I am shedding friends 
both new and old 
like a hiker who 
overdressed having at first 
protected himself but now 
as his journey continues 
realizes less is better 
having more of anything 
never lightens any journey 
to the mountain top
I go as naked 
as I can be 

I wish
I had
just one 
but that
one has 
eluded me 
so rather 
it’s me
just me 
always me
and this 
is what 
I get 
I suppose 
for being 
me differently 
than others 

I love a mouse 
he arrived when my
life was dark holding 
a match which ignited 
one small dark corner 
come here giant he
squeaked close to the 
light so I went 
and we sat there 
this mouse and I 
we talked about adventures 
and journeys about sadness 
and oh about life 
there really isn’t much 
different about that mouse
and me for darkness 
is darkness for all 
and light is light 

Contrary to most 
love takes one 
for without love 
of oneself love 
for others is 
impossible this made
up holiday isn’t 
just for others 
anymore but it
is for you 
love you for 
all you are
for all that 
you are not 
love you for 
always and forever 

Much like a brook
I have often fallen 
no rather I tripped 
over rocks past crevices 
and around the bend
gaining speed each time 
until I became torrential 
moving things unmovable before 
causing rather than keeping 
letting things go discarded 
until I finally reached 
the estuary where I 
met something even mightier 
and it told me 
let things be themselves 
for you are free
whereas they are not 
they are meant to 
be where they’re found