Water Proof

December 18

WATER PROOF

What could water prove anyway?  I get in the water and I get wet.  I’m sure there is a theorem but a proof is highly doubtful.  Naiads dance with tridents in their hands illustrating the beauty and danger of the waves but this certifies nothing.  Juiceless arid dirt can make no claims either.  I see the ducks take flight pushing the air with their wings and the rivulets trailing from webs.  This is the thing to scoot beneath at the surface, take sustenance and pleasure, but never to become so saturated that the air is lost.  Waterproof… is the way to go.

Give preconceived notions a place on the shelf or in the can but no place in your life.

*

Lame

I easily identify the big mistakes of my life,

but fail to recognize or report the little mistakes

that I make, mistakes, which cost me so much.

Repetitive irresponsibility has the effect of water torture;

drip, drip, drip and my peace of mind is worn away.

What can I say of what I refuse to see?

It was there all along like the view covered by the shade.

Who is to blame for not raising the curtain?

It may be me, may not, but I am the one who suffers,

I am the one who misses out.

Missing the opportunity to grow out of these

small deficiencies leaves me with a lifelong handicap

and I am not just speaking of my blindness,

but also how they make me lame.

Vlog: http://youtu.be/qcBxKOeyusw

You are reading selections from Sober on the Way to Sane and More Lines From My Life by Sherrie Theriault

http://www.amazon.com/Sober-On-The-Way-Sane/dp/1440417342/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388576888&sr=8-1&keywords=sober+on+the+way+to+sane

http://www.amazon.com/More-Lines-From-My-Life/dp/1448677203/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388576956&sr=8-1&keywords=More+Lines+From+My+Life

Before the End of the Road

November 5

BEFORE THE END OF THE ROAD

Before the end of the road tiny stone lay on the side, freshly painted lines glimmer in this twilight trance.  Walking the macadam, the crunch underfoot changes my perspective.  No steering wheel or accelerator, this is ankle express all the way.  Walking the road step by step, on my own, I am part of the soft and growing world progressing on a plan of separate integrity.  Moist, lush wonder is missed by the motor speedway I let rule my life.  Honeyed sweetness covers the vegetation swaying in the undulating airborne pulse.  I am tempted to lie down and have a roll, but my role tonight is to reach the end of the road.  When my goal is achieved I may choose a woodland life or an urban endeavor.  Seeing the end of this path is job enough for now.  Decisions anticipated prior to arrival are foolish diversions.  I need to stay, not stray, with the dancers in the wind.

Execute the detractors in your mind.

*

Let the Groundhog Sing It

Mistakes and poor choices save me

from attempting to climb out onto moral high ground.

Moral ambiguity keeps me protected

from the illusion of relentless righteousness.

Lopsided living is a fate I am spared

due to my flawed execution of perfection;

all in a day’s work for a functional human.

Left by the wayside is the fantasy that I am all right.

You are reading selections from Sober on the Way to Sane and More Lines From My Life by Sherrie Theriault

http://www.amazon.com/Sober-On-The-Way-Sane/dp/1440417342/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388576888&sr=8-1&keywords=sober+on+the+way+to+sane

http://www.amazon.com/More-Lines-From-My-Life/dp/1448677203/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388576956&sr=8-1&keywords=More+Lines+From+My+Life

On a Half-Shell in Front of Tiffany's

October 30

On a Half-shell in Front of Tiffany’s

Pretty petty pearls wait in oysters more perturbed than annoyed.  I string my tears for the sake of posterity leaving the dreams to fend for themselves.  I am nothing if not splendidly prepared for a life less steeped in wishes than realism.  Opening volleys tell a tale of round irritation, but I am not finished just yet.  Joy comes from surpassing obstacles and wearing healed grief as precious gems around my neck.

Pick a retirement home for your critics

*

EIGHT MISTAKES CLOSER

I am eight mistakes closer to perfection.
As long as I fall forward, progress is being made.
I fail meticulously toward my goal
More cannot be asked.

Loss, pain, frustration are strong teachers and motivators.
I suck each splinter for knowledge,
Extracting juice from every fragment for information.
In spite of sprains and strains I have stretched
Attaining almost my full height.

Growth is a wonderful thing though cost is always involved.
Mistakes are an unavoidable price
But well worth the expense.
They are an expense which pays dividends
Dividends that move me towards perfection.

