“Salty Lunch”

let me describe part of yesterday to you

Katie at the sink doing dishes
Scott in the living room holding Ariel
Carolyn in her room
and me at the kitchen table eating some lunch and crying

the only thing holding me back
from writing that poetry
are the comments being made
how I should only speak positive

if you only knew I had a calling
to write the rawness of what’s real
but then again
would you believe me?

so to not write would be listening
to man
and to write
would be listening to God

but then I have moments of doubt
of course
because part of my listening seems “off”
since I’m so sad

how do you lie through a life
saying everything’s okay
when inside most of the time
you’re on the verge of tears

how many people lose their life
and those around them ‘didn’t see it coming’
when asked how they were doing
did they simply “i’m fine”?

if honesty is so healing
why do people say to hide it?

when I write I release
and walk away lighter
stronger
with a clearer mind

when I don’t write
I seem to lose the battle
until I write

a wife without a husband
a mom without a child
a silence without laughter
are only memories and imaginations

“Backstage”

[written 10/17/16]

there aren’t many people
who’d beat their spouse
in front of company

there aren’t many bullies
who’d pick on kids
in front of teachers

there aren’t many parents
who’d toss their kids
in public

yet so many times
people trust
a smile
an attitude
a picture

when behind the scenes
behind closed doors
people are worn
to nothingness

and yet they
smile
and act
and pose
to mask the pain

let’s wake up
to those around us

instead of guessing
what’s behind the curtain
get to know the cast
and be part of their solution