She said; he said! Sexual Harassment

“She said don’t hand me no lines and keep your hands to yourself.” - Keep Your Hands to Yourself, Georgia Satellites 

While this little ditty was always kinda cute, the line above has taken on new meaning, and for everyone, it is basically the most simple of rules about how NOT to be the next person up on Sexual Harassment Challenge.

I’m gonna be upfront and honest.  Have I.  Yes.  Was I aware that certain actions or words were making someone uncomfortable?  Not until I was made aware of such.  Which, in the scheme of things is usually how it should work.  Did I get dinged for it?  Yep.  Did I correct my behavior and do my best to not do that, not only to the individual(s) whom I made feel uncomfortable but in how I treated all.

Granted, I am still a guy who likes to hug.  I also strongly feel that touch to show empathy and/or sympathy are important, so it can occasionally be a dicey situation for me to appropriately judge when such actions may not be received with the intent I am trying to impart.  Which means that I must restrain myself.  I don’t have to be told.  I am the one who needs be aware that my touch, even my proximity, is not wanted.  Only, in the course of my professional duties should I be invading the space of anyone, especially a woman, who hasn’t indicated I can be there, and then only to perform necessary actions, and only so long as I remain in that space as long as that dutiful action requires.

The more I hear the stories, the more I realize I was kind of a creep at times.  And I am sorry that I allowed myself to do that.  I am saddened that I didn’t know better BEFORE I had to have it brought to my attention.  

What I am about to say is not to defend my actions in anyway.  I did it.  Bad Brian.  However, the more I reflect upon my own actions and upon the stories of the women in my life, personal or reshared from others whom they know, I have come to realize...this behavior is, sadly, culturally reinforced.  Regardless of how long we have been telling everyone to not harass and stalk and be a creeper, it appears that we only are telling “them.”  You know, those guys we don’t know, those idiots who seem to cross the line every chance they get, while not recognizing those actions in our friends, or worse excusing those actions in our friends, because they are “harmless,” and they only act that way because “they like you.”

Here’s the thing, if that person whom you are interested in is interested in you, they will show it; they will respond positively.  If there is hesitation in the way they respond, and especially if the response is NO in any way, shape, or form, they aren’t playing coy or hard to get...they have no interest.  Move along, there is nothing to see here.  If it’s you,  get the hint.  If it’s your buddy, make sure he gets the hint.  If it is some stranger, help him get the hint, make sure she is going to be ok, then move along back to your buddies; because if you only “rescued” her to just replace one asshole with another, you are part of the problem.

On a related note...This friend zone thing is shit.  If you are incapable of accepting that the person in whom you are interested in only wants you as a friend, confidant, buddy, or pal, and nothing more physical or emotional then that, get out of their life.  EVEN if you think you are better than every loser with whom they have wasted time with, EVEN if they have said the dreaded phrase, “I wish I could find someone like you.”  That is not an invitation to do more than continue to be a friend.  Accept your assumed “martyrdom” and find someone who wants you, not someone like you for the romance and companionship and sex you seek.  And either decide to continue being the friend or let them go out of your life, tell them your decision and stick to it.  Because, a) you otherwise aren’t doing either of you any favors and b) it borders on that harassment shit discussed above.

I Like the analogy about borrowing money (http://aplus.com/a/twitter-user-consent-rape-five-dollar-bill-metaphor.amp) and rape; but it also applies to harassment.  If you ask for $5 dollars and you are told no, you are in the wrong if you keep hounding, needling, wheedling, cajoling or otherwise making yourself a nuisance by repeatedly asking when the answer was, is, and continues to be, no.

We are allegedly better than the animal.  If that is true, it is time for humans to actually act as if our minds really are better than those said same animals.  Women can say no to your advances and that is acceptable.  Men can say no to your advances and that is acceptable.  Passion and romance and attraction can wane, and no matter your best efforts if the other party decides it is over, as hurtful as that may be, accept it.  

And just in case you haven’t grasped it yet, if your first line fails, don’t tell her no (more) lines and always keep your hands to yourself, unless you have implicit consent.

What the Hell Got into Me?

Not too long ago I went with some people whom I love with all I am to see the remake of “It”.

