if i at any moment should pass on
as we all must
i want everyone to know
i have made peace with life
and so, i have made peace with death.

so don’t mourn
i am at peace now,  and so
i will be at peace then

In an aisle of a great stone church
by flickering light of candles perched
under finials and arches tinged with gold,
flags fly for blood shed on fields of old:
They wave with wistful dreams of war
and tell of great esprit de corps
in a house made holy for a prince of peace
whose dreams of love they speak of least

For two long years, his heart would race,
Each time he saw her gentle face.
He loved her with a quiet fire,
But she could never match his burning desire.

She smiled at him, a friend sincere,
But love’s sweet call she didn’t hear.
Her kindness soft, her laughter bright,
But never touched by passion’s light.

He waited, hoped, and dreamed in vain,
His longing mixed with growing pain.
For while he burned, she stayed the same
A friendship kind, but free of the flame.

And one cold night, the truth was clear
Her heart was far, though she was near.
She cherished him, but as a friend
Not love, not more, it had to end.

A love before had left its mark,
A shadow deep within her heart.
Though she held him close, she couldn’t say
The things he hoped would come someday.

Her heart was healing, still so scarred,
She wished to bridge the gap, but found it hard.
He watched her struggle, full of grace,
His longing clear upon his face.

But she could see, no matter how,
She couldn't give what love allows.
She wished for him the love he sought,
A bond that held the things she could not.

So with a sigh, she gently said,
“The love you seek is up ahead.”
And hoped that he would understand
Our paths as friends, but not hand in hand.

He let her go with quiet grace,
The longing fading from his face.
Though it stung, he didn’t grieve
His heart had space, and love could leave.

For somewhere out beyond the night,
A love was waiting, just as bright.
Someone whose heart would match his own,
Whose hands would warm when his were cold.

Yet in their hearts, a joy was found,
As they embraced on solid ground.
Not as lovers no, but still so near,
As loyal friends, for many a year

He knew when she had healed her scars,
A love would find her, bright as stars.
A love that holds, that won’t betray,
To light her path along the way.

For in his eyes, she knew he’d find
The one who holds him, heart and mind.
And while she couldn’t feel the same,
She’d watch him soar beyond this flame.

Though she never felt the way he dreamed,
They both found peace, or so it seemed
Supporters now, they’d cheer each day,
And shine for eachother in every way.

On my walks, I try to make
Each step upon the ground be
Like a gentle kiss, that I may
Remain mindful of the Earth, who
Answers me with a delicate breeze,
As if to say, ‘I love you too’.

How many lose their way
in woods that stand in grace,
in everlasting silence,
like in a fog shrouded,

that can’t be pierced with eyes
and thickens as you stare,
so wanderers, unaware
of how to cross these parts,
their constant search for signs,
they fear they cannot bear.

Once felt led astray,
they pick up the pace
and turn words to prayer
with inner strength united.

A voice that casts its spells,
to brace, fight, and repel
apparitions and wraiths
that it had just invited,

to make a rightful claim
on what it cannot gain,
as it cannot be lost
by conquered trees and ghosts.

Then back to where it started,
to woods that stand in grace,
in everlasting silence,
like in a fog shrouded.

In shadows deep, where anger grows,
A world in turmoil, sorrow shows,
Hatred’s fire, a burning blaze,
Consumes the light, obscures the days.

Yet in the darkest, coldest night,
A spark of hope, a flicker bright,
Peace begins its gentle rise,
A beacon in the troubled skies.

Where hatred sows its bitter seeds,
Compassion blooms in quiet deeds,
A hand extended, hearts that mend,
In unity, our souls transcend.

Through storms of rage, through cries of pain,
We seek the sun, we seek the rain,
To wash away the scars of strife,
To nurture love, to cherish life.

For every act of kindness shown,
A bridge is built, a seed is sown,
In every heart, a chance to see,
The path to peace, our destiny.

So let us rise, and let us stand,
With open hearts, with open hands,
To turn the tide, to heal the land,
In peace, together, we will band.