First Mural in the Making

Life has its ups and downs, but one thing I am sure of is God's grace and blessings in ALL seasons and stages of life.  Sometimes you have to look for them.  Sometimes they are undeniably obvious.  Most times we just have to pay attention.  They are present and visible:  blessings and beauty, opportunity and purpose are there.  Sometimes we have to reset our focus, looking away from things that would distract us from growing and enjoying our lives.  

A colleague and I were blessed with the opportunity to create a mural for our school's cafeteria/auditorium.  This is my first collaborative, communal piece.  This is my first mural.  

#Settingthestage

#Leavingmymark

#blessingsinthewilderness

#resetingmyfocus

#gratefulforGodsblessing

Shelved Hearts

Open Mic

I dare not proclaim to be a spoken word artist.

I am merely me 

and my pen

and my paper

my brush and my canvas are my wine, listening ear, and therapy.

If only you know 

how much I needed tonight

a moment to feel

and just be

and be free

free from the stress and strain of the day

free form the expectations and rules of others

free from eyes of disappointment

free from the weight of my heart

free from the pressure to be 

anything and anyone other than me.

If you only knew how much I needed this moment

this pen

this mic

to exhale 

to embrace...me

as well as this moment, this time and space

an opportunity

to wrap myself up in me

and call it enough

Control

If This World Were Mine

By Ashley J. Moore

11/1/16

“If this world were mine

I’d give you the flowers

The birds and the bees...” (Sang to Luther Vandross’s tune)

If this world were mine

I’d take away every weight

And every angst

Every frustration…

I’d block every hurt and disappointment

I’d bulldoze every mountain in your way

Unclog every blockage in your hearts’ valves

Every form of self-preservation and every need for it

I would be your shield

I’d be your humorous line, filling your heart with laughter

I’d call forth sunshine and moonlight, Auburn victories, and manifested fantasies

If this world were mine

I’d release all uncried tears

And wash them away

In the waters of Hanauma Bay, in rivers of relief

Cleansing waves leaving your heart light and refreshed

Light

And Free

Light

And Happy

Light

And full and fresh and free

If this world were mine

I’d disperse every cloud and dispel every fog

I’d massage away every furrow in your brow

And lift every weight off your heart, mind, and shoulders

If this world were mine

I’d make everything easy…no pain, no disappointment, no frustration, no sadness, no worry…

Fortunately, this world is not mine

And you do have mountains

And clouds

And fog

And weight

I ache when you ache, and my brow furrows when you are down

But

Fortunately, this world is not mine

And with every mountain, your voice has grown stronger…because you’re a man who speaks to his day and tells his day how it’s going to be…You’re a man who speaks to dry bones and tells them to live

And with every cloud, you’ve received rain to produce crops, and fruit, and podcasts…

And with every weight, your muscles have bulged and been strengthened

And with every fog, your remaining senses have grown more keen; for you’ve walked by faith and not by sight

“If this world were mine

I’d give you the flowers

The birds and the bees..”

But fortunately, it’s not and  you don’t need me to

You have everything you need within you

And everything you need will be revealed to you

You are a king

And a winner

And a victor

So rather than ache because I can’t rescue you

I’ll sit with you

And stand with you

And pray for you

And cheer for you

Because YOU are a victor

And this world is not mine

Painted Smiles

Blocking Out the Noise

Refueling

Even Superwoman 

has to pause

and take time

to refuel

and recharge

to recenter

to be still

to reset

refocus

take a break

take a nap

to disconnect

from the pulls of life

to reconnect

to herself and her God

so that she too can have and enjoy life

and be in position when the time comes again

to be able to pour into others

without running on E

without running on fumes

without drying out

but rather pouring out of the overflow

of the inner flow 

of life and rejuvenation