Limitless

I am standing in the middle of a circular room, the foyer to a dozen doors.
Each heavy rectangle has been flung wide open.
And behind every one, a different scene, season, sensation.
Bright, island sunshine converges with frigid, arctic winds.
Spring tulips amidst the desert sand.
The vast ocean stretches out before Mt. Everest.
The Eiffel tower marks the entrance to the Amazon.
I could run and hide, but where, under a doormat?
I could choose to fear what lies behind each door.
Instead, I stand with arms stretched open.
Stripped of everything familiar and comfortable I surround myself with what I do know – the embrace of someone who cares and a home cooked meal shared by all who love.
Naked, I embrace it all because I have no other choice.
If nothing else, even if I find myself totally alone, at least I know that their affection will carry over the continents, even into outer space.
Turning, spinning, head thrust back, heart lifted to the sky, arms spread like wings. I twirl.
Perhaps if my feet move fast enough I will lift off the ground and into the expanse that is this world.
After all the sky’s the limit, or is it…?

Discovering A Whole New World.com

Discovering A Whole New World.

So, apparently, there is a whole new virtual reality on the internet.
(New in the most adjective of terms.)
Okay, okay, of course we all “knew” that there was a whole other world on the net, but I didn’t really KNOW that.
I mean I just spent the last two hours (two hours of my life) that I could be doing something WAY more useful, but no, I spent the last hundred and twenty minutes on my computer delving in a world previously so unfamiliar to me.
I feel so sheltered.

Let’s call it Social Networking. I’d call it, “avoiding reality.” Wow, what a trip. Some people lead totally different lives on their computers. I mean, hell, dream what you will, but living a double life, is like playing God. Okay, maybe not that extreme but still… One life here, in this body, and one with a skinner version of you out in cyber space, maybe with the same name, (maybe different) doing things that you’d always wished you could do. Well why not go out there and DO them? What’s REALLY stopping these people? Is it fear? Is it a physical handicap? You tell me. I just don’t see the point. Call me old school, call me a hippie but I’d rather hug the apricot tree in my back yard, than build an orchard in my virtual reality on the internet.

I prefer to travel. It gives me the freedom to be whom I want, within the limitation of this body. I meet people in much the same way. We have something in common. Either you search for them via social networks on the worldwide web – right click “food and wine.” Or you’re stuck with them on an eight-hour flight to Rio de Janeiro. Whichever way, you have something in common and chances are, the one you’re sitting next to in economy class is much more real than username WiNeLoVeR whom you get to chat up everyday on your lunch break. Discussing the latest reds you’re coveting or that new pinot you’re dying to try. Give me a grimy old fart who snores or a crying baby – at least they’re tangible.

Having given out my e-mail address about a dozen and half times; typing in my name and my country of origin at least that many, I am satisfied in saying I still don’t have any new friend requests, or new comments. Guess that means I have to “update my profile…” Sky Harbor International Airport, here I come. Make room for this hunk of living breathing flash, because I’ve had enough of cyber space to last a while. I want HUMAN to HUMAN contact. I want to touch that person I’m talking to. I want to hold them so tight that neither of us can take a breath.

Conclusion:
I’ll leave social networking to those who have that kind of time on their hands. You know who you are. But me, I’d prefer to look into the eyes of those I talk to – seeing the laughter, the joy, the pain the tender soul qualities each of us poses, and no, not through a web cam, either.

What is it that makes you, you?

What is it that makes us tick?
I wake for the sunshine.
I wake for the promise of movement in each day.
I wake for the connections I will create.
I wake for the ones I love.

What is it that makes us shrink?
I avoid the dampness of disillusion.
I avoid the heat of confrontation.
I avoid the conflicts of telling someone no.
I avoid the inevitable – change.

What is it that makes us hum?
I sing for the blues skies.
I sing for the green-eyed cat, purring beside me.
I sing for the little boy upstairs.
I sing for turning of the leaves.

What is it that makes us smile?
I laugh for joy of today.
I laugh for the humor of my father.
I laugh for the brightness in their eyes.
I laugh for the friendship created.

What is it that makes us weep?
I cry for chances lost.
I cry for those whom have gone.
I cry for fear and frustration.
I cry for release of pure emotion.

What is it that makes us believe?
I trust because I have no other choice.
I trust because it brings me comfort.
I trust because I know I can.
I trust because I am.

What is it that makes you, you?
I live for the joie de vivre.
I dance to make me smile.
I smile because I can.
And I don’t believe there’s anything I cannot do.

My Big Fat American Burrow

In a house formerly inhabited by
ten Buddhist nuns and forty Dachshunds
There now live two
wonderful women, their son, age
two and a half, a dog that never
barks, three black cats that I can’t tell apart to
save my life,
the lady who rents the
basement, with her
computer and exercise tapes,
and me, with my guitar and enough clothes for an army
Not to mention the numerous
friends, visitors, and the occasional cable guy

A full house to say the least,
But one with good, warm energy
That of a holiday gathering, every day of the week
A family reunion of perfect strangers
a family without the problem child, and the alcoholic
One with cat litter, dog hair, and love in every corner
If you’re feeling lonely
go upstairs and listen while she reads to him
If you need some inspiration, just sit and
observe the voices of the children coming from outside
Or the murmur of feet on the floor boards above
Take note of the rhythms of the house
the comings and the goings of each
tepid being within the walls of this
old abode

As I write these verses,
one fuzzy creature purrs beside me
Tail curled around my arm,
taping softly to the beat of some
internal musician
Our breathing becomes one and we synch, subtly
BAM!
The front door hammers open, and screams of joy
hit the ceiling
Flexibility, and grace, I must master these traits –
learning to love and adapt to constant change

Visit: an official call paid for the purpose of inspection.

According to the books,
I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
A place ranked third in the world for destination weddings.
A place of healing and renewal.
A place one can find it all – outdoor adventure, vacation resorts, healing energy, and beautiful scenery.

According to me,
I live in a small town in Arizona.
A place where people come when they’re in denial.
A place to try and loose oneself, only to be found out as a fraud.
A place of beautiful, picturesque landscapes, pockmarked with mansions the size of a Super Wal-mart, and that’s about it.

Let’s compromise.
It’s a nice place for a visit.