Be grateful for a love that never dies This is Oxford’s definition of grief: deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone’s death. Sounds very cold and impersonal. But I can understand why. Unless one has walked the walk, shed the tears, and suffered from all the ravages of grief, it is impossible to grasp the conditions…
Author: Joe Merkle
Romance At The Garbage Can
An odorous affair There are moments in everyone’s life that are often unexpected and unexplainable. Moments that take one’s breath away. Surprises so great they change one to the core and truly awaken your heart center. This is one of those stories. The names of the characters in this story are fictional to protect the…
The Tree Of Life
Lies within us I knew not what I wasAnd yet I still reached for the skyHoping to grow tall and strong My family members were examplesOf kindness and sharingThey provided shelter and food To so many divergent species My brothers and sisters asked for nothing in returnTheir reward was the love they receivedAnd love they shared,…
Life Is Love, Love Is Life
Photo by Khadeeja Yasser on Unsplash During a contemplation last week, I realized how fortunate I’ve been to have been surrounded by love my entire life. I took that for granted for most of my life, not realizing how special it was. During this contemplation, I had several revelations I would like to share. When…
You Are The Music
I’ve played My life has been an orchestra of loveThose I’ve loved are the notes I have playedI sincerely don’t know what I’ve doneTo deserve the chance to conduct this heavenly serenade I‘ve conducted a wonderful symphony of soulsAll the sharps and flats creating a gravitational massAn inimitable universal love that unfoldsA treasure chest of love that…
A Soul On The Wing
A puppet on a celestial string the dance of moonbeamsacross cresting waveslends to daydreamsof hopes I’ve yet to attain footprints in the sandstragglers left behindballads are sung by a heavenly bandurging me to stay aligned waves lapping at my feetI stare into a starlit skythis human form seems obsoleteits existence hard to justify I’m just…
The Greatest Lessons In Life Are Gifts From Our Greatest Challenges
Think of all the experiences in your life that led you to this moment. The joys, the heartaches, the friendships, and the losses. Each one of them is a part of what makes you who you are today. But more importantly, who you will become tomorrow. Did you stop learning to ride a bike when…
It Had To Be You
My shining light When the setting sun slithers silentlyWhen darkness dooms my daylightAnd shadows slither into my soulA satanic stain swallowing my sanity I howl to the heavensImploring, inpouring spiritual salvationHelplessly hoping for her healing heartAnd her tender, tantalizing touch It had to be you, my shining lightLighting my way home to daylightSurround me, secure…
Another Garden Catastrphe Averted
In the middle of the night, the garden came alive with secrets only she could hear. This was not a new experience for Beth. By age three, Beth began to realize she was different. She didn’t think it was particularly unusual, but she was too young to understand her extraordinary talents. By age six, she…
Out Like A Light
Making love in our dreams Laughing, exhausted, and gasping for air, we both collapsed on the couch. Playing all our old albums we danced the night away. Memories came flooding back. Our teen years and college days when we clubbed the nights away. The moment we met. When we said, “I do”. The births of…