I can

Many times I climbed
right up that “do not climb” hill.
Don’t tell me I can’t.

~ smj

My “do not climb” hill.
Ok.. I don’t actually own the hill..
~ smj

Focus

Breathe.
Focus on your breath.
Long, deep, breaths.

Inhale peace slowly
through your nose.
Savor the aroma of tranquility.  
Let the warm calm fill you.

Ignore the tickle in your nose.
Focus on your breath.
Long, deep, breaths.

Exhale stress like demons
conjured from within
and expelled past your lips
with a windy exorcism.

Do not engage.  Do not engage.
Focus on your breath.
Long, deep – wait, where are you going?

Empty your mind.
No emails. No deadlines.
Ignore the desperate appeals
to assist under duress.

Let them and your guilt wait.
Focus on your breath.
Long, deep –  close your damn eyes.

Don’t hear distractions,
your growling stomach or dog,
your beeping phone or the truck
delivering who knows what.

Come back to your breathing.
Focus on your breath.
Long, deep – how long has it been?

Forget all your worries,
and those you worry about.
The what ifs and scenarios
that run wild on repeat.

I can’t.
Focus on your breath.
Long, deep – this is… impossible.

Block out voices whispering,
“you can’t blow me away”,
so loudly you can’t focus
on your long, deep, breaths.

– smj

Perspective

Nothing really matters
now. Only you… and you.
Can’t you see that?

All things stressed about
are just that – things. Ridiculous
things, compared to you.

Work? Politics? The state
of our economy? Please.
Not even close.

Entire cities? Dear friends?
Cherished family. Me?
I clearly choose you.

My sons.  My moons.
My heaven and earth.
If I could just move you

enough to make you
understand. To make you
feel content. To make you
feel loved enough that you
feel hope. To make you feel.

To make you stay. Please don’t
leave me. You are my world.
You are what matters. Even if
you don’t see it.

~ smj

“My mission is to keep the light in your eyes ablaze”
– Ablaze, Alanis Morisette

Every Now & Then

It’s not that big
of a deal, of a mountain,
of a challenge, 
for most people,
or even for me.
Now.

Never Kiss and Tell

Just relax. Inhale. Exhale.
One should never kiss and tell.
Are you okay? You’re looking pale.
Just relax. Inhale. Exhale.
Your words will come to no avail.
So come, lie down here for a spell.
Just relax. Inhale. Exhale.
One should never kiss and tell.

~ smj

Broken Ones, Jacquie Lee