I met the strangest girl  
with messy hair and a crooked smile,
a heart that beat too quickly
and legs that ran for miles.
she loved to squeeze up next to me,
run her fingers down my leg
but her eyes looked far beyond
as her mind floated away
today she looked inside of me,
hair falling soft on her cheek
her parted lips began to move
as she placed a hand on my knee,

“so, I’ve been thinking
of heading off.
joining a brand new band,
singing a fresh new song.
you know I’ve always been happiest
simply drifting along.
I feel so peaceful here,
but I can’t stand anything
for far too long”

I answer,
“even me?”
she stares back blankly, smiles
and looks beyond

1965
she was 15
and I was 5

The reclining sun tanned her face
her eyes hidden in 60s goggles
and the vast wheat field behind
colored her brown.

Can't remember if it was Agfa or Orwo
the tint was of distant land
and Virginia came to mind.

It wasn't the girl
standing on a rice field
eyes lowered blushing
the colours of her glass bangles
irrecognizable in black and white
that I could easily fall in love with.

But I cried to be with the Virginia Girl
and I was only 5.

She is still 15 in the timeless print
and I'm 5.

You're like fireflies in July
The air is thick
The night is dark
Your light mesmerizing me from where I stand
I'll try all night to catch up
Quietly moving through the dark
Waiting to see your glow beside me
But I'm too clumsy
And I am not quiet
And you're always five steps ahead

At peace,
Find good in every person you meet,
And in every situation you come across.
9/7/2024

Are those people,
Who humble themselves in their deeds,
And prayers.
10/7/2024

I close my lonely eyes
And listen to the wind
Sometimes, like that, I’ll find
You floating through my mind
Sometimes, like that, I
Dissolve myself in time
Sometimes, like that, silent tears
Blur the passing years
And those lonely eyes
Glisten in the wind.

SE