I stretch my wings,

testing my artistic freedom,

leaping into the fickle winds.

With eagled perception

I locate herds of ideas and visions

that scurry on the mental planes.

Descending in rapid fashion

I grasp a thought as it flees

and squeeze the artistic juice free.

My beak clamps down

on its meaty hide, ripping,

seizing its essence from bones.

Ahh, but I am not fulfilled,

never fully satisfied,

I always hunger, craving more.

I dive again and again,

searching for that choice piece

that will give me immortality.

NEWBORN eyes so bright.

Full of wonder and love at first sight.

So much to do this year for you.

First laugh, first crawl, first tooth, and word too.

ONE year gone, plenty more ahead.

Walking, talking, stories in bed.

So much to teach you, so much to say.

But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Year FIVE already, my word that was fast.

I can’t believe all that we’ve done, that’s now the past.

So much to learn, kick the ball more than we planned.

Off to school you go, lunch pail in hand.

Up to TEN, double digit reality.

It’s amazing, you look like my mini-me.

Things can get uncomfortable, engaged in the special talk.

I’ll help you to navigate through this next epoch.

I love you to pieces as we come upon THIRTEEN.

Despite all the emotions, nothing shall come between.

There are squeals and tears over some new guy.

It’s an age of discovery, I see that twinkle in your eye.

SIXTEEN motors on through as you have a new avenue.

Riding off to discover a world on four wheels brand new.

We hardly see each other; two different paths divide.

My paternal love for you I still will not hide.

As EIGHTEEN hits, I feel a small twinge in my eye.

This little girl has grown, my, the years did fly.

I’m proud and elated at your Graduation Day.

I don’t wish for you to leave, still knowing you can’t stay.

Locked in, eyes shut tight.

Mouth agape, silent shriek.

Dam breaks, surging passion tidal waves.

Two life beats fuse, one blissful instant.

words spoken...

unheard

feet rush by....

soundless

gurneys roll...

muted

disconnected

isolated

incoherent gaze

sitting

where?

hospital

why?

someone missing

who?

memory flash

what happened?

realization

abandoned

out of focus

attention withdrawn

worlds spin,

yet one grinds down...

slowing...

stopping...

dam breaks

guilt rushes in

heart erodes away

tidal wave of agony

rip curled into grief

grounded into rocky shore

Drowned

Under

Ignorance

Ocean to Ocean

Sea to Sea

I am to you

As you are to me

The idea is so simple

We're still flesh and bone

Yet it slips through hands

Because we're of different tone

Come drink the water

Where all can be free

Come drink the water

So we can truly see

United as one we began

As one we should end

In order to pass the dam

It is our wills that must bend

The thirst for common knowledge

Binds us together

It's up to us

To share the common pleasure

Come drink the water

To quench our common need

Come drink the water

So we'll never again bleed