"In the end, you cannot save what does not want to be saved."
"When the pain is greater than the fear, you will know what to do."
Every time your resentments flow like tidal waves I drown in a truth that is brighter than the sun You didn’t want this life You didn’t want me
You thought by choosing me you were… ...making right on the injuries you inflicted ...picking the girl who would be steady and sure ...thumbing your nose at your conservative parents ...proving something to your sisters ...doing what was expected of you by your family and society ...doing what you expected of yourself
You might have loved me once But you don’t know how to love yourself And unless you can love yourself You cannot love anyone else And we all suffer You Me The kids In trying to manifest some imagined expectation you believe the world burdened you with You have doomed us to a hollow, lonely existence
In the darkest moments, I sometimes wish you had never come back After you walked away all those years ago I sometimes think the man I fell in love with never returned You went out for bread and just never came back Only your demons returned wearing your face
Time has not been kind to us Nor has it bred kindness in us Though I think I really tried But the steel in your eye and the edge in your voice As you lay down my assigned crimes in a quiet growl Eviscerates me over and over for The crimes of a world that doesn't adhere to your desires
It hurts to love you And I don’t know if I have it in me to continue to try I am drinking sand in the desert for lack of water And I am withering inside So just admit that I am not what you wanted I am what you thought you should have A requirement on the test of Life That allowed you to check the box of successful adulthood
"Hurt people, hurt people," I've heard it said You are a drowning man who is blindly flailing Endangering or scaring off those who might help I accept your life's injury and pain But I do not accept responsibility for it And I cannot continue to endure your wrath to heal you
"In the end, you cannot save what does not want to be saved."
"When the pain is greater than the fear, you will know what to do."
Do you see me?
I’m here!
Over here!
Please look my way.
Right now, if you will.
I need to be seen.
Am I loud enough?
Am I bouncy enough?
Am I doing enough to draw you into me?
I need to be reminded I am important to someone.
To you.
Right now.
My inner child is screaming for recognition.
Just acknowledge me and I promise I will relax.
That feels good.
Thank you.
Wait.
How about a little more?
Wait, don’t go back to what you were doing.
I still crave your attention.
I still am desperate for validation.
I still need.
I still need.
I still need…
-gws
Yesterday I saw a friend for the first time in a long time. Although it hadn't been terribly long, a lot of life happened for both of us since I last saw them. We hugged each other fiercely, as if quenching a long neglected thirst. The power of the moment, the energy and emotion that flew across the room and into my unknowingly needful arms was surprisingly welcome. Everything stopped for a few heartbeats as we existed in the silent contentment of a deeply longed for and comforting embrace. They are kindred. Family. Precious to me in ways I have no need to explain. Being with them is like sipping sweet water for my soul. Time together is always precious and seems never long enough. I look forward to the next visit together.
-gws
Please excuse the mess
This house is under construction
Held together by scotch tape and string
The foundation is rotten and weak
And there are bats in the attack
Making a terrible mess of things
At least the curtains are nice
-gws
My hummingbird visited me today
She was excited to remind me how she told me that everything would be okay
Her last visit was to remind me that the Goddess had not turned from me
This visit was to celebrate good news finally come
How blessed I am to be able to converse with messengers of the Divine
How lucky I am to recognize them
I will miss her as her home is here, and now my home will be elsewhere
She and her family have been such wonderful neighbors and delightful friends
I will miss watching them play amongst the branches of the front trees
Now they will have new friends to meet
May they be good and gentle ones
I love you, tiny, shiny friend
Thank you for your friendship
Thank you for your work as a messenger
May your life be full of bright flowers and sweet nectar
Warm sunshine and gentle breezes
And when you one day return to our Mother
May Her garden be the temple of respite you so deserve
-gws
I met him at a crossroad
He was a simple man
Humble and plain
A working man
His hands were calloused
His beard untamed
When he spoke he used simple words
But his concepts were anything but
His truths were delivered through deeply contemplated stories
And from unfathomable wells of experience
I found myself excitedly anticipating his next fragment of wisdom
I wanted to string them into a necklace I could carry with me
And reflect upon
He didn't think himself wise but he was
He couldn't see himself the way I could
He couldn't hear how his unassuming words danced and sang
like the music of windchimes
A masterpiece created in the moment
Rare and beautiful
And so briefly born into the world
That if you didn't pay attention you would miss it all
Whenever I visited those crossroads I looked for him
And when he was there I'd sit at his feet and just listen
Letting his stories and experience wash over me and fill my cup
With his own unique brew to wake up my soul
Awakening a new perspective on my own experiences
And I took it all in with more gratitude than he'd ever know
-gws
I love you. Go upon your journey with that love as company in your heart. We have grown, and our paths have diverged. We didn't see it. We didn't plan it, but it happened at some point, between breaths, when neither of us were paying attention. We no longer see the world the same way. Time and personal experiences have distanced our paths. There was a fork in our road, and without knowing it, we, each, chose a different direction. By the time we looked back to realize we were no longer side by side, we had walked too far to double back to find each other again. We could only gaze across the distance, confused, and with quietly breaking hearts, wave goodbye and continue forward with a dull ache in our breasts.
I want you to know that I gathered up my love for you, and placed it in a space of honor on my heart's alter. We may no longer be close friends, but I never stopped loving you. I will never stop loving you. Your role in my life is undeniable, and I cherish it. I wish you all the happiness and love you can ever want. I pray life is kind to you. Whether or not not you feel the same toward me, or if I have faded quietly from your mind, may my love for you be stamped deep upon your heart. I hope it fills your cup whenever you need it, as memories of you fill mine. Above all, know I love you still.
May the moss soften your steps.
May the rain quench your thirst.
May the sun shine its warmth upon you.
May your table always have plenty.
May you know as much joy as you desire.
May you receive as much love as you share.
May your life be rich in blessings and richer with joy.
-gws
Words Wishes and Wisdom 