Here's to me

HERE’S TO ME

I’m plain sick and very tired
Of chained letters that don’t get me fired
Of flowers in every colour
Inspiring me to dare flower

Of babies blowing kisses
And birds with dancing asses
Telling me to hug, love or just to hang in there!
Without bothering to know if I know where!

Of prayers, hymns and warnings
That don’t necessarily leave my spirits warming.
Advice on how to avoid death and defy the gods
Maintaining my health! Incomplete ditties
That never make my music nor water my lilies!

I’ve been told to stop the Bush War!
And been promised Bill Gates’ multi-millions in a future not so far!
I’ve seen Michael Jackson in Cold-Water-OMO
I’ve seen pictures, some fabulous others less so!

I’ve been reminded of my family;
And obligations to myself
And how to achieve inner peace
From the Dalai Llama, from others and from myself
After all I’ve got the power, I’m told.

Motivational the e-mails may be
But personal they definitely fail to be!

So here’s to me. .
I’ve wasted 20 years of my like guzzling drinks;
I’ve laid my lungs open to abuse of 27 years of senseless smoking!
I’ve loved too many wrong men!
I’ve nearly been raped and murdered;
I’ve nearly been infected with the dreaded virus all through my carelessness
I’ve squandered my money, within sneezing moments of making it;
I’ve exchanged many youthful smiles for an adulthood of scowls;
I sometimes wasn’t there for my children, family and friends
I recklessly took God for granted!

Look, today I’m wiser . . .
I now don’t drink, neither do I smoke;
I’m there for my children, family, friends and community;
My huge capacity for loving has been restored;
I love one sweet man and I’m hopefully safe from AIDS;
I smile when I rise and chuckle at the goodness of it all
As I drift off to sleep.
I now have a conference with God 24/7
And honour his house with visits
At least once a week –

Ain’t I beautiful?
Yea don’t I look beautiful!
I hear the music flowing through my blood
Just a touch beneath my skin!
I have the time, to catch each note
And roll it in my palms.
O display a child’s wonder
Sucking a toffee as I turn
The lyrics round and round in my mouth
I even hesitate to swallow
As the need to savour my tune, overwhelms!
I have the wings to soar
And a perpetual breeze to propel me
To heights even dizzier
I float sensibly and
With a rhythm of my own
I ride wave and bigger waves
With an inner balance
An inner peace and an inner love
That exudes without and
Beyond any known
I’ve found my balance . . .


2003