No life is free of regrets.
To strive for that’s unrealistic,
But there are two types —
For the things we tried
That failed,
And the faded dreams
We merely kept.

Happy Days
In twilight years —
Like sunset
The final stretch
Passes by
Way too fast.

Moments bright
On cloudy days,
Sunlight playing
Hide and seek —
Peeking through
Curtains dark
With warmth and a smile.

Milk machines,
That's what we have become —
Juggling numbers,
Balancing ledgers,
Cutting throats and corners
To optimize our spending power.
It is now survival 101.

Gently, gently,
Taking on
The unforeseen
Long way back –
Baby steps.

Conflict wakes
The inner stranger —
Almost every resolution
Starts with letting go of anger.

Trouble is a wave,
Happiness no constant —
Yet, either are reflections
Of how well we deal
With change.

Necessities
Ebbing —
Nothing that
Needs to be
Compares to
Blessed rest
Past trifle.

Discomfort speaks,
Yet, thoughts scream louder,
Drowning out the monologue —
How could I soothe your conscious
When you won't pause
To hear me out.

Lifeless rooms, musty air —
This is where we lived our days.
Were this ever happiness,
It’s nothing without me.

Reminisce —
Paper, ink, frozen time,
Memories from days long gone
Awakening a part of me
I've not known for way too long.

So much remains the same,
Yet, everything has changed —
Shadows break away
From shifting light.

Eyes that speak
What words ain't saying,
Underhanded conversations —
How dumb do you think I am?

Come heartbreak,
Come clarity —
You don't get to
Treat me that way
No more.

Happiness
Within reach,
But advertised at
Too high a price?
Oh, honey,
Don't stress —
It is but money.

Empty goals —
Gold, silver, bronze.
It's often not even
About the finish line.

How I love
To watch you saunter,
Hips a-swaying
Through the house —
My happy grin
And hungry eyes
Always follow you around.

Specks of light
In skies all black —
It's not the dark
That catches our eyes.

Love in all the little things,
The gears moving our everyday.
Love in every look and smile
Sent my way —
You, my love, are happiness.

Waving flags
On neutral ground —
Hot air support,
All bark, no bite.
Cowards have
The loudest mouths.
Yell and hide —
All bark, no bite.