Unspoken Return

The atmosphere vibrated
with silent welcomes—
a knowing without words.

Welcome back.
It has been a while.

Pieces were left here
by an unspoken agreement with the past,
waiting without judgment,
without demand.

There was a pull—
knowing without knowing why.

The present.
The here.
The now.

Colliding gently
with what was once set aside.

The atmosphere became visible,
thick with recognition,
soft with permission.

And the pieces—
no longer scattered—
found their way back together.

Today Hurts

Today hurts.
I feel muddy and worn—
dragged through moments
that did not ask permission.

I am torn to bits,
pieces scattered,
some no longer fitting
where they once belonged.

The days ahead feel unsure,
their shapes blurred,
their promises quiet.

Fear tightens its grip,
strangling my senses
until even breath feels heavy.

I want the numbness
to wrap around me—
not to disappear,
just to soften the edges.

I want today
not to hurt.

You Left Me Alone

Grief tangles around, entering at will and without warning.

Strength deserts me in the most inopportune times.

Power drains from my entire being, leaving me alone.

Sadness sweeps in surrounding shadows encasing me.

THERE IS ONLY PEACE LEFT

This is the time that we walk in peace.

Daddy, take my hand and my heart.

The pain has gone; the hurt and anger are gone.

It is God’s time to wash it all away.

All regrets and plans not executed,

placed in a bag of tears.

We walk in shadows of our past,

And we will always walk together.

It is a new time to remember,

To remember all that made our hearts warm,

And the smiles that we cherish for life.

No sainthood for you, just our memory.

Good or bad, a new time has come.

Peace with you in a heaven just for you.

Always with us, always Daddy.

Hand in hand we walk in peace.

Dedicated to the man that was my "Hank" Rest in Peace 1946-2009

A PERCEPTION OF LIFE

 

I could not believe that he lived in this. Not wanting to touch anything, the smell grabbed me in a chokehold. The peace I felt was out of place. You could not feel life or death; it was as if your senses went numb.

We started sorting through his belongings, things to keep and something to give away and throw in the trash. Wanted it to go quickly but yet not want to leave. This is where he lived, a small room with a small bathroom, little fridge, table, chair, and bed with dresser. Covered in things he had gathered, most of it stuff you use daily, not much collected from the past, no photo frames or trinkets. The walls were dirty, well everything seemed dirty. This is where his life ended.

Time had stopped for him, his grown children cleaning up the mess, sorting his stuff. They had not seen him in years; all they knew was he was in the city trying to get by.

Three children, now with children of their own, taking care of their father’s life now that it is gone.

This is poverty, down and out, he had shelter, friends, and a job, but no one should live like that.