The Edge Of Balance

Scoops
I think we were five
when she grabbed my hand
and announced our marriage
to the neighborhood gang
and that was that
she didn’t ask me
I didn’t know what was going on
I just went along with it
she made all the plans
the clover rings and dandelion bouquet
the preacher the bridesmaids the groomsmen
then directed the ceremony
by the big lilac tree in her backyard at noon
she was in control and knew it
she told me what to do and say
and when I said I do
she kissed me right on the lips
while all the kids prodded and giggled
I just let it all happen
she even said I was a good husband
for a week or so
until she dumped me
and married my best man
I just stood there in wonder
I wasn’t sure where it went wrong
or how to feel
a big first rejection
then about a week later she dumped him too
and grabbed onto a different kid
we were all just flavors of the week
scoops of melting ice cream
dumped into the playground dirt
stepped over and forgotten
too bad it took so many years
of getting licked and dumped
for me to catch on

—DL Madsen

The Pebble
I am the pebble
dropping into calm water
with a quiet plink
sending soft ripples
into the water around me
I choose to be the pebble
not the big jagged rock
I choose how to enter the water
I am the pebble
who are you

—DL Madsen

Uncle George
my Uncle George was the greatest
all his tricks and jokes and games
and he always had time for his nieces and nephews
exuding love and kindness every moment
he always seemed so happy
and I was always excited to visit him
he lived alone on a small acreage at the edge of town
in a neat little white house on a hill
with a white wooden swing by the garden
that all of us kids liked to play on
and every evening after supper
George made himself a pan of popcorn on the stove
his favorite snack
but one particular evening
he turned the burner off
left the pan of fresh popcorn on top
walked out to the swing
sat down
and took his own life
it tore me up trying to understand
I could feel my parent’s pain too
and the heartbreak of all who knew him
if there are answers
sometimes we don’t find them
sometimes we don’t need them
sometimes what we know is enough
I’ll always remember sweet Uncle George

—DL Madsen

Yours
I’m not sure what taints your heart
and darkens your spirit
to make you so angry
but it’s not about me
what’s inside of you is yours
deal with it
or move on

—DL Madsen

Cool Lifestyle
you can feel sorry for really messed up people
wonder what happened to them
think they’re going to change
while they eat you from inside out
but even the ones oblivious to their own behavior
choose to keep it going
nobody makes them be that way
I guess the rest just think it’s a cool lifestyle

—DL Madsen

What Are You Gonna Do (lyrics)

what are you gonna do
when you don’t know
what are you gonna do
when you got nowhere to go
what are you gonna do
when time moves slow
you’re gonna do nothing
and nothing is all

what are you gonna do
in the pouring rain
what are you gonna do
when the wind is insane
what are you gonna do
when storm clouds hang
you’re gonna bow your head
and be as safe as you can

what are you gonna do
in the dark of night
what are you gonna do
when you lose your sight
what are you gonna do
when you got no fight
you’re gonna cry mercy
and wait for the light
yeah you’re gonna cry mercy
and wait for the light

what are you gonna do
when the morning comes
what are you gonna do
when the light shines through
what are you gonna do
when you see the sun
you’re gonna sing hallelujah
and follow it home

what are you gonna do
when the day is done
what are you gonna do
when you’re the only one
what are you gonna do
when the sun goes down
you’re gonna bless your soul
that you’ve been found

what are you gonna do
on a starry night
what are you gonna do
when the moon is bright
what are you gonna do
when you find your sight
you’re gonna look into the darkness
and see all the light
yeah look into the darkness
and see all the light

—DL Madsen

Proud Papa
you called to me
I heard you

I reached down
lifted you
pulled you to my chest
heartbeats merging
breathing soul to soul

I nurtured you
held you high
landed you carefully down
to find your place
dancing to a delicate balance

I gently steadied you
until you were ready

I slowly stepped back
inspired by your confidence
admiring your beautiful independence
it was time to let go

one final look
to appreciate the majesty
of your moment
like a proud papa

—DL Madsen

Something To Hang On To

breathing sculptures

outside my window

endless open air gallery

crystals gently veil yesterday

a fresh blanket of emotion

millions of tiny diamonds glistening

Coltrane plays sweet and honest

innocent and vulnerable

where sorrow meets beauty

the balance of feeling

something to hang on to

—DL Madsen