nebraska nights - for Bonnie

Sunsets bring conversations
Deep like the bottomless night.
Two hearts and souls laid bare
Witnessed by a Sky Full of Stars.

Peppermint Schnapps & cocoa,
Black cat slinking into cold sunflowers.
Starting the goodbye months in advance
Didn't stave off the pain to come.

Black pens & lined paper
A homemade story baked fresh.
We examine how we got here
As the city sparkles in the giant's shadow.

Wiping our eyes on blankets
And catching our fogging breath.
Grafted hearts returned to chests
Mingled lives with no regrets.

interlude

Rain & Covers
A pair of curled up lovers

Snow & Wine
Everyone runs out of time

Mountain views
When you leave I won't feel used

12" x 12"

I watched as something I'd thought was sinful become sacred.

I've also seen sacred things turn black and die.

Grey seems to be the defining color in my life at the moment.

I've been governed by rules for as long as I can remember. At first they were implemented by my parents, then church, school and finally myself.

If rules could form cages I've lived in a 12" x 12" box of bars most of my life.

Because I chose to.

The door has never been locked. But I thought God would punish me if I ever crawled out.

People told me that He would. But if I understand even the simplest thing about Jesus, I don't think God wants me in a cage. If all of the Christians are in cages what good are we? Just an idealized exhibit.

What's the point of pretending to live in our cages in front of other Christian's? The illusion of control is potent.

It seems counterproductive to live your Abundant Life in a 12" x 12" cage.

toasting

Gold glitters and secrets are exciting.
Her flesh looks soft, comfortable, hopeful and inviting.

A woman's love cannot control a man's.
Truth is just a story you crafted to cover up all your plans.

Love was not enough to save you, to lure you back to land.
You set out to sea, my dear, while alone I toasted on the sand.

poison

Let's walk through waterfalls,
Who's hand is holding who's?
We'll sing an outdoor song.
Throw aside make-up, remotes & green bean casserole.
This is what you're made for.

Eat a pine cone, because you never have.
What reasons do we have to live?
Taste, touch, hear, see.
Repetition does not make a life.
Even blind eyes can see freedom.

Cut the rope.
Break the chain.
Kick the door.
Spit out the poison.
Murder the apathy.

green

I want to be everywhere and do everything.

That's not much to ask from 80 ish years, right?

I can't waste another minute.

Green means "go".