Poem #76

A Few Good Men

There are a few good men I know

Special, distinct

In many ways like Super Heroes or Angels

Childish, know I 

But they are magnificent,

Triumphant in so many ways

They are my friends,

But in a season past they were my mentors and leaders

Guiding me in the personal while impacting me as the professional

But as the tides came and gone and age settled in, years have taken us

The edges of the ensignia slowly chipped away

And although we have taken different paths

There remains still in my mind a remnant 

Contact we still have

They call

They write

They wait

To meet again

So, it is not farewell, but rather an anticipation of reunion

For our goodbyes are only temporary and seldom forever

First, Brandon

The ever-so determined warrior

Anxious for combat, and desperate for attention

He neglects diminutive responsibilities, but accepts every near-impossible challenge and feat

Then, Gregory

The mob's favorite

With nicknames like Father Gregorian and Big Juice

He possesses many talents and gifts,

But his respect for the human condition remains his top virtue

Next, Pablo

With his uber-fast ramblings and tourette-like mannerisms

He loves to love and always needs to touch

A father now on the mountain top with his son

We laugh with him and remember him even when it is outrageous

After, there is Tyler

Inquisitive and moving, He always rises to the occasion

Underwater and at the highest peak

Looking at the horizon with the sun

The mystic and the skeptic all-in-one

Do not forget the artist,

Before the Warrior

Kirkham his Last, and Luke his First

The humble servant now outcast

Traveler of nations, and Seeker of Truths

And Shilo,

Calculating and Analyzing even the smallest detail

Nothing will go uninspected if the mind is to be applied

Even at his own demise, the man will always sacrifice

Himself in the interest of the Other

Finally, Brad

The proud and motivating Jester

He is loud, but he is Wise

Choosing carefully when to present himself as the Grand Rhetoric of success

An intellect, an extrovert, and an inventor of many futurist concepts

There are many more movers, but in this time I reflect on the few

A Few Good Men

#Marines

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Currently reading: 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

Currently listening: Chainsmokers - Sickboy

Pain-level: 3

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@Godsplan1989

Poem #346

These Hands of Mine

In the morning when I wake, 

the first thing I notice are my hands

Cold, hard and stiff

These are mine

Often paranoid, I am cautious and careful to protect them.

These hands

Watching every corner, anticipating every step

My feet guide them

The times are quieter now

The touch is softer now 

But how about a joke?

A good laugh?

You have my permission

Call me Mr. Krabs, or perhaps

Edward Scissorhands

All for humor and a time to be glad

But remember,

these hands are mine

But the times are quieter now

the touch is softer

I cannot bend my fingers

I cannot snap them either

And in the midst of a crowd, 

I cannot clap and join the ominous roar of a concert

But even still,

these hands remain

Fingers, thumbs and everything, 

All, of course, still in tact

There is a time, however,

When the hands are lifted in the air

To pray, to praise

and...

From the bottom of the gut,

From the bottom of the belly,

With bellows and bawds

I CRY!

Praise JA, Praise YAH!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

When this time manifests,

Do me your best with your compassionate heart

and kind words, 

Say

Beautiful, beautiful

"You are beautiful!"

But never forget, always remember

These hands...These hands...My hands...

are Mine

Photo credit: Samuel Alderete

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Currently reading: 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

Currently listening: The Best of Leo Rojas New 2018 | Leo Rojas Greatest Hits Full Album 2018

Pain-level: 2

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@godsplan1989

Birthday, Meds and Poetry

A week ago was my 30th birthday. I have been to Hell and back and the one thing that has kept me alive was friendships. There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. I have a lot of brothers that have called and written. It's been almost six months since my discharge from the hospital, and I have received nothing but love and support. Through the scorching sun of summer and the shivering cold of winter, I have received hugs, letters, youtube videos, and many pictures all to remember my life, here, with you, now.

By some measure of faith they believe me. They believe in what I say. They believe me in my pain, they believe me in my happiness. I'm not alone. I never was.

Just yesterday my future brother-in-law drove me to Rosarito. When he dropped me off I realized I had left something in his car. My sister got a hold of him and they both drove back to get me my medicines.

Love.

Why did it take me so long to understand?

You can't choose your family, but you can choose your friends, and they chose me.

The nerves in my feet began tingling. Throbbing and aching. Throbbing and aching. Throbbing and aching. Throbbing and aching. The pins and needles pinch my face. This is my party I can cry if I want to.

Relax, breathe. Keep writing...

As I approached my uncle's house, I noticed black-and-white wall paper on the front door. I walk in and see decor everywhere and most important, pizza. Of course, the people, too, duh! It was near perfect. Michael Jordan coming in the clutch.

   A place to gather
   Some people invited
   The nerves were tingling
   My spirit excited

   Mostly fam, but a few close friends
   I'm thankful for the party, but sad for its end

   30 years gone, and another day passed
   I will always remember the special day with my new tight clan
  
   No more need for rhyme, just a simple ending
   Death can wait because I'm not done living

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Currently reading: 12 Rules For Life - An Antidote to Chaos
Currently listening: MrOtterMusic | Alone | A Chill Mix
Pain-level: 3

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@godsplan1989

New Year's Motivation

   Around this time of year people get hyped, motivated and inspired. Articles upon articles are written about the significance of setting a new year's resolution. Therapists recommend it, celebrities tweet it, and even pastors preach it, but like many I laughed and scoffed about the stupidity and laziness behind a new year's resolution. "Lame," I would say, these people are short-sighted I thought, but now things are different.

   I turn 30 tomorrow, and my attitude has evolved. It's good to have a plan. It's good to set a goal. Losing weight, reading the Bible everyday, or quitting pornography are all great things. Why should I bring down someone's enthusiasm for positive change, so now instead I encourage it. I ask, "Hey Chula Ma, what are your goals for the new year?" From there a conversation is started, and the body is edified.

It is said "where there is no vision, the people shall perish," in other words if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

In short here are my four goals for the new year:

1. Read the Bible in one year (December 31st, 2019)
2. Play piano 30 minutes a day
3. Post on my blog at least once (1) a week
4. Complete my first novel

Well there you have it my list for 2019. Oh by the way, here's three methods for accomplishing your goals:

1. Write it down - put it on paper. You'll remember and you'll be reminded by the Perfect Ghost.
2. Pass it around - share your goals with your peers. Studies show that accountability is part of the process.
3. Get it done! Simple, write?

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P.S. In order to better suit my readers, I decided to sign-up for a Twitter account associated with this blog. I'll tweet every time I post. Find me @godsplan1989.

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Currently reading: If You Feel Too Much
Currently listening: Old School Instrumental - - Mix
Pain-level: 3

For Your Prayers

This post is short but necessary.

Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your kind words. Thank you for all your support. It has been a gift rereading everyone's comments in PRAYERS FOR MICHAEL. It has been an honor seeing all who donated supporting my mother and father via GoFundMe. It has been a privilege reading all your mail during my time in the hospital and after at home - outgoing mail is coming soon.

: )

Thank you. There is so much I want to say, but I'm tired and sick. I'm going back stateside tomorrow, and on Thursday I have a couple of doctor visits, hopefully those go well.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Goals, goals, goals.

Let's talk about goals next time.

; )


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Currently reading: Oswald Chambers My Utmost For His Highest, If You Feel Too Much
Pain-level: 5