prose

Never Settle

~ Just L ~ Leave a comment

Too many women I know have stood or prayerfully waited for too long, thinking that they are doing the right thing, the good thing, even the God thing: NEVER SETTLE for anything less than extraordinary. If you are not in a relationship where EVERY DAY you feel loved, ADORED, cherished, and that it is made abundantly clear by his actions that you are the best thing ever to happen to him, imperfectly perfect yet perfectly suited, a blessing, BEAUTIFUL, sexy, appreciated, AMAZING, full, sated… depending on the circumstances, fix it right now, or ruuuuun. Don’t look back at your life, your journals, the signs… and say, “OMG, I should have never accepted that and/or left that three years earlier!” Let us instead pray dangerously —wantonly, lustily, passionately— let us demand with every ounce of our strength, FREEDOM!

~ Just L (Goddess Wisdom, a re-post from January 19, 2012)

Miss Them, But Do Not Ache For Them

~ Just L ~ Leave a comment

Every morning you wake up with someone you love, take a moment to be amazed they are there beside you, be grateful you are alive to bear witness to another day of living and loving another human, be fascinated by this person who was vulnerable enough to wake up beside you– be it one night or one thousand times one thousand nights– place your hands over each other on your heart and embrace this sweet present so many long for. And if one morning you awake and they are gone forever, miss them, but do not ache for them.

~ Just L (Goddess Wisdom, January 14, 2019)

When You Love Yourself

~ Just L ~ 2 Comments

WHEN YOU LOVE YOURSELF, you are not too little, too much, or too late. You are more than enough.

WHEN YOU LOVE YOURSELF, you celebrate simply being in the world. You will continually experience joy.

WHEN YOU LOVE YOURSELF, you have compassion for others. You will always have enough love.

WHEN YOU LOVE YOURSELF, healthy boundaries are a no-brainer. You will forever cultivate inner peace.

WHEN YOU LOVE YOURSELF, you are unapologetic about living a life that speaks to you. You have nothing to prove.

WHEN YOU LOVE YOURSELF, you glow from the inside. You attract people who love, respect, and appreciate your energy.

You will also attract people who are jealous, energy vampires, and dark. REMEMBER YOU LOVE YOURSELF.

~Just L (June 6, 2018)

Feeling Our Way Home

~ Just L ~ Leave a comment

After this much time has passed, we are unsure our love will last. Your words I hardly recognize, whereas our eyes once mesmerized. Your touch feels automatic, unfamiliar. Our hearts separated by an impenetrable glacier. Your face is far from my outstretched hand; exploring your body as a strange land. Perhaps we need a map for navigation — A how-to-guide to fix the connection; A way to communicate what we mean; A favorite song or a time machine. Reminding me of the last time when I was yours and you were mine. Labored breathing is all we have to say. Afraid to admit we may have lost our way. Yet, your legs are wrapped around me as if we are heaven-bound.

~Just L (May 3, 2018)

NAPOWRIMO Day 28: Postcard to My Love from the Train

~ Just L ~ Leave a comment

NAPOWRIMO Day 28: Postcard to My Love from the Train 1EF31F79-32B7-422D-B336-092D15CD27F4

I am on the train now, my  Love. I already miss how your neck smells. The way you look at me and whisper, “You are mine.” Your laugh thrills. I forgot my book. I have only the memories of our time together to keep me. In my top ten, the picnic on the museum grounds will forever be. That, and the mountain with the clouds above. Hopefully, this photo will serve as a reminder. It was my favorite. Now, I am counting the hours until we see each other – 2,059. Hours since I last kissed you – 4. Hours before I arrive at my destination – 6. Hours I will love you – Forever more.

~Just L (April 28, 2018)

Author’s Note: NaPoWriMo Prompt – Draft a prose poem in the form/style of a postcard. If you need some inspiration, why not check out some images of vintage postcards?

Attraction is Whack

~ Just L ~ Leave a comment

Interest does not equal commitment.
Repeat to yourself until you understand this.
And can act on it without falling.

~Just L (Goddess Wisdom, March 21, 2018)

Author’s Note: Attraction is a more dangerous drug than crack. Follow your heart, but take your brain with you.

Benefit of the Doubt

~ Just L ~ Leave a comment

Are we really going to play this game, I stated?
What game is that? He inquired.
Where you lie and I lie down pretending not to notice, I said in a calm but direct tone.
I am not lying to you, He began…
What do you think, you have some women’s intuition? He continued confidently.
Behold, what is your secret weapon? He brandished.
When a man’s words do not match his actions, always believe his actions.
BAM.

~Just L (Goddess Wisdom, March 21, 2018)

Author’s Note: The truth is always in his actions. Words = Actions = A man who is worthy of a woman’s attention.

Love Has No Ethnicity

~ Just L ~ Leave a comment

Yesterday, at SFO, while waiting for my daughter to clear customs, a man with a luggage cart stacked with clear-tape wrapped luggage, approached me and asked if he could use my phone to make a call to his wife. He showed me the handwritten number (I recognized it as a Bay Area phone number) written in the back of a small day planner. Perhaps it was the fact the number started with 526-, the same as the landline that my parents have had for 50 years, or perhaps it was his aged, but kind face; nevertheless, I dropped my “stranger danger,” and I dialed the number and handed him the phone. I could not understand a word they were saying but I recognized JOY. After a short exchange he hung up the phone, thanked me, and handing it back said tearfully, “I have just arrived from Pakistan!” “Well, welcome to America,” I replied. He asked me to please direct him to the exit. He practically skipped away – belying his age – his salwar kameez waving behind him.

A reminder that sometimes we simply want the same things.

~Just L (November 10, 2017)