Puzzle pieces

From the day we're born, the pieces of the puzzle called life begins to fill. It starts with the love from our parents and family. At some point everyone feels loneliness and sadness. We try to fill these blanks, searching for meaning.

No one knows the future. Often humans are preoccupied with the future and don't take time to be present. This poem is about taking time to be present and looking at what is in front of you. Sometimes the puzzle pieces present themselves. If you let nature in, it can fill in the loneliness with joy.

Pure Joy

In an old photo, a barefoot boy smiles

his foot is black with adventure

how many hours did he run

what games did he play

what forest did he explore

 

Every time I hold the picture

I ask "can I smile that bright again?"

can I run freely with no direction

run until the sun sets

lay back, accomplish nothing

It seems I spent decades

pouring myself into a home

filling the kitchen with spices

nourishing hunger, folding laundry

wings soar above the clouds

my soul smiles, my heart sings

but my reflection is still

the barefoot boy stares at me

through the mist, your arms wrap around me

my heart melts in your embrace

the mirror smiles back at me

I'm barefoot again without a race

 

after so many sunsets

I hold your hand, watch the sun rise

after so many sunsets

you hold my hands, watch the sun rise