I saw the fog rise up above a pond
It reminded me of a specter floating in a scary movie
It got me thinking of stuff that haunts us
I am haunted sometimes by, I should have done this
or I could have said that
or I would have done this better
The ghosts of yesterday can cloud our vision today
To live in regret is not a good way to live
We can let go and our vision can be clearer
Things can get better and our emotional fog can lift away
Freeing us to have better days

The Ghosts Of Yesterday

Today I saw some fog rise up above a pond
It reminded me of a specter floating in a scary movie
It got me thinking of stuff that haunts us
I am haunted sometimes by, I should have done this
or I could have said that
or I should have done this better
The ghosts of yesterday can cloud our vision today
To live in regret is not a good way to live
We can let go of the past and our vision can be clearer
Things can get better and our emotional fog can lift away
Freeing us to have better days
Let us not be haunted by the ghosts of yesterday today
Instead, let us live in the present and live each day to it's fullest!

I tried writing my words in the sand for all to see
Imagine my surprise when right before my eyes it got swept away by the tide of the river in front of me
I then tried to send a message in a bottle the bottle quickly got crushed and the paper turned to mush
I must have rushed and not planed to carefully
I later tried to write something on a stone, it felt good to hold ever so carefully, despite my best plans it slipped through my hands; and landed with too many other similar stones and blended in and I could not retrieve it again
I could have let discouragement win, but I thought I should try it again, because I really wanted to share this message
I tried once more and carefully explored my surroundings
I suddenly saw a big rock I had to trend some water to get there
I carefully took stock in whether or not this rock would do to display the message , and would it be worthwhile
I smiled as I observed that it was solid and could not be  moved by the tides: it had a  firm foundation so firm in fact that it could support my weight
The son shined on it creating warmth and I felt a sense of peace, I felt a release from the struggle of moments before; the words were clearly illuminated by the suns light on the words displayed  like lighting the way for those who would receive the message; and it was good.

I do not want to just go through the motions in life
I want to strive not just survive
I want to thrive
I want to live with devotion not just chase a careless notion
I need to take five and smell the flowers along the way
I need to stop and see what is clearly ahead of me
I need to appreciate all the beauty that can be found, and peace will flow abundantly

It only takes a sharp remark to bait the trap and without warning it snaps
When things go badly setting the negative in motion negative thoughts spin like a whirlwind
When I hear people complaining it is easy to get ****** in like quicksand
The Negativity can spread like a wildfire and negatively effect productivity
I would ask you to throw me a rope and how to best cope but I realize it is up to me, to escape from the negative trap
I walk away, take a deep breath and think of something positive and my attitude has changed
I am ready to have a better day!

The perfect poem went through my mind
every word seemed sublime
It had perfect rhyme
It had the perfect amount of lines
Unfortunantly I did not have pen or paper
Now it forever eludes me

The perfect poem went through my mind every word seemed
sublime
It had perfect rhyme
It had the perfect amount of lines
Unfortunately I ran out of time to grab pen and paper
Now it forever eludes me

I see the lightning flash across my screen
There is a storm brewing of that I am sure
This storm has no warning except notifications
I have to check this forecast
I may or may not see many notifications on my page
A storm is brewing it is raining down creativity
I see the effects of this storm when I read your poems
The ideas are like tornado swirling in our minds
Instead of destruction our words take a toll, on others minds and souls
There is no need to take cover and hide from this storm
We have no cause for alarm
We can grab a pen or computer and play in this type of rain
Let creativity rain on us and may it reign in our minds
May we drown in the floods of inspiration
May we stay away from the clouds of doubt
I think the poetry storm is brewing, you can shout with joy when it rains on you!

The Recipe for a good life
Count your blessings not your problems
Value people not possessions
Keep in mind that nothing lasts forever , so make lasting memories
Try to give more than you receive
Give to those in need
Have more friends than regrets
Be grateful for the start of each new day
It is a chance for a new beginning
Stir in kindness compassion and understanding
Share generously  with those you meet
Serve with a smile and with gratitude
Double or triple the recipe by seasoning it with Love
Watch it grow in yourself and others.

