America Land of the Free?

 Back in 1999 -

I wrote a poem while in vacationing in 

 Albuquerque, NM.

I don't remember what the reason was 

I just know that as I sat at her table -

the words just flowed out.

That is usually how my poetry comes to me.

A thought, a sight, a story

and words come out from it.

Today - even in 2017

Eighteen years later...

I looked back on it after 

I read my niece stating that the state of the

world was making her so heavy hearted.

So, I looked it up again.

I realized how it could seem that

I wrote it today.

We are still fighting one another about race

We are still fighting one another about hope

We are still fighting one another about Government

We are still forgetting the soldier who gave us the right

To protest

To complain

To think we're right

 To even stand up and speak.

We are still not giving our children hope 

Our parents are still not able to cope.

What will it take for America to be the great

land that it used to be?

I think -

each person needs to be that change!

AMERICA, LAND OF THE FREE?

©1999 DarleneBl

America, land of the free?

I ask, how can this be?

We first see the color of skin,

Before examining the person within.

We fail to respect our land,

Even when it is in God's own hand.

Our children are unable to cope,

Our parents feel there is no hope.

We see the world with a dimly lit light,

Failing to understand each person's plight.

We have hidden from God's wonderful grace,

If we stop to listen, 

We will find that it still has a place.

Let us gather together once again,

For we ALL have so much to gain!!

America, Land of the Free?

It can be, with help from you and me!

When The Past Calls

My past didn't actually call yesterday - 

it came knocking in a text.

I say 'the past' because it's been 2 years since I've seen this 

'friend'.

It was a long time friendship that was full of drama -

and the toxic levels weren't understood

until the ties were gone and I stood alone reflecting.

 

I've also grown during this time.

I'm the same 

and yet I'm not who she used to know.

I realized that my caring nature put me there -

my caring nature also made me stay 

for way too long.

You know when you meet someone that you 'connect' with and it all seems good - 

but as time wears on, 

you realize it's a 80/10 percent effort relationship - 

and you're putting in the 80% or more?  

That was the old me.

I took care of her and our friendship 
I made sure that when I saw danger -
I warned her. 
Time and again she didn't listen.
Time and again she went off the cliff -
who rescued her? 
I did.

My hubby and I dropped everything
many times.

When my world was dark 
and I needed someone to turn on the light
she either wasn't there
or I wasn't a priority.

This became a pattern. 
Eventually it was too much in the last cliff hanger.
I couldn't do it anymore.

At first when things went south - 

it wasn't even a fight with my friend - 

it was with a family member of hers.

 

That day I walked away though -

I waited.

I waited for a phone call.

I waited for a text message.

I waited for an email.

I waited for a Facebook message.

I waited for a knock on my door.

Eventually....I stopped waiting.

I knew the 'sorry' was never going to come.

I knew that 'closure' wasn't going to come.

I knew I'd never hear the knock on my door.

That took an act of responsibility -

that was never going to be acted upon.

Let Them Go!

Why did I wait so long?

I wanted the person to make the choice to contact me 

first.

I'd done all the contacting and work for so long,

I figured it was due time for the other party 

to make their move 

first. 

That move never came.

Then the 'I miss you' & 'You've been on my mind'

text comes -
 2 years later.
Two years too late.

I'm not that person anymore.

The person you broke - grew strong in your absence.

The person you hurt - healed.

The person you 'miss' isn't here anymore. 

You don't miss ME

You miss what I did for you.

So, when the past comes calling - 

depending on your situation -

you might do what I did.

Don't answer. 

It really has nothing new to say.

You no longer are the person they are seeking.

You are strong enough to say NO!

Delete the message 

Block the access

Purge the drama

Walk away with your head held high!