Tangled in a World Wide Web

 I recently watched a video; technically, I rewatched a video of a guy doing magic tricks with a very young boy as his "helper". Clearly, the boy was not in on the plan and was having the time of his life. The boy was fascinated and giggling the entire time. His reactions made the entire thing. The magic was good, no doubt, but the pure joy of that child elevated the entire performance. It was infectious. It made me think about how we lose that somewhere along the way as we grow older. The belief in magic, the innocence, the joy. It all changes. I am not saying that adults do not have fun or cannot enjoy a magic show, but it is definitely different. Once you've peeked behind the curtain, so to speak, the great and powerful wizard is just a man, and the magic is illusion.  I think, unfortunately, we treat everything the same way. We watch with fascination and awe, and enjoy the spectacle, but as we get older, we start asking questions. We want to know how. As we dig deeper...

 To some, today is Cinco de Mayo. To some, it is just Tuesday. For me, today is super special... Better than cheese dip and margaritas. Twelve years ago today (it was a Monday) at 7:46 am (Central), I became a dad. It is a role that I never expected, and honestly, didn't think I wanted, much less needed. I was in my mid-forties and still hadn't grown up, so the thought of being responsible for another human, a tiny living, breathing, helpless being, was terrifying... For everyone.  But here's the thing: after the initial shock wore off, which was surprisingly brief, I was excited. Terrified, yes, but genuinely excited. At that point in my life, I was excited about a lot. I was in love. I was happy. And now, I was going to be a father... no... a dad. I had a father. I swore I would do better.  I remember everyone joking about me changing diapers and all the worst parts of parenting a baby, but none of that scared me. What truly scared the crap out of me was failing. Not be...

 April is often equated with Spring and rain, not gloomy gray days, but happy little showers that bring life and beauty. Everything is colorful and lively. But for me, April is a tough month. As I sit here writing this, I am acutely aware that one week from today marks the 12th anniversary of the passing of my mom. It seems unreal even as I type those words.  Twelve years. I don't need a calendar or reminder app to keep up with that. My mom passed 13 days before my first biological child was born. I spoke with her the night before, and that conversation began exactly like every conversation I had with her began for the previous few months... "Do we have a baby yet?" To say that she was excited is like saying Pompeii was a bit warm in 79 AD. The fact that she never got to see my baby or hold her is one I will never get over.  In 20 days, my oldest girl will turn 12, and I can barely believe it. She never got to meet the woman who raised my sister and me by herself. She nev...

I tried to love you, but I’m no good at so many things.   I never had a real role model for father or husband.    My mom was everything. Don’t get me wrong. I do love you, with everything I am,  but it hasn’t been enough.    I am never enough. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to be the one…   to get the happy ending of books and movies and fairy tales…   to take my last breath lying in your arms, feeling safe and warm and loved. I used to think that the saddest thing ever was when I first loved you  all those years ago, and then you went away and married him .    You said you “ didn’t want to risk our friendship ”. And so, there I was, without you…   without my love… or my friend;     and here I am — full circle.    © 2026 Ron W Hamilton   All Rights Reserved

I gave you my whole heart, Something I swore I'd never share; and you took it gladly, and even acted like you cared. I shared my whole soul with all my dirty truths and shame, and you took it all in and eased all of my doubts and pains.  I offered my whole life, Everything I am or could be, and you slipped on my ring and you were all that I could see. Until death do us part, nothing would ever change my love. It never wavered once, I even asked my mom above. I don't know what went wrong. I feel like I've gone quite insane, but I know without you, I will never be whole again.  © 2025 Ron W. Hamilton   All Rights Reserved This one makes me cringe. I know it isn't good, but it wanted out, and my mind was doing the best it could in full survival mode. I hope one day to polish it up and make it what I hoped it would be. How many things could I say that about in my life?               Image is AI generated. 

 I needed some time to process this one before I could form words, let alone coherent, cohesive thoughts. That doesn't necessarily mean that it will be better, but I hope it is taken with the respect intended.  We all have our own Kryptonite . Some of us know what it is. Some don't. This week, Brad Arnold of Three Doors Down " left [his] body lying somewhere in the sands of time ", and his words in the hearts and minds of at least one generation. His particular Kryptonite turned out to be a common one... Cancer.  There is, undoubtedly, not one among us who has not lost someone close to us, or at the very least watched someone close to us battle this beast. If the sickness isn't bad enough, the treatment is often as bad or worse. Patients are expected to Down Poison . It's a Dangerous Game . Not everyone wins, but that does not mean Loser . Brad Arnold did not Duck And Run . Just like with his music, he gave his best. Now, as he told us he would, he has passed...

If you've been reading lately, you know I am dropping some old (and not-so-old) writings, mostly poems, here as a backup. I have lost much of my writing over the years, so this seemed like a reasonable plan. So today I am adding a couple of short poems from a few months ago.  I'm not trying to explain much in these blog posts. I am just saving my stuff. Maybe, some of you will know, or glean what's happening. Maybe not. Maybe it will resonate in a different, more personal way for you. As a writer, I think that is as good as it gets.       Midnight in May The oceans don’t have the depth of your eyes, nor does the sky shine nearly as bright. The moon’s tidal forces can’t pull me away. The stars can’t match the gleam. What a sight. There is no sun that can warm me from within, quite like the fire of your touch. Your kiss sustains and satisfies my hunger, slakes my thirst. I crave it so much. My heartbeat matches the cadence of yours. Your love fills my so...

This one came to me on yet another sleepless night, about 2 in the morning, as I lay next to her sleeping, beautiful as always, right next to me, but out of reach.   RWH  8/23/2025   Too Late Too Soon I miss your body wrapped in mine -  two halves that make a whole. I miss your laugh and tender kiss -  the intertwining of our souls. I miss that smile that was just for me, that told the world she's mine.  I miss the hands that once held me when everything was fine.  I miss the way we used to talk about our day, our life. I miss the glow that shone around the day you became my wife.  I miss the man I used to be who felt like he was strong. I miss the way you made me feel like I could do no wrong.  I'm still the man who looks at you like you are just a dream -  beauty that all the years can't hide, that doesn't come from a cream. I'm still the man who wants nothing more  than to always be by your side.  It fills me with a confiden...