Gaining ones independence 
whether from tyranny 
outside limiting freedoms 
or from tyranny 
inside limiting expression 
is an age 
old struggle not 
limited to humans 
for even animals 
shed themselves of
things no longer 
deemed necessary horns
cocoons skin domestication 
I suggest that 
we take examples 
from animal brethren 
when we determine 
whether to remain 
or remove and
move forward anew
at the highest 
price of uncertainty 

So this is 
peace this absence 
of uncertainty this 
quiet comfort and 
this lack and 
this absolute emptiness 
and this clarity 
where everything is 
as it is 
a certain distance 
but not indifferent 
just not invested 
or involved a
summer day a
spring shower a
shooting star a
winter snow all
wrapped into one 

There is
a silver 
lining to
every single 
cloud but
you frequently 
have to 
stand in
the middle 
of the 
storm to 
see it

Early morning peace
basks in dawn 
far off peaks
softly blush crimson 
snow reflecting sky
like bicycle reflectors 
hovering just above 
a white band
bleeds into blue 
like delicate watercolors
waiting to dry
this sky changing 
slipping off its 
evening gown into 
dowdy daily wear 

I spy upon
a potpourri a
hodgepodge of new 
juxtaposed against ancient 
the student and 
teacher of city
and of mountains 
two separate empires 
one of earth
and one of 
dreams both though
stretching to sky
one promises though 
to remain there 
long before and
long after the 
other is gone