What have we but branches

that reach for the sky?

Upwards, we're growing,

There's no telling how high.

What have we but leaves

Which inevitably fall?

With shifting of seasons,

There is change for us all.

What have we but memories

Of all that we've known?

Downward we're spreading,

From seeds that were sown.

What have we but ourselves

And the roots that will hold,

Our potential and importance

In ...

"When I was little, I used to lay outside and reach my hands up to the sky above, convinced I could touch the great moving clouds if I extended my arms a little farther." Greg and I had been best friends for years, and he'd never told me that before.

We lay there on that ratty old blanket in the bed of his rusty pickup truck staring at the sky. The clouds in question radiated with pinks and orang...

_One..._

_Two..._

_Three..._

Iollan counted the crows as they swirled overhead in the dusk's fading light. His heart pounded as if it would rip itself from his chest. His orders to retreat from the battle still shook him. With each step he led them, he had felt failure ever more fervently. A shadow flitted in the corner of his eye.

He held his fist up in the air, silently commanding his men to...

Some may call it weakness

To have an open heart.

Baring your soul for all to see

Might lead to utter disaster.

Some may call it weakness

When you let people in.

This mask you wear protects you

From a world that would tear you asunder.

Some may call it weakness

To be so vulnerable.

Yet breaking down your walls, brick by brick

Is the bravest thing one can do.

Some may call it weakness

Because an ...

"I think you’re misremembering, stop acting silly." A tight smile plastered itself to her lips. "I could never have said those things to you. "

"Oh am I?" I took a deep breath. "‘Dirty’, is what you called me, mom."

“Sweetheart, you just don't understand." She swirled the coffee in her mug, the café bustled around us. Inviting her here had been a huge mistake. "Could you blame me for being surpr...

"I just wanted you to know." I cast my eyes down at my feet, swinging limply from my perch on the cobbled wall. The Irish wind blew brusquely about us in the night air. There was a stiff silence, as Kev sat there quietly. Here we were, ten years later if it were a day, back in Ireland on a kind of reunion trip. Kerry, Kev, Luiza and I had planned this for months, and I had to go and ruin it.

"Why...

Palms pressed together,

On purpose, by design.

The nerves a mass of quivers,

This fearful heart of mine.

What if they see?

What if they know?

Deep in this heart,

The seeds I've sown.

You hold my hand,

So soft and light,

You whisper low,

"It's alright".

And there we were,

Two hands entwined.

At least back then

With heart and mind.

From that moment on,

I lived my truth.

For all I am,

I owe to yo...

Waves lulling. A gentle breeze. A moonless night with nary a star to guide the wayward voyagers lost amongst the tides.

Voices cresting, falling—melodious and melancholy. It began with one, rising with the waves as others joined the chorus. Calling out to sea, lamenting, begging.

Few who hear them ever return. Many never want to.

On they sing, their somber song. Having lost all they knew centur...

It will end

As all things do.

Your favorite song

And story, too.

The blessed sun

Of spring and summer

Gives way to cold,

Deep and blue.

It will end

As all things do.

Every shining star

That crowns the sky

All meetings with

Loved ones and friends,

Must take their close

With soft goodbye.

It will end

As all things do.

Each nightmare and

Each sorrow.

Though pain may stay,

It passes through.

It, ...

Death comes for everyone, but Death has been by my side for years.

"Are you there?" I ask, knowing the answer.

"I am." It replies, a mere echo. Death's voice was soft, easy as a lullaby.

I stare at the familiar figure in the corner of my bedroom. Amidst the fading wallpaper and the creaky floorboards it stood solemnly. So beautiful, as I've always thought, glowing with a gentle white light. My ...