age difference

in my youth, 
my family took me 
on road trips all over the country. 
I drank coffee and tea 
with women who were wise 
and men who were haughty. 
I witnessed the aftermath 
of how forceful 
and beautiful
nature can be.
when I stood at the precipice at Cappadocia,
where I gazed upon
the breathtaking fairy chimneys.
I trekked underground 
through tunnels in hidden cities,
built in secrecy for Zoroastrian refugees.
I took in the sight of cisterns and minarets,
raised up in former centuries.
I walked barefoot, without pain,
all across the greatest salt seas.
walked from Harlem to Brighton Beach,
it took me 16 hours on feet;
that one day in New York,
back when I was in my teens.
I saw,
read,
learned,
grew,
and found pieces all over the world
that fit a part of me.
Still, 
as I piece myself together day by day,
I know that I am not complete.
I know that,
when my aching feet,
brought me to you last week,
I felt at ease,
at peace,
but still almost childlike;
even though I am thirty,
and you’re only
twenty-three.

Harvey

I want to hear rain again
like it felt before the PTSD.

water everywhere;
none yet clean enough to drink.

it’s like a metaphor for my life:

being stuck; drowning in myself.

an update and future plans

I have given up on my paper crafting business for now, for the following reasons:

1. I don’t have enough time to craft, since I’m too busy with teaching these days.
2. There was not much interest in my products and it was a bit discouraging.

I feel like I was going through a manic phase when I started the Etsy shop. (I’m bipolar.) I was so enthusiastic about creating things, and in my excitement I dove headfirst into financial jeopardy by investing so much time and money into a new business.

Now that some time has passed, I have a clearer vision of where I would like to go with my website. Here are some things I plan to work on:

• Another Galen Leather review. I have purchased many more products from them during my absence from blogging; and I have much to say.
• More blog posts. I would like to bring more of myself to my website; help my audience get to know me better. I am planning to write about:
  • Tips, recommendations, and product suggestions for home organization
  • My personal struggles with mental health
  • Marriage, relationships, and friendships
  • Finding peace through different kinds of therapy: art, journaling/writing, quality time with loved ones, self care, etc.
• Board game reviews
• Sharing teaching resources and ideas
• Sharing ideas for journaling: tracking tools, product reviews, daily/weekly spread examples, etc.

I have not been writing much poetry lately, but I have been reading some. I feel a lack of creativity and energy. I will keep working on my website and myself, and I hope that we can connect with one another.

What would you like to see from my website? What interests you? Leave a comment or email me if you have any feedback.