markmurphywrites.com
Winter break has come to an end
The morning rush inside the house
Shuffling bags and papers and lunches
How did we ever get into the car on time?
Traffic converges on helpless schools
Parents jockeying for the perfect drop off spot
And in a flurry of byes and I love you’s
Winter break has come to an end
We all take risks in life
Our first step, our first bike
The chase of something bigger
We all fell, we all failed
Most of us took more risks
Our first love, our first sip
The need to feel something more
We got burned, we got bored
Some of us stopped taking risks
Our safe job, our safe house
The thought of being stable
We were content, we were conformed
Few of us recalculated the risk
Our dream life, our dream land
The purpose realized and sought
We fought, we found
What do I want for Christmas?
my children gather ’round to ask.
Come closer and I’ll tell you,
putting the little one on my lap.
My son guesses a pocket knife,
all those boxes to open and fold.
My daughter guesses aftershave,
so I don’t smell quite so old.
Those gifts are all nice, I say,
and maybe some dark chocolate, too!
But all I ever really want for Christmas,
are hugs and handmade cards from you.
Stuck in the house again,
Where else could I go?
I can see the mountains from here,
But they have a dusting of snow.
Locked in the house again,
Where else could I go?
I see a creek and two trails,
Just beyond the back window.
Trapped in the house again,
Where else could I go?
I watch the cars fly by,
Heading to dinner or a show?
Caged in the house again,
Where else could I go?
I’m mired in a sprawling city,
What to do? I don’t know.
They stretch and they run and they test their worth,
These mighty beasts of the sod and the turf.
They jog in and they sprint out of the tunnel to cheers,
An anthem is sung, people pick up their beers.
It’s time for the dance of the giants up front,
While the little ones scurry on their way.
A dashing move here, a crash and a crunch,
Balls carried, thrown, and kicked for play.
The roars once so loud, they fade in no time,
There’s praying and hugging and cries.
It’s all over now, the crowds push to get out,
Our heroes walk off with the prize.
Gently set fresh paper
between each margin stop.
Crank over cylinder knob,
wait for bail bar to drop.
Hand on carriage return,
align guide pointer at top.
Fingers poised on keys,
Striker swings up with a pop!
We were merely kids,
when they gave us jets to fly.
Some battled academics,
can’t hide behind a lie.
Then up in the air,
instructors yelling yes and no.
A few short weeks later,
Proving we can fly solo.
We were merely kids,
but they gave us jets to fly!
Some battled alcohol,
stress of advancement so high.
Time for bigger jets,
but no extra time to learn.
Eat, breathe, fly, and sleep,
we have silver wings to earn.
We were merely kids,
and they gave us jets to fly.
Some battled ego,
gods dancing across the sky.
Time for graduation,
what assignments will we get?
Off to battle in combat,
are we ready for it yet?
I plead with my mind to type something.
Anything.
Any little thought,
No matter how big or small,
Which might spark something bigger.
I feel my chest tightening,
Pressure building in my head.
Why can’t I type?
Why can’t I think?
I reach for a pack of cigarettes,
But the hollow crinkling of cellophane
Speaks of what I already know.
I shouldn’t have quit yesterday,
Or the day before that.
Dawn will break soon.
Do I have faith in a greater good,
something bigger than myself?
Is it found in hope for community,
found in giving to someone else?
What do I love, where did my time go,
am I preaching without walking?
Let me sit with you, tell me your story,
Love is much more than talking.
Sunrise in the east
Purple mountain majesty
The pink slowly fades