For a society we live in

For a society we live in

Demands for every citizen

For the ones who stand out have the courage to face difference

Two heads are worse than one

One is best to change

We stand here in silence until one does something strange

We wish for the better

And we acknowledge we commit pain

For the pain we cause others is an action in vain

We are a superior race

But we are scared to face the unknown

But if we knew the answer to life

Society would be overthrown.

--Samwell Manjur (2015)

Cold Morning Walk

The essence now in that envelope

between night and dawn, 

the eastern sky silent through pure white spectrum,

everywhere crystalline frost, its task to bejewel 

fallen leaves and winter twigs,

and share itself with 

me.

Now, 

stillness—

deep silence,

until my soul opens up and

sees the all that is here

just, and only, now.

I need only

be.

Moving through the silence, only my

white breath moving, only my shoes

beating a faint cadence in this between time,

I become one with this world,

space where everything can be the future

if only I dream it, and move towards it.

—Neal Lemery 12/4/13

Cherokee prayer

O Great Spirit

Help me always

to speak the truth quietly.

To listen with an open mind

when others speak

and to remember the peace

that may be found in silence.

-Cherokee Prayer-