When I was younger I was hoping to go to some private university instead I was enrolled in The School Of Hard Knocks against my will. I think that I started this school when I was a premature baby fighting for my life. Then in school were I experienced such strife
I further experienced this school when I married young and while I was trying to further my education my husband violently knocked me against the wall, with the help of neighbors I escaped and got to a safe place. I had to leave town and drop out of school.
The school of hard knocks can be so cruel. I wonder who makes the rules for this school
I've heard it said that experience is the best teacher you get the test first and the lessons afterwards in life there are many lessons to be learned, when I was a new parent I learned many and not every answer is found in books, you learn at times through trial and error
You love your children even when at times they don't treat you right
I am still learning from the school of hard knocks, it seems when I try to get ahead a little bit I get knocked down I feel like I might frown
I think I will get back up I have before, but I have some advice if The School Of Hard Knocks comes knocking at your door don't answer.

I sometimes have many thoughts running through my head.
The ideas are overflowing the words seem to be flowing off my pen.
Other days I dread, my mind is quiet I am out of ideas.
The add a poem button seems to taunt me.
The writers block it haunts me.
In the silence of my mind I find no comfort.
I want to be brimming with ideas.
I would rather feel some intense emotion, love or devotion.
I can write about Love or loss.
It is tough to feel uninspired.
I don't feel comfortable with the silence of my mind.

I saw the sunrise spreading across the sky in an orange hue
It was a breathtaking view
I will be searching the sky for future sunrises
I wonder what other colors I will find

Their are times when I wish I could recapture some of the past
and have good memories that would always last and not fade over time
There are times when I can recapture something if only for a moment
A taste a smell, reminding me of a loved one lost, but for a little while at least I feel happy and content and in a way feel somehow transported back in time.
I call it the tastes of childhood, like when I was in Grandma's kitchen I remember the smell of her M&M; cookies, I have never since tasted cookies so fine
I remember my Dad making polish sausages bought fresh from the local sausage house, my mouth just waters just thinking about it even though I just ate.
Then on Sundays we would all gather around the table together as a family and eat together which was quite a feat, considering a family  of nine children, and everyone seemed to scream out I want a leg all at once, which was a problem being chicken fryers back them did not consist of all legs; I still don't know how my parents managed the chaos of all us  children

I also remember my dad smelling of Old Spice and I think it was nice
I wonder if you to will be transported down memory lane, if only for a moment
What are your tastes of childhood? feel free to share

A lone wolf finds his pack then makes tracks in the snow by the light of the moon
The pack moves with urgency they need to hunt
An unknown source has been hunting with such force, leaving a ****** trail in it's wake
They must not make a mistake their food supply has been threatened.

The pack presses on deeper into the forest, further than they have been before
They used to have more than enough food, but lately everything has seemed to change
In fact even patterns in nature seemed to have been altered, for one thing there have been
more full moons than normal.

The youngest wolf was thinking to himself, could there be a connection between the full moon
and the dwindling food supply, an unknown creature like those humans talk about around a
campfire, an abominable Snowman or werewolf or something else.

The young wolf shakes off those thoughts, they are just story's after all, right
I better not let my imagination run wild, I  am no longer a cub
He rounds a bend in the woods, he looks back he sees that once again got separated from his pack, He was about to turn around and go back to where he last saw his pack, when he heard a strange sound like a half howl, half cry, half scream he felt compelled by curiosity, ignoring his hunger.

He glanced quickly at the moon, it is a full moon, He continued to go toward the sound.
He heard a ear splitting scream, he saw an old cabin in the distance. it looks like it had been
long abandoned could that be where the sound is coming from , The pack had always expressed that he is kind of reckless, but he just could not ignore the sound or the urge to investigate

He quickly approached the cabin, the sound grew louder there was no doubt the sound came from here. He saw an open door, against  his better judgement  he went inside, he slowly approached than suddenly stopped and stared at the sight before his eyes.
The moonlight shone through a window and the man standing before the window was morphing before his eyes, The man/creature had eyes like a wolf, scales unlike anything he had seen before, it was changing before his eyes, it's skin part man part beast was opalescent and shimmered under the moonlight it's colors kept changing like a chameleon effect, yet uniquely different.

He kept watching until the transformation was complete know transformed into something form the tales of man, something resembling a mythological beast. He felt awe and fear at the same time. He would not have believed it if he had not seem it with his own eyes, The transformation of man to beast under the light of the full moon.

