It’s quiet here in the mornings…

Stillness and peace they don’t last long.

There’s a bird song heard by my cat Ned.

And I think Ned thinks that’s all wrong.

The heat arrives in darkness…

June breaks up the winter freeze.

And all those distant memories.

That brought us to our knees.

There are no predictions for the future.

On this mornings rise.

But Ned could be the winner here.

See hope in that cat’s eyes.

She is closer to 12 than 11. I tell her she is loved, and I am proud of her and happy that she is in my life…

She tells me that this is a confusing time for kids her age with all the gender fluidity and the cliques. We both agree that children opting for surgery is not a good idea…

I tell her the cliques are nothing new and didn’t feel I fit in anywhere. She listens and nods. I tell her just to be herself. She seems confident and pleased.

Lily texts me and says that she is happy to have me as a friend.

The sun is shining, and the morning commuters seem pleasant and bathed. It looks like it could be a good one…

I hear him before I see who it is…

Unconsciously, I know who it is.

He arrived in the neighborhood a few months back. He’s young, maybe 20, and angry.

I try to get close enough to hear the details of his rage but not too close. I lose this battle to more street noise. His arms are waving, and he is yelling his thoughts… then he goes quiet and continues pacing Queen Street.

I want to know his past without being part of his future.

“Impossible” I tell myself and move on.

The heat brings them out from the warmth of their winter cocoons.

Striking out against the masses with their tired old complaints…

Blaming, pointing, staring rage, and discontent.

Poverty and addiction are at the root cause. However, neither appears to be what they are.

I remember the mindset. You don’t know you’re in it when it’s all you know. Like the joke about being stupid or dead. Everyone knows what you are except you.

Suffering is addicting too.

They said if I stared long enough into that haunting dark abyss.

That I could break the darkness and see light, I couldn’t miss.

You see, I have this peace of mind, and when I close my eyes.

I’ve made friends with the darkness; to my horror and surprise!

Cutting through the darkness of King Street West in the 3a.m. alone with no other passengers, on my way to work is peaceful.

It’s Monday, and a quartet of workers just arrived at Bathurst. They seem melancholy.

A young man reeking of pot just got on in the entertainment district…

And the day begins for some and ends for others.

She said she took the measure. But it came a little short.

It sounded much like confidence. Without the backing or support.

You know I had the warning. It was right there on my tongue.

But she wasn’t much on listening. So, no words were spoke or sung.

I was in the mood for silence . You could say all words were moot.

And she had that look in her eyes. If she had a gun, she’d shoot.

Sometimes, it’s just easier to turn and walk away.

To be the bigger person and get to live another day.

There was something in the water.

Not icecubes or alcohol.

Was something in the air last night.

Felt like Rome before the fall.

There were whispers in the shadows.

And fear upon the vine.

I checked the beach for trespass.

Was just you that crossed the line.

The stars were out in fury.

Burning bright in yonder sky.

I had so much to tell you once.

That time has passed us by.

There is a time in the future.

But I swear I don’t know when.

That the screamers and the activists.

Will pause and stop, and then…

Reflect upon a future.

That has no kids or men.

In the age of the short thinkers.

We won’t see their likes again!

Aa

It’s almost midnight, and I can’t find a cab to get home from work.

It’s the usual young lovers, packs of young beautiful women, drunks, and crack addicts.

I’m tired and I want to be home. All in all, it was a beautiful day.