"Blindfolds" (March 11, 2002) - Inspired by my continued querying of people of how they find their inspiration.

"Checkered Trees" (March 18, 2002) - Written in response to "Blindfolds". Inspired by a student's art project of a set of branches set up like a tree near a window. The branches and leaves were painted in a marroon and purple checker board pattern.

"Blindfolds"

One of the great challenges
in life is finding out your goals.

One of the greatest accomplishments
is making them happen.

Discovering yourself is the greatest
scavanger hunt of all.
... I'm still lost.

Lost in a small place where the
sun shines, but I'm blind
The keys for the locks that
bind my blind fold shut haven't
been found.

I know what's really there because
I once found those keys.
Others have found theirs too, but
as each waking day becomes a
new, something keeps layering
my blindfolds

"Checkered Trees"

So count on down the mysterious road
Where checkerboards tread
And leaves of both fall to and fro
of a marroon and purple spread
Onto the path of two-toned smiles does
This path of mystery lay?
It brings you back from whenst you started
Peeking through the glass near it stays.

"Where are you going?", asks the checked tree
Of marroon and purple leaves and bark
"I seek the keys that bind my fold
For I'm afraid of the dark."
"Do not fear", replies the tree;
"For you will find your way."
But buried under the tree were the keys.
Unknowst still today.