Do I remember too much about
The strangers I meet?
There was the skinny seven year old at the
Park in Detroit, who I learned liked autumn
And colorful leaves, pumpkins and Halloween,
Scarecrows and working in the garden.
There was the Japanese lady at the
Hotel breakfast in DC, calmly eating a donut,
Staring off into space, gracefully lost in her own
Thoughts and feelings.
There was the happy man at the
Veteran’s home, who talked gratefully to me
About his experiences, desperate to
Share his story.
There was the single mother on
The park bench, allowing me, a total stranger,
To watch her children while she took
A much needed nap.
There was the black man at the
Movie theater, who offered me his
Extra bag of popcorn and made sure I knew
When the jump scares were.
Do I remember too much about
The strangers I meet?
I don’t think so.
Appreciate humanity,
Because you never know when it might be gone.
Each one of these people were beautiful,
In their own way, and they weren’t even
Trying to be.
They were just living their lives,
And I was fortunate enough to be a part of them
For a short time.
You know why they were beautiful?
Because they just were.

These words that flow
Around my mind,
I try to appreciate,
I try to confide
These words with
My dear ones,
But often they are toxic
And burn
At the corner of my eyes.

These words that flow
Into my ears
Slowly fade into
My love and fears
Melding with the foundations that prop me up
These foundations constantly amalgamating
With the words of the surrounding world.

These words that flow
Into my eyes
Slowly pull me... aside
Deeper into
The darkness of my fears
Slowly into
A cold
Cold abyss.

And where your light shines
I'd hope to smile
But my smile is hidden
In the words
Left unspoken
Floating around my mind
Flowing in the cold of my eyes.

The length of the silk fabric.  
does not determine the quality.
It may be long,
or it may be shot.

So when you ask me about
the length of my poems
my answer will be
that I want to enjoy every word,
feel every sentence and
appreciate all of the fabric.

The world is full of pain and inadequacies,
Dripping with many an evil men,
Whose hearts burn with ungratefulness,
Whose desires are only but selfish.

What if, amongst these men,
You came out and stood alone?
Released light amidst darkness,
Radiated your goodness in every corner.

What if you became generous and saved,
Those who are persecuted by the wrath of lack?
Stopped for a while and helped the old woman,
Trying to cross the street while others mock her.

What if you, you never judged anyone?
But showered them with fountains of love,
Made them realize who they are,
And what they can do to change the world.

What if, you appreciated everything around you?
Even if they caused much pain for you to bear,
Is it not what the Good Lord commanded us?
In everything give thanks, always.

If you can honor everything however small they are,
If you can love everyone whoever they are,
If you can learn the art of gratitude in everything,
Then your life would be simple and fulfilling.

© May 2018, Boygene Borice

Even if you give, you’ll rarely get anything in return.
Don’t expect people to appreciate what you do for them.

- Pessimist

like a day
there's darkness
you can't see everything
the stars are so far away
when the light comes
you'll be grateful
because you can see everything
you then find your way
and you know how to appreciate a good thing