The value of true friends are to be treasured
Their value can not be accurately measured
They are uniquely special
They are more valuable than diamonds and more precious
than rubies
They stick by you no matter what .you are going through
If they die their value lives on, in the memories that were shared
and of how they cared and the love that was expressed there
They live on in our hearts and minds
They are worth more than Gold
They are a treasure that our hearts hold, for eternity

The Vessel
A wounded vessel tossed about in the storms of life
The vessel was once strong unshaken by the wind sure and secure in itself and about life
The once strong vessel is wounded again feeling hurt angry insecure ashamed lonely
Overwhelming blows of feelings hitting the vessel the pain is intense the memories of abuse are
Strong a blow to the heart and emotions
A cry out for assistance I cry out for the captain’s help in facing the crisis I look at the holes in the vessel
I ask for support from friends and groups etc. to help me repair the vessel to make it strong again
The vessel is not the same as it once was but there is hope that one day it can be better than it is now
The vessel is being mended and is getting stronger for the first time it's experiencing sunrises and sunsets that it has never seen before
Maybe it can be made stronger than it ever was and sail towards peaceful shores

The Vessel
A wounded vessel tossed about in the storms of life
The vessel was once strong unshaken by the wind sure and secure in itself and about life
The once strong vessel is wounded again feeling hurt angry insecure ashamed lonely
Overwhelming blows of feelings hitting the vessel the pain is intense the memories of abuse are
Strong a blow to the heart and emotions
A cry out for assistance I cry out for the captain’s help in facing the crisis I look at the holes in the vessel
I ask for support from friends and groups etc. to help me repair the vessel to make it strong again
The vessel is not the same as it once was but there is hope that one day it can be better than it is now
The vessel is being mended and is getting stronger for the first it’s experiencing sunrises and sunsets that it has never seen before
Maybe it can be made stronger than it ever was and sail towards peaceful shores

I wrote this some time back and recently found it on my computer.
I hope you enjoy it, feel free to comment!

Some people close to me are concerned that I might get too lonely
I don't fear loneliness because I know
The worst kind of loneliness of all is feeling lonely in a crowd

It starts with coffee then it spins out of control
My thirst has taken a hold only one sip is never enough
It don't matter if it is Kool Aid or ice tea you will regret inviting me
I am Thirsty can't you see, my thirst is ravenous
You might think my bladder is cavernous


I will drink all the Hot Chocolate in sight, believe me do not doubt
I move on to Lemonade, In a large amount, sorry that I drank the whole pitcher, I was just so thirsty
My eyes have seen soda, that is a sparkling delight, I'm sorry that I lost all control, the soda just tasted so good
I am still thirsty , I ask you what is left, "You tell me just water"
I say that is fine; I think to myself as thirsty as I am good thing it is not wine.
I drink the water it tastes good when I am thirsty
I need to caution you my friends, If the lake or river near you suddenly disappears it could be because of me being Thirsty

This is a test of the emergency poetry broadcast system!

This is for you you who love poems
You who love Rhymes
  You who takes the time to read many lines
   You who are dedicated to the written word
    You who look forward to metaphores
     Who give feedback and comments
      Who faithfully follow
       I appreciate your likes
       Some may call you poetry fans
       I prefer to call you friends
       We are united in our love for poetry

This is my 200th poem
I am so floored
I am overjoyed
I  am so excited to have made it this far
I have to let you know that I could not have done it without you all
You are the best followers, but I don't like saying it that way because you are so much more, You are my totally Awesome friends
You give so much inspiration, you are my muses and amazing in so many ways
You give comfort on tough days
You turn a frown into a smile
you also bring me to tears at times because your poems touch me so much
You make me laugh at times (especially Mike)
I may not know many of you face to face, but know one else can take your place in my heart
How can I show my full appreciation for you
You are amazing
You are Fantastic
You are priceless
You are irreplaceable  
I am so glad to have all of you, My Hello Poetry Family!
I would have had more than 200 poems but some never made it here.
This 200th poem is a Tribute to all of YOU!

Sunshine and sipping ice tea.
Visiting with family and friends.
Reminiscing  while creating new memories .
This is what I call  life at it's best.
Time to rest and relax.
All seems right with my world at this moment.
I need to savor this time because time too quickly passes away.

