Wisdom Comes

Our wisdom comes 

from open minds, 

open hearts and 

open eyes. 

Those who claim 

to know it all 

have so much more 

to learn.

Caracas

Our lives remain a circle 

instead of a straight line, 

instead of moving forward 

we remain stuck in time 

in a place no one wants,

in a place no one needs, 

created by those 

who have the means to succeed.

Umbrella

If you are in a storm, 

let the rain fall as it may, 

and know that a rainbow 

awaits you once the clouds 

float away.

Toxicity

If we do not heal our wounds, 

we will bleed onto those who did not hurt us. 

This saying affects me in ways I did not expect. 

The expectation is the hardest part. 

What it means to be a man. 

Teach me, again, what it means to be a man? 

Who taught you? And who taught them? 

Each meaningless milestone 

is wrought with our creation, 

worthless expectations that are unrealistic. 

It's almost sadistic how we push them onto others and ourselves. 

A toughness that evolves 

only based on fear. 

We wouldn't need toughness 

if there was nothing to fear. 

Why can't we create 

a kindness that permeates 

and settles even the saddest souls? 

And why do we call them wounds 

when it's more like a cancer? 

Infecting generations one after another. 

We are not born equipped to fend off these attacks. 

But we cannot carry on these sins of the past. 

We owe it to ourselves 

to sow and mend ourselves back together. 

Because if we do not heal our wounds, 

we will bleed onto those who did not hurt us, 

forever.

North Star

We can’t mourn 

before we’re asked 

to mourn again. 

We can’t grieve 

before we have to believe 

it’s happened again. 

It's happened again.

We can’t catch our breaths 

before the deaths 

accumulate. 

It’s far too late.

And all the while 

some carry on and smile 

in some acceptance
of the norm.

We can’t live 

our lives worrying, 

I’m told. 

But when we will grasp 

that our inability for empathy 

holds us back 

from being the very kind of people 

our children lack.

It's happened again.

Compassion is the compass 

that will guide us to a place not far 

if we’re brave enough 

to hold compassion 

behind our teeth 

and in our hearts.