Next year
I will sign contracts
I will be inspired by talented friends
I will travel to promote books and writing
I will have readings and signings
I will meet thousands of people on the blog
I will finish the three manuscripts in progress
I will fit into my favourite ensembles
I will clear out the clutter
I will hike in the hills
Next year.
The case is packed full
of memories and you are
preparing for the trip
back to routine.
All that remains
are the images in the
camera and in
your mind.
We sat down in an Italian restaurant tonight, and I looked up at a photograph of the view from our apartment in Vernazza. This led to reminiscing about the lovely town.
.
Vernazza:
I dream Italian nights
above your breakwater
and the good-night chimes
of the church bells.
.
(Here’s a sample posted to Youtube. I loved listening to the 9 p.m. bells. Not so much the morning bells! lol Such a beautiful place).
.
Thanks for the compliment,
but I’m not interested.
.
You seem like a nice guy,
and some girl will be lucky
to have you,
but I’m not interested.
.
Look,
it’s like this,
to be honest,
I’m kind of repelled by you,
your breath is rank,
you have an unpleasant body odor
that is not masked by that cologne,
(which, by the way, I think
I’m allergic to)
your hair hasn’t been washed
in way too long
and the pustules erupting on your
forehead and your emaciated form,
do nothing to attract me.
The state of your clothing
suggests a negative cash flow.
So you see, I’m not interested.
I don’t need a Chippendale
or a millionaire,
but a little effort on your part
would help your cause.
.
I’m not a bitch, buddy,
I’m just not interested.
He said
his mother was dead,
because the gulf
between them
was wide with guilt
and jumping it
was beyond
their capability.
She said
her son was lost
because his choices
marooned him
on an island of his own making
and would not let
anyone in.
They said
their journeys
were in opposite directions
but eventually,
on the other side of the world,
they’re bound to intersect.
She sits
above the sky
silently watching
sun on shore
sliding to the horizon
dropping
slowly
beyond the sea.
The great orb rises
into a molten sky
above endless red dust
Lunar landscape
miles upon miles
of dust,
red rocks,
and sky
stretching wider than a sky has business stretching
then a surprise:
startlingly blue lake
reflects cloudless blue sky
and London Bridge.
How odd.
.
.
.
Lake Havasu City, Arizona, is set beside the lake formed by Parker Dam on the Colorado River. The city is accessed via historic Route 66.
The
lampposts
.
.
are
invisible
.
.
in
this mist
.
.
and
so the
.
.
haloed
bulbs,
.
.
floating,
glow:
.
.
UFOs
above
.
.
the
road.
.
.
.
Shawn L. Bird 
quote- the mind December 26, 2013
Tags: attitude, clinical depression, depression, John Milton, mental health, mind, Paradise Lost, quote
Milton said that in Paradise Lost in 1667. That’s 344 years ago, and as fine a statement on mental health as ever I’ve heard.
If you’re not clinically depressed, it expresses the simple concept that your attitude to the situation is what’s important, not the situation itself.
I’ve known a lot of people over the years who are constantly saying negative things about their hard-working, diligent spouses. For whatever reasons, they feel that bashing their spouse is acceptable sport. Inevitably, their relationships crumble, and they blame the spouse for the divorce when in fact, their own attitude is what doomed the relationship.
Speak what you want to be true, and you will make it so. Articulate thankfulness, appreciation, and passion and you will create those things.
It may only be in your mind, but your mind controls the body.
If you are clinically depressed, this quote expressed the simple concept that your perception of the situation transforms it. Other people may see simple delights, while you see complicated anguish. Your perception is valid, but don’t let it ruin you. See your doctor. You’d be willing to medicate for a heart condition, your brain deserves just as much respect.
Your mind controls the body. Make sure it’s healthy.
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