suddenly aware of an ascending sense of depression
mostly unaware of my instinctive feelings and aggression.
my mind is running laps around the empty hole inside my chest
and i am just exhausted, my energy is constantly suppressed.
uncomfortably trapped inside my bed, just trying to arise
an aching sense of actuality, my brain can fantasize.
the throbbing pain of all my joints conjoin my body to my mind
regretting all of the troubled thoughts i thought i left behind.
proactively trying to occupy less space
staring in the mirror not recognizing my own face.
it's safe to say i'm lonely here, drowning in grey
but who is kidding, if you were here i'd probably just push you away.

Did you know,
life is a gift meant to be unwrapped
every morning with gratitude?

Did you know,
that the veil of forgetting who we are
is now being lifted to enjoy life.

Did you know,
that every breath is an opportunity to connect
to the wisdom of the universe?

Did you know,
you are sacred like everyone else
which means one needs to honored self and all?

Did you know,
that trees carry wisdom and are willing to share
if you ask?

Did you know,
that earth is alive and our ally
along with the other creatures that inhabit her?

Did you know,
miracles are here right now
if you believe and open to receive?

Did you know
birds sing an original masterpiece
every day and time they sing?

Did you know,
that life is eternal
and our thoughts shape this lifetime?

Did you know,
that it is time to do what we came for
to align with love and live in peace, harmony, and abundance?

Did you know,
it is our birthright to live in
peace, harmony, and abundance?

I age my poems
in dark musty cellar
'till they mellow and moan
begging to be brought to light

I bury them there
in oaken casks, stained purple
flavoring them full of
funky terroir

Abandoned on a shelf in
old green glass
imprisoned by cork
unlabeled

I age my poems
banished 'till rhyme ripens
in dim hopes one day
they'll tickle someone's tongue

Not Lost But Free.

I miss you-
Why shouldn´t I?
I either had to let you go,
Or watch you die.

So, now I feign pleasure
As you soar in the sky.
She is happier there
You'll hear my lies sigh.

But she comes back,
Says hello.
Trusts me. for
In a cage she is not.

We steal time together,
Lock ourselves away even.
To be together,
Close our eyes and find heaven.

With open eyes
We face the world
Once closed
We are the whole universe.

(Gerry Aldridge 2017)

I scratch my skin,
My memories flake
towards the ground.
My weeping hands
reach out
to catch failure.
I search
with desperate eyes,
with a screaming heart.
Treacherous mind -
you stole his smile.
It fades,
a drumbeat
echoing to nothing.
You
You stole him.
Leave my memories be.

Love Needs Nurture.

Even a flower
Needs a drop
Of sentiment.
Without care
It shall
Eventually wilt.

The smallest flame
Is nothing
Without a breeze.
Gone is the flicker.
End of a life,
In one foul blow.

Pop my bubble,
Steal my air.
When I am gone
I shall not care.

Love needs nurture.

First; Can we be friends?
Second; Yes, of course.
As soon as my love is dead,
I will give you a call.
We can do coffee,
One day.

Talk vehemently.
About anything.
Probably, even smile,
As we lie to each other
About not feeling
Anything at all.

It takes time
To **** the truth.
There are no skipping stones,
Or shortcuts
From the pain.

Give love time, please,
To truly wither
And die.
Become nothing
Dry, bitter
A mutual shame.

Then the putrid ash
Of a love denied,
Falls wasted
Crushed, too sodden
To ever fly.

Some time later
We say hello.
I shed a tear
And force a smile-
The only way
Was to say goodbye.

(Gerry Aldridge ©2017)