Half Full

In the dark, in my chair
the sound of silence
splits the night

Paul and Art
forgotten friends
play hauntingly
softly sing to me
on this cold thanksgiving night

holiday spread
a pot pie, apple sauce
well… it’s fine
I dine in
a little whine
then, I feel

grateful
for my life
my job
my sight

my girls, the gift
that saved my life
left to me
by my sweet wife

grateful
for old friends
no more
grateful for closed
and open doors

grateful
for my insanity
keeps me sane
I laugh, I cry
glorious thing

grateful for the music
that fills the void
I stop, listen
really listen
whispers of souls
fill me with experiences unlived
but felt, then somehow known

grateful
for Lou Reed
for all the Janes I’ve known
and loved
Sweet Janes

grateful
for every mistake
without
there’d be no success
a million successes
a billion mistakes

grateful
to feel deep
yes, deep
everybody hurts you
who’s worth suffering for

grateful
for my imperfection
and yours
grateful
for this man in the mirror
you and I, at times, abhor

grateful,
for my things
precious things
can’t take them
but they’re a part of me
cherished and loved
gathered and used

grateful
for memories
colorful and rich
flooding my mind
with highlight reels
of life worth living

grateful
for wisdom
some, it’s nice
on occasion
young souls appear
stories, advice
look at me strange
not too much, just enough
to suffice

grateful
for heartbreak
essential sweet sorrow
to feel and feel deep
the greatest gift
steeped in joy
and heartache

grateful
for addiction
without it
wouldn’t know
how not to live
what not to do
with half my life

grateful
to Cecelia
she graced my being
some never know
the joy of cooking
a hot flame
the taste of delight
which is mine

still…

grateful
for this, my only life
worth living

worth giving
worth sharing
daring
to be satisfied

I am great, full.

-J