there is a dream
that I hold dear
of times when men
have grown past fear
when lies and hate
have blown away
when hope and love
guide each new day
yes
this may be fantasy
something that can never be
but I need this dream
to feed my soul
to guide me places
I need go
I dream of one day seeing
a world filled with
good humans being
tio stib
2017, 2020
You might also enjoy: “Desert of Dreams,” “First Snow”
walking through a cloud of grey
the beginning of a quiet day
I felt a tickle on my face
a soft caress, a moment’s grace
and smiled
as I was gently kissed
by the tender morning mist
tio stib
2020
You might also enjoy: A Child’s Smile, Life Journey Poems & Prose
wandering down an empty street
clouds of leaves about my feet
reminders of a life gone by
a breath
a smile
and then a sigh
tio stib
You might also enjoy: Life Journey Poems & Prose; If by Rudyard Kipling
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
Some are vanilla,
predictably plain
Dependably true
always the same
Some are exotic
quixotic
sherbets with fireworks lives
occasionally glancing
to check others’ eyes
then the specials
like bubblegum treat
beautifully different
sumptuous sweets
Yes, chocolate, strawberry,
and rocky road too
friends of all flavors
some licked and
some chewed
like ice cream
I taste them
each one of a kind
then off on their way
they melt in my mind
Yet over the years
a few friends remain
these flavors I savor
again
and again
tio stib
2014, 2016, 2018, 2020
You might also enjoy : My Daily Lama, A Mirrored Smile
As I had for many mournful months I sat at ocean’s edge alone lost in stillness mesmerized by the tranquility of wavelets lapping up the silent sand the sun reached down and stroked my hand warm, soft, strong much as her touch once comforted my starving soul then memories blinded tearful eyes the darkened day turned cold but then I heard the sounds of joy the sounds of life renewed children laughing singing, screaming a songbird flitting by and I heard it the voice within at last, there is hope again
tio stib
You might also enjoy: <a href="https://travelswithtio.com/2018/02/22/blind-man-on-a-bench/">Blind Man on a Bench</a>, <a href="https://travelswithtio.com/life-journey-thoughts/">Life Journey Poems and Prose</a></p>If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
Rudyard Kipling, 1895
Source: A Choice of Kipling’s Verse (1943)
When I’m down and feeling sorry for myself, “If” is one of the poems I return to for inspiration. Here are YouTube links to great readings of this poem, the first by Holly Musgrove, the second by Sir Michael Caine-
“If” read by Holly Musgrove
“If” read by Sir Michael Caine
Life is a gift and a responsibility. Let’s make the most of it!
Tio Stib
2019, 2020
there is a porch
in my mind’s quiet place
broad, shaded, open
where I sit and look out
at my garden of words
listening
enjoying
watching words waving
in the gentle breeze of memories
each seed
an echo
of planting
caring
weeding
hoping
waiting
wondering
would faith be rewarded
would something glorious appear
sometimes
unexpected beauty blossomed
sometimes
no matter the effort expended
new life never sprouted
yet still I garden with words
planting, caring, hoping
sitting on my porch each day
marveling at the miracle
of creativity
tio stib
2019, 2020
You might also enjoy: River of Words, Life Journey Poems & Prose
there are bedtimes when
I dream in peace
a mind released to roam
then others when
the clock grinds on
in purgatory’s womb
I lay now in eternal night
counting endless sheep
hoping this will somehow lead
to mindless, blissful sleep
tio stib
2015, 2018, 2020
You might also enjoy: Life is Like a Broken Egg; Life Journey Poems & Prose
she smiles
they laugh
and lives are lighter
I follow in her footsteps
Maria
my wife
the Child Buddha
my daily lama
her memory is the light
guiding me forward
tio stib
2017, 2020
You might also enjoy: The Memory of a Single Rose; Thank You, Very Good Day!
