Sunlight and Shadows

Finding poetry in star dust, sunbeams, and passing clouds

  • Stuck

    I hurt inside, I try to hide

    The pain in here – I can’t get near

    It seems to say, just go away

    And do not let your guard down yet

    I cannot tell quite how I fell

    Into this hole, this frozen role

    Or where it goes, or if one knows

    If I can see how to get free

    You say to me, you have the key

    And I reply, but what if I

    Can’t reach across the hurt and loss?

    The gulf of pain leaps up again

    Yet I step out through all the doubt

    And there you stand to take my hand

    And help me move to trust and love

    A lifeline rope of hard-fought hope

    ,

  • Embers

    The blazing sparks of friendship grow

    From kindled flame to warming glow

    People come and go in turn

    Flames start up then lower burn

    But always for that warmth will yearn

    Where blazing sparks of friendship grow

    Each piece of wood burns on its own

    Uniquely makes its nature known

    Slowly morph and meld until

    Flames unite the space to fill

    Though sharing heat and kindling, still

    Each piece of wood burns on its own

    At last the embers burning bright

    Spread solid heat into the night

    Differences unite to form

    Common goals, to light and warm

    A base to weather any storm

    Within the embers burning bright

    ,

  • Dragging Feet

    The road it looks so long and dark

    I hesitate each time I start

    I turn away and say I’m done

    Just leave the battle never won

    I look to find a different course

    And put the cart before the horse

    I think the road I have is wrong

    Surely mine is not so long

    If only I will just walk on

    Whether the road is dark or long

    Trust that I will find the way

    If only I work hard today

    Step out, move forward, stay on track

    Look for the future, don’t look back

    Believing I can walk this road

    Is half the battle, half the load

    ,

  • Resolve

    A tiny plant, so new, so young

    Up from an inert seed has sprung

    It bravely breaks through crusty earth

    Its place in life won’t change its worth

    In garden or dump its voice is heard

    “With two perfect leaves, I’ll change the world”

    A careless shoe, so old, so worn

    Treads in oblivion or scorn

    One step it takes to crush the sprout

    That so much time took to bring out

    To phony safety that plant was lured

    To naively try to change the world

    A broken plant, so strong, so wise

    From trampled soil yet will rise

    It stands up brave with hope anew

    Faith still in what one plant can do

    With resolve that cannot be deferred

    In one small way it has changed the world

    ,

  • Reaching

    I am reaching out to see

    If you are reaching out to me

    For though it’s hard, I really mean

    To be safe and to be seen

    I am peeling off the layers

    Hardened by snubs and shame and glares

    To let my eyes again have sight

    Though squinting, turn away from light

    The darkness beckons me, retreat

    Back to the cell of safe defeat

    But if I stand strong, I will see

    The light and love to set me free

    ,

  • Free

    Possibility is walking on fresh sand

    Running between rain and blue sky

    Letting each drop of life soak in

    Smiling as the moments pass by

    Possibility is dew-covered rose buds

    The pristine silence of a first snow

    Rapturous moments of an ocean sunrise

    Intertwining of light and shadow

    Possibility is embracing the unknown

    Learning to live in discovery

    Opening, connecting to other people

    Possibility is permission to be free

    ,