Your birthday has arrived again An honored remembrance of the day When your spirit debuted into the world In a sacred vessel made of water and earth A joyous day, indeed Your value is beyond measure Your insight has no equal You cast no shadow upon the ground For you are a source of light Full of humor and mischief Love and compassion There is no one else like you And let it be known how honored I am To call you, Friend -gws
I am right where I need to be, doing exactly what I need to be doing in the time that needs to be taken. The future doesn't stress or worry me. The next, right step does, so I will take my time, and place my feet carefully. I will make decisions studiously. I will trust myself and my Higher Power to push me toward the things that need to be done in the necessary time. -gws
I speak with the wild wood whenever I visit its sacred canopy I speak with the wind as it dances through leaves, laughing in whispering movement I speak with the soft soil with its carpet of moss, needles, and dry leaves that soften my step I speak with the fluttering butterfly and the gliding hawk about the feel of the air beneath their wings I speak with the buzzing bee and the chirping cricket about hot summer days I speak with the crows about the enticement of shiny things I speak with the water about its affair with the moon I speak with the wildflower about its affair with the sun I speak with the stars about histories long forgotten by all but them I speak with the sapling about life returned, anew I speak with Nature about the wonder of her world I speak with the Universe about the wonderment in all things -gws
Knowing how to navigate life while feeling overwhelmed is the hardest. Being in the "here and now," in the breath, with the heartbeat and the space between them is enough. This awareness creates a space where I can remember that I am safe and ok right now, and that knowledge keeps me calm and tethered in life's storms. -gws
I choose to approach the world with curiosity instead of cynicism. Open-mindedness leaves room for expansive thinking and more positive-feeling experiences. -gws
It feels so good to be seen To be treated as valuable To be appreciated It is nice to sit in the warmth of that familiar, afternoon sunshine To laugh To speak To be heard by an open heart To be cared about Even if it is just for a breath For in that breath is all the oxygen I need to keep going a little longer -gws
Come, thee, to the sweet waters, Child Come, let Her waters wash over thee Come, let them cleanse thy soul Let the sweet waters renew and restore thee Come, thee, to the sweet waters, Child Come, release thy sorrowful tears to Her Come, let the waters soothe the scars on your skin Let the sweet waters bare away thy hurt and pain Come, thee, to the sweet waters, Child Come, cool thy weary feet at Her banks Come, drink from Her cold springs Let the sweet waters refresh and rejuvenate thy body and spirit Come, thee, to the sweet waters, Child Come, lay down thy burdens in Her currents Come, relinquish thy distresses to Her care Let the sweet waters carry away thy worries to leave thee only peace -gws
I am a shorted circuit Blown out and useless Pushed beyond my capacity to function Unable to manifest an ounce of energy Burnt ozone the only proof That I blazed bright Before I met my limit And succumbed completely To my efforts to keep the lights on Forever numb -gws
I am drawn by the fire I talk to the wind I heal in sweet waters With Earth I am kin -gws
How do I turn down the pain?
How do I stop the loop that repeatedly plays your violent words that pierced my soul?
How do we recover from the bomb you threw at our feet so you could feel…
Better?
Superior?
Right?
I bled out from the wounds you gave me.
I died in front of you, and you didn’t even notice.
Worse, you didn’t care.
I have returned as a ghost, broken and haunted by unfinished business.
You try to act as if you genuinely care, but your concern is just damage control for your guilt.
Your guilt will eventually fade, and your resentments will return.
But I am already gone.
-gws
