Reveling in their
Ordinariness,
Smug about their
Unsettling ability
To celebrate the
Mundane,
Exalting the typical,
Keeping everyone at
The same level,
Bland,
Compliant,
Weeding out those who
Don’t conform.
To follow our dreams and live
Lives of boundless joy and fulfillment.
To freely celebrate ourselves and others,
Delightfully compassionate.
That’s not practical, say those who
Follow the rules, listen to others,
Do as told, muffle their muses, freely
Limit horizons.
A serious man was asked why he
Rarely laughed. He paused a
Moment and said he had once been
Deeply in love and his heart
Had been broken in such a way that
He could no longer laugh.
A smiling man was asked why he
Laughed all the time. He confided that
He had once loved someone who had
Left him at the altar and laughter
Healed the wound. He also mentioned
That the mother of the bride sneezed during
the ceremony, catapulting her wig into the aisle.
Rain visits and rejuvenates
My cluttered thoughts.
Invigorated air imbued with promise.
Worries lessened drop by
Drop the pretense. Wavy
Lines on glass shifting
How I see. Step outside and
Look up, face tingling.
The selfless act offered without
Craving for recognition or glory. The
Kindness shared without expectation of
Reimbursement. The caring generously
Given to those who are not familiar.
Stepping outside oneself for a walk on
A sunny morning for someone else.
Stress, stress,
Everybody feels it.
Stress, stress,
Everybody hates it.
Stress, stress,
Everybody talks about it.
Stress, stress,
Everybody perpetuates it.
Stress, stress,
A lovely pastime.
Stress, stress,
What else would we talk about?
Stress, stress.
Just moved to
A new community
Dramatically different from
The one we knew.
Welcomed with open arms,
Invited into people’s homes,
Warm hospitality,
Friendly conversations.
Within a few weeks,
Grew uncomfortable,
Didn’t agree with
Certain people’s lifestyle.
Too different,
Too big city,
Too lenient,
Let our feelings
Be known.
Ostracized for
Standing up for what we
Believe in,
Our values,
Our inflexible certitude.
Let me make as much noise as
I can. Look at me, I’m as happy
As can be. Sputtering, vibrating,
Carefully maintained for maximum
Decibel enjoyment. Sit by my side,
Look out the window and
Talk about nothing.
Needs unmet when most needed.
Safety compromised. Self taken
Away without consideration. The
Unwavering hand dispensing justice.
Mouth open, stuffed with a benevolent
Rag. Stirring below, the memory of
What might have been. Order before
Love.
