In a Second

"I'll be with you in a minute." One of my favorite phrases really. I had an infinite amount of knowledge, so I thought, when I was young. I talked a lot. My ma and I played the quiet game a lot. I had a wonderful friend who really liked when I talked...I think. Anyway, she said "If you hold on just one minute, I will give you my undivided attention." I really liked that. It was comforting somehow.

But now I know different. Things can change in a second. Things die, lawnmowers run, people scatter, reasons change, notes slow down, minds are gone, skin turns and horses weep. What are we doing in this second? Who are we blaming? Do we spend so much time looking at our past that our seconds are used for our past...again. Is it sucking us dry? Can we get beyond all of this so that our seconds are new and open for reception?

What the head makes cloudy, the heart makes very clear.

Shells and Bottles

I have a collection of things I find by the shore at my office. So far, two well formed rocks that look like eggs, some shells and recently added a bottle. Looks like small medicine bottle. I've always been intrigued with glass, by the pure simple fact that it comes from sand.

I like bottles, I don't collect them, although I like antique bottles. I think the cleaner the better. So this moved me on into thinking about bottles ....and a possible jeannie. As in Barbabra Eden. She was in the afternoon lineup when I got home from school. Flintstones, Gilligans, Brady Bunch, James at 15, I Dream of Jeannie, and Andy Griffith. By then it was supper time.

She had a cool bottle. Pinks and reds, lots of cushions, pillows. I loved when she was tossed around and she landed on a pillow. What would I wish for? Would I have more than one? What if it wasn't right? Are we ever sure, even when we get a free wish. What if we just wanted the Jeannie?

Black Soul

We've all felt this. Even in our first relationships as children. I felt in elementary school at Augusta Circle, when my best friend Rene Taylor, changed schools. I had no idea how I would see her again. She lived too far away for me to ride my bike to see her. Across the main street, too large for a small bike. I cried and cried. I'm still looking for her. I bet she is a success wherever she is, and beautiful.

I kissed a boy in 5th grade. My first real kiss with Brian Carver, but I liked Allen Ivester at the same time. I made a choice. No not as big as Sophie's choice but I made a choice nonetheless. I cried and cried.

All of these things make us stronger. Even as little kids we get that. We make mistakes and we cry. People hurt us and we cry. But we can most certainly feel this soul again.