I had an epiphany a couple of months ago while I was driving with my dad, as we attempted to get onto another ghastly NJ highway. The entrance lane was clearly an afterthought; it afforded no merging space, just a feeble yield sign leading into ceaseless oncoming traffic. And a bus was dropping people off, to boot. 

We watched perhaps the most stereotypical demographic pour from the bus steps. Men in suits, leaving their white collar jobs. Men in jeans, boots, and soiled shirts, leaving their blue collar jobs. Working moms with their school-age kids in tow. A stray 20-something with a backpack and AirPods. All the people you’d expect to get off a bus at 4:00 on a Wednesday afternoon.  read more

You’ve gotta swim,
Swim for your life.
Swim for the music
That saves you
When you’re not so sure you’ll survive.
You gotta swim,
And swim when it hurts.
The whole world is watching,
You haven’t come this far
To fall off the earth.
The currents will pull you
Away from your love.
Just keep your head above.

I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn.
Memories like bullets,
They fired at me from a gun,
Cracking me open now.
I swim to brighter days
Despite the absence of sun.
Choking on salt water,
I’m not giving in.
I swim.