Particularly in the winter, I often forget about the following poem which I wrote over three years ago. I forget the importance of looking for little joys and beautiful things in the midst of what may seem a cold and unforgiving season. I forget that there is beauty in life itself and the simple fact of existence. I forget to take a step back and appreciate that I wake up every morning and have a chance to experience and see so many good things if my eyes and heart are willing. I forget because it is so easy to forget in the midst of such a busy, distracting, demanding world. But, when I forget, I reread this poem and I remember. I hope it helps you remember too.

My Soul Mate

today, driving in the car,

I realized how often I fall in love.

I fell in love with the dump truck adorned with artistic Graffiti,

dear mobile expression, I am in love with you.

I fell in love with a lucky shuffle of Songs,

dear harmonic crash, I am in love with you.

I fell in love with the Homeless man I noticed reading under an overpass,

dear rich soul, I am in love with you.

I fell in love with a perfectly timed text Message,

dear startling honesty, I am in love with you.

I fell in love with the Man who let me in front of him in traffic,

dear blonde kindness, I am in love with you.

I fell in love with a warm Shirt on a mid-october day,

dear red comfort, I am in love with you.

I fell in love with a Story of lonely pain,

dear contemplative pages, I am in love with you.

dear Life, dear World, dear Universe, I am in love with you.

at every Moment, I fall deeper into it

and I realize what love is, and how lucky I am

to fall in love

with Universe - who remains fervently willing to give;

with World - who offers opportunity in the form of the unknown;

with Life - who so imperfectly, yet so completely, loves me back.