Overall, I think we were all rather underwhelmed with the movie.  However, I was reminded and we discussed how the more disturbing scenes weren’t with Pennywise or the other things that went bump and boo, but the horrors that humans can perpetrate upon other humans...especially those who have power, authority, responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of others.

Thus, today I am going to lay out my personal definition of evil, and discuss the topic as best I am able.  

I believe that there is evil in this world.  Whether there is any supernatural element to it or not is not going to be a part of this thought process.  I will deign to stick only with the mundane and mortal realms.  Further I believe that there are levels of evil, where certain historical figures would fit the bill readily, and yet there would possibly be some whom we would debate as to whether they were evil or made extremely horrible choices based upon several and various factors.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines evil as: profoundly immoral and wicked, with a further definition of harmful effects or doing harm.  

I define an evil act as a conscious and intentional act, which has no biological impetus to drive the need to act, that causes harm to another without their consent to inflict that harm.  Thus, an evil person is defined as someone who chooses to perform an evil act for personal gain or pleasure.

The three clarifiers within the definition are need, consent and an expansion upon what I mean when I say harm.  

Need: an animal level of biologic drive.  This means that while the predators do not get consent of the prey to hunt, kill and eat them, which could be considered an intentional act, the biologic need to eat and that there is no “human” level of sentient thought behind the decision negates it as being evil.

Consent:  there are those who purposefully seek out an individual who will inflict certain forms of harm upon them and those who seek individuals who will give such permission.  

Harm:  in this definition is not only physical harm, but also mental, emotional, financial or any other form of inflicting pain, loss and suffering. 

It is my opinion, that since almost every religion that has survived into modern times, and that those groups who have eschewed deity(ies) for a more humanistic approach towards moral rational, that there is a Universal Moral Law.  This would be that we love others.  Call it the Golden Rule, the Wiccan Rede, what have you, we as a species are pretty much wired to NOT inflict harm upon others without a justifiable reason (self defense/defense of those unable to defend themselves, etc), and even then this UML will cause psychological dissonance for most, even if the harming of another was justified.

While it is sad to note that there seems to be nothing in the UML that impels one to act to prevent others from causing harm or even to intervene afterwards (the so called Kitty Genovese effect), it does seem to hold that it does hold most people to the moral standard of do no (intentional) harm.  

What, you ask, brought about my desire to expound on this subject?  Well, it appears that more and more we are hearing of people who have the ability to make or break careers in a particular industry have abused that power to extort or force persons who were in someway beholden to that power to endure harassment, degradation and assaults of a sexual nature to be given consideration for jobs, roles, promotions, backing etc.  These are evil acts performed by evil people.  And this has brought to the fore how insidious and pervasive this ugliness is, not only in that industry but in pretty much any endeavor where someone with authority and power abuses that responsibility to obtain something they cannot get without coercion and intimidation.

I cannot remember where I heard this, but I recall a line in a book, movie or tv show where one of the characters said that we shall never truly live in an equal and free society until a person could walk naked with a million dollars in hand without fear of being assaulted, raped or robbed.  Sadly, human civilization still hasn’t advanced far enough to accept those who look different, we’re born in another culture or have beliefs of conscience (their moral compass, religious affiliation) that are different.  So, we are far from that ideal.

If I may, I wish to indulge in a confession of sorts.  After a particular incident in a combat zone, I was unable to resolve a moral conflict within myself, and the dissonance created caused me to believe for quite some time that I was an evil person in my core and that I was living a lie about being the nice and decent person that others saw me as.  It took many a year for me to realize that I wasn’t evil.  That the act which had made me feels such was not done with malice, intent, for gain and definitely not for my pleasure.  However, that learning process also made me think of other actions i had done, other choices I had made which weren’t good on my part and how they made affected others negatively.

Sadly, I must admit that I have made some choices in my life that may have harmed others, but the intent was not to do so.  I can in all honesty say that I am sure none of these acts were of such a nature that criminal investigation or charges would ensue, but they are now and were then, regardless of my age nor my non-intent for harm, still things that I chose to do and that I regret.  I cannot excuse those choices based upon any childhood traumas or harms perpetrated upon me (intentional or unintentional). While there may only be a couple few readers of mine who this may apply to; I apologize if any words or actions on my part, regardless of my intent, regardless of what impetus made me think it was ok or drove my decision making at that time, caused you harm, physical or emotional.  While it shouldn’t be your duty to seek out a more formal apology, I truly do not wish to cause any more harm by bringing up subjects that may be long forgiven or forgotten on your part.  

