I will dissolve fear

and open to risk

I will dissolve worry

and open to uncertainty

I will dissolve busy-ness

and open to stillness

I will dissolve striving

and open to peace

I will dissolve mindlessness

and open to mindfulness

I will dissolve judgment

and open to openness

I will dissolve regret

and open to opportunity

I will dissolve regrets from 2011

and open to opportunities of 2012

I wonder

if the mountains

compare themselves

to each other,

worrying that another

may be taller,

more symmetrical,

more likely to be climbed.

Two-lane highway across New Mexico,

layered mountains and mesas,

seas of cactus and pinon

floating in filmy fog.

Alone and still

for the first time in days,

thoughts swirl,

music conjures emotion.

Tears appear at the intersection

of how blessed I am

and how restless I can become.

Purple sky

releasing gentle flakes

onto frustrated travelers

           standing in slush

          waiting for shuttles

beauty.

Tired passengers

sharing phones and smiles

with frustrated travelers

         stranded for hours

         desperate for destinations

kindness.

Hundreds

Of

Miles

End

Here.

Oh

Marvelous

Enchantment

Hanging

Over

My

Entrance!

Heart

Overflows

Magical

Excitement,

Happiness

Overwhelms

My

Eyes.

Lying on snow

dizzy with stars

we lost, then found

what it all means,

how we must live.

With all due respect,

I know you have a very important job,

and a very difficult job, I would imagine.

You’ve been working hard lately

and I would just like to suggest

that you take some time off, or at least

take your work elsewhere for a while.

I need time to replenish my well of tears,

time to mend my black veil.

I trust you will consider this request

and, in doing so, suspend any judgment

regarding my stubborn desire

for a shadowless joy.

Sincerely,

Emily

the morning, the snow,

presence to unwrap

with each step forward

For the brave boys whose words amaze and surprise me…

Young voices gush into notebooks,

flooding pages with depth and meaning.

Whispers become louder,

turning into confident shouts

as they play around with words,

begin to trust their innate wisdom,

aware, for maybe the first time,

that they have something to say.

Sometimes their passion feels so fragile

I fear it will snap or shrink or retreat,

so I hold my breath

            hoping…hoping…hoping

it will take root,

then sprout into the words

that will ignite their young hearts.

Staring

at this surly sky

I scowl,

squirm,

and succumb

to a sour state

of sticky

silence.

Suddenly,

surrender

seems sweet

and solitude

soothes.

Surprise!