Begin It

When you come awake
Whether or not the sun should
Rise on a new day;
Place a smile upon your face
Rejoice in life’s abundant grace.

Here and now, you see,
There is opportunity
For wonderful things
To arise beneath these skies,
Much unexpected blessing.

Some have seen such dreams
As you hold within your heart
Begin and become
A living reality,
So keep holding on, trying.

Let your fingers reach
A little higher, further,
Do not ever quit,
You have whatever it takes,
Within you resides power.

Get yourself going,
Make a start, a strong showing,
For no one can do
What is given for you in
Favor, in love, from above.

The talents you have,
Abilities were given,
For you to succeed,
Develop your skill, make good
Now your purpose and promise.

Life is a canvas
Apply each coat of color
Until you unmask
The picture full of glory
You can present to the world.

Enough

The temptation to go without doing this today was strong, but the promise to myself was stronger. I need to wait, no longer. I hope you will give me a chance because I think it worth your effort.

Haiku

The day is not free
We pay for every moment,
Birds nest on a tree.

Not many birds about as the cold has come locking us in again. At least there was no rain. The dogs were pleased to stay dry on their walks, as was I.

Enough

Coming back into
The self, letting go sorrow
Finding enough strength
To continue this journey
Wherever it leads, alone.

Knowing, alone is
A proof-ground for mastery
Of self, gifts, talents,
For quiet is the practice
Which certifies confidence.

Often it is found
A challenge to be engaged
In social mingling,
People may withdraw, begin
Coaxing creativity.

Conversation draws
Energy from inward force,
Dissipates vigor;
Unless there is a great love
And sharing fills the empty.

Still building goes on,
There is a piece, part, searching
For a matching bit,
Sure to complete the puzzle
Sought in all times, everywhere.

The reading is going well. I hope you are finding your life most enjoyable. Many blessing to you for health, happiness, inspiration, and prosperity.

I have proofing tomorrow, so that is good.

Tanka

Out of the jungle
Of what one feels, love and peace,
Time again reveals –
Providing trust will, better
Hours, days, quickly bring anew.

Rescue By Rescue

I stood there thinking
I was only a failure,
It was time to quit;
My bonny dog barked like there
Was a reason, hackles raised.

I had thought I might
Rehome the two, someone would
Want glorious dogs
I could no longer care for;
Wookie had other ideas.

She became shadow
In my every movement,
She nudged, licked, my hands,
If I thought it all over
She believed it was not, yet.

Despite the tears, howls,
Of desperation and pain,
That fine dog of mine
Was determined this was not
Separation season, mine.

I have not the heart
To continue but it seems
The decision is
Not mine to make, the rescue,
Now is my faithful rescuer.

I face the future
Bleeding, scarred, tail between knees,
But I am resolved
To carry on the mission,
So I do not make her leave.

I hope you had an excellent Valentine’s Day. Mine was spent with dogs alone. I am still reeling, keep thinking I am alright and then take up fresh tears again. I would rather not open this vein here, but again, I promised myself I would do this daily, so there it is.

I am not always sunshine. If I do not acknowledge the shadow, its hungry maw will swallow me screaming alive.

Do as you will, everyone does anyway. God go with you and bless your dealings and creativity. May you have better days and always strive for your best.

I assure you once I have bandaged my wounds and put myself aright, I will be rejoining the effort to win, win, and win again. It is not over. I am not done. Survivors have a way of surviving even when their will is broken, and their goals fade away. Maybe some crazy dog makes them see that no matter what is in the closet, they have to keep on until there is no other choice.

Alex Goes Back to Nevada

The will, it faulters
Besieged by sadness, failure,
Come bright tomorrow,
Bring to the present reason
To continue the battle.

Sorry, that is all I got. Sometimes it looks so bad, finding a silver lining in the looming clouds is too tricky. If I had not promised myself to do something creative every day this year, I would just go back to crying.