The Rules of Engaging Grief - Leading from the Heart Blog

When Plans Dissolve

Pay attention
When plans dissolve
In jarring disarray,
Confounding expectations.

Discern symbols to interpret,
Like dreams foreboding
Without warning new directions,
Challenges vaguely disguised.

Become accustomed to
Discomfort alone-ness,
Even loneliness
As you sit in solitude.

Don’t despair –
Listen intently to whispers
Emerging – no longer lost
In mind chatter distraction.

Release expectations,
Embrace uncertainty,
Be open – resolute,
Trust in the unfolding.

This poem seeks to capture a recent insight about that chap who sits aside observing, but not especially committed, to the events occurring in my life; that is, until I snatched him — he must be a he — from his revelry.

Where Are You?

At times you linger
Beside me on the right,
Whispering sometime shouting
Through mind-heart clamor.

Outside of me you conjure
Yesterday’s regrets
Stirring aflame memories,
As if to rewind reality.

Observing – witnessing
You know me intimately,
Yet you prefer it seems
To remain apart.

And I reluctant become
Your object examined
From afar through time
Caught in past neglects;

That is until I reach across,
Outside myself to you,
Grip you close tight and pull
So we two become one.

In present time – no past,
We see vision clear,
Gain perspective even wisdom
For what is unfolding now.

I Still Want To Dance

I still want to dance,
Though you think
I’ve forgotten steps,
Never caught them.

I still want to explore,
Discover learn engage
Listen to plights and joys
Serve in love’s capacity.

I still want to share
Your adventures
Even if mind limited,
Extend heart boundaries.

I still want to love
You near and far,
Share sunsets,
Quiet moments ‘til dawn.

I still want to laugh,
Parse joy solace,
Offer encouragement,
Boundless enthusiasm.

I still want to dance.

Un-Walled Spirit

I’m an un-walled spirit
Gazing past dark clouds
Bearing sorrow and pain;

A cardinal luring blood worms
To surface with song bait,
Patience and stillness;

A child ignoring
An approaching storm,
Lingering in merriment;

A solitary left discovered,
Alone in a crowd be loved,
Enraptured ease.

Silent calm in rhythm
With harmony,
Knowing all peace,

I shout wordlessly
More silent than a whisper.
Do you hear me?

Respond then heart to heart
Touch to touch,
Eye to everlasting soul.

Sparkle Bright

Would that I could whistle
Like wind across a field
Before rain in gray light;

Listen for a whisper
Pushed from another realm
Where I am loved;

Feel rapture once again
In warm embrace
Unhurried intentioned;

Youth dream idle spent
As on warm afternoons
Rushing to the future;

See your smile glow
As eyes sparkle bright
In Now for eternity.