In The End (+2)

Life…

 forever promising more

Death

 —its own reward

(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)

I'm Tired

I’m tired of baiting

  and tired of hating

I’m tired of winning

  in a rained out inning

I’m tired of loving

  when love’s not returned

I’m tired of crying

  tears poisoned and spurned

I’m tired of reasons

  excuses for treason

I’m tired of answers

  to questions now censored

I’m tired of forgiving

  the past repeating again

But I’m most tired of wishing

  —as hope turns to pain

(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)

Reasons Mine To Keep

Do I reach for understanding

  or is knowing quite enough

Or deem then that important

  if the difference smooth or rough

Do I understand a mountain

  or the bear that lives within

Or just know that it belongs there

  and the mystery that it brings

Do I understand the Ocean

  or the waves that break so high

Or just hear its thunder crashing

  and not need to wonder why

Do I understand what time is

  its symbols and what they mean

Or understand a life laid down

  in battles unforeseen

Do I understand a memory

  or just smile whenever it calls

Or understand tomorrow

  when today my life befalls

Do I understand the anger

  or just control it when it barks

Or understand the danger

  sometimes lurking in the dark

Do I understand the words I write

  when the Muse shakes me from my sleep

Or understand the excuses loaned

   —the reasons mine to keep

(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)