As I wandered through the trees, twigs and leaves crunching underfoot, I began to understand the true purpose of this sanctuary. Only in silence can we truly elevate to the next level. Only then can we hear the chaos and beautiful intricacies that surround us in the natural world. The true challenge lies in the continual conscious effort to remain still in mind and body. A wholly personal journey, each experience of peaceful quiet brings us closer to ourselves. I hear the birds. I remain still. I smell the cool fresh air gifted to us by the tall Redwoods, I remain still. Still, I remain.

I thought I had chosen correctly. I read the right things, talked to many different people with many different views and I considered every aspect of both sides. In the end, I felt 100% comfortable with my choice. I realize now that my decision has helped facilitate this complete and total destruction of my beloved country. In all my research I never investigated the possibility that my choice would not be prepared in the event of a nuclear attack. And now I feel so deeply regretful. Would the other side have handled it better? I don’t know. For now I’ll keep walking with the hope of finding another survivor. If I do, we won’t discuss politics.

The little old man in the conical hat Smiled as he passed by his hanging pet bat Then he got to his chair it was there that he sat And proceeded to get down to work He reached across the table to get to the jar That was filled to the brim with magic from afar So special to him it was marked with a star It as then that he opened the lid Looking inside he saw a chunk of base metal Bought from the man when he came by to peddle His wares from the fair that now sat in a kettle The alchemist leaned in to watch The colors that rose in the smoke were so bright They lit up the room and blinded his sight Still he wished and he wished with all of his might The metamorphosis began to take place The gold that was showing was a sight to behold It was true all the things that he had been told It was then that the room began to turn cold His hands now started to shake The gold in the kettle had started to glow And a sound then began and it started to grow He was worried the house would soon blow His time was running out So he ran up the stairs and got to the door But he wanted to know so he looked back once more. This foolhardy magician then heard a great roar And darkness enveloped the house

Love is a flower Unfolding by the hour And with each new petal My devotion grows and gains great power I’m meeting him over and over again He tells me new things Of what happened when Of who he had been Before we exchanged rings Everyday I’m learning something new From what he says And what he can do Time and again When our moments are few He can take one and one and make two The man I thought I knew before Has changed again He’s so much more Blooming anew with each passing day I love him more than I can say

It came to me one summer day That I could act a different way Instead of being Oscar the Grouch Sitting and fuming on the living room couch I could put away my short little fuse And see that I have the power to choose Instead of using cutting words That fly around like angry birds I can encourage and help and make others smile And not make their time with me seem such a trial So I say this to you If you feel this way too Make a change, rearrange and be chill all the while

I heard him crying like he was dying Silent wrenching tears that left his face a mask of pain and sorrow from all my lying It was a noose I was tying I’m out of control So deep in a hole And I’m thinking that life isn’t so great It may be too late But each tear that fell from that endless well Came down to me in my chemical hell I feel change is coming I feel it, I can tell I’ve torn down the wall I walk down the hall To go make the call It’s over, that’s all

Pain will drain Pill equals kill Prequels follow sequels Swallow and follow