While saddened to know that I did make such poor choices in my past, it is the remorse and regret they caused within me that have helped to shape who I am now, and inform my decision making today.  I am still imperfect but I can only try harder to acknowledge my failures and faults and to better myself thereafter.  

While I don’t expect anyone to admit anything here should they comment, I do hope that this piece will help you reflect upon past choices and inform future ones so that evil will have less sway in this world and love will blossom.

Thanks for your time and consideration.  Look forward to hearing from you.

Thoughts on Love

I have pondered upon the subject of love before, however besides in my poetry it was almost always done from the outside looking in.  I am going to attempt to add more thought to this after being in and still maintaining a healthy committed relationship.

Put plainly, this ain’t easy.  From the time we are toddlers, the vast majority of us crave independence.  We want to be individuals; to fit in to a certain degree but yet be enough of a unique person that we don’t lose our identity.  

Then along comes this crazy little thing called love.  The early days are great...lust abounds and passion burns brightly, faults are overlooked and ignored, because they don’t matter.  Until they do.

The roaring fire of unbridled passion wanes and unless you plan on throwing some fuel that only makes that fire burn hotter but more quickly, consuming the fuel, it calms into a comforting fire and on occasion a bank of embers that requires kindling to renew.  A keeper of the flame, an ember carrier was a sacred and solemn duty because it meant life.  Love must have its embers kept and nurtured to ensure that a healthy love life will carry on when the rest of life makes tending a normal hearth difficult.

I have learned that all the relationships we experience prepare us to find the absolutes and the tolerances;  those things in another that must exist or cannot ever be allowed to be given a chance to flourish and those things that might not be that which we particularly like, but because of love we will overlook, abide and even come to accept if somewhat grudgingly because they are unique characteristics of a life and soul which we find complements our own life and soul.

We find that promises to never hurt are empty unless we mean that we will never inflict hurt with intentional purpose (at least not without consent).  To love with all ones heart and mind and soul means to be open and vulnerable.  And since we have been unable to come up with a way to communicate with one another without possibility of misinterpretation, the potential for hurt exists.  Did I intentionally misstate what I wanted to say, did they intentionally mishear me?  Doubtful.  Are my personal definitions of conceptual words different than the personal definitions of those concepts that my other holds?  Possible, more likely probable.  Dictionary definitions only carry us so far when helping us proscribe the parameters of an abstract concept.  What emotions and experiences do we we bring to the table that hinder us from not bringing bias and prejudgement into a serious conversation about feelings and actions and all the things that inflict some form of hurt and turmoil.  

Yeah, it is work.  But without work, that which is accomplished isn’t truly achieved nor is it savored as much, cherished, held in the high regard and esteem that make it all worthwhile in the end.

I am so happy to have found someone to share this thing called life with, the grand and spectacular, the good and satisfying, the sad and shitacular.  To support and to uplift, to protect and defend.  Her smiles are mine; her tears are mine.  

That is what I know about love.  

Thoughts on Thanksgiving.

Today is a day set aside for all of us to reflect upon all that we have in which we are thankful.  It doesn't mean that we are any less thankful for those things any other day of the year, or that we should not share our thanks with others when they do or say that for which we are grateful, appreciative or much obliged.

This day is a special day of thanks as we look upon all that we have already acknowledged, but also to find those things for which we have not yet said thanks for, or discover that some past trouble is now a lesson learned, an experience gained, wisdom which we did not have and now can be thankful for and which we may be able to pass on to another.

This day is a special day of thanks that we can, hopefully, gather with family, friends and friends that are family and share with them those things that we are most grateful for in life and in them.

This day is a special day because it matters not in any system of belief or matter of conscience, only that we see what there is in our life, be it all that one can amass in this material world, or one small shred of hope that cannot be extinguished no matter the weight of all our other woes.

