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
Just for today, I will be the someone who makes me happy. -gws
A poem for my father
If I speak to the river, will it hear me? If I listen to the river, will I hear you? Do you now know why the sockeye fight so hard? Do you run free against the current with them? Have they shown you what home feels like? Perhaps you already knew The river always speaking to your soul Ever willing to sweep away your demons I wonder what your favorite river is I wonder how beautiful your heaven must be I hope that your traumas from this life are Faded and indistinct in their mark upon you I hope you smile as you enjoy your river I hope the river whispers reminders of your Worthiness and reminds you that you are Deeply loved and deeply missed in this world Thank you for leaving your poetry Your appreciation of nature and rivers And your love of the beauty in the world So that I can know a little of your spirit -gws
A poem for my paternal aunt
You were a fairy tale A daydream A character in a bedtime story You were the fairy godmother in the mythology of my creation The accessible connection to the family I wanted to know And like a fairy tale You materialized into my life on a an ordinary day Bringing stories, love, and family I never expected to experience I could not imagine that my heart could hold all that you brought with you And yet it does As you fill in the blank pages of my storybook With the missing magic words that make me a whole person -gws
Words Wishes and Wisdom 