The Shift

 "It is better to have loved and have lost, then to have not loved at all"
These words are painfully true
I sit and ponder upon them well

As I reflect upon all that love has put me through.

I think of my first love, how much I wanted to be with her so.

I had life all figured out, I would have never let her go.

I remember my friend and little buddy; all the hope I saw in her.

For years I loved her secretly, only to see hope disappointingly deferred.

I briefly remember another, and how she left when I needed her the most

Yet somehow I made it through that dark struggle, Oh, because God held me close.

I could never rewrite the stars, though I tried my all with my "internet bae";

Star-crossed, we lovingly warred, only to remain rooted in our home countries to this day.

I was never a playboy, no, they each had their own season,

My love was to be developed, matured, perfected.

Oh how in hindsight, I now understand love's reason.

"Good guys win in the end", but only after they've been effected.

Love is so very beautiful, with all of its ups and downs.

It is why I painfully searched for it so.

But, as with every mark of maturity, you realize that, at some point,

You must learn to let some things go.

With this dramatic realization, my quest for love will now cease.

(Though, should it find me in the future, I know my heart will sing).

In my desire to see good days; I will focus on pursuing peace.

I shall make my soul rejoice in solitude, and the serenity that it brings.

Winter Nights

 I forgot of all the pains, and the violent shaking of my legs,

I no longer felt the sting that accompanied my nose turning red 

I could not tell you how cold the stony steps were against my shin

Nor how I managed to keep us warm from the blistering cold and slurry filled winds.

I returned home, turning my locks as removed my scarf and hat.

I dropped my keys into their pot, and in front of the warm fireplace I sat.

Winter was never my season of choice, yet tonight I sat in bliss

Remembering the touch of your cold, moist-lipped kiss.

It didn't matter that it was cold, for it was my dream to just spend the evening with you.

A gentle conversation about our future, the perfect date night for two!

We sat at the coffee shop, though neither of us sipped much.

We joked, and giggled, our hands warmed by the hot Starbucks cups.

You held on to me tightly as we walked down the street to your condo.

Please trust me when I tell you that I didn't want you to let go!

I hesitated briefly before walking you up to your door,

For, of your answer to that question I was not quite so sure.

The simple gaze you gave me before the long hug allowed me to see a hopeful future in your eyes

Your beautiful smile after the embrace, it's like you saw the true love reflected in mine.

Neither of us asked, our bodies briefly took over in that moment

Gently pressed, your lips were to mine as a lovely silk garment!

The diamond upon your finger, reflected back the colors of the rainbow.

The cheeks of your face were more vibrant than any bush of the Don Juan rose!

Your eyes fighting back the tears gave off yet another lovely hue.

As you quietly screamed out the words, "Yes! Yes! Thank You!"

I've never cared for winter or it's hellish. blistering winds

But tonight, that may have all come to an unexpected end.

For it was in the darkness of a winter's cold and frightful night 

That love afforded me peace, warmth, and its colors gave way to the most beautiful sight!

(Requested by and written for my friend, "Toof")

Will I Be Next?

There's so much hurt in the world today!
So many in pain,
seeking to run away.

There is war within in our streets
and unrest within our homes
Because my people are brutally beat,
Yes this is captured on our phones.

We were forced from our homeland,
Brought here to be slaves!
We built a nation for them
We lived in turmoil,
until they laid us to rest in our graves!

We were set free,
only if we chose to fight in their war
Only to face new struggles
Because by them we are still abhored!

In their eyes we are still the problem,
In their eyes, we will never be enough!
Even though we pay our dues,
Restoration of our rights is a road that is still too tough!

"Comply... Stop Resisting!"
These are they cries they scream at us.
My white brother can't you see
I did exactly what you asked, I did it without a fuss!

My hands are held high
Because I mean you no harm!
I just want to go home to my family
To be safe and secure from all alarm.

But you won't let that happen
because to you I am still a threat!
So my life is soon taken
Because the respect for all of God's creation
Hasn't entered into your heart yet!

The system is on your side
This is a sad truth I was forced to accept!
For while my people serve time for cannibus possession
You will soon walk with only being "fired" as your form of correction!

