Empty Arms

So easy, so simple

Just hold and let go

Wait 3 and check

Vertical or horizontal

Then into the basket

So easy, so simple

So easy, so simple

Cliche commercials

Just a few seconds

Everything changes...

Or nothing does...

So easy, so simple

Let down disappointment

Useless, hopeless,empty

Rock-a-bye silence

Reminders everywhere

Anything but easy

Scared and alone

Terror in a $10 box

Don't judge me, don't leave me

Take on or give away

Anything but simple

So easy, so simple

Little manufactured play house

Just like Mommy

Wound up doll cries and laughs

Plastic childhood dreams

So easy, so simple

A single, quiet tear

Slides down her cheek

A single, quiet tear

Torn from his heart

Slowly breaking down

Confidence and hope

Leaves bitterness and pain

And one lingering question

Why them, not me?

Sole Souls

Sugary crystals falling head over heels
Quickly gather and fuse together
A blanket of shimmering frozen stars

Beautiful when undisturbed
Obliterated with just one step
So fragile, so precious
Wonders of God's hand

Look closer to see the truth
Each one perfect and unique
But stand back and take in
A sea of ivory diamonds
Becomes a monochrome blur

Keep in remembrance
The singular elegant gem
Camouflaged in numbers

But magnificent and worthy
With or without them

Flames of Change

Spark and falter
Burn and smolder
Dangerous light in the dark
Brightly crackles and warms
Only to become hidden searing pain
Quickly growing, changing pattern

Out of control and licking the clouds
Taking over in the dead of night
Sparkling, crackling, peace in silence
Now becoming the death of millions
Overtaking old lives with destruction
Skeletons of the past left standing

What now? A new beginning?
Starting over from nothing, a silent reward
Fire destroying all that we once held
Comfortable, dear to our hearts
But secretly holding us back
Keeping us from new growth
Moving forward to leave the past behind

Ashes of yesterday slowly disappear
Soaked in tomorrow's promise of rain
Tiptoeing away in the night with the breeze
Even as we hide and weep in sorrow
Mourning memories and complacency
Tomorrow comes, a grim reminder

Somewhere the sun still rises and sets
With each day, a strength we do not know
Keeps us going, keeps us breathing
Meant for something more, we look up
But if only for a fleeting moment
Something so simple, yet so difficult
Focus and hold tight, choose healing

As the clouds pass in the sky above
Behind them is a light so bright and renewing
Next day may bring darkness again
More thunderstorms and pain
But without the rain, we will fade away
Perfection unattainable here
What does light mean without a darkness?