The forest in January

The trees lay bare

under the white blanket.

Naked and lonesome

in the chilly frost.

Unexpected

they were when I arrived here.

No other footsteps

sought their company.

-Scott

In the dawning

In the dawning

of the new day

possibilities awake.

In the warming

of the morning sun

opportunities to take.

-Scott

A turkey's thanksgiving

Turkeys in the bush

have reason to give thanks.

Avoiding humans

and spending time with family.

 Huddled close

keeping out of sight.

Living for today

thankful for tomorrow.

-Scott

The old swing

When you sit with me

and I creak and settle

that's friendship.

When you push off of the ground

with both feet

that's commitment.

When you laugh at the wind

with whiplash in your hair

that's joy.

When you close your eyes

because you've gone too high

that's excitement.

When you leap off in midair

with the ground below

that's freedom.

When you think of me and smile

years from now

 that's happiness.

-Scott

Big miracles

Each day we are alive

is not a small miracle

in the grand scheme of life.

Each day we are alive

it is a big miracle

in a small package.

-Scott

The news

Tell me please

oh what news!

Has the world

caught the blues?

What you heard

what you saw!

Has the mayor

broken the law?

What you spoke

and what you read!

Has the news

gone to our head?

-Scott

Inner dialogue

Who are you?

And who am I?

We do our best.

Of course we try!

But how are you?

And how am I?

 A little depressed?

Do you want to cry?

What are you?

and what am I?

A little stressed?

Then let it fly!

But why you?

And why me?

Have we been blessed?

In time we'll see.

-Scott

Distorted water

The glass

is half-full

but it distorts

my vision.

The water

bends the light

and clouds

my eyes.

 

The glass

is half-empty

that is

no different.

I prefer

an empty glass

so I can

see clearly.

-Scott

Fools Gold

To dream the dream of noble kings,

and live the life they lead,

the jester plays the fool for them

to drink their cup of mead.

Late at night as he retires

to hide behind closed door,

wipes the smile from his face,

and rains tears on the floor.

They'll not know his secret wish

to sit before their fire,

have these fools he must attend

kneel down and call him sire.

-Rusty

The fire

The fire is alive

just like in Mordor,

just like the Balrog

in the mines of Moria.

Just like a city

at night.

-Caiden

Ozone

We play under the lights

and under the clouds.

The blue sky holds our petty game

in utter disdain.

But that is of no concern to us

we are too busy keeping score.

Since when have we

paid attention to the sky anyway?

-Scott

Merging

And when all activity deserts me
And when I’m left with this stillness
All That Is descends and overcomes me
It is a love that tears the heart open
That rips it like fabric, even as a veil is torn.
The too-muchness, the torrent of a truth
That overflows its categories
That bashes the riverbanks of duality
Into subatomic particles.
In this moment, I know
All I can do is allow its extraordinary flow
I cannot attempt to grasp or understand.

My mind lays on the river’s edge, cast aside,
As useless as a ventriloquist’s dummy.

And I watch my blood turn to sparks of Light
I am Her, and then me again.
She is beautiful, the one who gives shelter
Who has seen death and is still shining
Resplendent, she comes to be here
Arms open, she comes to hold the children
To rock us and love us and sing us her soft truth
Even seeing what she’s seen
Even knowing what she knows
She chooses to walk the Earth
To return, to differentiate from Source

For love, for love, for love.

-Sara D.

Backstage

Names scribbled

on a wall backstage,

before the show

before the house lights dim.

The final act closes

and the curtain calls,

will they still be there

now that the show is over?

-Scott

Wicked Weapon

We've all heard it said,

from a phrase coined of old,

the pen to the sword

makes the mightier foe.

Now let's take the tongue,

no comparison,

the pen and sword,

are merely for fun.

How deeply words cut

when tempered by tone,

a single ill curse

can cut to the bone.

The power of words

by a tongue that is kind,

can heal wounded hearts

and sooth tortured minds.

So watch what you say,

and just how you do,

or some other tongue

just might attack you.

-Rusty

 

Happy Soul

Ever stop to wonder,

what makes us each unique,

as you end the day

and lay down for some sleep?

Just what makes you, YOU,

defining who you are,

what is it makes you tick,

challenging the bar?

A friend of mine believes

We're part of just one being

learning of itself

watching from each screen.

As for me I'm happy

I don't need to know.

Either one, or many,

I'm living my own show.

-Rusty

Way forgotten

What cost a verbal Rose?

A pleasantry afforded another,

word flower of human kindness.

Is it more than a smile?

Less then an applause?

A breath of air? Two?

One burned calorie,

perhaps three?

What once was custom,

a sign of civility,

is now eyed with suspicion,

a flirt, or disgrace.

Such shame.

What cost a verbal Rose?

None,

except to humanity

when no longer grown.

You are exceptional.

-Rusty

Quiet moments that sting

It is the moment of clarity

when you know where to go

but no path leads there.

It is the moment of realization

that you must cross the river

but you can not swim.

It is that moment of enlightenment

spoken of by the sages

but you can not grasp it.

It is that moment of foolhardyness

when you plod along anyway

but you know it is pointless.

-Scott

Honesty, Integrity, Character

Talking to my nephew,

he posed a quest for me

to find a way to share

the word integrity.

The type of life you lead

is character defined,

so let us value character

more than treasures mined.

For when you live like this

you're living honestly,

with openness surrounding you

like a shield of purity.

You always do what's right

when no one is around,

for there within your heart

integrity abounds.

-Rusty

Can You Accept

Can I give a gift to you?

Yes, I'm being real.

Why do I want to give it?

For how it makes me feel.

I see that you're in need,

I have enough to give.

Really, it's my pleasure

the joy for which I live.

What was it you just said?

You have a gift for me.

I fear I must decline,

I truly have no need.

You say that it is cruel

for me not to accept,

I can give for joy,

but your joy I reject.

-Rusty

Silence is best

Sometimes there are no words.

Sometimes there are no thoughts.

Sometimes there are no emotions.

Sometimes there are no expressions.

Sometimes silence is best.

-Scott