Yes this is the world that I live in.
But I pray for my people!
That one day the the system will change
And we will, in the land of the living, have rest for our weary souls!

The Pursuit of Yasahiro!

In this life, we're given only a few,
Friends closer than brothers,
They're the family that helps you through.

Wherever we are with them, we know that we are home
Helping us pick up the pieces,
To make ourselves, once again, whole.

And it's these very precious stones,
Gems, that make it all worth it.
There after every heartbreak
to keep you sane, lest you forget.
That life will begin to get better,
the moment you let go of the regrets.

We can tell them anything,
and they'll see us no less.
We can give them all of us,
and they'll treat every part with respect.

When all the world comes against us,
they are the shields when we're weak...
And after the rains have settled,
they appear to help seal the leaks.

I've found that these beautiful people,
although rare, are very much everywhere...
And if there are none near you,
will you become "The one that cares"

This is what it means to be Yasahiro,
The duties of my clan.
We will guard the hurting soul,
and help bind the broken at heart;
Until they are able to believe in love again,
And with a fresh new outlook on life, a new chapter will they start

Begin with me today
Uplift someone in the dark
Be the light that will guide them out
So that they will finally know,
what love is all about
and in return, I shall say thank you ~Dashi

Let Us Stand!

It takes courage to stand alone,
and wisdom to face the world with just a few.
It takes guts stand for something righteous,
but you must have God standing with you.

Each day will bring new challenges.
Yes, each different than the day before.
But if you can keep your eyes focused,
the struggle will one day cease to be no more.

In the midst of all your struggles,
in the midst of every pain,
Let’s stand tall in the face of opposition,
showing everyone that our God reigns.

For if we continue in the faith,
we know Jesus stands with us.
He’ll cover us with his feathers,
under His wings will we trust.

So stand my brothers and sisters, stand together in unity!
Stand together in holiness, a virtue the world must now see!
Stand and be lights, lights set upon the hills!
Stand and shine bright, for our influence, satan will not kill.
Our father showed us the way, and with wisdom were we filled.

Let us stand as the trees planted by the rivers,
allowing our roots to intertwine together.
Let’s stand and make him proud,
in spite of those filled with laughter.

The winds and rains will do no damage,
for we are still protected by our "celestial intercessor"!
Let us stand together each doing our part,
for in standing together, Powerhouse, we will not fall apart!

Proverbs of my father!

You know, it's funny
How life causes us to grow...
From the back to back weeks, when it refuses to be sunny,
From the days when winds continue to blow.

We grow from the mistakes of our parents,
From the wisdom of our "grands".
From the bullies at our schools,
From the Samaritans offering helping hands

As a guardian, these too have shaped my life
But the one I am most of all grateful for
Is the teachings of my father.

Son, live holy. Son do what's right!!!
Son, be respectful, but never cowar when it's time to fight.
Fight for what you believe.
Son, stand, even when everything tells you to leave!

Son, love your family, honor your wife,
Cherish each one of them, all the days of your life,

Son, live above the stereotypes,
And Never follow the hypes.
Save your monies, for money is powerful!
Son think of the future, make it blissful!

Son, you can dare to be greater, and stand out from the crowd,
So that at the end of the day, you can go home proud.

You can live right, so that heaven belongs to you,
You can live simply, so scandals never follow you!

Son you can do this, because God is on your side!
And not only that, but you can do all of this, because Christ lives inside!!

"To my father, to my king", I will continue your legacy! I will continue on
because you taught me to never give up, until the victory was won! I love you so much, from the bottom of my heart! Thank you for taking me in, and teaching me the art....
Of living greater! 💜💖

In loving memory of my father and pastor, who transitioned to God's kingdom on July 27, 2018 💔😇💔

Flowing with Love

Noticed by all, studied by few
Yet everyone knows, my silent powers are true.
In my rage I can wash away a Beach's sands.
Yet in my love, I will wash away your worst sins.

My presence brings forth life, just look at the world around you.
And in my embrace, I preserve it;
Observe the flowers cut from their roots.

With all this power I still have limits,
set by the Master above.
So until I receive another command... I'll just be here, dripping, falling; flowing with love!
~Dashi 2018©



(Asked to write a poem inspired by this gif)

                (Courtesy of Google images)