Poems by Doug William Benson

There's a need for more bridges than fences
There's a need for more love and less hate
There's a need for more laughers than critics
There's a need for more use and less waste

There's a need for more face to face contact
There's a need for less digital "friends"
There's a need for more genuine embracing
There's a need for less political ends

There's a need for more open-ended questions
There's a need for less closed off minds
There's a need for more cause to unite us
There's a need for less pride that divides

There's a need for more focus on family
There's a need for more focus on God
There's a need for more focus on community
There's a need for more truth than facade

There's a need for more actions than slogans
There's a need for less "Why?" and more "How?"
There's a need for less waiting for tomorrow
There's a need for more starting right now

When half of your body
fails to respond,
And words and phrases
are there, but then gone...

When a walk to the door
is the best you can do,
Just know that we're here
to help walk you through.

When the cord to your life
has been damaged or severed,
And turning or breathing
makes you tired and weathered...

And you think that "confined to"
means "defined by" a chair,
Just know that we hear you
with empathy and care.

When a mass takes over
with all of its greed,
And your brain keeps on trying
to fight; not concede...

When behaviors emerge
that you've never possessed,
Just know that we'll guide you;
simply give it your best.

When you've got a new heart
or a new loss of limb,
And with time down and out
profound weakness crept in...

When your body rejects
what's been added or lost,
Just know that we're with you,
whatever the cost.

For wars are not always
fought in the field,
And victims aren't always
those maimed or those killed...

When the battle 'tween body
and self caused the strife,
Just know we salute you,
Survivors of Life!

I'll never forget when I first met Desire,
The feelings I had; my heart raging with fire.
She helped me believe all things were in reach,
As long as I had her to guide and to teach.

I fell for her passion like never before,
But the lack of her action left me longing for more.
So the flame soon extinguished as fast as it lit,
And I moved on just knowing that I couldn't commit.

So I kept searching.

Miss Good Intentions then entered the scene,
I was fully consumed by her hopes and her dreams.
The words she would tell me; future lives we'd envision,
Our plans and our goals were laid out with precision.

But we argued too often, Good Intentions and me,
The "I should's" and "I want to's" ruling the themes.
Ideas that would, sadly, never come to fruition,
So, she stayed firm believing and I left with ambition.

And I kept searching.

Days bled into weeks and then weeks just flew by
And after some months I was set up with Try.
I fell head over heels for Try's declaration:
"Attempts and failures are life's education!"

But excuses got stronger as failures increased;
Self-discipline dwindled and willpower ceased.
So, my stubborn soul said not to settle with Try
Knowing someone out there was unsettled as I.

And then I finally found her.

With the zeal of Desire; the hope of Good Intentions,
Living Try's motto without apprehensions,
And faith in me for the life I'd inhabit,
It all came together once I finally met Habit.

For Habit doesn't have wandering eyes,
She holds me accountable; catches my lies.
She sees my potential that I don't see,
Of growth sustainable, healthy and free.

So, I surrender my heart at the dawn of each day
And let Habit preside, often leading the way.
Fully committed; forever we'll be.
I'll never leave Habit as Habit's in me.

Twelve red roses;
best when unsuspected

Eleven vows spoken;
deepest thoughts reflected

Ten interlocked fingers;
longing then reconnected

Nine vulnerable moments;
never to feel rejected

Eight emotional disagreements;
both parties respected

Seven laugh-til-you-cries;
priceless and unexpected

Six trips across the pond;
cultures to be injected

Five love languages learned;
unknown needs now detected

Four eyes looking forward;
though the past not neglected

Three Godly forces;
new roads Heaven-directed

Two hearts forged together;
now forever connected

One purpose in mind;
love always protected

Come, Come and feel crisp air anew
As respirations burn
Discover bark, tall grass and dew
That only touch can learn

Come, Come and see life's tapestry
Of colors every shade
From mossy stones, feathers, leaves,
To those that time has made

Come, Come and hear the peaceful stream
Whence raging rivers start
Then on to thunderous harmony
That waterfalls impart

Come, Come and taste the banquet lain
Prepared by Mother Earth
Your pallet ne'er will be the same
Where sweet and bitter birth

Come, Come and smell the fragrant scents
That fill all space and time
Majestic auras represent
A calming fleur divine

Yes, Come and spend some time with me
I vow you won't forget
For all your senses here will be
Renewed without regret