Death Came to the Door

Death came to the door, and touched everything within. 
Death came to the door, and stepped aside to let Love in.
Love picked up each of the broken pieces to make him whole again and beautiful. 
Love said, “I know him. He is one of mine.”
Death gave a nod, while Love took his hand. “We are going home, don’t stay too long behind.”
Death stood in the emptiness,  and slowly filled the gaps of silence with sorrow for those who would find him there. 
She came, and she yelled, and she filled the room with her life.
She cried out to Love, "I knew him. He was mine!"
Love came crashing to her side. 
Love held her while the vastness of tomorrows felt lost.
She is saying okay to this heartbreak, while all their little futures are being tucked away.
She is saying okay, so long as Love stays.

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It’s been a long time since I fell in love. I’ve been doing more of the skinned knees kind of falling, it hurts a little less I think. They don’t really tell you that in your thirties you’ll experience more heartburn than heartache.

BIRTHDAY HAIKUS

32
this is thirty two,
overalls and bandanas;
don't ever grow up.

33
this is thirty three,
on a roadtrip, tangled hair;
what could be more me?


34
At thirty four, you
let go of expectations,
and just say okay.

35
this is thirty five,
more alone than expected,
more happy than sad.

36
this is thirty six,
sun spots and wishing on stars;
it’s a song I know.

37
at thirty seven,
am I old, or am I young?
whatever, I am free.

38
this is thirty eight,
but they never believe me,
when guessing my age.

Seventy Eight Scrambled Days of Haikus

this office is cold,
you don't deserve my spreadsheets;
cinnamon roll, trash.

one hundred and five,
drink two waters for each beer;
home sweet 'home, hot.

steal me from my desk,
get me in that dadgum pool;
all float on, alright.

left oklahoma,
highway miles, hotel beds;
hello austin, weird.

spent all day outside,
to learn how to play safely;
roll you to your back.

burns, blisters, bruises,
bears, bee stings, and broken bones;
wilderness first aid.

forever tired,
sleep, work, need a vacation;
for now, ice cream cake.

all fingers and toes,
to save our ship, pluggin holes;
man overboard! sink.

i love this song, jo,
i got the world, i got you;
play it again, please.

back at work again,
nine hours in an office;
monday city blues.

plates of brown butter,
mushroom, lobster, truffle, sage;
hooray for us, cheers!

your warmest regards,
lift my mood, song and dance;
sincerely, my heart.

not feeling today,
wish I never left my bed;
mondays are mondays.

too hot for hiking,
so we raft, paddle, and climb;
adventure is here.

hope, healing, story,
strengthen this vessel, restore;
love and love, amen.

saturday market,
ate a peach from every stand;
my hangover cure.

early morning shoot,
bachelorettes and fake booze;
where is the champagne?

love my music live,
folksy, outside, with friends;
harmonica blues.

holding hands and pie,
heartbreaking songs make me cry;
happiness, find me.

goodbye cubicle,
i'm leaving you for mountains;
i will not miss you.

fly to washington,
eat blueberries from the bush;
swim, always choose swim.

my first passport stamp,
wild fires, a sweet summer rain;
radium hot springs.

what is this color,
with its pretty blues and greens?
this must be the place.

coffee on lake lou,
lake peyto with no people;
evening kayak cruise.

color the mountains,
with the sun peeking through clouds;
watercolor dreams.

you will love jasper,
if you love touching people;
not my kind of thing.

georgia, not his name,
moving through parks in his van;
kindness, his virtue.

pool tricks with cousins,
a watermelon picnic;
i'll be home tonight.

in oklahoma,
back at work and i feel fine;
the sun sets here too.

you know it's monday,
when you can't stand the office.
cubicle revolt.

it's not wednesday yet,
let me walk you to your car;
ranting in the rain.

sunrise is far gone,
travel lag plagues my mornings;
waking up is hard.

when you are single,
honey-do lists don't exist;
it's do it yourself.

a rainy sunday,
afternoon movies and naps;
let's run through puddles.

once upon a time,
stories told by two year olds;
it's good to be here.

a day just for you,
you make life so much sweeter;
i love you, aunt jo.

play with sidewalk chalk,
be a kid, it's saturday;
don't try to be "good".

distracted by songs,
daydreaming about weekends;
let's all run away.

these friday night lights,
canadian country tunes;
while riversport glows.

oklahoma wind,
keeping us on land today;
pour another beer.

i've got a stiff back,
so i'm layed up on the couch;
pain makes me lazy.

i love weekend food,
breakfast is better than brunch;
mmm motulenos.

nothing like baseball,
sitting in the shade, home plate;
getchya beer he-re!

my working girl friends,
help me decide what to do;
happy hour home.

a five mile hike,
armadillos and cousins;
swimming hole summer.

four degrees cooler,
and i've got chills all day long;
wrap me up in wool.

paddlesports party,
can we do this next  monday,
and every monday?

louise the larger,
they tell me i can't keep you;
brakes, overrated.

don't want to jinx it,
but i'm having a great week;
hope and fun returned.

where has the sun gone,
every day is cloudier;
vitamin d, dead.

i need to do laundry,
hand out packing lists and plan;
table rock, rock on.

eight hours on the lake,
and i really love swimming;
or haven't you heard?

lies and laughs, leah
all the things we kept secret;
you'll be thirty soon.

paper plate breakfast,
and a hike in the ozarks;
boxed wine, heavy pour.

thirty years ago,
born with a beautiful heart;
my cousin leah.

quick, polls close at 8,
left potatoes simmering;
don't forget to vote.

overcast mornings,
this summer rain feels like love;
umm new phone, who dis?

family dinner night,
pasta, salad, paradise;
see you next tuesday.

hiking and swimming,
old friends, new friends, on the trail
finally, i'm home.

back in the office,
no phone, or photos to share;
breakfast for dinner.

two venue tours down,
thursday happy hour, my house;
byob, friends.

kinda had a day,
drive across town, creme brulee;
everything is fine.

take the office out,
the weather is beautiful;
patio party.

went to bed at eight,
and missed my friday haiku;
today, you get two.

a day of flowers,
at the park, farmers market;
i want to eat cake.

caught up on podcasts,
and i may lose my first match;
first football sunday.

my bear is your bear,
she chases away bad dreams;
take good care of her.

a night at the show,
singing songs of angry men;
season ticket win.

courage, my dear heart,
you are released from your fear;
it is time to lead.

happier up north,
better coffee, family, friends;
who doesn't love rain?

church and then dallas,
to see peregrino play;
viva mexico.

it's a great state fair,
newborn baby goats, so sweet;
eat an ear of corn.

tiny house visit,
a walk through the trailer park;
everyday cousins.

pretty macarons,
out of office reply on;
now it's time to pack.

half a day flying,
now, off to joshua tree;
let's find meteors.

sand, willows, and rock,
the land of broccoli trees;
pioneertown, please.

fantasy football,
all in to lose everything;
party night at mark's.

christmas presents wrap'd,
a cat stevens record plays;
just add twinkle lights.