I have trouble sleeping
my CPAP machine starting squeaking
like a mouse is in my bed
So I quickly yanked the mask off my head
The cat knocked something over
the contents spilling the contents on the floor
Too late to vacuum up the carpeted floor
Midterm week for school tests and
big paper to write
I need more sleep to think more clearly
The highlight of my day was reading
and replying to messages that you
my dear Hello Poetry friends have written
I bid you adieu for now and wish you
sweet dreams and hope for them too

Day turns to night
I can not get to sleep
too many thoughts in my head
I grab  some paper and pen
and try to make a rhyme
how will it read this time
I think that it's not a poem
unless it touches our heart
It's not a poem unless it tears us apart
After what is left of what is written down
if it don't get through to you and me
it's not a poem
If the words don't make a lasting impression
on your memory
I feel that I am writing only for me
If I can not get through to you I feel that
It's not really a poem

Thoughts of Spring consume my mind even as snow falls

It has been described that New friends are like Silver and Old friends like Gold.
Maybe it is because new friends like a new Silver Coin add sparkle to our lives.
Over time we realize their true value and we realize what a Treasure they really are and we now know that they are worth more than Gold!
At times new friends come into our lives but stay for a short while when we need them the most, but seem too quickly to depart but make a lasting impression on our hearts. They seem like Angels heaven sent to guide us through difficult moments and to walk beside us or help carry us through life's trials.
I want to thank you all my Hello Poetry friends for being Silver and Gold, you are all precious treasures and have been like Angels when I have had difficult times.

Through the eyes of a child,there is wonder and amazement
Through the eyes of a child, ordinary things become extraordinary
  Through the eyes of a child, there is expectant hope and dreams and faith in a good future
Through the eyes of a child, there is innocence and love and caring and sharing
  Through the eyes of a child, there is forgiveness for both big and small mistakes
  Through the eyes of a child, much strength and wisdom can be found when looking at life through the eyes of a child.

Tell the ones you Love, that you Love them today, because life can slip to quickly away
Take to time to spend time with family and friends
Today cherish every moment
Today appreciate them for the rare treasure that they are.

Today's barren tree is tomorrows fruitful harvest
live life expectantly!

D: is for delightful
A: is for Angelbaby The nickname you had when you were little
U: is for uniquely special
G: is for graceful like when you dance
H: is for helpful
T: is for thankful, I am thankful for you
E: is for encouraging me to follow my dreams
R: is for respectful, I appreciate you respecting me and others too
There is not enough letters to describe you and how I feel about you!!!
  I Love You <3 <3 <3

Too soon I will need to depart from what is closest to my heart
going away from my land of Oz (Hello Poetry)at least saying goodbye for a short, maybe even long time
   Falling into the unknown rabbit hole, which might be kind of magical but I don't know yet for now comes with some uncertainty and anxiety
It is for now another chapter yet unwritten in this book called my life
Many books to be read, questions that I need to find answers for
writing poems being replaced with papers to write
Many new faces in crowded classrooms at first nameless faces, Age differences spanning many years
hope that obstacle is  not a barrier to making friends as I feel
It is good to have friends of all ages
I wish that the previously unknown faces will become my friends in class  
Test anxiety that I hope to overcome
The end of my summertime  becomes Fall
                                                                Quarter
                                                                        Way
                                                                           Too
                                                                              Soon

You were Too young to die
I remember you were the popular one
your friends would either poke fun of me
or ignore me
I remember the time you said Hi to me
by the gas station without your friends around
I  think I said Hi back unless I was too shocked that you spoke to me
You suffered with Anorexia, I heard you started having that after some dumb boy
said you were too fat
You became so thin I could clearly see your ribs and other bones stuck out too
even with your clothes covering you
If only I knew what was making you so blue
You suffered with your silent pain
I could have understood
I was suffering too
One day you took your own life
You burned your self in your car with gasoline
  No one heard your screams
  It was hard for us left behind to believe what you had done
  I was shocked when I heard
  I remember the smile you wore hiding your secret pain
  I wish  I could have been your friend
  You came to an untimely end
   I wonder what could have been

Heal me
  Restore me with your Love
   Transform me from a seagull
     into a Dove