there
there it is
so close
so very near
so very clear
a mesmerizing feast for a starving soul
yes
parched lips spoke in silence
finally
a weary mind moaned
at last, the dream attained
or was it the gods laughing
he stopped
smiled
just another mirage
on the desert of dreams
and he pushed on
tio stib
2016, 2025
I live a funny fantasy
that I control how life will be
if only I pay constant mind
to details of my daily grind
I keep a list
of things to do
and push myself
to follow through
for if one thing
does not get done
I can’t pretend
I’m having fun
I do all this
to sideline stress
it seldom works
I must confess
and people?
they’re such a mess
for often, every day it seems
I find others don’t support my dreams
they ask that I give up my list
I fume
I pout,
I’m really pissed
so I sit and ponder here
do I give up this list so dear
what is it I really fear
if I stop controlling life
will this result in constant strife
if I slow to let love in
will pain clutch my heart again
the truth, of course
is sadly clear
this game that I hold so dear
simply masks
what I most fear
that love will hurt
if it gets near
tio stib, 2015
Come Out, Come Play
cold
naked
hard
it shrieks
piercing down the empty streets
the wind [thrashes 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, 2025
once
he saw their faces
measured smiles
searched for truth in passing eyes
now
walking down the Main Street of humanity
he can only hear
the voices of ghosts
tio stib
sitting alone
eyes closed
smiling
he savored each delicious note of a simple melody
floating in the stillness
tickling the sun dappled leaves above
sated
he stood
shuffled to the source
spoke
thank you
and thank you, sir, replied the piano player
I just love to make music
and I just love to listen, replied the blind man
tio stib
Why
I ask my soul
why Push on today
why climb through clouds of loneliness
why come out to play
why toil for summits never reached
why love when death will win
why hope when failure blocks the road
when dreams are crushed again
Why stand tall
With vibrant voice
to live all I can be
Because
Sometimes the gods look down
Sometimes they smile on me
tio stib
You might also enjoy: Do It Anyway; If
in the muck of news’ day platitudes
I’ve lost my cheery attitude
midst hate and anger screamed and spewed
what happened to beatitudes
but past these ugly, mindless feuds
beyond behavior simply rude
there is another world that can be viewed
in Nature’s holy latitudes
in this world outside our doors
flowers dance, birds sing, and oceans roar
a world that heeds not human news
where souls soar high on gratitude
You might also enjoy: Truth, Promise
hush
the white oblivion
whispers
hush
let go
surrender frantic thoughts
hush…
forgive the past
the sins
the separation
hush
the white oblivion
whispers
as first snow
gently blankets my soul
Tio Stib
2014, 2019, 2024
Commitment, like love, is a verb.” Commitment does not exist without action.
I offer the following thoughts on “Commitment,” as much to re-inspire myself as to inspire you-
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back– Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.”
-W.H. Murray, Scottish Himalyan Expedition, 1951
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe?
GO FOR IT!
tio stib
2015, 2018, 2024
Be Still and Know
a day veiled in mystery
a mind that can’t see sky
empty
lost
just loneliness
just me
just I
but as I hear my trembling heart
craving love’s sweet warmth
a whispered thought from long ago
be still
be still and know
tio stib
