Most people just follow, the thinking & directions,
From others, as they, try to find themselves,
As they pass through this life, of days.
Afraid of one of the hardest challenges, we have,
Stepping out, daring to be different, than those,
We hang with, their actions, and ways.
Someone, thought of, showed us the life style,
We act out, and follow during this stay,
Nothing is forever, always be open,
To different paths, the act, the part you play,
Like getting lost, hiking in a thick forest,
Life is a big maze within itself, much misdirection,
Confused minds around, wanting us to follow them,
To confirm, their actions, becoming our habits, every day,
It takes confidence, strength & knowledge,
To explore, our own direction, and ways.

                                                                                                                 Tom Maxwell ©
                                                                                                         5/30/2020 AD 2:15 PM

To the ones who held
my hand and instilled
in me the ambitions
for a lifetime,

Your words set
fuel to ignite the
fire of enlightenment that
dispelled the shadows
of ignorance.

The gratitude  within
this soul's unbound,
something I cannot express.
I rise up in memories of your
knowledge

And what is knowledge,
Other than glorified, or ignored, interpretation?
The meaning of a thing,
Of your idea,
Or mine.
Necessary because you can not show me what you mean,
At least not literally, for I am not rooted in your reality,  
So I may take it a different way.
And so there is constant legitimization to those who
Say “I meant it like this.”
And then so it is,
A found, perfect defense,
Of which we cannot dispute.
We do this while also applauding those
Who respond with fiery tenacity,
“Well, I took it this way.”
Well, then checkmate.
Scream atop the rooftops your messy, contested discourse,
And mix it in alongside the shadow
Of culture and history,
Allowing for the perfect recipe,
For there to never be
A clear winner,
But be prepared to accept that I know not what you mean.

I am Eve
I know I am life

I know why a heart beats
I know why the cat sleeps
Far too much

I know why the moon glows
I know why the mould grows
In the bread bin

I know why the earth shakes
I know why the dog wakes
And barks at the world

I know why the wind moans
I know why we break bones
When falling off benches


I know why the stars shine
I know how to write a couplet
As grand as Shakespeare

I know why the trees groan
I know why the hormones
Rush through teenagers


I know why we exist
I know why we like lists
And ticking off the boxes

I know why you and I
Can stare at the same big sky  
And see a different thing


I am the raging turbulent seas
I am a cold cup of tea
I am whatever you make of me.