Just Fine

The embers fade slowly
Nightfall brings an uneasy calm
Curtains veil the reality
Of the past day's fire alarm

It weighs in the mind heavy
An itch that seems to persist
Discouraging the drive within
Questions thy path to dismiss

Is it fallacy to continue further
Or simply a pause in the display
Daylight disrupts the dew-fall
Time for undone gumption to play

Gather my thoughts and inaction
Courage in the midst of the line
They may fire away effortlessly
I'll face it with a smile just fine.

The Tough Life I Seek

Its the tough life I seek
The pain, torture, and agony
Where fortune seems bleak
And the sorrow is deeper in me

Why should I do this?
Engage in the terrible straits
The narrow road of crisis
Determined by the Fates

Dredging through the mud
Emboldens my resolve
And boils my cry for blood
Barriers beware of ensuing dissolve

In this dark, harrowing time
My true self discovery occurs
Ripped away from what is sublime
This concoction begins to slowly stir

Fermented in the shaded shadows
A phoenix starts to emerge
The fiery flow beckons and bellows
My power soon converges

What is this you see?
It is the reversal of direction
Lifted up from changing seas
Cleansed of the failure distortion

You see the tough life I seek
Is only but for an mild instant
The lesson learned in meek
Forever rises in changes fervent

The new self that rises
Points a new direction of North
The strength of character surprises
Forward and further comes forth

The time away in somber silence
Stews the mind courageously anew
It grows in strict, incorrigible confidence
Becoming a light, airy, and vibrant hue

The change is nearly complete
My story makes a transition
A new challenge is here to meet
I seek to amplify with distinction

Its the tough life I seek
The pain, torture, and agony
Where misfortune is bleak
And the joy is deeper in me.

Who knew it was to be...

Who knew it was to be

The time was at a definite hand

A reckoning massive in display

Revealing an ordeal un-grand

The issues do remain

Troublesome disparity it'll be

A house laid waste ill-fame

In gruesome, macabre territory

Mud-slings and the dirt

Abhor the mirror-face

Prodding a need to cleanse

For mercy, penance and grace

The time is ever-present now

As it was in the persistent past 

To brush the dirt off the shoulders

And raise a tall, devout mast

Reinvention beckons a will

Set sail to the North my friend

To let it it loose unabridged again

Maybe its intervention, a God-send

The sludge grudge may bellow

Fastening like murky quicksand

But it hasn't even a chance

To capture this feature brand

Always forward and more

Heartfelt gusto unforsaken

Onward ho to the promised land

A change in the making

And here we go my friend

Are you ready for the journey

Who knew it was to be

Revealing an unknown entity.

The Dreams We Dream

The dreams we dream

Sometimes spark a drive

Such as in a light column beam

Egging us on to take a dive

Liftoff the countdown ends

We arrive at a new doorstep

A tree branch limb extends

Hope spurs from what we've kept

Exploring the new waterway

All caution to the waves

The wind calls us to play

To spelunking in the caves

The cost of opportunity

Is cast away by the wayside

All items are full of possibility

No rules need to abide

Delving deeper into the pools

A phantasmagorical world emerges

Monsters, angels, and even fools

An ethereal picture converges

A far reaching sound pings

Closer to the tower I climb

The audible sound now sings

An awe heavenly sublime

A message is scrawled

Upon a weather-worn scroll

The words etched and crawled

Beckoning my innermost soul

At this most basic elemental altar

Set aside in the darkest hour

A message is meant to halt the falter

Not to be stagnant and cower

It is time indeed

A thunderous clap bellows

The lighting strikes a feed

Zapping the lackluster fellow

Reinvigorated away from the darkness

Forthright in the beauty of this design

Breaking through incorrigible starkness

Drinking of the celebratory wine

The dreams we dream

Sets a positive emotion

The righteous path that we deem

Congruous for zealous devotion.

Can You Be a Champion?

I am driven
Motivated to be the best
A champion
Fighting to the last
Hard-charging
Like a beast
I shall not be the least

Nothing shall stop me
My mind knows the plans
The heart drives the train
Blasting through roadblocks
Watch out
I might just catch you
In a sudden surprise.

...And ignited a flow

On this very special day

Many, many years ago

You came to life

And ignited a flow

That moment christened

A beautiful child

Perfect in your own way

Uniquely styled

Honest to a fault

Honorably so

Outside the box thinking

A patented glow

I first came to know you

At a notable event

Who would've known

It was heaven-sent

For that person, you,

Became a good friend

Funny and graceful

Worthy to befriend

As I learned more

About who you are

My heart fluttered

Can this be an awesome star?

