THE JOURNEY: Over the past year I have gotten into the habit of talking to myself. I probably always did it but I notice it now. I think that I am trying to determine if I will have a good answer to one of my many questions about life and death. After all, if I talk to myself I don't have to subject anyone else to these uncomfortable questions. So with that in mind I was asking myself what "normal" was. According to the dictionary it means regular, usual or natural. I think that my normal has shifted away from center. When you are with someone for so long, normal becomes second nature. A daily existence that is always there. You can count on it and set your clock to it. But what I have noticed is that normal after loosing someone no longer looks the same. It has noticeably shifted to reflect a new version, and in a way it takes you away from that previous comfort zone. Survival depends on you being able to perceive this shift, adjust to the new normality and grasp its significance. Moving into and accepting this new normality has allowed me to desire this new life inspite of keeping one hand grasped on to my old center. I am assuming that eventually I will let go when the time feels right.

FREEDOM

SLOWLY GLIDING OVER THE MUD FLATS
WHITE SHELLS LITTER THE BOTTOM
FLAT FISH DART IN ALL DIRECTIONS
SEEKING PEACE FROM THE WORLD

FLOWING WITH THE CURRENT
FEELING YOU ARE HARDLY MOVING
BIRDS FISH IN THE SHALLOWS
SEA LIONS POKE THEIR HEADS ABOVE THE WAVES
LETTING GO OF ALL SOUNDS OF MANKIND

CATCHING THE FAST MOVING WATER
MOVING QUICKLY IN THE CANOE
REQUIRES LITTLE EFFORT
FREEING YOURSELF TO FEEL THE SUN

FINDING PEACE
LETTING GO
FREEDOM
SEEK THEM IN EVERYTHING YOU DO
LOOK AT WHAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU AND PAY ATTENTION