repost: ICAR (Institute for Conflict Analysis & Resolution) US

[This is a poem written for me by a lover]

ICAR (Institute for Conflict Analysis & Resolution) US
by Someone

with my hands
i can trace lovingly
the flowing
ink carved in
curved across
your beautiful back
bones all day

with my hands
i can photograph
and fashion
feathered serpent wings
sprouting
from your shoulder
blades

with my hands
shall i tell you how
to fly?
how high? too
close to
the sun and you
may fall
deep
into the sea

with my hands
can i mend sun
burnt waxy
waterlogged wings?

with my hands
i can't clip
your wings

Repost: Letter From Mom (The Last?)

(Well, here's the latest, and hopefully the last for a while)

OH MY GOD...YOU ARE 29! Life is passing by...is this lifestyle what you want for yourself?

You know, other people have feelings, too. You had to take anxiety meds to answer my e-mail? What has happened to us, Barrett? Have you forgotten all the wonderful times? The movies we've seen together, the trips we've taken, the birthday parties, Halloweens, Wednesday coffee at Caffe Roma, weekend breakfast at The Eagle Cafe, other holidays and friends? Is it only the bad stuff that matters and that you remember?

I'm sorry that you feel that my e-mails are negative and since you don't appreciate the wisdom that I'm am trying to pass on to you, I see no reason to continue.

Bye,

Mother

Repost: Letter from Mom

(this is the latest e-mail mom sent me. Havn't seen her for 2 years or talked for 1,Um... I'm 29)

I resent Tom saying I do not want you to succeed. That is a blatant lie! He is projecting his own feelings onto yours. You know I love you unconditionally and I did everything I could to help you succeed. Doling out money is not the answer at this point...you are 28 and have to learn to stand on your own two feet. I paid you $1000/month as long as you were in college. You knew the rules!

You have convinced yourself (the mind can do that!) that you had a horrible childhood and your father molested you. You did not have a horrible childhood (I have photo albums to prove it) and your father did not molest you. Your father is a jerk with terrible values and he can be really mean but he was thrilled when you were born. We did our best to be good parents. Yes, we were limited but so are a lot of people. Jesus, be a little resilient...you sound like a broken record and as you get older, you are going to discover that everyone has a story. Yours is no worse than others. Go to a meeting and find out.

Also, as your mother I need to remind you, your good looks will not last forever...sorry, but that's the truth. It's life...it's reality.