Tie Them Together

tear down black and whites
and replace them with glow-in-the-dark

stars to wish on and count on
when warmth and exhaustion are almost

enough is too much and too little
is crippling. work more hours to satisfy

basic needs are luxurious on this side of the pond
basic comforts are castles on this side

of the streets i've seen, none compare
to those paving my dreams -- the ones lined

with glow-in-the-dark stars are smiling
but melancholy stars of another

sort of a paradox. where the words
disconnect and no effort can begin to

Sharpied On My Wrist

"make people smile"

a result of inspiration, of course.

I like writing on my arms. I don't think I'm gonna die of ink poisoning. I think I'm gonna get a tattoo...one that I'm sure I'll like -- as long I've had it on my arm for a while in black ballpoint pen.

And Here We Are

Wouldja look at that! I published a meager poem in place of what could have been a birthday celebration! One year and seven days ago, I discovered the majesty of an online forum for all things thoughts. Thus Bulletproof Blank was born. There are too many to thank for the growth spawned by a kind comment or encouraging word. I couldn't have anticipated the place I've been led to today. I can look back on poems I wrote and realize their real-life resolutions. I can reflect on past priorities and chuckle about the people that have moved through and around and away from me. And I can hope for face to face encounters with the people who have shaped me more than any peer or relative could know.

To many more posts and many more friends. Hear hear.

Beware the Ides

life's shiny veneer
peels away like
pop apricot on a
left hand thumb.

eraser shavings sprinkle
a flowered bedspread
because the ways i
share don't work.

with cryptic messages
and honest actions
i convey what i promised
myself i'd teach you.

i'd teach you there's
nothing to learn.
that you're doing it right
and that what scares you doesn't hurt.

because the pink i chipped
reveals a blank slate
and the parts of me
left best black and white.

no glossy masks,
no neon colors.
and this is black and white:
there's no turning back.

Something Worse Than Death

Error:

server can't be found
would you like to try again?
power down, power down
twenty laptops
or one soul and spirit
are malfunctioning
have lost the connection

a misshapen left ear
and a weak red pen
work to define "chordata"
the most complex of all
separated by a backbone
from the rest
support that crumples under pressure

because we're fragile
and can only swim so deep
before our eyeballs squish
our lungs implode
and our spines snap
as the warning window reads:
server can't be found.

Hallelujah!

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28