Patterns woven day by day
in the workshop of your mind

all throughout childhood
getting tighter all the time
so that they at a certain spot
appear to be unchangeable.

Up till the turning point where
sudden signals shake you up
with threats ahead for life or death
and everythings stands still.

Away is all fixed certainty
from this new viewing point
where you take deeper breaths
and reset means a brandnew start.

Eelco van der Waals
2 August 2025

Getting older is a daily thing
ice gets thinner underneath your weight
and vulnerability is growing
in the mirrors that you pass

A vein in your head says no
and oxygen is blocked to your lip
that goes hanging, making words
different with a mumbling sound

Doctors are there, checking and
prescribing medicine to conquer
lasting effects after one night
in a hospital bed like a boat at sea

Every reason to be grateful and to
write poetry learning for now and
ever, expressing your gratitude,
celebrating vulnerability

Eelco van der Waals
3 August 2025

Horizons shift slowly
where we are, here on deck
with open water all around

carrying our boat
to unknown land
with every wave and
wind that blows

This journey has no end
but ports in a row
bringing cargoes and fixes
after rough and calm seas

All questions posed
by currents and winds
you answer holding
your hand on the helm

steering the bow of the boat
with the flow and then higher
to stay on your course
with time on your side

Eelco van der Waals
4 August 2025

Learning by doing,
doing things slow,
slow meaning half of
the speed that you know

Slow down your breath
and the beat of your heart
making things better
make a new start

Slower is better and
good for your brains,
as it helps to avoid
any stress on your veins

Learn to enjoy this
look and see more
right where you are
as you open the door

Take a new step standing
firm on the ground
breathe and enjoy all
the things to be found

Eelco van der Waals
5 August 2025

Accomplishing small things
like breathing in-and-out
standing up from the couch
taking a pencil and notebook
walking into the garden
seeing the sun through the tree
and making a quick sketch

means changing position
to see the whole picture at hand

so look at your life
straighten your back
feel wind on your face
hear the blackbird sing

and taste satisfaction
on the tip of your tongue

Eelco van der Waals
6 August 2025

No more nonsense
no more excuse
no more things
you can't refuse

No more blabla
no more delay
no more things
you should today

All that matters
in this quest
is what's beating
in your chest

Do not care of
all the noise
listen to your
inner voice

Eelco van der Waals
6 August 2025

Never knew this before:
waves of fatigue, like
walking miles on the beach
avoiding the water
coming in, pulling out
in an ongoing motion
of force and eternity

The waves rising inside
from the toes to the cheek
and up into the brains
where they urge to lie down
and rest

Tide and time together
holding your hand,
whispering promises
of strength and recovery
around the next turn
at sea

Eelco van der Waals
7 August 2025

Step out of the night
and wipe out the sorrow
this day's your tomorrow
that starts with new light

Stand firm on your feet
and feel how you're growing
the moment you're knowing
recovery's sweet

Today is the day
to smile and feel healthy
incredibly wealthy
that all is okay

Eelco van der Waals
11 August 2025

Feel the layers
in your body
from your skin
to flesh and bones

See the tree rings
bark to wood,
down into the core
where all begins

Learn to draw back
to your core
find the center
of your being

Safe behind
the outer walls

Eelco van der Waals
12 August 2025

An infinity ago
there was nothing
that you couldn't

An infinity ago
the whole world
was in your hand

An infinity ago
there was nothing
that you shouldn't

Until suddenly
a shock appeared
to make you understand

The infinity is now
from this moment
to forever

Looking far to the
horizon of this
new found land

Eelco van der Waals
13 August 2025