cold, naked, hard,
it shrieks
piercing down the empty streets
the wind beats on every door
you can hide from death no more
the restless souls stir in their beds
haunted by an ancient dread
the walls cannot keep out the fear
the truth that fate is always near
far beyond where wrong knows right
the sun peeks past the edge of night
and streaking ‘cross the stage of day
light calls to life
come out
come play
tio stib
2015, 2021
You might also enjoy: The Crossing, Sometimes They Smile
I pause
high above the world of human strife
to look about the mountain I call life
and in the air where breath is rare and clear
I notice other seekers venture near
A wave, a smile, a moment’s eye
and then their journeys pass me by
but in the silence that ensues
I find my heart has been renewed.
tio stib
2015, 2019, 2021
You might also enjoy: A Mirrored Smile, Flavors of Friends
most think the challenge of climbing mountains
is reaching the top
sweating
aching
heart pounding
pushing past fear
step by step
to finally stand victorious
in the rare air
above the clouds of ordinary being
surrounded by distant views
of unclaimed summits
but
with each descending step
the real work begins
returning to the valley of everyday existence
the spirit begins to shrink
atrophy
for it can no longer be fed
by ordinary life
the real challenge of climbing mountains
is never surrendering the summits of our dreams
to stand alone
bold and free
with only mountaintops
for company
tio stib
2016, 2019, 2020
You might also enjoy Breaking Trail, Dead Horse Point
it happened
in the depth of night
a wisp of wind,
a soul took flight
a smile
a laugh
a curious mind
flew off to join
the ghosts of time
as memories sweep
my shores of being
his waves roll on
cross seas unseen
I pause to think
what might have been
if life had passed
without my friend
tio stib, 2015
for George Forrester
You might also enjoy: Flavors of Friends; A Mirrored Smile
there was once, some years ago
a time when I could see
when ladybugs and butterflies
meant everything to me
a soaring hawk
a baby’s smile
a surging wave around my feet
falling leaves
the setting sun
the colors oh, so sweet
a christmas tree
a bumblebee
bright new socks
birds flying free
a black red rose
a sparkling sea
the rising moon
these simple things meant all to me
there was a time, some years gone by
when what I saw could make me cry
that time has past, just silent screams
are left to echo in my dreams
tio stib, 2016
You might also enjoy: dirty snow, night walk
the singular measure
of civilized pleasure
a waking human’s treasure
the perfect morning shower
while some grade countries on GNP
the importance of which I fail to see
only one thing matters to me
my perfect morning shower
still asleep
I hear the hiss
signal of my morning bliss
the flood of wet and cozy warm
the deluge splashing off my arms
consciousness begins to shake
my toes squiggle in a little lake
oh joy, the day that starts like this
if not, surely something is amiss
so here I stand expectantly
waiting for what I hope will be
that moment of pure ecstasy
my perfect morning shower
a distant rumble in the wall
my senses spark to shower’s call
the pipes begin to shake and creak
and then there is a tiny leak
a drip
an agonizing
pittance
of lukewarm
dribble
and so, from side to side I sway
trying to soak in token spray
pretending things will be okay
without my morning shower
tio stib, 2016
You might also enjoy: Morning Bliss, Mystery Game
but the map says it’s here!
icicle creek
this is supposed to be icicle creek
I stared
at the cascading tumble of roasting rocks
what made you think icicles could exist in Hell’s Canyon?
but the map says…
maps say a lot of things
doesn’t mean you should trust them
no argument
after nine parched miles
10,000 anguished steps
past three dry gulches
the advertised water had not appeared
although, in fairness to the map
rattlesnake creek had partially lived up to it’s name
even weighted by a fifty pound pack
adrenalin had defied gravity
launching my ten foot leap
over the awakened, angry rattler
guess I should have filled more than one water bottle this morning
you think?
what’s the next creek called?
a drop of sweat splattered on the map
surprise
perfect
tio stib, 2016, from a thirsty memory
You might also enjoy : The Crossing, The Campfire
ahead
the canyon wall plunged
fell from the sea of sky
the river
dancing from shadow to sunlight
promising a new world
vanished
the rapid exploded
bouncing
white water splashes
rainbow mist
giggles
screams
the raft was spit
into beyond
and she was there
clear, quiet, confident
two rivers
two lifetimes
flowing
swirling
joining
at last
together
a shared smile
two travelers
now one
tio stib, 2016
You might also enjoy Life Is Like a Broken Egg, Veiled Vision
he watched the wave break
surge up the empty sand
surround surprised toes
sending shivers up his spine
awakening a dormant mind
then silence
the wave fell back
disappeared into eternity
and he wondered
about his life
tio stib, 2016
You might also enjoy High on Gratitude, Desert of Dreams
there
there it was
so close
so very near
shimmering
hypnotizing
a feast for a starving soul
yes
finally
lips parched
heart aching
feet moving mindlessly forward
hoping
yes
finally
to touch his dream
he stopped
smiled
or was it the gods laughing
another mirage
on the desert of dreams
tio stib, 2016
You might also enjoy Footprints, Life is Like a Broken Egg
Travels with Tio 