some say life's a maze,
a battle or a race,
a stage, a prison
or even onion,
but beautiful lives
are not that hard,
at least in regard
to how one best thrives.

but you do not need
big piles of money,
being handsome or
by the world adored.
you don't need a spouse,
quite devoted to you,
doing work you choose,
or a fancy house.

but as you've been told,
have no grudges hold,
live with no regrets,
forgive and forget,
live life with candor,
to yourself be true
with the things you do,
but don't be bystander

so, pick a journey,
canvas or story.
tend your life's garden,
ferry your ocean,
canoe your river,
bicycle or skate,
but make no mistake,
do it as a giver.

silence isn't an answer.
does this dress make me look fat?
have you sent your payment yet?

silence isn't a question.
it is neither a query,
nor some kind of conundrum.

silence is a place.
it is the mcdonalds for
finding even more questions.

hot pepper, soda pop,
cinderella with
a cherry on top,
i like coffee, sitting
in a tree, miss
lacy, will you marry me?
as the whole world whirls by,
there was just a moment
you thought that you could fly.

renegade lady,
with your imperfect smile,
steal us away into the darkness,
if just for a while.
or
enchant me with a thread of hope
that only desire can bring
or
just remind that it will soon be spring

How many ways can there be
To say "I love you" realistically?
You can promise to be faithful
And obey, be grateful
For each and every day,
Say how happy you're together,
Or you're birds of a feather,
But I contend all ways are not equal.

Or say she completes you,
Or how she brings your life value,
How much she's very special,
A one in a million miracle.
That you think of her a lot -
Cannot live another day without
Her, and how much you'll be devout.
That these truths are unequivocal.

You can tell her additionally
How she's unconditionally
Accepted and how she supercharges
Your libido and your being at large
And how she makes you feel.
Still better, practice what you mean
And how on you she can lean,
But you can't say, "Will you be my Marge?"

a kiss, as i perceive,
is not heart-shaped,
as you might believe,
but is probably round,
and is certainly red,
like a matador's cape -
as an omen of  things ahead.

it's neither chaperoned
with some remarks,
nor as good when thrown,
but often given in thanks
or followed with a sigh.
sometimes there's sparks,
but sometimes, it's just goodbye.

kiss is neither a vow,
nor monarch seal,
but when disavowed
there seems to be a loss.
it is like tasting soup:
some salt may add appeal,
but, often it just tastes like goop.

Should naive Psyche have believed such
Her new husband to be a beast?
While modern woman have much
Perceived all men, unless deceased,
Propend to be just that way -
A truth that need't the light of day.

Should the pretty boy Cupid
Really have been so, so ******
(Or was he just being stupid)
For believing humans might insist
The truth, as human nature thereof.
Curiosity is much stronger than love.