Growing up can be challenging. The road ahead may be bumpy.

 

Sometimes you want to bury your head under your pillow and hide. But 

then you discover . . .

 

 

The Power Of Understanding

 

You are lost and confused—
drowning in a sea

of uncertainty.

You reach out

for a helping hand

to assist you

in seeing the future,

now blurred

by the fear

welling up within.

A soft voice

permeates

your dark world

urging you

to remain calm,

for there is hope

of a better existence—

one where clouds part

and the sun peeks through.

 

The desolate landscape
between the regions

of understanding

in your mind

are more

than you

can handle alone.

You have just entered

adulthood,

and wish to climb

the ladder of success.

But the distance

between rungs

gets wider

as you ascend,

and you begin

to fear

what will happen

if you fall.

 

Life is a constant struggle.

At times, it seems

as if you are riding

a bus to nowhere.

You think

the bewilderment

will never stop.
The other passengers

make you feel

you owe them something—

that you must be there

for them.

You stare

out the window,

knowing this

is not possible,

for you are unable

to be there for yourself.

 

 “Grasp my hand,”

the voice instructs.
“Talk to me.

Share your insecurities.

Let me assist you

in mapping out

a road to understanding—

one that makes sense.
Release your demons.

Let me help you

better understand, ‘You,’

and open your eyes

to a brighter future ahead.

 

 

Copyright © 2021 Alan Lowe. All rights reserved.

Strange things happen in life we can’t explain. Sometimes they trigger a passion within us.

 

Others can become entangled in this web of desire, as you will see in . . .

 

 

I Met You Before I Was Born

 

I met you before I was born.
I know that sounds strange.

 

You say that couldn’t be.
But how do you know?

 

No, I’m not lying to you.

I embraced the thought of you,

     as I prepared to leave my mother’s womb.

 

No, I’m not crazy.

Now you appear in my dreams,

     night after night.

 

Yes, I’ve known you forever.

You belong to me.

 

You are mine and I am yours.

We are destined to travel life’s road together.

 

It’s not your choice to turn your back on me.

We are meant to be partners—two souls blended as one.

 

I've been longing for you from the time we met.
And now, forever more, we shall share a life of devotion

     to one another.

 

You say this cannot be.

But I gave you my heart and expect yours in return.

 

I met you before I was born.
Please believe we were meant to be.

 

 

Copyright © 2021 Alan Lowe. All rights reserved.

The burdens of building a life together are many. Sometimes trying to confront them can be overwhelming.

 

The distance between you and your loved one can widen. So much so, you dread what might have to be done as you pass from day . . .

 

 

Into The Blackness Of Night

 

Until tonight,

I had no idea

what was happening.

Nothing

made any sense.

I followed

a path

that confused me.

Memories

of our time together

flooded my mind.

Pictures

of our world,

now in disarray,

haunted me.

 

This was our life,

yours and mine—

first blessed,

now cursed.

Why did I think

I didn’t matter

anymore?

Did I ask

too much of you?

 

You agreed

to meet me

at the gorgeous

Brockhurst Inn

on the coast,

for what I hoped

would be

a romantic evening.

The ocean’s waters,

crashing against the rocks,

could be heard

through the open window

of our eighth floor

hotel room.

 

But why

was it open?

Frost

covered the glass.

Shivering,

I embraced you,

but you

pushed me away.

 

Anger

welled up within me,

for the disrespect

you showed.

I thought,

This must be

what people mean

when they say,

“I could die now.”

 

We’re so much closer

to death

than you

might think.

But whose?

Not mine.

 

I stood

facing

the open window,

quivering

from the damp air?

I had to do it.

It wasn’t my choice.

The pain

in my gut

caused me

to flinch,

and the ache

in my heart

told me

it was my right

to set this straight.

 

You deceived me,

led me astray.  

I tried

to stay afloat

In the bitter waters

of our relationship.

I still wanted you

and wanted us,

but knew

it couldn’t happen.

 

The scent

of your hair

triggered the passion

in my heart.

However, knowing

I would never again

feel your kisses

on my lips,

I wrapped

my fingers

around your throat,

and pushed you

through the open window

into the blackness

of night

and the sea below.

 

Well, that’s what

I intended to do,

but I didn’t.

Without saying a word,

you left the room.

I crawled into bed,

pulled the pillow

over my head,

and begged God

for forgiveness

for the sin

I almost committed.

 

 

Copyright © 2021 Alan Lowe. All rights reserved.

Pressure is put upon us to become the finest person we are capable of being. We are urged to work hard in school, sports, social endeavors, and other activities in which we engage, as we grow up.

 

We do our best to live up to our own expectations and those of others. We may even think about . . .

 

 

Becoming A Pro

 

When I entered high school, Dad told me, “If you want to be a pro in a 

       profession, you have to try hard and you can’t put things off.”

“But Dad, I’m already good at not doing what I should and my friends call    

       me a procrastinator,” I would scoff.

 

“Jason, that attitude is not going to get you anywhere. You have to practice, 

       polish your skills, and become proficient at what you do.”

“I do nothing better than anybody I know, so doesn’t that indicate I’m

       proficient to you.”

 

“You’re not paying attention to what I’m saying. I want you to produce and become 

       a man of great repute.”

“I picked up the produce—zucchini, asparagus, and lettuce—Mom wanted 

       from the market yesterday, an accomplishment you can’t dispute.

 

“And you know I’ll eat the greatest proportion of the food on the table at dinner

       tonight.

“So I profess to you, I leave nothing to chance, and try as I might to do everything 

       right.”

 

“I’m getting frustrated with your inability to process what I’m saying,” Dad said, in 

       a way that worried me.

“You need to pay me the respect I deserve. I’m just trying to help you plan for a

       future of prominence and prosperity.”

 

“I can’t think that far ahead. I’m only a sophomore in high school looking forward to

       being promoted to the next grade.”

“Life progresses all too fast, and if you can’t stay on track,” Dad stated, “You’ll slip 

       off the road to success, I’m afraid.”

 

“Road to success? I just want to get a date for the homecoming dance,” I  

       proclaimed, in a loud voice.

Then Dad surprised me with his pronouncement, “A redhead with long flowing hair 

       would be my choice.”

 

 

Copyright © 2021 Alan Lowe. All rights reserved.