Tears of Joy

                                                                            

Tears of Joy

In this pile of earth, one grain of sand

not in the desert or under the sea, but in my hand.

This tiny speck of dirt, this dust, is me

unearthed after centuries.

 Exfoliated into light and given life,

given a soul to breathe.

But only for a wink of an eye

a flutter of a hummingbird's wings or a butterfly's

Here I am breathing among paintings and etchings older than time

Remembering the artist's blood in my veins, hands same as mine.

I was a speck of flint on this cliff, then a pebble under this stream.

I remember it all now that I have returned, yet it is all distant memory

As I float gazing at the reflection in the Dordogne 

the bridges make a full circle

and the ripples relax my eyes

Hypnotized I realize this moment will never ever return 

and life is only passing by

I then think of my love, the grain of sand closest to mine, and I cry

tears of joy.

Thankful

I am a thankful person. Thankful for so much, for everything really. Here's a few that come to mind right away.... the Texas summer sun, water, plants, songs, love, my bed, AC, clear fresh springs, singing, mandolins, guitars, drummers, friends, family, animals, mankind, music, music venues, theaters, art, painters, photographers, journalists, babies, the fourth of July, unicycle football, birds, bird feeders, travel, plane tickets, children, wolves, howls, organic food, cute drummers named Jonny, green smoothies, hot water, horn players,  creativity, recordings, the radio, musicians, bikes, helmets, cameras, videos, comedy, agreements, laughs, smiles, joy, rain, gardens, canoes, festivals, fireworks, automobiles, rivers, lakes, trees, fingers and toes, existing, living in Austin Texas. Also, you, thank you too. What are you thankful for today?