Irrevocably yes!

And even more 

The flow was a torrent

Blasting through the door

Not only was I

Your friend for sure

But I wanted even greater

More ever so more

Not just a girlfriend

But a life's partner

As in marriage

My life's partner

Though I knew 

It was quite a feat

20 months you gave me

To reach a defeat

I only had potential

But your heart I did seek

Patience on the ground

Even when times were bleak

We made it through

Regardless of the state

It was written in the stars

That was our love's fate

To go from a simple date

To husband and wife

I'm so indebtedly grateful

For your wondrous life

You have graced me

With your remarkable presence

Uplifting my lonely life

Better than any gift or present

It was half empty

You filled it full

Keeping me grounded

Yet never dull

I couldn't have asked

For any better

In a marvelous wife

None other is better

It was all because

Many, many years ago

You came to life
And ignited a flow.

Dedicated to my dear wife on her birthday. I am definitely the luckiest man!

The Fight Goes!

In need of a pick-me-up
Focused on the fight
Thinking in the dark
Of this downtrodden night

A path to fulfillment
The need to succeed
Time to ramp it up
Til my heart bleeds

Here I go
Passion it flows
The moment appears
The fight goes!

Freedom

©Copyright 2003 Ace-Clipart.com

Freedom

Comes at a cost

A sacrifice

With lives lost

Grateful

To the service

In memory

Of sacrifice

Remember

Never to forget

In honor

What they beget

Freedom

Given easily not

Rather earned

Hard fought.

Fire Away

Others may try to impose on what should be normal for you, but the reality is only you and your creator know what is best for you. Follow your heart and have tough skin. Let your detractors fire away and watch their criticisms deflect off you. In the end you will be satisfied because you led the life that you envisioned for yourself.

This also reminded me of an earlier post of mine called Forge Forward. Check it out!

The Spark That Burns

The spark that burns

Eats me alive

I am consumed

To fight and strive

The time is now

Carpe diem

Seize the moment

Thoughts on a whim

The struggles within

In a barren wasteland

Are but nothing

Against my stand

The anger bursts

A ferocious growl

I am the predator

On the prowl

Inactivity

Can be no more

Rising up

Breaking  through the door

The opportunity is here

Locked and targeted

Aiming high

The mind accelerated

The spark that burns

Empowers me whole

I shoot for the stars

My lofty goal.

I know that I haven't been blogging, but the passion that burns now has returned and I hope to carry this flame as far as it can go. I hope you will join me and thank you for your support.

US Soccer Pride

What a summer?!

There were many great moments in the world cup this year from defeat of the defending world champions Italy to the surprise German youth movement. Obviously, what is etched in my mind is the Landon Donovan winning goal shot in extra time against Algeria. That certainly will stay with me forever.

Slowly but sure, soccer or what the world calls football is growing in the US. Let's hope for a brighter future in 2014. But for now, we take a pause to reflect on our national unity and the motto that drove the 2010 US Men's National Soccer Team. Please enjoy!

Success is Reaching Your Personal Best

In a tribute to one of the most influential teachers in my life, John Wooden, who passed away yesterday. I have been blessed to first learn about this great man early in my life in college with a quote that I shall never forget:

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

In a Show of Force

The monster wave
With its mighty fury
Crashes onto shore
In a show of force

It speaks mightily
Of peak performance
Heightened at the crest
Indomitable

Forging forward
Unrelenting in approach
Evenhandedly
It flexes it muscles

Always on the Verge

Always on the verge
Ready to merge

Something grabs a hold
Stopping me from the fold

I want to reach the goal
That burns in my soul

Forward the imperial march
Through the destitute marsh

To that better place
In the right chase

Optimism sets a course
For no more remorse

I seek such path
That cleanses the aftermath

Always on the verge
Ready to merge.

