World Dearest. I’m writing to share my thoughts on when and where I feel most at peace. Within the realm of your expanse, often noise just will not cease. But I’ve learned how to grab hold of what for me defines peace. It’s the manner in which I’m able to bring myself into retreat. Whether literally or mentally, I am able to rest myself. It’s like my peace is always readily available, it’s right there on the shelf. Travel and good times have equipped me with memories that I can quickly envision. Large blue bodies of water, desert land, and loved ones, thoughts of these become my mission. But positioning myself on my couch with book in hand combined with the comfort of The Holy Spirit is often the plan, because this is the main time and place where pangs of happenstance, circumstance, and romance for me are muted. This is when and where I’m in a place of [perfect] peace that cannot be disputed.

To be a piece
To be at peace
Don’t call me on my homophone
It’s likely that I am alone
But is alone, a singular state? Alone because you are unknown? A loan because you want a home?
Peace is often associated with solidarity; something for which we’ve waited
A state sedated, perhaps over rated
Peace for me is found in a crowd
Strangers to surround, ears are filled with the din of a city’s sound
Camouflaged by the anonymity of vicinity to those with whom we share our city
What is my piece?
Where am I at peace? Do we ever really know until we’re deceased?

All lights dimmed in a filled room ups the anticipation,
Music soared through the speakers preparing us for action,
Cinnamon sparkled my lips bitten off its sugar,

Costing me a Nicole(Nah, I Kid-man.) per platter,
I sink back in a cushioned seat leg raised in a hump.
Not words were said nor a phone buzzed, we watched as ads jump.
Energy flowed with action but mellowed down in serene,
Movies made me feel better ’til the credits end scene,
All left the room content from 2 hour-ed serenity.

Take me back to the place where they know my name,
Where no one is a stranger and what makes us different is just as beautiful as what makes us the same.

Help me find the spot where laughter and dancing heal,
Where everyone is given room to be exactly who they are
and all the space they need to feel.

Find me a realm where beauty is all around,
Where nature’s canvas can be seen and heard, and what was mundane becomes profound.

Search with me for the moments where we are fully embraced,
Where the world throws open it’s arms for us with no judgment of fears or mistakes.

Oh, take me– but don’t take me alone. Help me find these places and then help me take them home.

[This is a tribute to a beautiful camp I have had the privilege of being able to attend twice now, with a community of self-proclaimed “Misfits,” brought together by a band called Magic Giant. The band and their fans are truly some of the most open-hearted people I know! Being with them gives me hope for the world and faith in myself as a writer. Several of them continue to encourage me to share my voice, and truly help me feel so grateful to be alive!]

Rudimentary – sedimentary.
Rocks stab at my instep
Harsher than reality
I hardly felt it’s indent –
Something there distracted me.

And so it is in staggered thoughts
I’ve perceived the imperceptible

Fleeing from me just so fast I caught it in a blur.
I see it in the daydreams,
the ones revolving her.

We spoke some folly years ago.
About our favorite place.
I recall all her expressions,
But can’t remember face.

For maybe it was shame
That kept me from her grace
Now every time I think of her
I think of waves and space

I think aloud and pace.
I write it on a page.
Still nothing can return me to
those 16 years of age

The source of all my pain
The moment let escape
I hadn’t strength to tell her
Because I thought I’d wait.

From then, she washed away
Just as her favorite place.
The only time I feel at peace
is when I feel her waves.

Crash! Shh!
These are the sounds of my saving grace,
the thing, the moment, the space
that is my bliss, my serenity, my peace,
where evermore, life’s darkness can cease.
***
Crash!
My feet hit the sand
as I arrive at the place
where water meets land,
and the sun warms my face.
Shh!
My mind starts to focus
on the tide, on the waves.
Abracadabra, hocus pocus–
like magic, all my stress fades.
Crash!
Down goes my bag, my board,
as I prepare to dive in… to
a world where from strife I’m unmoored;
a world that is salty…and blue.
Shh!
Quiet goes my inner voice,
and all I can hear, the only sound–
by nature, not even by choice
is what’s buzzing about in my paradise found.
Crash!
For practice, I leap off the ground… and yes, perfect stance!
Legs planted well, right in the middle.
That means it’s time to get in, time to dance,
so I take to the surf, at least for a little.
Shh!
I am calm, I am zen,
as I paddle out past the break.
Such stillness in the chaos of figuring when
to get ready, and which wave to take.
Crash!
I wait, I scan, then I choose my mark.
I go, I go, I get up…and I ride!
And with that comes the fiercest spark
that pulls open my heart, pulls my smile so wide.
Shh!
In such a moment, I don’t give a darn about money or things,
No, here work and love do not worry me.
‘Cause here is most where my soul freely sings.
Yes, everything’s dandy when… I’m surfing the sea.

Can you feel it
Hear or see it
At first zip
No need to trip
The moment I glance
Another chance
Shooting through and through
Oh the view
An overwhelming sigh
Boy do I feel high
Relief
Together in breif
You see it
Committed

A safety net
Make me sweat
Your the someone I’d put first
Wrap yourself up in his comfort
I wanna scream
Wake me from this dream
Flounder with ease
It’s me you shall please
Whole body’s weak
I can’t even speak
Minds in a trance
A little love and romance
Souls a bliss
It’s you that I miss

Into the frosty blizzards of winter
No time shall hinder
Continuous breeze through the crisp Spring air
Come and go as you please, no despair
Entering warm Summer nights
With all of you in site
Beneath the trees of Fall leaves
Oh the web we wove and continue to weave
In the midst of the dark
Making my mark
Manifestation of orbs
It’s you that I adore

If I could touch you, just once
You know it’s you that I hunt
I look up, I see you
Full view and I pursue
The world turns
Heart burns, it yearns
Tender Love let us feast
Together in peace
Serenity, oh the intensity
I melt
Under your belt
Orion

Dear Country Concerts,
From the moment I first went to you
Cowgirl boots rocking in the stars
Flashing lights like the northern lights
Singing along to the late nights
The late night drinks, the late night music
Us speeding along like there is no tomorrow
Time Standing Still
Living the life we dreamed of
Stomping our feet against the wind
Night Flowing like it’s never going to end
Healed hearts,
Phones disappearing like ghosts
No service, no responsibilities
Becoming one with music
The music is you
Heartfelt conversations and times
We’re all the same
We’re all the same in the moment
Swaying like astronauts in space
no gravity, no gravity

Where and when I feel most at peace: A poem titled “Dancing at Pride with Butterflies”

A girl, too afraid to
Dance
Goes on a road trip
With new friends
And a second
Chance

A girls trip to
Pride
Uncertain if she
Even fits in
With this new
Tribe

To herself it feels like
Butterflies
That finally found
A home where
They can freely fly
Souring through the
Skies
She found a place
Not on a map
Like a pin
But in herself
She found release
In her own skin
She finally felt peace

A girl, too afraid to
Dance
She swims through the
Crowd
Eyes closed, she spins
And lands in bliss
One with the music
She danced as
Always she would
Fearlessly
All because she took a
Chance

-Sasha Nichols

I fall into a trance… One where I live through my peaceful desires. Seeing myself drifting on the musical waves of my bass strings, croaking in harmony.

I land into another vision, one where I’m bringing peace with my fist. I train the martial art to release the heat. I take a left and a right to the jaw, slipping out of my trance. Rattle, Rattle, as I croak in harmony.

When I wake, I shake my head in disbelief… I made it. I’m back on my lily pad just drifting down stream. Take it easy Bufo!!!