Birds

Birds

Relatively few people notice
the migration of birds in temperate climates
however, on a still morning the chirping
will sometime rise above the metered
ticking of a hanging wall clock
the white noise of traffic
swirling up asphalt thoroughfares
rolling up hillsides
through parched canyons
travelling from comfort of a warm bed
to the duty of concrete buildings
where bodies
and minds
and souls
minimize contact while speaking to machines
bustle along fabricated pathways
fulfill agreed upon responsibilities
staying in motion
counterclockwise
and then, maybe in the silence between two breaths
a breeze, as innocent as a child's hand
caresses a wind chime
its muffled song an unexpected conversation
that one hears between children
who smile
and run
and jump
and flutter from swings
to slides
to branches
where they briefly sit
and belt out a song
against the grey of a spring morning

Conversation

Sometimes I find myself lost in conversation as though anyone actually cares what I have to say. It is quite ridiculous, I know. Yet, the words just move from brain to lips and fly into the air for no reason other than to dissipate like diluted poison in a room full of clutter. 

Travel

Let us never forget that we are all born from the deep-rooted desire for travel. Never let us condemn those who follow their instinct for discovery and exploration. Never let us destroy the spirit of those who embrace the act of putting one foot in front of the other.

Art

It could be argued that the arts are an essential component to our humanity; therefore, removing the arts from our schools is an act of dehumanizing our children and ultimately anesthetize mg our society. If we view it this way, then we must ask ourselves who is systematically doing this, and to what end. The next step is to recognize and remove those people from positions of power, and replace them with individuals who care more about cultivating humanity than destroying the world for monetary profit. 

Suicide note 5

I think I can say with confidence that I am not a good father or husband. I am a disappointment. My wife stays by my side because she took a vow, and my kids stay by my side because they do not know any better. They would all be better without me. Then I would stop holding them back. 

The riotous mass

The Riotous Mass

The riotous mass of bone

And hair 

And flesh concealed behind masks

Collectively heave-ho the indescribable

The unmentionable

Agony of memory near 

And far

Into the air

But that twisted face of barbarism

Does nothing more than allow itself 

To be flung into the air

And hang ever so patiently

Quietly

Like fresh bedsheets on the line

During a spring afternoon

Until it is taken down and passed to 

Another generation 

To be draped under the weight

Yet again. 

Suicide Note 4

I am sorry that I couldn't be the father you wanted for your children. I am sorry that I was so ridiculous whenever I took them to softball practice, to baseball practice, to soccer practice, to their games, to the doctor, and to therapy. I apologize from the bottom of my heart for ever taking our precious little angels to school, and heaven forbid, I actually picked them up and did homework with them. I am sure I must have completely destroyed every ounce happiness each time I went outside to play basketball or catch. It must have been terrible of me to sit through a church basketball league when I clearly almost vomited each time I walked into that unholiest of buildings, and alas, I was constantly struck by lightening for being such a non-believer. And in front of the kids nonetheless.
So again, I offer my sincerest apologies, but that will no longer be of any consequence to you or the children, as I will be gone. I did finish the laundry, but won't be able to make dinner tonight. There are left-overs in the refrigerator.
Love,
M