- Shel Silverstein

Just a reminder to those out there that sometimes don’t get along with their significant others because things that you want from them aren’t always fulfilled. Some things need to be verbalized (no one can read minds). And some people show their love in other ways, ways that we don’t always take notice of. Just remember to look close at the kind things they do show, maybe that is all they can do.

The summers seemed to run on unbounded; the heat or rain never a factor. Sometimes Jim and I would sit and pull the ferns apart while we sat in our fort and talked. Sometimes we’d go to the far side of the field to scavenge fruit from the apple tree and gather wintergreen berries from the area behind the garage. Like the animals we’d scurry through the bushes in secret, rather than traipse through the yard boldly. We’d then take our food, sit in the circle of pine trees on the hill, and fashion a small fire to entertain us for our communal feast, after creating a pit of stones, of course. Dad sure was angry about that, thinking that we were going to burn the woods down; us thinking that he was too naïve about our abilities to trust us to be safe. And he sure didn’t like us ripping the bark off the birch trees, either, though we knew it wasn’t enough to kill it…parents.

But Jim and I grew up one summer and didn’t even realize. We no longer inhabited the woods. Actual responsibilities started to fill our lives; homework, work, college, relationships, family. We quit building forts and Jim eventually built a house. My memories fill every acre of that property, now. Walking through those woods I am alone, but I am not lonely.

I have seen England, Hawaii, and Canada, now; my Father’s woods are not so vast a wilderness. I still know it like the back of my rough, scarred hands; I can close my eyes and see every part of all forty acres. I smile as I walk past the birch trees and fondly touch them like a friend. I am still an adventurer, though, visiting land’s my Father has never seen, and only my Grandfather has been close to. The passage through the trees is now overgrown and so am I. Dad’s property line now keeps the world out. Not only is it his refuge, it is my sanctuary; it is sacred to me.

The summers are so short; I rarely have time to enjoy them. I rarely see Jim anymore but when we talk, we still confide in the other. I still scavenge fruit from the apple tree on the far side of the field and gather wintergreen berries from the area behind the garage. Sometimes I still stride through the circle of pines and understand Dad’s anger about burning the woods down, as I laugh; but I still hold my stance that we were smarter than that. I wonder if he thinks I’ll set the world ablaze. But he still corrects many things I do and I accept it because I know I don’t know it all; and he still gives a lot of unnecessary advice…parents.

I will keep watch over you
when you have gone and went to bed.
Keeping the wolves from your door
and sheltering your stead.

I’ll turn the lights off one-by-one
and button up your door.
To soothe a frightened cry,
I’ll be waiting forever more.

I’ll watch over your children’s play
and smile at your embraces.
You’ll never know how much I do
and that I’m endearing all your faces.

If you ever need to call on me
the hours shall never be too late.
The term of friend is no longer adequate
because you are family to me now by fate.

Unasking, never needing,
you are part of my protection.
You are important and will be recieving
because you have my love and affection.

You know not all you’ve done for me
during all my time on Earth.
And tears come to mine eyes
with all you make me feel I’m worth.

So, I will watch your road
and I will latch your gate.
Because, that’s where I’ll be found.
Keeping the candle burning,
For you, I’ll always be around.

The devotion that she harbored,
they never tried to compare.
When she loved them the most,
all she held was air.

She was tired
And she was weary
from the prayers she prayed
both night and day
her self-made rosary.

She forgave herself for stopping
And let loose of the reins.
She came to find herself again
and let go of the pain.

She hides her heart more than ever now
To remedy naïve mistakes.
Though, the world has now opened to her
And the opportunities she gladly takes.

This girl weaves through the world of men
And this is what she thinks
Water, water everywhere
but nary a drop to drink.

She can discern good men
But none want to try her taste.
When she wants a refuge where to nuzzle
Her couch is the only place.

She lives a life and can hold the men she loves
only when she sleeps.
And she listens to music never saying it’s to soothe
and keep her heart at peace.

She stays long at the bars
to tire her wandering, restless soul.
And visits with those like herself
As they all silently console.

And as she drinks
her hugs and kisses
while she sits, dreams, waits and wishes.

So many accounts, so little time. 

I am, however, learning more about networking and becoming more proficient in… ugh… I dunno creating accounts.  What skills does that equip me with?  Well, anyway, expect to hear more from me in the near future.  Expect the unexpected… always.