GREENHOUSE SOUP

There is no coincidence
I hear some say
So I'll tell you about the soup
I cooked yesterday

Cubed butternut squash and chopped celery
With coconut oil into a cast iron skillet
I thought it would take longer
But they were tender in 20 minutes

They were added to the lentils
That had been boiling in the pot
Then I cooked the purple sweet potatoes
While the skillet was still hot

Those and the baby pak choi
Were thrown into the mix
I kept stirring the soup
So the goodies wouldn't stick

Quickly roasted 3 types of peppers
With garlic, garlic chives, and lemon grass
Ooops, I almost forgot
The green onions went in last

Stir, stir, stir
Then that mix went into the pot
Added a little bit more water
Now the mix is thick and hot

Then a friend shows up
We eat 3 bowls a piece
Ahhhh
Peace

A FINAL DEPTH

The wind blows
A stream of rain
Dancing drunkenly on the gravel

The loneliness reaches
A final depth
And those who dwell there
Do so unwillingly

For it is there
That the secrets lie
Along with shame
And remorse

They who languish
In this place
Will never see
A smiling face

The flaws
Of which none of us
Are free
Continually haunting
In their memories

The heart and soul
Now rarely content
Seem only filled
With lament

The years were not stolen
Merely given away
Remembering is
How some pass the days

Yesteryear's joy
Has turned to stone
The heart
The softening of which
No longer seems possible

It is here
Where some must live
Until the end

49

Whether out of fear
Or desperation
She made the wrong choice
Years went by
Realizing the waste
She finally let go

They went their separate ways
Never to speak again
Never looking back
Just forging ahead
They are apart from each other
Planning to never meet again

It is said
That in our lives
We have 49 past life friends
If they share the same core group
They will meet again after death

kONA

He limped to the aluminum stairs that lead to the water's edge. His ankle bone is fused to his foot, so he could only wear a swim fin on his left foot. I could tell he was scared. "I'm going to be right next to you the whole time so don't worry" I said. We slowly entered the water. It was a beautiful day and the water was crystal clear. "First , you have to practice purging your snorkel". He put on his mask and snorkel while holding on to the body board. He began to hyperventilate, but after about 15 seconds his breathing began to take on a regular rhythm. He practiced his breast stroke while kicking with his left foot. I suggested that I swim away a few yards with the body board and then he swim towards me. He did . His snorkel purging was excellent. Now he was swimming on his own and looking at the small multicolored reef fish that were swimming around the coral outcroppings 15 feet below the surface. He started to laugh through his snorkel. "What's so funny ?" I asked. "I've just never seen this many fish before" he responded. So these were just happy giggles. His fear was gone and he was swimming around no longer conscious of the fact that he was 30 yards from shore and I was 5 yards away.

The joy I had experienced in helping someone else was greater than anything I have felt in a long time. He was happy that I took him to a place where he felt comfortable. He felt as though he could trust me with his life. Now he wants to go to South Point. A place where the sea floor drops off to thousands of feet and fish are abundant. He has seen me free dive there , and I told him that I know of a cave where a giant lion fish lives. It is a gorgeous fish with a potent venom in the spines of of it's dorsal fins. He wants to see it and all of the other fish that inhabit the area. He has overcome his fear of the ocean in a day, and I had the privilege to be there. It was just a great feeling.

ONE LAST THING

The memories in my head
Pictures in my mind
Can never be taken away from me
And help me pass the time

Oh sure there are regrets
Some people that I've hurt
But all in all
Life has been good
From duty , I've not shirked

Now the days and nights are calm
I rejoice in every day
Even though I'd like to leave
I'm content in every way

It seem as though my life is fine
Reading all of the above
I still have one more thing to find
Life's end with one true Love

11:11 P.M.

The generator hums
Under the house
Dogs bark in the distance
Crickets chirp

A dim light bulb
Lights the cabin
I can't sleep
Again...

After this
I'll lay in bed
Until the twilight
Seeps into the window

What
Will tomorrow bring ?
Who will call ?
Maybe nothing will happen
Nothing... at all

LIFELINE

Here we are
Transmitting information
Via binary encoded pulses of light
Speaking to each other using micro waves

The sun is free
Yet we pay for energy
We drill holes in the ground
Create toxic waste dumps
While others lay huddled
Under a tarp
Waiting
To be maimed , raped and slaughtered

Are we really so advanced ?
Do we behave like spiritual beings ?
Will we give the homeless a dollar
Instead of a dime ?
Can we throw those less fortunate
A lifeline ?

Now we buy computers that are phones as well
We play games and download apps
Still some of us go through hell

I hope things change
For those less fortunate
Because it breaks my heart
To see how things have gone