New Nation

Some events have brightened my perspective in the past 24 hours.

I rode the subway yesterday next to an elderly Asian lady that smelled of mothballs. I assume she smelled that way to preserve her fur trim collar, but I digress. Across from us on our commute was this young female rocker complete with guitar in tow. She looked bummed, in a very cool rocker way. Little Rocker girl gets up to leave without taking the soda bottle she finished and Miss Mothball berated her, told made Little Rocker to take her trash with her. Little Rocker smiled sheepishly and did so.
For some reason this act of enforcing responsibility made me smile wide. I couldn't help myself.

My niece called me up to chat yesterday. This is the first time she has ever done so. She wanted to know what color my hair was, I told it was still blonde. She was a little disappointed. She would like it to be pink, and I am sorely tempted to oblige her. Because I adore her.

Today I am overwhelmed by the excitement seizing our nation for tomorrow's inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. The beauty of it is making me cry, this president is bringing great things. It isn't even a matter of what he will or won't do, good luck really, there is no quick fix to the current world financial crisis. It is what he stands for: a symbol of hope- a black man in charge in a country who's history is plagued with slavery, racism, and prejudice. There can be no denying this fact as the record number of people journey to the capitol to see this history be made. It is in the celebration that rang through out the world when he won the election. He has brought us hope, in our dark hour he brings integrity, he brings commitment to making a change. I'd like to be able to say I do the same thing.
I haven't really contemplated this new presidency until this morning, when I watched a news report of the people gathering in Washington, D.C. I haven't allowed myself to fully take in the magnitude of what this means for all of us, all human hearts beating around the world. Even when the elections were upon us, I didn't want to get my hopes up and be disappointed by our government once again. Finally in this moment, I must admit that I too am flooded with hope and joy for what is transpiring tomorrow.
I find it truly amazing.

Happy New Year

It feels like an ice pick is
being jabbed
in to my eyebrow,
but in case I forget
later I need to jot down
a few notes.
I'm getting rid of some old
so there can be room
for the new to step in.
I see how far I've
moved beyond myself,
and the quirks that
have stayed with.
I wonder how all those
pictures are going to
turn out.
It felt really cool
to by a bike pump
cause I need it.
And as my niece says
now too: "For reals."
The world has been
going by in a blur,
but moments of
the clarity, when
the air sparkles
with magic, have
been occuring
more frequently.
It's at a point
where, although
how hard I try,
I can not ignore it.
I'm enjoying
meeting some
amazing beings,
and connecting
with old ones.
I didn't

want to leave

my mother.

My tears welled up
when I made
eye contact
with my sister
one last time
before I turned
to leave.
I was reminded
about the depth
of true
unconditional love.
I must be a good
role model for my neice...
oh wait... I already am one.
I need to not forget that,
and always lead by example.
Sometimes the example
is sexy.
More often it is down right goofy.
Even better is when they are
the combination of both.

My head continues spin,
so I must away to beauty sleep,
a lazy day filled with pampering
and loving myself.

I am thankful and grateful for a
Happy New Year.