When you tune
Out the noise
Of life when
You stop listening
Even to yourself
And wander into
A forest you
Will hear the
Cackling and calling
Of birds one
To the other
While unseen you
Know they’re there
Just like angels
Singing the sweet
Melodies of heaven
And once again
It’s my turn
I’ve been up
To bat before
Either stepped out
Of the box
Swung and missed
Or got beaned
Today I grab
My bat confidently
Knowing that inside
Me is a
Home run if
Only I could
Meet a baseball
That understands me
You are a
Birthday present that
I discovered nestled
In a closet
Surprised and tempted
I don’t take
But simply touch
And wonder what
Wonderful gift sits
Inside daily I
Peer in knowing
That one day
Soon I will
Unwrap you having
You then forever
More as mine
Oh in love
I’m a child
On his first
Bike all wobbly
Steadied by another
Eventually pushed glide
For a bit
Then fall skinning
Hearts and elbows
I try again
Remembering the feeling
Of flying and
Fall many times
Eventually I will
Ride with freedom
Protecting my elbows
And my heart
My dear boy
Your heart is
Breaking by loss
Everything begins and
Everything ends we
Often don’t splash
In the puddle
Of life thinking
That rain comes
But when it
Doesn’t and life
Dries up we
Cry grieve now
Knowing that love
Will fill your
Puddle and once
Again soon you’ll
Splash being silly
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 