The following poem was originally written as a dedication to those caught up in the Columbine school shooting. However, I would like to dedicate it to all victims of these terrible outrages.

I lay in bed, I couldn't sleep,
In my head, I heard them weep,
I'd watched the news, heard the words,
I sat confused, dazed and hurt,

The reports were live, happening now,
I sat and cried, Who...? Why...? How...?
So far away, yet near as home,
Until today, their names unknown.

They laughed, they cried,
They played, they sighed,
They fought, they kissed,
They caught, they missed,

They ran, they walked,
They planned, they talked,
They booed, they cheered,
They bruised, they feared.

Those left behind, lost and scared,
wounded, afraid,
They need our love, just like before,
The difference now, they need it more,

If after time, the wounds will heal,
it still won't end, the pain they feel,
Time and love, may help them find,
A way to cope, a peace of mind.

Hold them tight, don't let them go,
"No matter what", let them know,
That you'll be here, they're not alone,
You'll be their dream, you'll be their hope.

Dedicated to the victims and survivors of the Columbine shooting and their families.

"We will remember"

The following poem is dedicated to a very beautiful woman.

My heart aches, for a thousand smiles,
to walk with you, for miles & miles.
To kiss your lips, so sweet, so soft,
to me, the outside world would stop.

My heart aches, to hear you laugh,
to feel your touch, melt in your arms.
To feel your cheek, next to mine,
to feel your breath, so warm, so fine.

My heart aches, to hold you tight,
to hold you close, throughout the night.
To sit and talk, about life & stuff,
to tell you that, you have my love.

My heart aches, to see you happy,
to let you know, your importance to me.
To touch your cheek, look in your eyes,
to say you have, my heart, for life.

Written January 26, 2000

Smile at the sound of an unashamed laugh,
Marvel at how they like to splash in the bath.
Watch as they crawl on their hands and their knees,
and clap and exclaim, be thrilled and be pleased.

Their innocence as precious as diamonds and pearls,
Their hair lush and thick, very thin or with curls.
They grab for your fingers, they squeeze, won't let go,
Their life and their love even purer than new snow.

Every sight, every sound, every smell that they find,
Is stored and remembered in a bright and young mind.
Though they just can't quite talk, they gurgle and lead,
And with practice and patience, they get what they need.

In a few short months, they will toddle or walk,
And from being aware, they will learn how to talk.
But if you listen and wait, for a moment or half,
Your heart swells with love, as you hear that sweet laugh.

Written December 26, 2000

Sometimes it's hard, to see just how lucky we are,
We whine, and complain, and just look afar,
at the people, and places, where everything works,
always complaining, and bitching, of the bad things that lurk.

We close our minds, and our eyes, to the good things around,
and refuse to admit that these good things abound,
and though life isn't easy, it's not all that hard,
and it's our refusal to deal, that leaves us with scars.

So the job isn't perfect, or a relationship's dying,
this doesn't mean life sucks, or it isn't worth trying,
we weren't just born with a divine right to happiness,
we have to work, and be grateful, just for the chance.

Instead of just looking, at those with "good" luck,
take a look around, at those who were "stuck",
with a much harder start, to the life you think bad,
and try to comprehend, that they don't seem as sad.

See, we're all dealt a hand, some are great, some not so,
but it's not what you get, it's what you do with it too,
Imagine losing your sight, or your hearing, or limbs,
and *still* treating life, like the most precious gift

Ask yourself why, with all the pain that some feel,
how they can still smile, and be glad that life's real,
and promise yourself, that you'll try and you'll strive,
to accept all your gifts, and be glad you're alive.

(written after seeing on tv, the Colorado school for the blind and deaf)

Written July 13th 2001

Every single day, there are choices thrown at you
Some are easy, so simple, you know what to do
others so complicated, that you just don't know
if you even trust yourself, over which way to go
Do you take the chance, try something new
or just hide away, till the chance has passed through.

If you don't trust yourself, you've already lost
many chances or gifts, of life or of love
if you can't open up, or let people in
if you hold them away, or keep yourself hidden
then you may never find the will to try
as you watch the whole world pass you by.

So in the end, there's only one choice to make
do I lament my losses, or find the courage to take
the chances I'm offered, and the outstretched hands
of all the people who accept me for the person I am
In the end, the answer is quite simple to see
I have to accept myself, and be all I can be.