Sand Castles in my Mind

The Sandman is calling me.
He is building sand castles in my mind,
Inviting me inside to wander
the corridors of dream.

I fight the temptation to slumber,
refusing the Sandman’s call.
Mindless tasks of cleaning clothes
and doing dishes,
of vacuuming
and tidying
occupy my hands,
keep my body moving,
but still the Sandman is calling.

I sit to write,
but all I see are the shell filled hallways
of the great fortress that Sandman built.
My eyes feel the grit of the sand,
My body holds the weight of it.

My pen falls forgotten,
My paper lies neglected.
My head is pillowed on my arms,
and I surrender to the call of the Sandman.
I give myself up to the castle built of sand,
to wander its halls in Sleep.

The Pulse of Life

Who wills,
can.
Who tries,
Does.
Who loves,
Lives.

By Anne McCaffrey

Who loves, lives.
My family’s love lifts me up.
Warm hugs, laughing words,
Whispered and shouted,
“I love you.”
My friends’ love reassures me.
Reminds me of my worth.
Gentle taps and forceful shoves,
“I love you.”

Who loves, lives.
My own love spreads itself thin.
Give to others, lose myself.
Favors and words,
“I love you.”
My own love turned within.
Often silenced by sadness and doubt.
Reaches and whispers,
“I love you.”

Who loves, lives.
Giving love expands the heart.
Receiving love, it draws in.
Each beat gives and each receives,
The give and take is
The pulse of life.
Who loves, lives.

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