The fire burned blue.
The ashes blew too.

Rainbow in the distance.
Though it seems so distant.

Hard to reach.
Hard to teach.

Distance is the issue.

If I were to ask
"who are you"
would you take the time
to have a conversation
with me and share your:
likes and dislikes,
loves and fears,
dreams and worries,
and strengths and insecurities,
becoming closer
as we had set out to be?
Or would you remain
my anonymous acquaintance
and simply share
only your name?

it's hard to believe
another year has come and gone
i used to call you daddy
i now call you dad
you have accomplished so much in 51 years
traveled the world
europe, asia, africa, australia, and north america
despite growing up in a small town
married for 22 years
two daughters turning 18 and 20
you have helped me through life, one step at a time
so, to the first man i've loved, thank you
you have accomplished so much
and have so much more to accomplish

a denseness fills her
slowly gripping her insides
leaving her short of breath
she becomes weary
as the river of dread
engulfs every inch
of her being
her shoulders start to slump
and her head is filled
with imaginings
she cannot shake

when tears fill her eyes
it's like fuel feeding the flame
and
she knows her only option
is to ride it out

tomorrow will find her drained and empty
but grabbing in anticipation
and need
for a peaceful day.