While You Were Sleeping

Go on, shut those eyes

Sleep through the winter

Grey's never been much for cheer

Roll on into dream now, my boy

No snow to shovel, no heart to mend

You've escaped,and it's time to reap the benefits

Just know that you'll never wake up,

Never take that euphoric long stretch of restfulness,

And certainly never remember the dream

Your wife, she's married

Your home, they found a new hero

Your life, it's a nightmare

Alas, REM calls and who am I to compete?

I'm so very sorry

I wish we could be here when you wake

Badges and Badges

Brawny Brent: a Man

If I've ever seen one

Strides of Confidence drift over you

The two spotlights lazily drift

Over potential victims

Suddenly, the lights turn in

Leaves me staring at tear-swelled eyes

Lips pursed, conflicted

I beg you,

Save my life

And he poses a question

The thought is formed

Brawny Brent: a person, a human being

If I've ever seen one

Wardance

Invert your heart

Reveal to me what is always too loud to whisper

We'll wash their feet as they find us

But never will we be heard

You pack alone and travel with many

Carrying the weight of a nation, a memory, a word

Feel the misty stares as dew and silence settle

Mourning and dawn awake together

And a beauty has risen from the bush

Raise your arms towards the past

And sing, my child, sing...

"This is the bush. It's not safe to cry so loud here."- Ugandan mother

There's a Battle in my Head, But I'm not a Soldier

I've been trying to write this blog for about two weeks now. I am in such a rut academically, socially, and spiritually. I want to comfort others and express a sense of hope. But the ironic thing is my dysfunctional brain warps what I need most into what I feel the world needs from me. Quick to give and slow to ask.

This was initially started to mourn the loss of a friend of a friend. It's been a heartbreaking experience for me to see one of my best friends go through such an epochal and emotional experience. I wanted to be there for him. I wanted to show him that Comfort is constant, warm, and consoling. More than anything I want him to feel the strong embrace of Love when the spirits of the night dance around his dying fire.

I also decided I'd intertwine my emotions of going home for the first time in two months. I wanted to lift up the sweet scent of my mom's perfume when I hugged her. I wanted to let the world hear the beauty of my sister's laugh when life's simplicity becomes too much to hold inside. I wanted the back patio talks with Dad to be heralded as the "great council of men" that it truly is. I even want to share my adoration of the quiet, gentle hum of the refrigerator. I wanted to have my loves twirled around this page with genuine celebration. I went home and was happy.

But the creativity wouldn't come. I want to give the people something they can treasure, something they can relate to. But sadly, right now I don't have it to give. For too long I've starved myself from what I really need. And I'm ready to be full again.

Sorry this isn't of the same vein of my previous posts. This time I don't come bearing art. This time it's just me.