Journal Entry # 240 – I Second That!

Living between seconds adds years to your life. – Ash 

A Shade of Ash # 32 – I’ll Just Leaf This Advice Right Here

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This fallen leaf. A symbol that change is necessary sometimes to achieve further growth. – Ash 

Journal Entry # 239 – When You Make Time, You Take Time

Today, I spent some time between the seconds. Life around me filled me with wonder. I watched as a butterfly caught its breath, a flock of seagulls stretched their wings, and the ocean simply lapped the awaiting shore. Make up for your lost time by taking advantage of the free stuff. – Ash

Journal Entry # 238 – Life is Shores to Take

In a moment like this, life and a photo become right there for the taking. This picture is proof I grabbed for them both. – Ash

A Walk to Bartender

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6:05 kicking rocks
every stride a pebble or two
summer hugging me the whole way
the sun was slowly packing up for the day 
and the moon would be here in a few hours 
Saturday so lazy dogs paid no mind to pesky flies 
or to an orange cat nibble-ling a rickety fence 
right there, in front me as my freedom faded away

6:06 I placed my gaze everywhere 
taking in as much still time as I could 
before drunkards beckon me 
fill me full of lies, blow smoke in my face
tell me I’m cute when no one’s watching
and shout more regretful things 
make promises…break promises 
dance 
sing
love 
hate
take swings
jest 
do it all past the pale of moonlight
or until clocks shoo them away

to the place they all knew my name
the walk to a bartender
was a rehearsal
for a keeper of tabs
a keeper of secrets
a keeper of ale
it’s 6:07
what can I get ya… 
 
 
 

Journal Entry # 237 – Marsh Reality

If you don’t stop and look around, how can you say you were actually there? When life taps on your shoulder…say hello. – Ash

Out of Body, Into Life

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today, the air was different
I paid attention to the seabirds
watched the tide go all the way out
to my left, a boat hummed away from the harbour
to my right, lost sheep chew green grass into yellow
a car passes by and the people wave
while Jack the black cat sits still on a picket fence
and Patti, the old neighbour strokes the last drop of paint
…against his saltbox home
I am shaken by something I can’t understand
an algorithm of existing in a moment of my life
seeing clear because that life stopped me in my tracks
pushed my breath straight to my lungs
grew my heart for the love of living
filled me with the longing for more
I know now that there is something more to every day
my heart was smothered and my soul blinded
until my spirit had enough and awakened

Journal Entry # 234 – Expiring Quote

We should not worry about how long we will live? But, rather, how do we live? Quantity of life is a one-time blessing. It’s the quality of life that provides forever bliss. – Ash

Journal Entry # 233 – Keep Time At Bay

I try not to worry about tomorrow when there is still so much today left. – Ash 

Journal Entry # 231 – Advice To Pot You In Your Place

When life waves at you, you damn well better give it the time of day and wave back. Live for those moments, live in those moments. – Ash