A dozen roses in a vase
A kaleidoscope of color
To pick just one to press and keep
Seems insulting to the others.
In the end I had to choose
The one that first, caught my eye
Its vibrant blossom standing out
Causing a sentimental cry.

Its petals felt like velvet
With a scent of pure delight
It seemed to glow endlessly
Even in the dead of night
This rose is one I'll treasure
For we will never be apart
It will always be there with me
As it blossoms in my heart.

While the face of pain
Distorts in a grimace of reflection.
As sympathetic well-wishers offer
Comfort and well meant consolation.
Yet, this pain isn't nerve induced
From an injury or sick body part.
It’s been caused by anguish or remorse
And is felt in the soul of your heart.
News of a bereavement that's sudden
Destroys the bridge, you were hoping to rebuild.
Resentment that had eaten your ego
Causing your love and compassion to be killed.
They tell you that time is a healer
But that’s a lie proclaimed by the weak.
Love and forgiveness are your saviour
If it’s harmony and peace that you seek.
Don't wait for news to make you suffer
As it may be the news that you dread.
Be kind and love one another
As you can't make amends with the dead.

The babbling brook leapt
Like a jester, dancing before the king.
Golden rays of sunlight sparkle to the tune
Of the sweet melodic flow of the stream
As they reflect off the surface
Mirroring musical Christmas lights.

The bears eyes grow wide in anticipation
Waiting for the trout to leap
Into their deathly grasps.
First one and then another
Clutch their slippery prey.
That ***** wildly like a bird.

On completion of the task
And without obvious instruction
They depart the water, each with a meal
Their teacher smiles as a proud mother should
While planning tomorrow's lesson
From her curriculum for life.

Their Waterloo

Rolling waves cascade down upon the crimson-colored stained sand.
Corpses strewn across a never-ending unforgiving beach.
The repetitive sound of gunfire is deafened only by screams.
Lives exstinguished before their comrade’s eyes
Young men dying, but never knowing the reason why
As the stench of death sends birds fleeing out to sea.
A wounded warrior cries out in pain. His fate is finely balanced
Before a mortar shell seals his demise.
The regiments chaplain, covering all denominations
Looks bewildered and distraught, not knowing which way to turn,
Drops to his knees to administer the last rites to all.
He includes himself, as the enemy ****** offers no mercy.
The night sky darkens as the sun retreats to shine another day
Gunfire quietly subsides until the only sound left
Is that of an angry night tide, lapping over the souls of those fallen.
In search of peace, they gave their all, as they met their Waterloo.

A slow and somber beat
Of a mournful sounding drum.
Some walk behind your hearse
With sullen faces looking glum.
There is a single ring of flowers
Masquerading as a wreath.
It lays upon your coffin
For your soul that lays beneath.
A matinee for the star
To bring the final curtain down.
They read an eulogy of fiction
As you're lowered in the ground.
They reminisce around you
While they fill the grave with dirt.
Forgiving all your blemishes
Even people that you've hurt.
You may have kept some secrets
And some promises that you made.
But all are now deemed worthless
Just a fraction of the price you paid.

Scattered pieces of shattered dreams
Litter the road leading to my heart.
Memories lie broken on the sidewalk
As you and I, prepare to live apart.
Open wounds, that slowly bleed
Drip down and pool within my soul.
I feel my life, being torn apart
As it was you, that made me whole.
I've no more tears that I can shed
My anger rose and then it did subside.
Now, I wear my feelings like a coat
All buttoned up, and prepared to hide.
Different times in different places
I suppose I should have seen the signs.
Yet I’m the one hurt and imprisoned
Although not guilty of any crimes.
Who cares, if the sun will shine again
And make the sea a deep shade of blue.
Yes, I may see many wondrous things
But my eyes will be shut, when it comes to you.

I watched it glide across the mirror like water
Even its reflection was majestically serene.
With his head held high in a distinguished pose
This was the finest of the species I had ever seen.
With his wings folded back so tight and neat
And a plumage pristine, with not a feather out of place.
Surveying its surroundings and fellow inhabitants
As it journeyed onwards with style and grace.
He was not troubled by the river’s companions
Nor indeed did they appear to be threatened by him.
A mutual respect seemed to exist between them
This wasn't a contest either side had to win.
As they mingled together in the beam of bright sunlight
It was not just his beauty that stood him out from the pack.
With no sign of jealousy or perceived racial tension
Just a combined acceptance that this swan was black.