i learn a little from a shadow in an alley

i learn a little from a shadow in an alley
each day sort of
glorifies
the previous
life is always ascending
that's what is necessary about it

sometimes the darkness comes where we least expect it
sometimes the light shines from behind us
nothing is predictable

the future is a priceless study on chiaroscuro

moving through each chapter i take deep breaths
i hold on to what i know
and what i've known
perfectly aware that it will never be the same

something is ending
something else is beginning

it's simple

like a dog chasing a car

what i read in a sign may read differently to another
i am the only me

i will follow the light and the shadow
i will do my best to interpret the signs
i will spread light
i will cast shadow


in fifteen years i will reflect on something that happened five years from now
things will change
life is always ascending
that's what is necessary about it

at this moment i see birds in the grass
they are plain and they move fast and they are singing
i believe that's what it's called
maybe someday i will call it something else
but for now

the birds are singing

Photo by Amanda Grupp.  Words by Dustin Whitehead.

BUTT i don't even know you (this title is a work in progress which will eventually be whatever it wants to be)

morning after head melting power walk up steps of stone and sandy peaks
i found stillness
in a bob or a house

    cat
        that is

as it looked towards me i wondered if it wanted to say something
maybe if it hadn't been for my crew of sweaty followers that little bugger would have played fetch with me
the plants were alive and so was that bob or house

    cat
        that is

although
much like me he had an agenda and a family and the afternoon to look forward to
so as i reached out a hand he clawed his way to distance

maybe i don't know him or his history but dammit i wanted to 
my head hurt and my body was wet with the sun but i wanted connection
as i often do

i am a climbing being
i am simple
i am merely a bob or house

    cat
        that is

Photo by Caroline Näslund.  Words by Dustin Whitehead.

Let's get weird.

What if the calm before the storm happened with my agenda in mind?  Well, it DID.  That's precisely why I ask.  I prove my own points because that's what I DO.  I set it AND I spike it.  Take say, this pineapple gum that I'm sticking to the bottom of my shoe right now.  My karmic future sees only silver lining bro.  I see all the stops and call all your shots for you.  Vodka! See?  I kick first and drink water never.  My name was Bruce Lee until I changed it to YOUR MOM IS BRUCE LEE.  Bam!  Pay attention because I rock shit.  Like Bruce Springstein.  I used a second Bruce because I'm rolling through my mental Rolodex and I'm chilling in the B's.  I'm floating through my lazy river of B awesomeness, DUDE.  I'll hop out in a minute and dry off next to Charlie Chaplin on a bench because THAT'S HOW I ROLL.  I get DOWN.  I'll hang with Don Corlione and Don King in the SAME AFTERNOON. Test me but don't doubt me.  I'll go for a drive with Fara Faucet while listening to Fiona Apple.  I'll lasso an Iguana Indiana Jones style in Ingrid Michaelson's BACK YARD!  Then I'll go to her front yard and ICE SKATE with my hommie I THINK YOU GET THE POINT.   Now are we going out tonight or what, bro? Let's get weird...

Image by Steve Brian.  Words by Dustin Whitehead.