#off-grid griots

* standing on the precipice of the rest of my life  as are you -

wondering if apprehension, resignation, expansionism, naturalism or stoicism

will be my running buddy, confidante, consigliere, wingmanperson, foil or comic relief

while i continue to tread tamped time with intrepid steps in sneakers

eschewing stiff soles & sore toes, scuff marks on treasured terra;

a sub-macro goal for this simple soul.

someone said you never walk alone,

except when you're trying to collect a debt, then -

it's o solo mios 'til you get the cheetos.

nonetheless, it's a rarity to quest without an angel or devil by your side ( not on your shoulders, like in the 'toons...)

also known as having an ace up your sleeve, a good luck charm in your pocket, or the blues' lament of being born under a bad sign.

so, who's the wingperson to help me pull the pretty premise ( & their friends ) from the providential bar or club to take home & romance?

my money’s on authentic naturalism, if i was a bettin man...

Chat GPT, analyze some of my January poems, please:

“These poems explore themes of self-reflection, societal issues, and the human condition. 

The first poem, "mili-you", seems to reflect on the idea of individualism and how it can be both positive and negative for society. 

The second poem, "nobody has to", encourages the reader to explore their own creative spirit and not be constrained by societal expectations. 

The third poem, "window", suggests that our perception of reality is limited and that there is more to explore and discover. 

The fourth poem, "skin i'm in", emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and being present in the moment, despite outside distractions. 

The last poem, "those without hope" focuses on empathy and understanding for those who are struggling and feeling hopeless. All of these poems have a contemplative and introspective tone and convey a sense of searching for deeper meaning in life.”

* like frothy sea foam washing up on shore

pushing my once-craggy pebbles of pride into smoothed stones, eventually.    

i've learned to endure, endear myself to the waves:

how they gather, surge, crest & break

then pass, making way for another & another, ad infinitum.

* lightning bugs* grace our front porch post-dusk gathering around its light;

greater-elder respecting it seems, as game truly does recognize game,

...best done gracefully, if at all.

summer’s solstice sends certain sights & sounds our way, enthralling us

if only it could be year round...

by so doing, we could enjoy the display until midnight from the dawn

knowing we've not yet lost our way

* though current events appear to diminish obsidian shine

as they proliferate & germinate in mass consciousness,

those who're aware know the sheen can't be extinguished, unless we all are - personally

& that's a bridge too far - far as i can see; so folk would do well to let it be.

as for us, at our best we shall not relinquish the quest,

have any fear of being devout or caring what others do in the shakeout,

given an even playing field...

...or if not, guess we'll have to till & fill, sowing seeds by the mil - to vest;

to help the best crest, the rest quest

that we all may be blessed into & though the distress of striving

while we're just laughing, jiving like a liquored crowd on comedy night.

no matter where or when, we'll continue to fight for right,

not only wade, but sail, in b-boats* we’ll float (not aiming to gloat);

regardless, cream rises.

that's the base that others flail & try to erase, failing to make the case at face value;

because treasured souls always add grace & graciousness is always divine

* fear strikes out only to find no echo from the hollow void;

only sounds of a constant drone, babbling, generated  in artificial clusters, bits & bytes, simulated vocalizations...

doubt,   skittishly residing in a flesh & blood body uneasily rests alongside spirit & soul as well

infused to incline, motivate & be a counterpoint to the folly into which it can lead.

faith lays out a lighted path into... should you wonder where found or who, it's inside - supplied by you

& not some oracle from above, in its inclining toward the love you feel if you haven't been taught that it isn't real.

strip all religiosity - no man, no woman, organization, congregation or governing body of elders, founders, seers, kings or conquerors  may endow it...

just know  you didn't & they can not make a tree, a raindrop, a bee, a grain of sand, a truffle, giraffe or a galaxy ...any of 'em.

so the power that 'bees' resides in that which created these, above ( call it what you will );

however, what we can create & reveal is anything derived from such,

as we make it & make do for real, for the best, not from fear but out of love;

* saturated air holds much more than moisture to a discerner;

there's a cornucopia in the currents, a plenitude of possibilities, a plethora of prompts;

...much stuff, okay -

to be gleaned, extracted, assayed or inferred to break off & chew on - word;

simply by licking your finger, raising your hand in the air

( waving it like you just don't care...optional )

registering essence from the ether, filtering the sublime from the slimey  

via a tuned nervous system, sinew, a precise perspective point  

right on down to your innards for a gut's-eye view of the joint;

to digest, extrapolate, express...

lending passers-by a reason anew to no longer bemoan, be distressed or despair, while deep breathing this scion charged, verified air.

* ...sun rises eastward over the Lake, illuminating as i peek.

hope & optimism: first vibe; i wake up, open up...greet the day.

Miles' muted trumpet on my musical alarm ...the melody & improv amidst the 'changes'

sets my mind free to stalk life's latent treasures breaking constraints & the fear, doubting its value.

the vista's light guides my tread, each step forward paves a brighter path; possibility & promise at my 'tips for a finger roll at the cup, no cap.

darkness is never total  in it, there's always a spark guiding me Saiyan-style through the twists & turns, a Sudoku not yet cracked.

heaven may be vast & out of reach, but here on earth is my home, my haven:

savored sushi on sultry days, mojito or plum wine dusks, pen in hand most nights 

& here shall i embrace my days with family pocketing joy, wonder, eschewing tedious media thunder & strife...