Sometimes at night

asleep by the firelight

I dream about them

how they died

some are singing

and others saying what

they no longer see

walking fencelines

limping as if in pain

some of them handsome

and some mysterious

silent but not

for long they tell you

men scarcely know

how beautiful fire is

and old stories

they can't remember

unless you can

still look them in the eye.

Sometimes at night

asleep by the firelight

I dream about them

how they died

some are singing

and others saying what

they no longer see

walking fencelines

limping as if in pain

some of them handsome

and some mysterious

silent but not

for long they tell you

men scarcely know

how beautiful fire is

and old stories

they can't remember

unless you can

still look them in the eye.

Do you believe in love at first sight?
No?
Cause I think now I do.
I think I'm in love even though
I know so little of you
The way your face lifted its cheeks
The way your eyes revealed joy
And the way your lips stretched
And curled into a smile with perfection
I never thought I'd ever witness,
For I never knew such a thing existed.
I'm enlightened.

It's like a virus that's extremely contagious,
I felt the symptoms and filled with joy
I showed the signs and reflected that smile
I'm excited.
Excited to see where this infection will lead
Excited for this disease progress, manifest
And take over the totality of me.
I'd test positive, ironically I feel positive
For this sense of joy you've brought me
Is just what I needed. I need it.

So I hope you wouldn't mind
If I make it sort of my mission
To make you smile in whatever
ways I can think of, be it in small actions
Or little jokes and gestures
And I hope you understand,
If I hope to keep seeing that smile
The things I'll do cannot be grand
For I would have to risk not witnessing
Perfection for a while.

he traded words for guns
and fell silent
now
armed and alarmed he goes

be aware
be afraid
hide

he comes without a battle cry

We brave uncharted waters
on boat with crumpled sails
We float where it is hotter
but that's another tale

We lose ourselves on purpose
in storms and surging waves
We dwell upon the surface
but it's the depths we crave