Struggle

I tossed and turned all night.

Not because I couldn’t fall asleep,

but because I couldn’t wake up.

Many, many days of burning

will pull apart the sufferings of a dream.

Sameness

He only phones when he wants my help.

She lets me know of the terrible thing that

has happened to her,

how the salesperson has treated her —

what he had so unthoughtfully said to her.

Another knocks on my door inviting me to attend church.

A neighbor’s mid-morning greeting,

“Did your laundry come out alright?”

Not what I was wanting to hear ...

Not the way I wanted

reminders of love to come to me.

Before

Before the I.
Before the me.
Before the you.
Before the seeing.
Before the hearing.
Before the feeling.
Before the thinking
Before the concepts.
Before the things.
Before the words.
Before the here.
Before the there.
Before the having.
Before the wanting.
Before the past.
Before the two.
Before the one.

Exceptions

Old sign stuck in creek,

"Absolutely No Fishing".

Ignored by the ducks.