I am so ever thankful for so many things, that to list them all, if I could recall each one, would create a missive that would end up on the TL;DR list.  So, for the time being and for the sake of brevity (I know, I know...something y'all are thankful for), I will just say that for all the wonderful people who love, care and support me, for the things I am able to do, the things I can enjoy, the love and life that I am able to share with others, these things I am thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We The People: Political Power

So, we survived another brutal election cycle.  Here are some of my thoughts.

Whether the candidate you chose won or lost, the process worked.  Maybe not as you wanted it to, but it worked.

So, until such time as we see things like abuse of executive privilege, utter disregard of the Law of the Land (aka The Constitution of the United States), and other things, we should be proud to know that our political system, for all it's many flaws and problems is still functioning, even it it is seems like it is on life support.

And maybe it is on life support.  Think about it.  The most important organ of our whole political process and our government, as noted in every document that is of any significance to how our nation runs, is the People.  Congress, both the house and senate alike, and the President, the face of the nation to the world and the executor of the laws passed by said Congress work for us - ALL the PEOPLE.  Not just the folks in their declared party.  Not for whatever other groups of which they may have membership in.  Not just registered voters.  For every single citizen, born in or naturalized, of this nation.

And that organ is failing.  We, the citizens, are failing our nation.  Instead of being our own voice, added to all those who support or are against each particular issue, we throw a few dollars for membership in some organization that pays it employees lots of money to attempt to influence politicians to side with their cause.  Most of these organizations do not represent broad issues.  They do not care about the middle ground, or consensus, only about their purpose, which may or may not be explicitly stated in their mission and vision statements.

It is time for us, the People, to get more actively involved politically.  You should have your elected officials on speed dial.  Their e-mail and snail mail addresses should be in your address books, Rolodex or whatever and wherever you keep those.  And the news outlets...it should come to the point where they are calling you when you haven't submitted your opinion on a matter.  Your local newspaper and local TV stations should hear from you every time you feel a politician isn't doing their job in Representing You, a member of the People, their employer.  If things seem off, if something smells, if you believe that the actions of your elected officials or any agent of the government isn't performing up to a high standard and isn't treating every single citizen as equally as possible; that they are not fulfilling their roles as duly elected officials of the US, State, County, or other municipality and the Constitution or other document that establishes that level of government, then squawk.  Loudly.  Be the squeaky wheel.  When 320+ million wheels are squeaking, then maybe these men and women who only seem to remember who they work for is when they want you to help them keep their cushy jobs, will actually start working for us, the People, and not the political machines and the lobbyists and special interest groups.

If you, we, us, the People wish to have our politicians (I cannot yet deign any of our current elected officials with the honorific of statesman {usage in this case is gender neutral}) be held accountable for what they do, then we, the People must be held accountable for monitoring their performance and critiquing it as loudly as necessary, or on those occasions when they do it right, giving them proper thanks and acknowledgement for doing the job they were hired to do.

This partisan crap needs to end.  The seeds of ideas may derive from the extremes, but it is consensus and compromise that bring about appropriate, "common-sense", legislation that is of benefit for all citizens and not some small group thereof.

Now, let us prepare to celebrate the 45th peaceful transference of power from one President to another, while ensuring that we the People, are truly the political power of this nation, not the few who we elect to represent us.

You Don't Say: Freedom of Speech and Expression

This is an updated and expanded version of a previous blog by me.  I hope you will read and consider the ideas put forth.  It ought to be noted that this was originally written  and published one year ago.

The current topic of controversy that will topple the nation as we know is a small act by a professional football players, that to some is tantamount to the protester in Tianamen Square and to others as an act of treason in time of war.

The taking of a knee, sitting or otherwise not rendering some customary gesture to a symbol of our country is neither of these extremes.

Today, I am going to discuss freedom of speech/expression and also explore some points of civics that seem to be lost.

First, we must remember that freedom of speech or expression isn't for the words, ideas and the like for which we agree with.  Please note that while certain acts are not speech per se, they are a form of speech in that the display of them is used to convey a thought or idea in something other than words; from this point forward unless otherwise noted, when I say speech I am also speaking about these other forms of "speech" as well.  Free speech is for the things that someone else is saying that we find offensive, inappropriate, reprehensible and despicable.  Yes, even then such speech has a limit to which even the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has determined is beyond the pale of being free to express (inciting violence, causing a false panic).   There is however no limit because it makes you mad, upset, are offended by it.  What it is for is so that the people and groups who find themselves to be weak, the powerless, underrepresented can speak freely and openly in the hopes of starting a dialogue, to express their views, give notice of their concerns and to voice their conscience, when all around them are shouting them down and reviling them.

