A letter to an older me
This life is like an open sea
Everyone is trying to stay afloat
You have to man your own boat

Out here, it's really cold
It is every man for himself
They will say they love you but really they don't
You have to believe in yourself

In God only, you should put your trust
Keep your spirit elated
Keep your mind motivated
Keep your heart clean towards all men

Trust me, the sea will get stormy
Keep your eyes on God Almighty
Surround yourself with good company
Men and women with positive energy

Always follow your heart
It sure knows the path
You would make some mistakes
Learn as much as you can

Wisdom is a principal thing, get it
Expect less from people but be willing to help
Be full of gratitude, show it every time u can
Don't keep grudges, forgive but keep the lessons in your hands

Be positive at all times
Tough times don't last, tough people do
Don't worry, I believe in you
If I have more information, I'll send it to you

My heart could not beat without his
so small
so delicate
in a world of its own

I have known grief and tragedy
heartache and lost
the blue loneliness of depression
as cold and dark as an empty sea

I have known love
in many different faces
in many different ways
I have walked through
its endless fields
of flowers burning
in the palms of eternity

but this love
in his heart

it is born from legends
of fairy tales forgotten
prayers from old gods
whose name we never knew
the magic and wonder
that is only found
in the heart of children

all children

and how blessed are we
to know their smiles
and to hear their laughter
to be touched by
their infinite wisdom

so simple
so true
so beautiful

how is it that we have forgotten
we too were once children
how did we lose our way
where in our education
were we taught the things
that stripped us
of our own magic and wonder

and will we be foolish enough
to hand this same education
down to our children too

hope

at times is a heavy burden
a burden we must not drop
a burden we must carry
for our children sit atop this hope
they play and laugh
and imagine
within this hope
they carry and protect
the love of wonder and magic

here in this hope
is their better tomorrow
their better world

I squeeze him a little tighter
and a little longer
hoping he will manage
to hold onto his childish wisdom
despite his education

and I feel his little heart
echo against mine

so small
so delicate
building a world of its own

In this life
we are sculpted down
to bone
burned to cinders
and our ash
tossed without regret
into the four winds

I wish I could live.
Be a man.
Find comfort in the sun.

But every cell in my body
revolts against time
cries out against the sun
speaks in tongues
for the sole purpose
of creating an outrage
against God.

Oh Lord!
How did you make us thus?
And why?
Above all
why?

We are made metal
and in the end
alloy with the sun.

Our breath is drawn
to fuel that fire
bring life to a boil
and
if luck prevails
to wake each morning
in comfort
and with a smile.

Perhaps the last sweet smile.