Convex Visions

Rainbows and storms
fill the mirror that
glares in my face.
Nothing could be less norm,
or leaves me more bare
than my fear of Grace.

Perhaps Dante is right...
Do I make God wait?
Ghosts sometimes stalk my soul
from my mirror that lights
that rearward view; they try
to make me their final goal.

Darkness and Light
gloats as thunderbolts pass...
Gleefully, they intertwine behind,
canceling out that inner fight...
I drive faster from them, but
they still close into my mind.

It's hard to run ahead
when looking to the rear.
I can't help my self,
its the unknown it still fears!
But, I ram head-on into the newness,
not yet seeing all it's new wealth...

Maybe I should just stop
and let the thunderbolts catch me!
Convex mirrors do deceive,
you know! So, I'll let those 'bolts drop
into my mind, and let my Self heal.
Hell, I'll even let my Soul breathe...

© 2014 Michael G. Hesley
All Rights Reserved

The Balm of the Night

I've known I was odd
since I was young.
Parents and teachers told me so...
Shackled by that label,
I grow restless and bold.

I remember seeing things
that weren't there. Like that "odd bond,"
daring myself to break free.
With hope, I bare my soul
and dream to see what life brings.

I desire beautiful sights,
and in my mind's eye
happily I taste it, and
while it touches my spirit,
I bathe in it's light.

Sometimes I see wondrous
old and new visions of beauty,
freshly painted by the morning's dew.
They pierce me like arrows of light; oh,
I yearn with desire to hear that thunder...

I'm told I'm odd, and I've never fit
into the usual molds, always different,
yet not meaning to be.
Its my nature to fly, but this self-made
halsband keeps me in a snit.

Wanting to be free of the bight's
restricting grip, I strain in my
fight for freedom and
quietly express myself
usually late at night.

Yes... When all is quiet, and all is calm,
I dream of beauty and light, and while
I'm there I don't strain with all my might.
There, where I'm normal, and restful,
I'm touched with God's soothing balm.

© 2014 Michael G. Hesley
All Rights Reserved

Veteran's Day in the United States of America

For all of the men and women who put on a military uniform that I had the pleasure of serving with, my utmost respect and prayers for you this Veteran's Day. Especially for my family, Gerald Hesley, my father, Dennis and Denese Hesley, Jan Hesley, Bill King, and Joe King. Thank you all for your service to the people of the United States of America.

TC...

© 2013 Michael G. Hesley
All Rights Reserved

The Dance of Life

Have you ever had an argument (in your mind at least) where you are angry and upset about something and you it carry through to an unpleasant ending?

Of course, you have. Who hasn’t? So have I. We have our opinions, and others have theirs too. But, that day, you didn’t let your friend have their opinion, and you take their “imperfect thoughts” too seriously. Bam! Instant fool. Yes, we human beings can easily stand up straight with both feet stuck in our mouths.

You have years of childhood and adult programming to overcome, and too many years of teaching ‘n preaching (literally). You think, you can be accepting, positive, and not pushy. Your friends are truly kind, unselfish, and good hearted people. But yet you still give in to your egoic self, because it believes that you don’t matter anymore. At least the ego tells you that.

Matter? To what? To whom? What is your problem? Don’t want to be a victim of love and life, of government and corporations? Family or friends? Yep, the ego doesn’t want to feel small and helpless. Yet, your mind has these important (seems like) thoughts and your mouth just can’t shut up. The ego likes to win. Or as Captain Kirk said in a Star Trek movie where he cheated and won the impossible scenario, “I don’t like to lose.” And, I am one of those.

You don’t like to lose, as a paratrooper, as a fighter pilot, as a man or woman, as an airline pilot, as a father, as a boss, or as a spouse or as a child. Let’s face it, the ego doesn’t like to lose. WE don’t like to lose. Beat the drum loudly. Time goes by…

After the silence and self-reflectance, we realize, what did I have to prove? Your ego is forgiven, and you kick it once more in the ass for a reminder, and guess what? You stop trying to make your point, where your ego absolutely loves to hear itself talk and act out. Yes, its a chest-thumping, wild animal that loves to hear itself talk. You know, in our minds, we all have that craziness, whether we speak softly and appear calm, or shout it out because inside you are mad, and suffering from years of stinking thinking and programming.

So, you give in to the feeling that you don’t need to say or prove anything. Then, miraculously, the calm confidence sets in… You stop thinking that way, and more importantly, you stop talking. And you realize that the whole argument strikes you as ridiculous and absurd. Pressure is relieved, you come up for air, and you no longer feel the anger, the fear, and feeling of being attacked. And… You. Start. To. Laugh. At. Yourself.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could do that any time, any place, and in any situation? Maybe we’d all feel free, and happy, because you are learning to do one very simple thing... Freely LETTING GO at will, continuously, and without regret. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Now your Self is in charge, and you are no longer at the mercy of the world. It would be nice if our noisy mind’s thoughts no longer have to exit through the mouth. A perfectly boring world. Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe so. But, a peaceful world in your heart and Soul.

But, sometimes, we oblige our egos and dance “one step forward, and two steps back.”

I took ballroom dancing lessons for almost two years. We had to leave our ego's at the door. That's how we learn and let go. Just like with dancing lessons, mistakes are made, we learn, live, love, and forgive ourselves and others. The Dance of Life.

Take care.
:-)

© 2013 Michael G. Hesley
All Rights Reserved

Kirkland's Juanita Beach at Night

Juanita Beach in Kirkland, Washington at night. I've walked on the old road bridge, now a footbridge, for seven years and I guess I was open enough for once to see this sight. I set my Nikon 1 V1 camera on the railing, and snapped about 15 pictures. Interesting how I saw it that night.

I think this one is the best...

Juanita Beach at night - Kirkland, Washington

Technical stuff: I took this picture on April 26, 2013 at about 9:03 pm with a Nikon 1 V1 at ISO 100, 18.5 mm f/1.8 (EFL 50 mm) at f/4.0, and 30 seconds. I edited it with Lightroom 4.4 and Nik Color Efex Pro 4.0.

Take care...

© 2013 Michael G. Hesley
All Rights Reserved

Sea-Tac International Airport

Sea-Tac International at Sunset with an iPhone 4S, edited with Snapseed.
Words just don't describe how I saw it...

 

Take care...

Copyright (C) 2013 by Michael G. Hesley
All Rights Reserved