You are reading selections from More Sober on the Way to Sane and Lines From My Life by Sherrie Theriault

http://www.amazon.com/More-Sober-The-Way-Sane/dp/144141231X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1374072329&sr=8-3&keywords=sober+on+the+way+to+sane

http://www.amazon.com/Lines-My-Life-Sherrie-Theriault/dp/1448652820/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374072576&sr=1-1&keywords=Lines+from+my+life%2C+Sherrie+theriault

Eight Mistakes Closer

November 12

EIGHT MISTAKES CLOSER

I am eight mistakes closer to perfection.  As long as I fall forward, progress is being made.  I fail meticulously toward my goal, more cannot be asked.  Loss, pain, frustration are strong teachers and great motivators.  I suck each splinter for knowledge, extracting juice from every fragment for information.  In spite of sprains and strains, I have stretched, attaining almost my full height.  Growth is a wonderful thing, though cost is always involved.  Mistakes are an unavoidable price but well worth the expense.  They are an expense that pays dividends, dividends that move me toward perfection.

Stretch your body, flex your mind.

*

Clean Underwear

The ease of the trip is often determined

by the quality of the packing.

When I am entirely ready, travel is easier.

I wash the laundry early to give myself a head start.

Lay everything out and walk through each day’s needs;

roll up my outfits and tuck each into my bag.

I try to take less than half of my ‘what if’ worry items

and cut short my ‘disaster plan’ thinking.

If I pack positive thoughts and clean panties I am fine

and if I forget them …………………

I can always pick some up along the way.

Before the End of the Road

November 5

BEFORE THE END OF THE ROAD

Before the end of the road tiny stone lay on the side, freshly painted lines glimmer in this twilight trance.  Walking the macadam, the crunch underfoot changes my perspective.  No steering wheel or accelerator, this is ankle express all the way.  Walking the road step by step, on my own, I am part of the soft and growing world progressing on a plan of separate integrity.  Moist, lush wonder is missed by the motor speedway I let rule my life.  Honeyed sweetness covers the vegetation swaying in the undulating airborne pulse.  I am tempted to lie down and have a roll, but my role tonight is to reach the end of the road.  When my goal is achieved I may choose a woodland life or an urban endeavor.  Seeing the end of this path is job enough for now.  Decisions anticipated prior to arrival are foolish diversions.  I need to stay, not stray, with the dancers in the wind.

Execute the detractors in your mind.

*

Let the Groundhog Sing It

Mistakes and poor choices save me

from attempting to climb out onto moral high ground.

Moral ambiguity keeps me protected

from the illusion of relentless righteousness.

Lopsided living is a fate I am spared

due to my flawed execution of perfection;

all in a day’s work for a functional human.

Left by the wayside is the fantasy that I am all right.

Rooftop Coffee

September 16

ROOFTOP COFFEE

Who is more powerless: the person driving down the road with his cup of coffee on the roof of the car, or the one who sees it happen?  Lost in mental chaos, lost to the small things, I set the cup and forget, or content and serene, I am examining details and notice the oddness.  When my mind wanders I am helpless in the whirlpool and suction.  When I am grounded I am struck by the separate sealedness of the carnival around me.  Potential rides on the top; will it fall forward or back?  Will there be a sticky haze on the front windshield or the rear?  Or I could remember at the stoplight and spare myself everything but the embarrassment.  As the observer I try to be helpful, I point and jump and shout, calling the predicament to the attention of others in an attempt to increase my chances of success.  We all stand as the coffee speeds away to unknown disaster.

Wear your boldness like a mane.

*

Hand Washing

I live a simple life now;

I handle life as it is dished up.

I no longer need to make use of the dish prison.

Living an orderly active life I find it untenable

to have my favorite spoon or bowl held hostage

until I make enough mess to run the dishwasher through.

I don’t live an ‘Eight is Enough’ type existence

and need not burden my psyche

trying to save my hands a little soap.

I save the Cascade for visits to waterfalls,

Jet Dry for landing strips.

On a Half-shell in Front of Tiffany's

October 30

On a Half-shell in Front of Tiffany’s

Pretty petty pearls wait in oysters more perturbed than annoyed. I string my tears for the sake of posterity leaving the dreams to fend for themselves. I am nothing if not splendidly prepared for a life less steeped in wishes than realism. Opening volleys tell a tale of round irritation, but I am not finished just yet. Joy comes from surpassing obstacles and wearing healed grief as precious gems around my neck.

Pick a retirement home for your critics

*

EIGHT MISTAKES CLOSER

I am eight mistakes closer to perfection.
As long as I fall forward, progress is being made.
I fail meticulously toward my goal
More cannot be asked.

Loss, pain, frustration are strong teachers and motivators.
I suck each splinter for knowledge,
Extracting juice from every fragment for information.
In spite of sprains and strains I have stretched
Attaining almost my full height.

Growth is a wonderful thing though cost is always involved.
Mistakes are an unavoidable price
But well worth the expense.
They are an expense which pays dividends
Dividends that move me towards perfection.