in the face of the giant
sting like a wasp

when cornered by the mob
fight like a cat

under threat of the storm
lean into the wind

as the flood of life rages
float on a fast current

in the deafening silence
sing from your heart

on the brink of forever
be a part of the now

this guy beside me the one on my right
with the camel blazer complete with
corduroy elbow patches and
checkerboard leather buttons

he looks like he has a score to settle

he's mostly bald under his
brown-wool newsboy cap
i know because the spot
it dips pretty low in the back

his face is baby smooth but
he has polluted all of our nostrils
with cheap aftershave fumes
you cannot not notice the lurid air

he has accumulated a great wealth
of america's prized possession
and he wears it proudly around his midsection
he must have a hundred pounds there

his dark slacks are clean but old
his white shirt is pressed but polka dotted
with coffee stains the same hue
as his yellow teeth

he looks as if
he is trying very hard
to make an impression
but something has happened

his furrowed forehead
looks like waves lining up
readying to break themselves
on the shoreline of his brow
and there's a storm cloud casting ****** shadows
as it floats above his too-dark eyes
while his cheek twitches and i notice
a tangible jaw tension as thick as london fog
showing through his weighted jowls

i wonder what's wrong

i hope he's ok

i cast him a smile

and i'm on my way

the hour is 3:59am
the sound of thunder is waking
a storm taps on glass
as if to say come here
don't miss it
i walk across the floor
and stand by a door to
admire the rain,
a semblance of hope
ripples in the expanse
hitting the ground
the far off cosmos are
hidden by downpours
designed in the vastness
living in the present,
a moment of calm
in the chaos
it's the best time to be alive

It flies amongst the stars.
Flashes for a moment.
Despite the left scars.
Holds a place close, yet far.

It carries the fallen.
From mistaken paths.
To reaches impossible.
And develops new plans.

It creates new countries.
Raises dead soldiers.
Stamps unsung heroes.
With a feeling of free.

Hear its silent sound.
Open up your eyes.
Place it in your heart.
Elevate from the ground.

It helps us climb.
Better than rope.
Do you see its shape?
It is hope.

I am a limited edition,
a once in eternity
type of being.

I am a sparkling collection
of particles in procession
passing from one
generation to the next,
that will never have
this configuration again.

I am an eternal
space traveler
cause all that I was
came from the cosmos
and will go back there again.

My ego expansive,
and the void
that I dance in
is massive
and will make you
all the same as me in
the very end.

red wine
stained our lips,
with clumsy hands
tracing moonlight
on your skin.
our love got sweeter
with each stolen kiss
and in those moments
i knew,
i would follow you
to any ruin.

To be happy, we should not put pressure on ourself--
life should have light-hearted moments and lots of simple joys but, in a competitive and materialistic word, we strive, even beyond limits, and end up stressed, unhappy and discontented. Life is about choice and many find themselves lost for lack of insight.  Happiness does not drop on our lap  from a magical tree--it has to be cultivated and is a life-long process.  We need patience, humility, a sense of values and belonging, love, compassion, tolerance and empathy for without such we would be selfish, alienated and would not be able to reach out to others--we need to relate to the world, contribute and make it a better place.  We will never be perfect and are not expected to be such but we can always be better than we think. In these troubled days, many would yearn for a return to those past happy years which they have taken for granted.  We have been shaken from our inertia and now realise that life is such a precious gift never to be overlooked.  I wish you and your family well and safe. Thanks for reading mine.