Mandy Ricks

Tag: Thursday Thoughts

  • The sandbox

    In a square of sand beneath a watching sky,

    two boys kneel while kingdoms cry.

    Leo shapes with open hands, low, wide walls that welcome lands.

    His gates unlatched, his edges kind—no need to guard what’s shared in mind.

    Don cuts hard with heel and fist, a higher throne, a tighter grip.

    His towers climb on narrowed ground, each grain a thing to stake and crown.

    They do not speak. They do not meet.

    Their borders press beneath their feet.

    A restless wind that takes no side moves through their work, but passes by.

    Leo mends the broken, and smiles as sand heals the fray.

    Don strikes at every chance, even if it won’t give way.

    And still they build, as children do—one builds for many, one for few.

    -Mandy Ricks

  • Catching light

    Sometimes a good day is merely catching light at the right angle.

    -Mandy Ricks

  • Listening counts

    Some take risks without hesitation, others don’t dare.

    It’s cold enough, my legs ache again. Maybe I just can’t stand it today.

    This morning I sang along to American Pie. That counted for something.

    Dancing in the gym sounds fine to me, though I haven’t decided yet.

    When it’s the end, does it still count if the fat lady took Ozempic and isn’t fat anymore?

    Listening counts. Being heard matters.

    -Mandy Ricks

  • Late night parking

    Is it possible that the best thing about our relationship was the late night parking? Where shadows of something our hearts called love collided with vinyl seated orgasms. Or was it just easier to ignore the stop signs while we forged our fantasies. -Mandy Ricks

  • Trust

    Maybe it feels like the world is in chaos, with a maniac at the helm yelling, “bring on the fire.” Maybe you feel like running away. But trust, calm will return, wrapped in your insight, and you will want to go home again. -Mandy Ricks

  • Things do change

    So, here we are, dare I say again, holding each other tight, perhaps in an effort to stop from falling apart.

    But things do change, and maybe they will for us too. And then we can hold each other close, out of love instead of love instead of desperation. -Mandy Ricks

  • A Quiet Place

    I am looking for a lovely quiet place where I can listen to the silence. -Mandy Ricks

  • Writing

    Writing can be hard for me, but I feel compelled to continue. To find thoughts that draw pictures and sentences that explain thoughts. To offer intrigue, comfort, and hope. To trigger memories. Maybe sometimes sadness and traumas. Because all of these make up and include life. Astounding and compelling life. The same life that we give thanks for. -Mandy Ricks

  • A Mere Reflection

    Listen to me or not, it matters little. I’m not trying to be wise. I’m a mere reflection of your dreams. -Mandy Ricks

  • Deep breath

    Some days it’s hard to even breathe, to close your eyes, relax your heart, and take a deep breathe.

    And it might feel like it won’t help at all but do it anyway. Because even if it only helps a little it’s worth it. Right? -Mandy Ricks

  • It will change when it’s time

    Willow

    You are exactly where you’re supposed to be. Things will change when it’s time. -Mandy Ricks

  • Change and purpose

    It is in changing that we find purpose. – Mandy Ricks