Not What it Seems

It isn't about the papers
the numbers and letters and grades
or the late nights and early mornings
working for that A
Learning isn't in the classroom, it's in the people

It isn't about the places
the views and scenes
or food or smells or goods
the planes, trains, or sidewalks
Because travel is accomplished in the mind, through the stories

It isn't about the flowers
Birthday presents and walks to church
or pictures or things
or anything else
Love is about growing into the life you want, by choosing whats in your head

You can go to every class and ace every test
but did you study the good, earn the better, or learn the best?
You can stand in every country, throw rocks off ever shore
but if the places aren't backdrops for feelings, what did you go there for?
You can kiss and hug and cuddle, go out every night
but if you aren't a better person now, would you say you won the fight?

Life is about progression
not checking things off the list.
Don't rush through, but don't forget
There is always something next
and not everything has to be best
save the superlatives for the paper
and remember this
it's not always what it seems;
to be living your truest dreams

Morning Delight

The sun has barely shown it's face
on your side of the world
but I call anyway

Your voice is tired
mine is too
it's been barely hours
since I talked to you

I've been working
away at school
you're celebrating

But right now
at four
we're the only ones up
and it's just us on the phone

knowing no one else is up
to hear this simple conversation
adds intimacy which
closets lack;
that is merely imitation

It is not that we've found a place
to hide and call our own;
we're the only ones to claim this time
the world, right now, is ours

So good morning dear
Have a good day
and don't forget about me
We've found power in this wake up call
at four o clock in the morning

The SeeSaw

Bright red seesaw
in a beautiful park
we play and laugh for hours
up and down and
down and up
the adventure never stopped
from way up high
we could see
the sun and all 'twas underneath
and on the ground
the sky and stars
but my favorite thing
was looking up
seeing your face
smiling back down
as we would bounce
up and down
the seesaw went
it seemed unending fun
but soon your friends came over
they said you had it good
you smiled, agreed and winked at me
I thought I understood
you stayed up in the air and said
look at me, I've got the best!

Now I've been here
down on the ground
a great long while, you keep me down
And from your glorious perch above
you tell me all the things you see
I tell you what I see, you say
you see the same thing too
And isn't it lovely? You agree.
but the truth is that without me
you'd ne'er have such a view

Don't forget that it's a seesaw
and not a bright red ladder
you cannot live among the trees
without someone on the ground
and if they're weary of their place
Your ass might hit the ground

Blister on My Foot

A blister on my foot
a spot that rubs and smarts
waddling oddly on half my shoe
to keep from crying out
no one else can see it
no one knows its there
they only see me limping 'round
trying not to make a sound
they think they know my problem
they question, whisper, accuse
if only they knew
my real problem
was not a blister or two
they claim I'm tired
lazy
crippled
spent too much time at the bar
but les cirques des yeux
aren't from drinking
they're from living
with people like you

Almond Stare

An almond face
my everlasting wish
jaw and hair
and cheek and lip
and eyes, those eyes....
you stop and stare

from time to time
I catch a glimpse
of a view in my favor
but you're never there
just me and those eyes
we stare

when you're around I
I beg and hope
you'll see it
pull her out
ask her for drinks
and talk about

but you just sit and stare

She came out tonight,
long awaited
unanticipated
and you were there
the perfect storm
caught unaware

and you didn't even care

this almond face
lost all to you
will live within my soul;
it's clear when I am happy
for she comes and makes me whole

Je voudrais la vie

Another book back on the shelf
a story yet unread
but study hard, I did and wrote
an essay from my head

I don't have time for all the things
I know I ought to do
Nor have I time for hopes and dreams
except those brought by you

My life may not be perfect
I may not be pristine
but I have love and that's enough
to keep life loving me

I've traveled far
and seen a lot
and I know in my heart
that living
really living
living is enough

I want to read
I want to write
but if I can't,
I'll take life