Standstill

For years I stood still

But not for very long

Today is the start

Of how I’d sing my song

I’d sing it with intent

I’d sing on my own unique pace

Never without passion or purpose

And always in good taste

The years I stood still

I would long for a change

I would wait for a sign

I would pray to the saints

I yearned for something better

Something that’s worthwhile

Something I’d cherish and remember

Until the day I die

But the years I stood still

Time has passed me by

I am the same as before

And yet I keep asking why

I did as I was told

Followed the law, followed the rules

Afraid to bend them and to break them

Yet I still feel such a fool

Oh the years of standing still

I felt like a bird in a cage

I am here but just a mere display

Would I still be like this when I age?

No more wondering and pondering

But more doing instead

No need to be afraid, no need to wait and wait

Because I want to live before I’m dead

Yes, for years I stood still

But not for very long

Today is the start

Of how I’d sing my song

life hunger

my time is not enough
even if i have a hundred years
to explore what life has to offer
to relish the things i hold dear

still so much more to do
more places i need to see
more people i need to meet
more things to get for me

more stories i've yet to share
more music i've yet to make
more experiences i've yet to bear
more risks i've yet to take

more potential i need to discover
perhaps more time will grant my wish
yes, there is still so much more to do
and this is just part of the list

but someday i know my time will come
when my body will no longer last
but until that day i'm not yet done
i have yet to fulfill life's unending tasks

the pattern

i keep on falling
several times in a row
and each time i get up
i tend to stand with my head down low

and it takes a while to recover
to get my feet back on the ground
somehow i am lost
and desperate to be found

and before i get up
i linger on my fallen self
i ponder on the what ifs and what could haves
and let the ice in my heart melt

but yet i get up
with the driving force of my dreams
fueled by hope
and the desire to self-redeem

this time would be different
that's what i would always say
i would learn from experience
and the tragedies of yesterdays

and then when my head
is finally held up high
doubt and fear would visit me
they always like to stand by

so i fall...
i get up...
i fall...
and get up again
this pattern i know by heart
i have the option to stay down and quit
but for know i choose to get up

fueled by coffee

"Behind every successful woman...is a substantial amount of coffee." -- Stephanie Piro

let me have my coffee
before i start the day
i need it to awaken my body
before i make my way

let me have my coffee
before you speak to me
about this or that or whatever
let me sip or you'll hear me never

o yes, i need my coffee
during lunchtime too
let me smell the hazelnut aroma
i need it to prevent food coma

and let me have my coffee
while i am hitting the books
while i am surfing the net
while i am trying to cook

and please let me have my coffee
after a crazy day at work
i need it to keep my sanity
after dealing with some jerks

don't worry about me
just give me those with sugar and cream
worry about you, honey
if i don't have my caffeine!

the journey

on this journey i took along
my goals and dreams and then some songs

i relied on my goals to keep me going
and set some more for the taking

along the road i met experiences past
and used it to make my journey last

my goals and my past then fed my dreams
while the songs made the trip shorter than it seems

i used up my dreams and replenished them for more
while i wonder for what i'm doing it for

so i looked and looked and asked above
if there is something in this journey that i forgot

i then decided to take another way
only to discover things to my dismay

a ship on the dock, a car that's parked
a book unread, a shepherd without a flock

with enlightenment i went back to my course
this time taking with me my forgotten purpose

and all this time purpose made it clear
as to what i am doing here

and though my journey took an extra mile
going through it with purpose makes it all worthwhile

the little things

Most of the critical things in life, which become
the starting points for human destiny, are little things.
- R. Smith

it does not seem to be important

but hey, i tell you now

the little things do matter

and work their way in somehow

what if there are no smiles

no converstations, no time to ever spend

would you still call it a friendship

would you call your friend a friend?

and if there are no reminders

from your teacher to practice your craft each day

do you think you'll ever encounter

the success that you have today?

no love will ever come upon

without time spent with other

without sacrifices, without commitments

without putting up with one's flaws either

and perhaps without the sunrise

without stories of people that cope

without spring following winter

i doubt that we will ever feel hope

and maybe without your small donation

without the one person that first stood up

without the 5K you've walked for the cure*

we would have lost the fight and given up

yes, the bigger things

that lead to something great

actually came from the little things

combined with a little faith

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* inspired by the Susan G Komen foundation, the biggest charity for breast cancer research. This started with a sister's dying wish in the 1980's, which then fueled the fire to find the cure through marathons and fund raisers. The foundation has since then donated an average of $1.5 billion to breast cancer research, which then has significantly improved breast cancer survival rates.

the things i'd do for free

i'd sing for the Pope
i'd eat in Japan
i'd give my own soap
to the prime minister of Thailand

all these i would do
i would do without a fee
without conditions, without dues
the payment is the opportunity

i might even consider
to do Coco Chanel's laundry
or maybe i'd deliver
Angelina Jolie's next baby

and of course i would judge
along with Simon Cowell
and i would not mind making fudge
with Paula Deen either

call it gratis, libre
libero or frei
free services i'd render
no strings, no lies

and i would not miss the chance
to keep the Dalai Lama company
and of course i'd willingly dance
with Usher or the Black Eyed Peas

i'd paint the First Family's portrait
i'd perform in Carnegie Hall
i'd happily and willingly edit
JK Rowling's new book this fall*

but then again i'm a publc servant
just your regular gal
i offer free advice, company and time
as long as you're my pal

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* i don't know if there's a new book, but can't wait for her next one!