Red Tulips

in the California spring

Mornings feel like winters on the east coast

My body has acclimated to another life

One with cold blood

This time I’ve realized

Not every breakthrough 

Is a spiritual experience

It is, for me

A furthered exploration inside

and who I thought I was 

But I have yet to be

Edge of the coastline

River meets the road

I throw my pain out to sea

Like rocks that will rest

Tumbled by gentle water 

As long as they come back

And they will—

Just a bit softer

With the edges that used to cut us,

Faded