a few more seventeen's

I have been given so much,

and now I am called

to share my blessings.

I am enjoying

my human experience.

It’s a perfect fit.

I love real people,

especially the odd ones,

a little off.

Everyone I meet is a teacher,

sometimes for better,

others worse.

When I'm searching 

for happiness,

first I seek

a little gratitude.

Please be generous with me.

 I am imperfect.

But I am trying.

I try hard
to make great decisions.
I try harder
to be a good man.

I’ve been thinking about

my fellow Marines.

All gave some.

Some gave all.

more seventeen syllables...

Aiming to be calm, mindful,

as the world’s  begging me to

lose my cool

Hoping I can find

more understanding,

more compassion

to offer.

When my dreams are

more vivid than reality,

I forget to act.

Please be generous with me.

 I am imperfect.

But I am trying.

I love real people,

especially the odd ones,

a little off.

Everyone I meet is a teacher,

sometimes for better,

others worse.

I sometimes write

long poems because

It takes too long

To write shorter ones.

Thanks, reader, for taking

a break from The News

and enjoying yourself.

We’re born for these times,

and I am willing to do

whatever it takes.

I’m doing okay

accepting others,

less so forgiving myself.

I just heard an old

Western adage:

When your horse is dead,

get off it.

Fourteen Words for Love

14 Words for Love

All you need is love.

Maybe a chocolate malt, too.

Oh, and some wi-fi.

Nearly half

a century together,

and I still love you

even more each day.

I pray for peace,

and for calm.

You remain the answer

to my prayers.

Imperfect as I am,

I still work daily

to be worthy

of your love.

Oh for young love again,

when I so needed

the lessons of old age.

The simplest meal,

If it’s prepared with love,

becomes a work of art.

Cherishing you is the source of

my happiness and good fortune.

Daily problems vanish.

We must have loved before,

in another time, place, existence.

How else explain it?

If love is a lottery,

I’m so glad

You took a chance on me.

I stare in the dark,

while you sleep,

amazed at how

lucky I am.

I have a secret.

I’m in love with

my best friend.

Think she knows?

Holding your love close,

not wanting it to fade,

like a perfect Spring day.

There’s a time for

passionate love,

also one for

becoming quiet.

Both are sweet.

It is only when

I forget my needs

that I can begin

to love.

It’s pure and kind

and free and unlimited,

given without needs.

It’s unconditional.

Love!

More Seventeen Syllables for 2017

Aiming to be calm, mindful,

as the world’s  begging me to

lose my cool

Hoping I can find

more understanding,

more compassion

to offer.

Please be generous with me.

 I am imperfect.

But I am trying.

I love real people,

especially the odd ones,

a little off.

Everyone I meet is a teacher,

sometimes for better,

others worse.

When my dreams are

more vivid than reality,

I forget to act.

I sometimes write

long poems because

It takes too long

To write shorter ones.

I’m doing okay

accepting others,

less so forgiving myself.

I just heard an old

Western adage:

When your horse is dead,

get off it.

I have been given so much,

and now I am called

to share my blessings.

I am enjoying

my human experience.

It’s a perfect fit.

I see you,

I love you,

and I support you

in your magnificence.

We’re born for these times,

and I am willing to do

whatever it takes.

Thanks, reader, for taking

a break from The News

and enjoying yourself.

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Transformation,

Joy.