week 370 ~ take the time to remember

take the time to remember
then pack those photos away
the sadness shouldn’t linger
they’re not part of you today

then pack those photos away
acknowledging what they took
they’re not part of you today
but they are who you were look

acknowledging what they took
the path you have traveled gone
but they are who you were look
try not to regret what’s drawn

the path you have traveled gone
but time has returned with grace
try not to regret what’s drawn
that’s important don’t erase

but time has returned with grace
the sadness shouldn’t linger
that’s important don’t erase
take the time to remember

week 366 ~ inch your way down to the end of the branch

inch your way down to the end of the branch
and there perched precariously look out
at what lies beyond your grasp never doubt
that soon you’ll get there don’t look down don’t blanch
to repair broken dreams sing love out loud
you may teeter a bit as you balance
between hope and fear but reach further chance
rewards those who take theirs bravely unbowed
by the weight of all the things that never
worked out drop armloads of outgrown anger
turn around and take photos of questions
unanswered then shred unwise opinions
move ahead with an optimistic heart
you have just made it through the hardest part

week 323 ~ open the box marked christmas past with care

open the box marked christmas past with care
for childhood joys and missing friends you’ll find
with memories the lost-forever kind
that lie waiting to trip you up beware
or reconcile yourself to linger there
amidst unsorted photos of the mind
and laughter packed in odd-shaped boxes lined
with longing or regret for you can’t stare
them down reliably sometimes they just
wash over whatever happiness you
have since accrued there’s no way to predict
so pause until tears pass away then trust
tomorrow to sweep you beyond conflict
toward dreams love has power to renew