Thick Skin

When I hear you sing I feel this deep sense of knowing An unexplainable closeness to your soul  A sorrow and a likeness  That makes me feel whole In the music, I can hear all of the years that you have lived The tears you've shed, the hurt you've felt  The smiles you've worn that made the world melt My heart feels like it could swell to bursting Or evaporate at the same time An understanding so deep it almost starts hurting And time stands still My sweet little hummingbird who can stop time Who can steal my attention and stop me on a dime When everything feels too heavy to carry I am reminded that there is so much more to life That joy is not contrary to grief And no matter the challenges that each day may bring You are always my luminary The bright light that guides me back  Carrying me on a tune  Never too late and never too soon  Back to the heart of you. 

 I stood today in the chaos of my 9-5 prison cell and paused The cold air pressed against my cheeks  I could feel them turning red like leaves Pressing against the inevitable - change A gust of wind, seemingly reserved just for me Sent leaves swirling off the trees Spiraling, swinging in swaths Dancing through the dawn Coming to rest at the feet of the tree That once held them so tenderly I closed my eyes and took a swelling breath I can see the orange hue of sun through my eyelids Warm and inviting me to open my eyes and see To lean into the changing of the seasons To know that I too am changing  And reflecting on the phase that came before this When I was fearfully waiting inside of my chrysalis Shaking at the thought of flight In this ever-present circle of life How beautiful it is to behold When your truly at the center of it all