A Life Reclaimed

Free—spirited, strong, and confident 
Teardrops falling down and weakened
soulful cries no more

She realized that to be more alive
She had to be less afraid 
And she did it

Farewell the past! Dreams now left to explore 
Jamie, living life....on her terms
No anchor to hold her down

Pretty as a delicate rose, kind and loving
with a bit of sassiness
But can be vicious and ready for war

She's had troubles, she's rebuilt 
Faced dark challenges, and overcame
She's earned her crown

Sustained with the love of family 
Bonds built from abiding love

Those who may speak their bitter,
twisted lies, tread in the very dirt
Still, Jamie shall rise

Everything with determination, heart, courage, strength,
and confidence

Jamie, beautiful and wise
A Life Reclaimed

― BRIAN BLACKWELL
Copyright © 2020 Brian Blackwell

Purple Lilac

She rises each day strong and brave 
Wearing her traumas like war paint

Catching the tears down her cheek with grace,
the pain masked with smiles

She has healed herself more times than
can be imagined 

Purple lilac, symbol of emotions of love

Soft and beautiful, heavenly in the sun beams
of light, Kim

A fighter, strong and brave
Always willing to help others even during her battle
 
Hearts and souls joined in the fight, tied together in a lasting bond
that even it cannot break

Fighting the hard fight
Cancer
That robber of joy, family, and goodness

Family whispers of the heart
She fights on

Brave beauty, tough, kinder and wise
Purple Lilac
Heavenly in the sun beams of light, Kim

― BRIAN BLACKWELL

Copyright © 2020 Brian Blackwell

Written May 2020 about my dear friend Kim Hoag (October 27, 1968 ― June 18, 2020) of Norwich, New York, who fought bravely against lung cancer.

The world is less beautiful now. The world became much less beautiful on June 18, 2020 at 3:45 a.m.

Her favorite color was purple and her favorite flower was lilac, so as you can see, I included them in the poem and named it Purple Lilac.

I am thankful she was able to read what I wrote. She said, "I'm at a loss for words" and "nobody had ever done such a thing for me," which gave me great pleasure knowing I had brought joy to her. 

She fought hard, she gave it her all. That evil took her away. She put up a helluva fight to the very end. I am so saddened by the loss of my friend.

My life has been enriched by having known her. Her Beauty, her abundant kindness, her smarts, her bright smile, her loving ways. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her always enjoyed her presence.

BRIAN BLACKWELL

Kisses In The Rain

Walk Away From Drama

There comes a time in your life when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it, and surround yourself with people who build you up and make you laugh.

Forget the bad and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right; pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy.

Falling down is a part of life; getting back up is living.

― BRIAN BLACKWELL
    1996

Paths

As a single footstep makes a path, a single thought makes a pathway in the mind.

To make deep physical paths, we walk again and again. To make deep mental paths, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to bring into our lives.

― BRIAN BLACKWELL

    2007

Get Your Worth

Never let anyone tell you you're not good enough. When times get tough, don't look for something or someone to blame.

As you already know, the world isn't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place, and no matter how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.

Nobody hits as hard as life. But it isn't about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. It's about how much you can take. That's how winning is done.

If you know what you're worth, then go and get what you're worth. But you have to be willing to take the hits.

― BRIAN BLACKWELL

    2017

The Rocky Beach

I stand among the tall evergreens along the banks
of the rocky beach at night, looking out over the water

Lights from homes across the way shine and glisten
on the Sound, with shadowed mountains and fog behind

Silhouette and sounds of ducks on the water

Raccoons roam along the rocky beach 

The scent from fireplaces fills the air

Fog rolls in as the night moves on

The night consumes my soul

I sit, I stare, I watch with sadness and pain

Thinking, I am a prisoner of my thoughts

Early morning comes, the fog fades, the sun rises

With the rocky beach, I find solace

The rocky beach, my peaceful friend

— D. Brian Blackwell

Copyright © 2016 Brian Blackwell