will burn away.

Two trees they stood far apart
Across the waves of grass.
And although these trees grew apart
The two became friends fast.

Until two men had decided
That there must be a line
And these trees should be divided
Would happen to be fine.

Eventually, arose a wall
And the men were content
The trees could not be seen at all
Pleased with good effort spent.

The years passed by and time went on
The two men aged and died.
But the two trees remained fond
And every fall they cried

Meanwhile the trees grew and grew
Spreading out their branches
When one day there came something new
And what were the chances?

That pollen drifted from the tree
And came to the other
Caressed it in the warm spring breeze
Like an eager lover.

In the summer a tiny sprout
Had grown near to the wall
Each day it grew more stout
But it neglected to grow more tall.

The days and weeks and months passed by
Until the tree grew strong
And all three trees were intertwined
Where all of them belonged.

The great wall crumbled, then it fell
Just as the three trees swayed.
All three let out a joyful yell
As none there were dismayed

But time passes as per always
And winter came at last
The two trees passed into a phase
Where neither tree could last.

But the youngest one did not fall
Instead it grew *****
By far the greatest of them all
But doesn't love have that effect?

And then one day a tree did grow
A place along the way.
So graceful did her branches flow
Always ready to play.

Two trees they stood far apart
Across the waves of grass;
And although these trees grew apart
The two became friends fast.

In the dark clouds approaching,
I see deep sadness.
In your dark, clear eyes,
I see only the warm sun.

I'm starting to feel
Vitality
Rushing through
My veins.

My heart beats again
Like drums of war
Refusing
To yield.

A new sun rises
Bathing me in
Restoring
Bright light.

An old feeling wakes.
I think it's hope
Coursing to
My heart.

It will be time soon
To take back what
Was once mine;
My life.

Lying on my back
I stretch out my hand,
My fingers creeping
Across my bed, running into fabric.

I grip it tightly
For a brief moment,
Pleased I found your shirt,
Before realizing you are miles away.