Do I like the way that Colin Kaepernick went about speaking his mind.  Not particularly, as I think he has the resources and the platform to better address his very legitimate and valid concerns about aspects of our society that we would think ought to not exist in modern times.  Sadly, they do exist.  Whether I like the method that he chose, and that many others have started to follow, is inconsequential, however, as this is how he has chosen to bring those disparities and inequalities to light.  I may find that his message is uncomfortable to me, but I totally not only respect his right to say what he wants to say, but would die for his right to say it.

Yes, you read that correctly.  I would die to protect his right to do that.  It is what my oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States required of me when I enlisted in the Army.  To uphold the laws of the US and the laws of my state and community are what I swore an oath to when I pinned on a badge and wore a gun as a police officer.  As a citizen of my nation, it is my civic duty to ensure that the liberties that I enjoy are also enjoyed by her other citizens so long as they are practiced responsibly.

Why do i find it uncomfortable, you ask, if I support the message.  Because it brings to light the fact that after all these centuries of civilization, and this great experiment in governance and the ideal of the American Melting Pot, that the ideal of all being created equally and having equal opportunity, we really don't.  Yes, it is true that for our first 80 some years as a nation, we had slavery, and those that were slaves were only to be considered 3/5ths as equal to the free person, or that women didn't have full and equal access to all benefits of nor duties of being a citizen until the early part of the 20th Century (common era).  The ideal was there, though.  We have edged closer to achieving it, at least in theory.  In practice, maybe not overtly, but still, as a society we do not consider all to be equal to us on the most basic of levels with the rights, privileges and duties as any and all other citizens of the nation and as a human, simply because of (enter your choice of any or all differences that are currently used to separate).

Further, I find it uncomfortable, because a profession I love and hold dear to my heart, is shown such disrespect and contempt because there are members of that profession who egregiously have misused or neglected their duties to hold not only others to these ideals of equality and fairness, but they themselves have displayed such vileness themselves.  And while it is wrong to generalize any group by the actions of some small number of its members, Law Enforcement is indeed viewed and given respect or revilement based in large part by the actions of those who bring about a negative light upon that group.

While I am focused solely upon the freedom of speech that is enumerated in the Constitution through the Bill of Rights, this applies to all of those liberties which are mine and all other citizens.

Thus ends the first part of this discussion.  Unless anyone has a point to make or a bone to contend, that is all I have for now.

On to the civics lesson.  This is brought to you by the extremists of the above "controversy".

Whether you call it hyper-, uber-, or ultra-nationalism, it is NOT patriotism.  At least not patriotism as it ought to be known in this country.  Patriotism is believing that your nation, even though she doesn't always get it right is trying to live up to the ideals for which she stands, and that you attempt to practice those ideals in how you represent yourself to the world at large, be it the neighbors, your local community or to someone from a foreign land here or abroad.  Patriotism IS NOT worshiping symbols that we use to represent the ideals of which are country represents.  It is not acting as a robot and automatically, unthinkingly rendering some customary gesture or face some form of punishment.  That is what is done in some totalitarian regime such as North Korea, where even the mere suggestion of non-compliance with patriotic "duty" can mean imprisonment or death.  These are not ideas, let alone ideals, with which the Founder's had in mind when they formed this nation.  They spoke openly about injustices and grievances about government and faced fines and imprisonment, loss of property and prestige at the whims of that government and her representatives.  They used words, written and in speeches to denounce that government and ultimately declare freedom from her.  Protest of grievance, calling attention to injustice, shedding light upon inequality are hallmarks of our nations, foundation.

It is not denigrating and deriding a person or group of people who are speaking up, and speaking out. Because you are uncomfortable doesn't mean you can shut them down and shut them out.  No, it requires you to fully examine your own thoughts and beliefs and the systems, policies or other causes that brought up their grievance to begin with.  Maybe we do find that their point is frivolous and self serving.  Maybe.  More likely though the reason we are uncomfortable with their claims is because there is truth to them, and we have failed to speak up.  There is truth that the only thing that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good people do nothing.  And we don't like to think that we personally have done nothing as evil, in the guise of injustice, inequality, or imbalance continues to work around us.

