"Walking at night..."

I like to walk, and never seem to do enough of it since I moved to Virginia. Now that I live in a neighborhood, it'll be great to go on walks and such in the lovely summer evenings when I finally get home. When I was a teenager, I used to go on walks almost every night. By myself, with my sisters, or with one of the younger kids in the stroller. Those walks were something I couldn't live without. They provided a sense of freedom that I couldn't find anywhere else; our home was so controlled, so protected by my mother, that it seemed as though we had to ask permission to breathe. When I would take those walks, I could talk to my sisters about anything, without worrying about being overheard, or judged. I could let my mind wander or not think about anything in particular without being told that I was not putting my time to good use. Mom considered these walks of ours a rather harmless indulgence, and would frequently allow it; little did she know that it was the only chance for sanity that was afforded us at times. On nights when I knew she'd say no, I'd sneak out oh so quietly and walk as quickly as I could, just one time, around the block, for even those few minutes were too precious to relinquish...

Just Live

(written July 12, 2004- Pensacola, FL)

I found out what it was like to live
I found out where hapiness hides
I now know what to take, to give
And where patient time abides

A smile a laugh from you to me
Is what keeps the river flowing
Just open your eyes and you will see
What it takes to keep on going

Sorrow is only passing sad
It comes and goes in storm
YOU decide how terribly bad
And then rise up in the morn

Sadness can be underlying
But happiness has it's place
No matter how often you think you're dying
Between the two it's just a race

A race to see which holds out most
And both seem great in turn
When one dominates the other's a ghost
Our hearts with raging fires burn

So live just LIVE!!!
Just learn and grow
Go on forget the madness
Take all in stride
And soon you'll know
No difference betwixt joy and sadness

The Roof

The rumble, the roar
Sounds men of ages
Have never heard before
Cats that steam, and birds that scream
And skittles helter-skelter.

Response of sorts

I read it, and read it again
And still it fills me with such
Great sadness.
And with the last line, I too-
I wonder. Where is she?
She's alone
But not lonely
Well, not all the time.
And my goodness.
I thought she was strong
But what is this gooeyness
You mention?
I do not like gooey.
And she- she shies away
From it.
And from those lines as well.
You're right my dear...
Where did she go?
Or did she ever leave?
Really.

Her name means worthy of being loved...

I hope it does you good.
Finally you took a step forward
Timorous, and tearful
But you did it.
Sure there was coaxing involved
And maybe some harsh words
But love, and faith
And oh so much hope-
All of those were involved too
And here you are!
A new beginning in a new day
And a whole new life...
Why?
Because you had the courage
To move
To be strong!

Apology....

I said I'd write
That very night
But did I? No-
Forgotten.

The lines did flow
That time ago
But they, unwrit
Remained.

So I idly sit
With eyebrows knit
But that day's theme
Departed.

Thus now I scheme
With thoughts that teem
For you, to write,
Sweet Kate.

My sisters.

Blue eyes, brown hair
O how I miss you dear!
Sweet laugh, silliness
O how I wish you were here.
The memories, and all the fun
Bonfires, long walks too,
Down by the river and up on the hill
And all our jokes both old and new