I dwell in possibility.
- Emily Dickinson

I dwell in the possibilities birthed by the daily Immanuel
I dwell in the possibilities whispered by the wonderful Counsellor
I dwell in the possibilities wrought by the almightiest God
I dwell in the possibilities perpetuated by the everlasting Father
I dwell in the possibilities secured by the Prince of all peace makers
And I dwell with Him where all things have possibilities

"I want to soar; I want to fly.."
Thought a tiny bird who saw others flying by
"I want to be careless; I want to be free...
But I'm not like the others and the others aren't like me."
Their wings full of grace and their legs so very long
She heard a thousand hearts beating within their song
"Perhaps one day I'll join in with my own special sound"
Then she eyed the rope on her leg which was fastened to the ground
Had it been there forever? Deep down she felt it had not
It seemed she couldn't remember; alas, she had forgot
She closed her eyes to wonder
How her life may have turned
Had only she been stronger
Than the things that were stronger than her
And try as she might, that tether held her down
Until dreams of that other life drifted away with the clouds
It seemed this was all of life she should learn to expect
But since she had no experiences, she really could have no regrets
Then one ordinary day as she rested with head under wing
She lifted up to witness quite an extraordinary thing
Forever, it had seemed, she had watched the others pass by
Never dreaming they would see her from their high place in the sky
A few had glimpsed her and descended
And now they stood around
And they said "Look at you here, now! Not making any sound!
You cannot be happy?" and the tiny bird replied "I'm not."
I've tried and I have mustered but I am held fast by this knot!
And so I have resigned myself to this spot on the ground..
And I guess I never thought you'd hear, so I never made a sound."
The other birds, they smiled, and then gnawed away at the taut string
But when the tiny bird could finally walk
she still felt the tether lingering
The ropes and chains that hold us - you cannot always touch
Their weight becomes a ghost when you have worn them all too much.

There's something bigger, there's something more
There's something greater than there ever was before
A difference so subtle I almost paid it no mind
Hard to put my finger on and harder still to define
Life goes on and time inexorably passes
It seems the same, but now and then there are flashes;
Glimpses of what was, what is, and what could be
There, I observe, I am alive and well and free
What I would need to change to make this future a reality!
I could never get there on my own; the gap is just too wide
I need someone to build a bridge to cross the great divide.
There is one who has the tools to do the task
But I need to take initiative and ask.
I like what I see, but do I really want to do this?
All the comforts and control of the vices, I would miss.
How could I live without them around?
It would be uncomfortable not to have them weighing me down.
I think this now, but there I saw real joy and peace
And if this could happen, I'd love that sweet release.
I could sing with all my heart, I could dance with every part
I could cross the great sea with the wind filling my sails
And anchored steady and secure in the storms and the gales.
I could fill the sky with words of love, with thanks and praise unceasing
Writing poetry and prayers, across the world reaching
If this is what could be, what reason do I have to resist
Open my hand, put it in yours and walk with you instead of making a fist
Lead me to this future and help me follow you
Help me if I stumble and guide me straight and true!

It is not impossible
to find joy in pain
when things are
getting sensible
for all of us
to feed a ploy
that will always
play and return
to the initial point
over and over
again.

Tell me
who does not
ever feel
joy in pain?
a veterinary
a mail carrier
a sous chef
a sommelier
a taco vendor
a groundsman
a pilates trainer
a football quarterback
a fast food chain worker
a ship captain in Somalia
they all have tasted
the wine of delight
while they have been
wounded severely
every single day
when they woke up
in the morning
from Monday to Sunday.

As for me
I’d rather
blow away my mind
by blowing
few rolls full of life
before I take
the paper
and detach
the pen cap
from its body
to start writing again.

If I were a bird,
I’d escape the cold in the winter,
And find love in the spring.
Be observed in the summer by lovers
Fly free through clouds and dreams
And chirp for all the world to hear.
If I were a bird,
I’d fear not shot nor snake,
And traverse the sky for the simple sake.
I’d rise high above all problems,
Rest in Redwoods tall as towers,
And nestle softly in the clouds.

If I were a bird,
Life would be grand
Life would be simple
Life would be easy

But alas, I am no bird.
No wings to carry me,
No voice to chirp songs of success
I am but a man.
With legs plastered to the ground,
And a heart too heavy to heave around.

So I leave the ballads to the blue jays,
And the chorus to the crows,
Instead, I type my feels out,
So at least a few will know.

Morning bike ride. Wind
rushes past my face.
Light and shadow play
for space on the pavement.
All things are possible
in this new air.

Maybe in another universe are we all free
Maybe in another universe do we have our own will
Maybe in another universe do we tame sin and advocate prosperity
Maybe in another universe do we encourage diversity
Maybe in another universe do we differentiate based on morals and not plain ethnic variety
Maybe in another universe are we in control of our own minds, and bodies
Maybe in another universe do we think for ourselves rather than follow others' paths
Maybe in another universe are we not in denial of invisible surrounded hierarchy
That divides us.
That feeds us.
That maneuvers us.
That disables us.
That obtains us.
And proclaims us theirs.
Maybe in another universe...