The Spice of Life

if variety is the spice of life, then i have a rack full of spice. in a world of confusion and strife, my little slice of life seems as quiet as that of mice.   friends of mine are all different and diverse. one lives in the past, one lives in the future, others are at different places on the spectrum. few seem to achieve a level of happiness and live a life that is to them a curse. all beat themselves up like they would a drum.   my life isn’t in the best of shape. i have my ups and downs, but i won’t let it get to me. if i thought about it, life would crush me like a grape. but my friends with all their diversity, gives me hope and pleasure to sail the deepest sea.   i love the differences in my friends, they add so much to my happiness. these friends are all like spices on the rack. my life is full of spices, and it helps with all my mess. my friends mean so much to me and i know they have my back.   — Steve Vollmer

We Two Boys Together Clinging

We two boys together clinging, One the other never leaving, Up and down the roads going, North and South excursions making, Power enjoying, elbows stretching, fingers clutching, Arm’d and fearless, eating, drinking, sleeping, loving. No law less than ourselves owning, sailing, soldiering, thieving, threatening, Misers, menials, priests alarming, air breathing, water drinking, on the turf or the sea-beach dancing, Cities wrenching, ease scorning, statutes mocking, feebleness chasing, Fulfilling our foray.   — Walt Whitman