Out of Reach

I want to write

But there's nothing to say

I want to talk

But my voice is stuck

I want a hug

But I cannot reach you

I want to tell you

But I can only cry

---

written June 2011

My Precious Clarity

Troubled mind

Troubled heart

Confused

Disturbed

Falling apart

Feelings sinking

Drowning deep

Alone

Forgotten

My insides weep

But Someone calls out

Takes hold my hand

Collects all my tears

Helps me to stand

No longer alone

My precious clarity

I can always look up to G-d

And He will smile

Back at me

---

written 2003

Forget Me Not

The wind has blown

Scattered pieces

On their own

Spreading us apart

Yet time does tell

What lies within

Drifting farther

Yet one heart

---

written 2005

Lamplighter

Late at night

Approaching wee hours

The lamplighter headed out

His torch in hand

Oil jug in the other

He hurried to the first

Second and third

But right before reaching

The fourth burnt out lamp

He tripped and fell

The flame blew out

His knees scraped

He sat there a minute

Then hurried back to the third

Relit his torch

To light the forth lamp

Farther he walked

Now a bit slower

Yet much more determined

But right before reaching 

The sixth burnt out lamp

He lost his balance and fell

The oil jug cracked

Liquid seeped out

He sat there a minute

Then wrapped up the cracks

And relit the sixth lamp

He continued to walk

Even though he was tired

But right before reaching

The tenth burnt out lamp

He missed a stair and fell

His torch blew out

The jug cracked into pieces

He sat there a while

Gathered the pieces

Brushed himself off

And headed home-

To fill a new jug 

Relight a new torch

And light the very last

Burnt out lamp

---

written 2004

Happiness is the Best Medicine

Each morning bright and early

Just after you've made your bed

Gulp down this smiling pill

To lighten up your head

Two capsules over 12 years

Or children's grape flavored drink

Included is joke side effects

Which work in just a wink

Share it with your pet cat

Even a grouchy neighbor

Everyone will be shining smiles

Only moments later

This pill does not expire

No need to refrigerate

As long as you commit to be happy

Happy will be your fate

---

written 2003

The Victim

I am a victim of pain

In the darkness of night

With shame, I shy away

Speechless and blind

I turn back

I run until I can't

Breathless 

I lie down

Vulnerable once again

Yet as the darkness

Looms towards me

I know I must be strong

I rise with confidence

As false as it may be

And fight the night

This time I won't allow myself

To be a victim of pain

This time I'll be free

---

written 2004

A Tiny Little Bundle

A tiny little bundle

Without fingers or toes

A tiny little bundle

Whose name no one knows

A tiny little bundle

Full of hopes and dreams

A tiny little bundle

Of promised life it seems

This tiny little bundle

I am not meant to see

As this tiny little bundle

Does not belong to me

A tiny treasured bundle

That I prepared to love

Is a treasure unattainable

As it soars through skies above

A tiny little bundle

Gone so soon after it came

I will never get to know you

Yet I miss you just the same

---

written 2010

So It Seems

So close

Yet so far

So kind

Yet so selfish

So thoughtful

Yet so ridiculously thoughtless!

So caring 

Yet so hurting

So happy 

Yet so fake

So it seems

---

written 2006

Guilty Conscience

Mercy

Pulling at my heart

Thumping

Pounding

I know I must give in

Compelled to make peace

Truth won't let me rest

I push myself

Until I explode

Mercy!

I let go

And sleep

For my soul now sings

I am free

---

written 2011

My Reflection

My reflection

Smiles back at me

And I wonder

Who are you?

So put together

So calm

So confident

Are you not scared?

So daring

So friendly

Who would believe

We know each other

---

written 2011