My Fate

As the door creaks open
A monstrous figure appears
Dripping tears and sweat
Ferociously emitting fears

He growls fiercely loud
Terrifying the soul
Heat emanates from him
Blanketing the cold

The eyes seek you out
Mystifying in terror
He sees through the dark
Into the most inner

A blaze is lit
Engulfed is the room
I have no way out
Impending doom

I can see the hunger
The agony and pain within
Locked up in dormancy
Too long has it surely been

Rage fuels him
It shrouds the damp air
Encircled in flames
Affixed with a devious stare

A sudden movement
Is all it takes
One swift strike
And death seemingly makes

The ground quickly quivers
He has made his move
The thunderous quake
Like a hammered screw

I fall in grace
He devours the mold
An explosive transformation
Bends into the fold

Awakened from slumber
From the ashes pitiful
Flight takes its strong form
A phoenix in full

Morphed from the dreary
I have become him
In hunger and piercing pain
Filled to the bitter brim

I have returned
From the land of nether
Darting toward the goal
Of the dreams of better

Long it has been lost
Now I gather in powerful force
The passion and motivation
My flight takes it course

I shatter through the door
For opportunities embrace
Trailblazing through stubborn rock
Leaving a clear trace

My soul is lit with fire
The fervor resonates
I'm focused on my desires
I'll make my fate.

Never Give Up

Never give up
No let down
When times seem bleak
And the tide overbearing
Face it full steam

Get off the ground
Refocus the senses
Fixate the eyes
Listen to the beat
Follow the heart

The pain throttles
But soon subsides
The vitality grows
Rage burns furious
A forward march

Resistance to loss
No more agony
I see the goal
Never give up
Never let down
------------------
In dedication to perseverance in attaining personal goals recently realized. A calculated risk taken and rewarded.

Freedom

A wrecking ball
Blows past me
Toward the wall
Set to be free

Standards of the past
Flash before the eyes
Shattered at last
No limit the skies

Forward the march
Uncontrollable yearning
No backward arch
Infernal burning

Hunger strikes a pose
Negligence dissipates
These foes I depose
A new way anticipates

Painful yesteryear
Bellows its last breath
I see no fear
It has been put to death.

Rise to the Occasion

The tide is turning
Are you prepared?
The dawn of day comes
Are you scared?

Confidence it will be
The key of fortitude
Zoned-in on the prize
Utilizing my aptitude

Countess hours, days
Time under shutter
Furiously working
Chancing for a muster

Failures have taught
A distasteful lesson
Nonetheless needed
The future now beckons

Am I ready?
To step into the light?
Courage cometh now
I yearn for a good fight

The task is at hand
Work is surely cut out
Up for the challenge
Not shall I pout

A hard fought match
I intend to defeat
Fears, doubts
Pain I will unseat

The dark of night
Scares me no more
Stepping into the light
My wings will soar

The duel awaits
In the driver's seat
I shall conquer
Obliterating the feat.

Blinded by the Light...

Blinded by the light
Stuck in the darkness
Seemingly lost of sight
I must confess

The truth is horrible
Bloody, ruthless and unkind
Though it is incorrigible
It puts me in a bind

I need to see
The blight denies
What I should be
The belief subsides

Wandering nowhere
My soul is dark
Destitute and despair
A contrast so stark

Outwardly sunny
Purportedly fruitful
Jokingly funny
But inwardly awful

In a state of disgrace
No where to run or hide
Must I the truth face
Who shall I toward confide

Anger envelops a bubble
How could I be so stupid
Get into all this trouble
Shoddy and un-intrepid

I must own up
To the truth that is
Must speak up
Confidently of my business

Blinded by the light
Stuck in the darkness
Seemingly lost of sight
I must confess.

Inspired by a sibling in need of help that is stuck in denial. I pray for her deliverance to the light, to see the truth of what is so help can be given. May God Bless her!
__________________________________________

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Pressure

Mounting in the distance
A whole platoon or two
Oh heck, maybe even more
What is my strategy
Waves are crashing in
I must decide when
Should I run, flee
Who knows what to do
The sand is blowing away
The drums are beating
Calamities bountiful
Confusion rules the day
Strategy is foiled
Oh what the hell
I'll bust it open
Take a chance
Finish what I set out
The clock is ticking
Patience is pixie dust thin
The rush flushes
Within and throughout
The terror of night
Fast forward
Ever blaze of glory
Disaster aversion tactic
I have done it
Sealed the deal
Pushed against the grain
An army of one
Dust my shoulders off
Pow, Bam, Kaboom
Force to be reckoned with
Anger of passion
Fought like rebels
Against the rising tide
The drum beats no more
My heart gleams bold
Pressure
Pressure
Pressure
No more
Period.

In consideration and joy of writing under pressure =) Mostly self-induced because I like to finish my jobs on time or earlier if possible.