Camouflage

On day 2 of national writing month, we are asked to write a "disguise" poem...my effort:

Camouflage

In his daily search
for calm, peace, ease,
even happiness,
(though he knows that to be a false goal),
he disguises himself as a poet,
a spinner of yarns,
a writer of maybe’s,
a frail human with hopes.
He’s been called charming,
yet he knows anyone
can seem like that
for short public stretches.
Some people think he’s witty,
but he knows
that just comes from good reading.
A few friends know him as kind,
and that one he accepts as true,
failing sometimes in the attempt,
but always trying.
Forgetting the frequent façade,
he simply does his daily work,
lives his life,
tries to give good to the world.
Oh, and he keeps in touch.
People know that he’s keeping it a hundred.
His friends like that.

My 50-year Anniversary Date

I believe
I don't believe you
when you end your thoughts
with believe me.

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Being happy is a choice.
Being unhappy is a choice.
So choose.

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Sometimes
a walk is just a walk.
I don't have to
be going somewhere.

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Even when I am enthused,
my legs don't always
allow me movement.

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Most of us crave
a certain peace,
filled with
benevolent forgiveness.

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Be still and know.
You are wonderful.
Be still and know.
You are just fine.

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I'm weary, but
today I'll think love,
today I'll think joy.
Because peace.

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Revealing
my doubts and fears
allows a scab to form,
begins healing.

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Those who ignore the past
have a date soon
with the la Brea tar pits.

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Taking care of myself.
It's the best thing I can do
to help others.

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I am guilty
of not doing enough,
but I've forgiven myself.

It's the Parks' Anniversary

I believe
I don't believe you
when you end your thoughts
with believe me.

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Be still and know
you are wonderful.
Be still and know
you are just fine.

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I'm weary, but
today I'll think love,
today I'll think joy.
Because peace.

And More October

If it happens anywhere,
it happens everywhere.
Stay mindful.

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Between who I was
and who I am becoming,
ah, there the work lies.

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What good is there
for me to do?
Those words a nice start
to each morning.

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Having become
an old man,
I do hope I am
living my purpose.

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Be still and know
you are wonderful.
Be still and know
you are just fine.

The Ides of October

At our reunion,
I saw myself as a child.
I am still that child.

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Is it possible
that we chose our parents?
Sometimes I think so.

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I don't always
cross bridges
with joy and ease;
still a work in progress.

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It takes guts
to reveal your hopes
and fears
to those you know
(and don't).

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I am thrilled by
my friends' good fortune.
I enjoy seeing their success.

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There is a time
to do something,
and then
there is a time
to move on.

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I am, of course,
now interested
in how we live
our later years.

A few More...

Outside change is nice,
but inside change might be a 
better starting place.

Ninety seven days
remain, and then we will gain
a new syllable.

I can't!
It's impossible!
It'll never happen!
Oh, look, I'm done

And so forth...

When I’m stressed,
I wake to “oh God, another day.”
When at ease, same thought

The way out is in.
I try to cleanse the messes 
in my cluttered mind.

When I’m angry,
I think,
it’s only a thought,
and a thought can be changed.

The dying are still living. 
Dying is not dead.
Stay steadfast and true.

Not the reason I do so,
yet the more that I give,
the more I get.

Outside change is nice,
but inside change might be a 
better starting place.

Lightworkers are sacred.
They offered, before birth,
to save the planet.