A few last comments, which are more opinion than anything, but I believe they are valid.  In a free society there are certain duties that we as citizens must take up to ensure that the freedoms remain.  We don't have too many of those in this modern day and age, but they are still there and must be recognized.  The first one is probably the one most familiar to everyone.  Jury duty.  Because we believe in the ideal that we are a classless society, we are all peers, and therefore we must be willing to sacrifice our time to perform this duty when we are called upon to do so.  The next one is voting.  And it is not just enough to go and make marks upon a ballot and say you have done your job.  No, it requires you to learn about issues and candidates and then vote in the way that you determine to be the most morally responsible not just for you, but for society as a whole and for the future of the nation and her coming generations of citizens.  Third, is acting to ensure the safety and peace of your community.  No, I am not taking about vigilante justice.  I am talking about speaking up and speaking out against those elements be they a single criminal actor or some group that demoralizes and terrorizes for their own benefit while negating the liberties of honest and otherwise law abiding citizens.  We do indeed have police who are trained to investigate, and report and if possible detain those who commit crimes.  But they cannot be effective when the people whom they are sworn to assist and protect will not render their own part of the process.  And finally, which is also most controversially a civic duty...we must be willing to defend those liberties of which we are so proud and would be the most loud should they be denied us.

Thank you for your time.

The Poet in Me

If I am going to call myself a Warrior Poet Philosopher King, then I ought to show that I do have some of that poet actually in me.  So the following is some of my potentially quotable philosophical moments and some of my attempts at poetry.  A few of you have probably seen a couple of these before, in one of their many versions or edits.  Fair warning, a couple are a tad salacious, so avert thine eyes if need be.

If you wish to debate any of the philosophical points, then by all means speak up.  As for my more prose than poetry poems, if it isn't constructive criticism, you can keep the laughter and derision to yourself.

So,...

Fluttering in the Breeze

So many pass, but I am not really seen, ubiquitous to the backdrop; blurred into the landscape of the everyday.  On occasion a few will gaze upon me for but a moment as I flutter in the breeze.  It is when I stir the hearts of a few, who look at me with pride and perhaps, a little sorrow.   A tear wells up in the corner of their eye, but it does not fall, and a salute, not rendered but still the suggestion of it is perceived as I flutter in the breeze.

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·      Life is like a dance. Sometimes it's slow and romantic, sometimes it's fast and sweaty, but so long as the music keeps playing we find a reason to keep going on.

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I Have Seen the Goddess
 
How blest must I be; A mere mortal Man
To have been given a glimpse
Of the most divine form of Creation
For you are not just a Woman, it is most plain to see
Behold, to all I do declare, "I have seen the Goddess!"
Your names are many, your attributes abound
Men's minds are unable to fathom
Such purity, such perfection in one whole sum
Your many personae range far and wide
The beauty you are astounds, amazes, awes
Passions aroused, emotions run rampant
You ARE the wonders of nature, its mysteries
And its secrets; simple yet vast and complex
Patroness of love, erotic dreams, lust and sensuality
Mistress of fertility, of creativity and youthful fervor
A giver of light by night and by day
The arbiter of success in the hunt, the field of fortune and romance
Make and keeper of honey, grain, fruit and flowers
Of the hearth-fire and the home
The ultimate creator through the miracle of birth
The Lover, the Mother, the Virgin, the temptress, the Healer,

Warrior, Sage, Keeper of Lore and Law
Desire for you is the Inspiration of man
It is all that you are that sends us out to create
Create the songs, statues, plays, paintings and poems
That are all to bear witness to your luminous essence
My mind is a-reel, I am lost in a storm
I am unable to conceive of the words i so wish to speak
As words lose their meaning when you are so near
Should I die this moment or an eternity from now
I shall have a smile on my lips and a song in my heart
For I know when I open my eyes on the far side of the veil
It is you whom I shall see upon my first glimpse of Heaven
I have seen the Goddess!

 

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When my mind wanders and my heart wonders, my soul soars. Dreams give us the spark to light up our lives.

