Too Few Words

Sometimes I have so much to say, there aren't enough words. Such moments are best observed in silence.

Familiar - On Knowing Your Muse

Familiar

who are you,

this creature with my face and eyes,

small and fleet running rampant on my soul?

what quest brings you here again

to devour my joy and chase away my peace

ever laughing as you go, flinging scorn and disdain?

come, troubler of spirits

rest here on my lap and tell me what fuels your frenzy

how comes your recent troubled flight into my thoughts?

sit with me

let us wait together for the rain

waterfalls often bring sprites in drops of tears and sweet dew.

for i know you like them so

abide here with me then - my familiar.

A Man's Poem - I Need

I need

I know I am able to stand alone
I know I can work hours and days
To build our home

When feelings rise that would weaken me
I know I will stride through them
Fearlessly

But tonight my love I need your hand
I need your touch
A heart to understand

I need to be weak and broken through
I need your passion
I need you

I know how to be decisively stern
I know I can remain
Standing firm

Lose or win I speak honestly
Clasped on to the task
I will believe

But tonight my love I need your hand
I need your touch
Your heart to understand

I need to be weak, helpless and lost
I need your passion
No matter the cost

I need to be weak and broken through
I need your passion
I need you

Old Guys Rule

Today was my birthday, and in honor of the milestone passing, I thought I would share an age related story from my life this past week. First we have to go back a couple of years...


My wife and I were vacationing in Bermuda when I spotted a T-Shirt that said, "Old Guys Rule." I loved it. As an 'aging man', it was affirming to read those words so proudly displayed. I made a mental note to check out into getting one. Months later, at Christmas I received not only the shirt but a white decal displaying those words.


"Old Guys Rule" turns out to be a bit of a retail movement with hats, shirts, decals, bags, etc. I now own several items sporting that motto. I find it playful, fun and affirming. The decal is displayed on the lower corner of my driver's side windshield. Over the last two years the only comments I have received have been positive. People like it. They seem to "get it" until one morning last week.

I was parked in front of my son's home waiting to pick him up when two woman walked by walking their dogs. One of them started talking to me through my closed car window. I rolled down the window to hear her and she pointed at the decal and asked, "Old Guys Rule?" I smiled and replied, "Yes." She snorted - yes actually snorted - and said, "Not over me they don't!"

What? Is it possible to affirm ANYTHING without offending someone? Well, I'm another year older today and I'm just saying, "OLD GUYS RULE!"

Oprah's No Phone Zone - Expanded

So, Oprah has proclaimed a "No Phone Zone" for texting, talking and such while driving to work.

This is good. However, I've been thinking lately about having a "No Phone Zone" in my personal space - i.e. what if we all said, if you are talking to me don't check your phone, write/read text messages, or email. Take the few minutes or hour of our conversation as a No Phone Zone. Let's remember how to focus, listen and be with each other.

I may just start by observing it myself. What say you?

All Alone - A Poem About Solitude

All Alone

silence, worse still
the echoes of my own thoughts
voices cascading
endless cackling

senses strain to see
hear another here
amid the cavern of craving
infantile cries

then all certainty
more than breath
within the contractions of this case
another is with me

belief.

Top Things I Need to Do But Haven't - Yet.

1. Back up my iTunes library - I know. I should. I just can't stand the idea of burning it to all of those CDs. Why doesn't Apple allow me to save it to an external drive?

2. Get a physical - Another thing I should do, but every time I think about it I keep remembering one particular aspect of the exam. Hey, it's only been two years.

3. Clean out my top dresser drawer - Don't even pretend yours is neat.

4. Finish my Novel - it's only 10 years in the making.

5. Decide what I want to be when I grow up - I keep changing my mind.

Even Though - A Poem That Never Happened

even though
our hands have never touched
fingers playing gentle games

even though
our eyes have never gazed
into crystal hues of wanting

even though
our lips have never met
creating passages for lusting

even though
our breath has never mixed
making whispers in the early dawn

even so
i know you

Yes.

Yes. I'm back from my weekend at the historic Grove Park Inn.

Yes. I saw President Obama as we walked down the hallway.

Yes. I delivered a devotional message to a few hundred Rotarians at the Grove Park Inn.

Yes. I enjoyed the vistas and expanse of the NC mountains.

Yes. I am tired and looking forward to returning to 'normal' starting now.

Fun Coincidence - Opportunity?

I've been debating this post, and decided (obviously) to write it.

Last year I spoke at the Interfaith Service for the Rotary District 7690 annual conference at Myrtle Beach, SC. My message was received very well and I was asked immediately by the incoming District Governor if I would commit to speaking again this year. I accepted.

As it happens, we are convening this weekend at The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. I'll be speaking Sunday at the Interfaith Service. Last week it was announced that President Obama and his family would be vacationing this week in NC and staying at - you guessed it - The Grove Park Inn.

Currently, I'm plotting on how I can maximize this coincidence to make me famous, or at least create a superb memory. I mean there will no doubt be only a wall or two between me and The President of The United States. That has to be an opportunity - I just haven't figured out exactly how...YET!