I find that I am closing in on a brand-new start
which means the last few chapters are in the past
and here I am again, standing at the doorway
of some new beginning.
It’s amazing,
I say.
This year is about to become the last
and the last two years are going
to move farther away
and deeper into my past,
like decades that have turned into ghosts
known, but not seen or
heard, but gone like the wind.
Or should I say
at least I hope so
I can see why they say
time heals all wounds
and at the same time
I can also see why some people
would say that
“this is the worst saying of all time.”
And I heard this too,
just the other day.
Someone remarked about time
and time healing all wounds
because to him
this was untrue.
I heard about this
while being mindless and scrolling aimless
through the somewhat vapid
or endless rabbit hole
which is also known as social media.
I was doing what millions of others do
on a daily basis . . .
I call this procrastinating, of course,
and contemplating the worthwhile gesture
of getting up or getting out of bed.
Ah, social media,
how you hide yourself in plain sight
and provide a platform
where false gods meet
and politics become the new religion.
Ah, how you have become
bigger than the golden calf,
falsified like an idol for the faithless
who had been freed like the slaves in Egypt,
and to them
the sum of Moses or his help
amounted to nothing.
I see how you operate,
your misguided and social stream of information
is spread like viral infections
to confuse the masses
with a mix of entertainment
and sentimental messages — but hey,
I watch as well, and I find myself here,
tunneling through the rabbit hole
of videos and viral infestations,
just the same
and just like everybody else,
I often lose myself
in a semi-submissive thought-free escape.
However, and please understand,
this is not to say
that I do not find some precious gems
or diamonds in the rough.
I know the social media gods are listening.
I can see this by their advertisements
which come up after we talk about them
(out of nowhere)
as if the gods
are like Big Brother
always listening
and always watching.
This is not to say
that there is never good around evil
or that the devil has his way
of saying “come on in,”
said the spider to the fly.
I see these kids today.
They are starting a new year,
and I see their pictures
of where they began
or how they were younger (once)
and how unaware they are
of how fast their time
will fly by
faster than they could possibly believe.
I remember being called different things
when I was young
which is not said to accentuate
the negative; however, I remember
being told about “how I am”
as opposed to “how I should be.”
I see them now,
about to embark on a new year
and I know how they are about to uncover
new ideas and see new things
as if to say
they are about to see life
for the very first time.
I admire them.
I envy their youthfulness
and their resilience
and I appreciate their hopeful abilities
to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Or at least, so I hope.
I have no words for the journey ahead.
I can only say this
and I ask this with all of my heart –
Enjoy this.
Live, love, laugh, and learn,
because these are the four L’s
that make up the wherewithal
of your mental health.
Do not be afraid or swayed
by the reflections of others
and do not give way to the
passive/aggressive apologies
which begin with,
“you’re too sensitive”
because being sensitive
is a gift,
but this gift
is much like a double-edged sword,
and yes,
this can cut both ways.
Never let anyone steal your feelings
or disrupt your joy
or rob you of your passion.
Feel what you feel
love the way you love
and as best as you possibly can.
Please,
act, go, be, and do.
Do not give way
and do not give in
nor should you ever forfeit your dreams
because one day
you will awaken after decades
have gone by
and you will wonder where your life went
or what happened to your dreams
that have otherwise been deferred.
Love the Visitor.
Play games
enjoy the full moon,
and with all that I have
never explain or complain
about who you are
because,
and this is just in case
you don’t mind me saying so;
you are more beautiful
than my words can explain
and simply put. . .
Kid,
you couldn’t be plain
or ugly if you tried.
Believe me.
There is a big and beautiful world out there
but I will be honest and truthful with you.
There are dangers all around and ugliness
and golden calves,
and there are always going to be
the gossip mills and the rumor factories.
Disregard them but be aware they exist
and above all else,
be true to you, and to your dreams
and by any means;
always be there and listen to your Mother.
She is beautiful.
She is you.
She is part of your creation
but from what I can see,
your Mom is the shaper of your heart
because you are her best possible extension
and the greatest gift this world
will ever know.
At least, this is me
or how I see things
and what I say
might not be fact to anyone else
but for what it’s worth –
This is all true to me.
Be you, kid.
I wish I followed this advice myself
but no one was around
to tell me —
hey kid . . .
don’t worry about
the world around you.
You’ll see it all on the road to nowhere
and pass a million people
as you take this journey.
Leave a mark.
Set your sights
Point to the star you wish upon
and let your dreams fly.
Okay?
The Written Addiction 