Be Sure

The best piece of advice I have ever recieved comes from someone who
doesn't exist
never existed
won't exist
yet existed enough to give the advice.
"Nothing's ever for sure, John. That's the only sure thing I know."
What do you do when
the best piece of advice you've ever recieved
comes from an actor
in a movie
depicting a man
who lived only in the mind
of another man
and may never have actually said those words
and never actually said anything at all?

blizzard

So New England waits
with bated breath 
for the Queen of white 
to strike.

Revolution

Part of me says
"can't we just forget all this
go back to how it was?"
(I know we can't)
But then the other part
says quietly
"what was is more 
frightening
than what may be."

So I am waiting
and watching
and finding my place
in this 
revolution

#BlackLivesMatter

I'm trying to choose my words
so carefully.
You preach justice and peace,
solidarity
yet shame those who don't preach it your way.
I am not loud
but I am passionate.
I am not bold
but I am strong.
I am not you
but I am finding my ways 
to make a difference, too.

Rejoice

Dreams are not meant to be, child.
Forget not what you have,
and Remember not what you don't.

sentiments

let us not allow
the sentiments to
grow dim.
clichés
don't do us
any good.
send your thoughts
say your prayers
be genuine.
clichés
don't do us
any good.
but feel no obligations
to express the
"appropriate feelings."
for
clichés
don't do us
any good.

written 4/15/14

Our City

"I just wanted to let you know I'm okay."
"Um, okay?"
"There was a bombing. At the finish line of the marathon. If you turn on the TV you'll see it. But I wasn't there, I'm okay, I'm near BC."

In that moment,
The change began.

again and again and again
smoke and fire
falling people
terrorists terrorists terrorists?

In that moment, 
The questions began.

who and why and how
hats and backpacks
hurting people
terrorists terrorists terrorists?

In that moment,
The research began.

who and where and why
boys and bombs
killing people
terrorists terrorists terrorists?

In that moment,
The search began.

here and there and there
suspects and leads
shooting people
terrorists terrorists terrorists?

In that moment,
The lock down began.

stay and watch and fear
helicopters and cars
hunting people
terrorists terrorists terrorists?

In that moment,
The trial began.

yet there were those who 
in that first moment 
took in the 
pain and the loss and the fear
and instead of asking
terrorists terrorists terrorists?
stated 
hope love truth.

This is our city.
We are Boston Strong.

Memories of Love

written 1/30/2014
 

I could try and describe my grandmother to you,

But you’d never get the full understanding of her:

The way she said “Howdy” when you walked in, unannounced,

Or the folds of her skin, softened by age and butter.

You wouldn’t understand her magic,

How you always knew that whatever the meal was,

It would be delicious and, after that, dessert.

You would never grasp the way she never wore socks,

The blue veins of her legs running down to feet clad only in mesh water shoes,

Or the soft, wispy, fullness of her white head of hair,

Hints of curls in the white waves.

See, you could never understand how she and my grandfather were the perfect pair,

Oldly ageless, wrinkled, yet busier than any youngster.

She could knit.

She could cook.

She could bake.

She could raise a family of 8 children on a farmer’s wage,

Including three sons that she insisted learn to cook

So they could take care of themselves without the help of a frozen meal or wife.

She could love all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren

That slowly appeared as years went by.

But you, you could never get the full understanding of her.

You’ve never met her.

But see, if I could tell you every story I know,

Every detail I can remember,

I’m part of the reason you would never fully get an understanding of her.

Because I’m not sure I have one.

And, even if I did, you could never meet her.

She’s gone.

All that’s left is a headstone, maintained by my grandfather,

And slowly fading memories of love.

It’s just him now,

More wrinkled than ever.

I’m trying to memorize him, understand him.

I don’t think I ever really will.

(How do you hold a living being in your brain after they are gone?)

But at least I can give him a hug, every time

Give him my memories

My love

And maybe,

Someday,

Gain a better understanding.