I did it...
I jumped
out of the box.
The box that had
nurtured
coddled
held me safely inside
for so long.

...or so I thought.
Is it safe to be
bored?
habitual?
stationary?

Boxes seem to hold
so many things
inside
like treasure troves.

But it's wrong
it's not true.
The box
in which I was held
held only me.

The bounty lies
outside.
Freedom
is necessary
and diversity
is beautiful.

The mind
only grows
outside.

Life throws me in a hole.
I crawl out-
dirt under my fingernails,
gravel stuck in my knees.

I rise.
I grow.
I learn,
and I prosper,
again.

The gravel will exude itself
in a few years
without splendor.

It reminds me
though
that it's all a big trial.

I cherish the gravel.

Contemplating,
considering,
the next move.

It sounds crazy,
but is it?
Is it the sanest thing
I've ever done in my life?
It just might be.

To leave everything you know
behind,
to jump into
the empty space...
it's freeing.

To take everything
you know and love,
and throw it to the wind,
in anticipation
of the next adventure...

It's crazy.
It hurts.
It's exciting.

In these moments
I recall
what life is all about.
Love.
Freedom.
Exploration.
Adventure.

Will this next leap
leave me bleeding?
Perhaps.

Will I regret
letting my soul
run free?
Never.

My heart
has a hard
but thin
shell.

I shall endure.

I have always been a thrill-seeker.
Always happily anticipating the next climb
the drop that follows
the subtle dip at the bottom before
the next climb
and the calming effect
caused by their succession.

Now life is a roller-coaster.
Up
down
cool wind...
Up
down again.

It scares me
but not the kind
that slathers my face
with a smile
the kind
that makes me want
to cry.

Yet, even as I currently sit
I know that
deep down
I love this roller-coaster
most of all.

It's just like the other kind
only...
This is the most
extreme
roller-coaster
in the world.

Thoughts and sounds
from years past
inspiring me
to dance
to write
to think
to believe.

This is love
and I love it.
Flowing freely
tickling my emotions
and memories.

People now seem too confused
with money
children
should do's
and would do's
and what other people think.

We are all children
we should live that way
as if each moment was brand new
a new experience
to be
cherished.

At times, I do believe...
I should have been born
forty or so years ago.

Strings
long strong and thin
connecting me to you in my mind.
In my heart.
Pulled so tight
I can hardly decide what to do
with myself.

Pacing
thinking
smiling
on thoughts of you.

Independence
I feared would be gone at this point.
Surprise!
Real things bring real happiness
what I feel
when I think of you.
Life expands.

Fueled by all that is me
all that my heart knows
no wonder these long strings
have yet to break.
I am tied
to you.

Two weeks, a whirlwind.
Grasping hands and locking lips,
love sneaks in.
Why do I never see this coming?
Perhaps it's never happened before, really.
Who am I to judge?

Rivers and jungles and foreign thoughts...
So far from here yet,
I have faith.
In you.
In love.
In that life will go on, either way.

And that another strong wind is coming.