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Reflections of a Mid-October Morn

 

Crisp describes the morning

As golden waves of sunshine splash

Through the leaves of the trees

The tall and stoic flora who have become artists

Painting their canvasses of green

With brilliant hues that call to the eye

In colors so warm they evoke images

Of the hearth fires burning brightly

Fires which all too soon must burn

Both through the night and by day

The trees they are a-signaling

The coming of the winter season

By soon discarding those bright warnings signs

To create a blanket for the earth below them

To protect her from the coming winter snows

 

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We are each a fire. We have the potential to be warm and inviting or we can be destructive and hurtful. How do you tend your flames?

 

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Put My Love Away

 

The time has come when I must my love for you away

Because it can be no more

The time has come when I must pick up the pieces and just keep going

Because that’s the way it must be

I have come to realize that what was, was

What is, is

And what could have been, only a dream

Still there are the memories of what we had

Of what we meant to each other at one point in our lives

I hope, that even though the time has come

When I must put my love for you away

That the memories and our friendship never fade.

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·        Your laugh is music, your smile sunshine, your kiss my sustenance, your eyes the drink.

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     A smile crept across my face, my heart picked up a quicker pace as a thought of you thru my mind did race.

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     That I covet thee is undeniable. I will suffer for my transgression, but willingly accept my fate. My heart aches for the moment that I get to have you fill my eyes with your image, my ears filled with your voice, your breath, your heartbeat; my nose with your scent; your skin on my fingertips; and your taste on my tongue.

 

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More than a Kiss

It started with a kiss and a whispered dare

Quickly passions built as skin became bare 

With fingers and lips, I searched, tickled, teased

In the hope that you would certainly be pleased

In you ear I did whisper ever so softly

Of the many ways that you so excite me

I felt you tremble as your neck was kissed

In my attempts to fulfill what you had wished

Lightly my fingers traced along your thigh

Moving them ever more slowly as I heard you sigh

Down your body my lips they did move

Relishing their touch with skin so sweet and smooth

As our desires rose, as if in the heat of the sun

My ecstasy grew in the love I had won 

Now in this moment as I lay next to you

I wonder where our next kiss will lead to

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·        Set your standards high, dream big, give your best...you can adjust down as needed and no one else can fault you. Adjusting up is harder than you think.

     In that same vein do not be too hard on yourself if you don't achieve the heights you seek...you still have done more in life than so many others just by expecting more and working towards it than the majority of your fellow beings.

 

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     The only fame one should truly seek is with those around them…anything else is inconsequential to true fulfillment in life.

 

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Destiny Station

 

On the day that I was conceived

A ticket to Destiny Station I received

My journey began when I was born

To follow a path that is well worn

Along the trail I did grow

But what awaited me, I did not know

These were the beginnings of my life

Filled with joy, happiness, sorrow and strife

As I traveled, I sometimes wondered when I’d arrive

There were even moments of doubt that I would survive

Finally one day I was at my destination

I had arrived as Destiny Station

Still I was unsure as to why I was here

Slowly that uncertainty turned into fear

A fear that I was here all alone

Without some way to find out the unknown

I wandered the halls around and around

Yet they seemed empty, no one to be found

Then out of nowhere you appeared

And all of my apprehensions cleared

For, as we met, and talked and grew together

I realized my fate and felt much better

The purpose of my trip had now become clear

To fall in love and live is why I had to come here

 

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             Live to Learn, Learn to Love, Love to Live.  Life is a circle, Keep it going ‘round.

 

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     So, the “bad” guy in the trailer for the movie “The Adjustment Bureau” says to the protagonist “We tried to reason with you,”  as regards to the woman the protagonist loves.  My question is, when does reason EVER overcome the craziness that is love?

 

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When I hear you say, "I'm not pretty," to yourself, it breaks my heart to hear, because you don't see the beauty in you that I do.  In my eyes the roses are red as they blush at being compared to you; the sun shines so brightly in an attempt to surpass the radiance you exude.  I am filled with joy at the music that is your voice, and with ecstasy when my name is in a verse of your song.

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This ends my contributions so far.  If you wish to add to any of my sayings that may have touched you or sparked an idea in you to my list, please feel free.  If you wish to use any of it, all I ask is that it is attributed to me.

Hope this may have brightened you day.  Or at least gave you a good laugh (I don't want to hear about those).

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