you learn

Barcelona circa 2003

You Learn  by Jorge Luis Borges

After a while you learn the subtle difference

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning

And company doesn't mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts

And presents aren't promises.

And you begin to accept your defeats

With your head up and your eyes open

With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,

And you learn to build all your roads on today

Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans

And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn ...

That even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So you plant your garden and decorate your own soul,

Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure...

That you really are strong

And you really do have worth ...

And you learn and learn ...

With every goodbye you learn.

i love this guy.

when i seek quiet and calmness, poetry is where i go.  and nature.  photographs of nature.  so, this guy's site is where i wander to - where i don't mind getting lost in for hours and hours.   

here's my recent favorites:

via tyler knott

Sometimes

I must carry through

the crazy

to notice

that soon,

a light

would spread

in me.

- Tyler Knott

via tyler knott

he's amazing.  check out tyler knott's site here.

Happy Friday, everyone!!!

On writing a poem

Maya Angelou said that anyone can write a poem, but

"I don't know if anyone will write a poem.

You have to want to.  You have to have sharp ears.

And you have to not be afraid of being human."

photo via

finding creativity

As one of my many new year's resolutions this year, I started taking writing classes again.  And after one of our ten-minute writing exercises, inspired by words and phrases around us, I came up with this:

It was a chain reaction
our heated and passionate
talks in the hallway
turned into sinfully good
times in our own created
enchanting island.

We were native souls,
flirty without a hint of care
but inspired at every turn
from the leather bound books
that embraced us to my
dangling braids the color of honey.

Sadie said I was dragging her old habit,
but the apple of my cheeks
still craved for your lips.

And oh, wasn't it a universal appeal?

She said stop fretting over that summer.
But what is less understood is that I didn't.
I just missed the chocolate deliveries
and honey-glazed turkey we shared.

After this writing exercise, I was tickled.  It was the closest thing to a poem that I've written in a VERY LONG TIME.  And probably not my best work.  We had ten minutes to flip through magazines and books for phrases that jumped at us.  And another ten minutes to put it all in one piece.  But still, I wrote a poem.  It was a breakthrough. 

Because you see, I have always believed that in able to write a poem, you have to be courageous enough to delve into your soul, tear your heart apart and pull it outside of you.  Let the world touch it and influence it.  Let the world break it, dissect it, and put it back to pieces.  You have to allow yourself to be vulnerable.   

After that class, I felt alive again.  Me again. 

And yesterday, I took these pictures during my hike.  I wanted to capture the remains of raindrops on a flower.  Not bad, I say.  :)

amazing.

Some people are just amazing with words.  Tyler is one of them.  I discovered his site awhile ago, and fell completely in love.  I especially love love his "Daily Haiku on Love" posts.  And now, am falling in love with his posts about his adorable dogs - Calvin and Hobbes.  I think Wednesday would appreciate them, too.  Anyhow, check out Tyler's site here, and I'm sure you won't be disappointed. 

And just because I love love his haikus, had to share some here:

"The first time we spoke

       was the first moment I knew

  I've always been yours."

"Thank you for the fact

            that the things I cannot change

 are the things you love."

"You have translated

    pieces of my heart that I

     have never understood."

Amazing.  Just amazing. 

Now, you understand why I start my day with his words?  How can those words not make you feel ... ?  And well, now, I'm ending my day with them, too.  :)  I hope you fall in love tonight.