Chasing Fireflies

By the light of the moon
and the chime of the stars,
the cricket calls out to
you in my absence.
I left my voice in the
sunlight, like a child
abandons a plaything
in favor of chasing
fireflies.

With the patience of time,
I dance in the comfort
of darkness to the
cicadas' song while I
wait for you to join me.
The anticipation tastes
like honeysuckle syrup
and brings a smile to
my eyes.

When you arrive and we
dance together, our
eyes will tell the stories
our voices once knew.
And our hearts will
take flight as we leave
past worry in favor
of chasing fireflies.

One Way

There is only
One way to win
A stubborn heart
Like mine, a
Wilderness untamed.
There are no paths
Or smooth paved
Roads. Just the
Tangled brush
And uneven ground.
Surrounding the
Prize is a thicket
Of thorns. No
Machete can
Clear it; no fire
Will destroy it.
There is only
One way to win
A stubborn heart
Like mine.
Humility, confidence
And grace.

The Reason I Share...

One of the best things I've heard in a long time was the sound of a friend's joy over the phone tonight.  I merely sent him a link to a website I thought he might be interested in, and he was able to turn that into a job! He is an incredibly talented musician and an amazing person with the most beautiful spirit I've encountered in a very long time.  He applied to claim a spot among the performers at a local arts festival, and was selected.

The joy in his voice when he called to thank me for sending him was contagious! He thanked me over and over again for helping him, but I still don't feel like I did much. Having been on the receiving end of those small but kind acts in the past, however, I know exactly how much it means to him. And that's why I did it.

That's why I continue to share any possible opportunity I spot with my talented friends and colleagues...for the joy. Not my joy, but theirs. It always comes back around to bring me joy, too. Especially when they allow me to share in theirs.  Generosity is a beautiful thing. I encourage everyone to give it a try.

Sharing the Spotlight...Publishing Family

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Reciprocity

Defined as follows: the quality or state of being reciprocal : mutual dependence, action, or influence.

With that in mind, I must say that it saddens me to witness the lack of reciprocity among artists. Authors, in particular.

I spend a great deal of time sharing, promoting, buying, reading and even editing the work of other authors.  While I do my absolute best to retain the Golden Rule as the governing force in my daily actions and attitudes, it is often frustrating to find that rarely do the authors whose work I promote in turn promote or even mention my own.

It's difficult to make a name for yourself...I get it. Of course I do, because I'm trying to do the same thing.  But I firmly believe that there is enough notoriety and success for each of us to have an appropriate portion. I don't view my fellow authors and poets as my competition. They are my inspiration and my family.

So, dear writers, I'm sending out my plea to you all. Do what you can to help one another, and reap the rewards of the goodness you sow in due time.