Lovely thoughts pervade my head
Lovely kisses in your bed.
Me and you with arms entwined
Lovely thoughts surround my mind
Warmest wishes for the day
Hope you’re smiling
Come what may
Loving thoughts the whole day through
Lovely thoughts of you.

Still alive in memories
Thought of fondly, though years pass
Part of your family’s history
Loving hearts still hold you fast.

Man, be YOU.
That’s enough.
All the ******* about being tough
Manning up
It’s a bluff because the myth of the “real man”
Doesn’t measure up.
He’s a puppet.
Poison in his veins. He’s a slave to his role in the game.

Let’s face the truth.
The dross that’s aimed at youth, toughen up! The boy needs a hand that’s rough. That’s. girl.  stuff.
What do we get if we can’t let him BE?
Toxic Masculinity.
That’s enough!
Man, be YOU.

Today I love you dearly,  you are so special to me.
But how this came about is written in our history.
I remember a chill at night, shivering in my bed.
Then the draft was gone, the blanket tucked and a kiss placed on my forehead.
I was soaked with fever's sweat when a cool sponge touched my arm.  
You stripped me down and cooled my brow and told me I'd come to no harm.
I came home with news of triumph, claiming ten from ten!
You smiled and said " I knew you could! You've made me proud again"
You see, it was the little things that you did every day that made me brim with confidence; to help me find my way.
Now every time I kiss a brow or tuck a child in tight,
I know that I am carrying my mother’s loving light.

As I lay her down to sleep
Hoping that I will not weep
Kisses upon brow adorn
Highschool student in the morn!

The loving acts of daily grace
That no other could replace
The quiet way you show you’re strong
Forgiveness when you’re wronged

A silly moment, smiles abound
laughter and group hugs all ‘round
You belong here like no other
Special, priceless, strong, funny, warm and giving MOTHER.

We once were walking hand in hand when you said quietly:
“Here I am accepted, I am loved for me”.
I’ll never lose that moment,  for always it rings true;
you are cherished, you are loved for simply being you.
You sure do make it easy, for every day you show your love; support and loyalty through happy times and woe!
Your calm yet strong willed presence helps us keep our grounding and in return we hope you feel our endless love abounding!
So let me take you by the hand and say it evermore,
Mum you are so special, precious and adored!

A stranger poked me
And left me wondering why
I became the poked?

Dear Mr Postman,
Why did you wear those short shorts?
I was so alone.

Dear Mr Postman,
You brought me more than letters.
Something to hope for.

Dear Mr Postman,
I longed and waited for you.
Did you think of me?

Dear Mr Postman,
Are you always so aloof?
Can you know my pain?

Dear Mr Postman,
You stopped and so did my heart
We were meant to be.

Dear Mr Postman,
I fear and hope for the day
That you look my way.

Dear Mr Postman,
Could you ever notice me?
Should I trim my bush?

Dear Mr Postman,
What would make you stop awhile?
A hair flip or smile?

Dear Mr Postman,
Do you deliver by hand
If the parcel's big?

Dear Mr Postman,
Our fate was sealed with one look
Love, Mrs Postman.

They paid a price I’m told
These sacrificial lambs of old
To King and Country, bend
When will it end?
Egos in their offices, directing men to war
What was it for?
Freedom? Democracy?
We stop and see through a different lens.
Their lives did not have to end had their leaders been “bigger” men.
Can you not see?
The world wants to be free.
Free from hunger and oppression.
Free from ego and obsession.
When the despots rule, the voter is the fool.
Don’t let their memories fade. The frightened and the brave.
The pawns who played their part in games led by knaves.

The heart wails no more
It's steady beat so, so faint
Waiting for a spark

MURICA, land of the free!
Y’all can’t tell me
Give up muh guns!
United we of the
NRA stand, the sacrifice?
School kids’ blood on our hands.

A glistening bead of amber held reverently
Seeking visions beyond whimsy.
A wish with eyes closed tight.
The bead beams bright.
Shared moments playing like a reel refracted in a golden convex glow.
You smile through the tears because you know.
Glimpses of times gone by.
Smiles. Tender embraces.
This show is for you and you alone.
The only solace that you own.

The last blossom fell
With it’s dignified descent
And so Spring was gone.

Barely a flutter
To exist is to be feared
Rocks, your only friends.

There once was a bone weary teen
whose muscles were starting to scream
she was having a sook
‘bout the miles undertook
but grinned with memories of icecream.

There once was a boring train ride
my teen simply couldn’t abide
she had a wee tanty
and twisted her *******
in a minute I might tan her hide

There once was a Mum on a train
her teen was becoming a pain
She patted her hair
and said “ Oh there, there”
and smiled though her patience did wane.

Sweat beads upon brow
Restless nights tangled by sheets
Relief elusive

The brave ones wield their mettle,
yet again not settling for defeat.
Retreat is not a choice!
Though their voices shake; they speak their truth.
Strong and weak.
Age and Youth.

A cactus in a plastic *** all year ‘round beauty skips.
But to its own advantage, so too, do snails and thrips.

Its outward look gives not the eye the pleasure eyes demand.
It even spitefully responds to its caretaker’s hand.

However, once in a blue moon (If you’ll pardon the cliché)
Sun kissed jewels emerge to show their bountiful array!

Other plants all year ‘round blossom, showing off their prize
But the cactus reveals an unforseen beauty hidden in its guise.

Life can have it’s highs and lows,
The sorrow and the joy.
Sadness knocked upon our door
When we lost our little boy.
That year has passed and here we are
A Mum and Dad once more.
We gaze at you in disbelief
Oh girl that we adore!
You were a bud about to bloom
When we put aside our sorrow.
We never knew that your blushen hue
Would be the colour of tomorrow.

I said goodbye just yesterday, though days ago you died.
I promised you that I'd be strong, though many tears I've cried.
To take up 'paperwork' is like a cross one has to bear.
And others, in their grief, design to call you laissez-faire.
I want to crumble, but the years have seen me build on ground that's solid; as my heart is true;  and I am duty-bound.
I'm also bound by love and trust – indelible and strong.
I will not fail you, even if my critics call it wrong.
I'll take a breath, I will not crack, I'll see my duty’s end.
And when the ink has dried I'll tell my heart it's time to mend.

You twittered my way
And my wings went aflutter
This could be something.

Oh! You bobbed and danced!
Preening and flaunting colours.
Now under your spell.

Your trill sealed the deal
And I new my home was you.
Our journey began.

We began to build
To piece our lives together
Twig by twig by twig

Together we sleep
With a rustle and a cheep!
This love we have made

Dreaming together
Finally laying
Industrious hopes

Nestled together
Our family safe beneath
We patiently wait.

The tiniest line
A small crack heralds our joy!
A beak we have made.

Four beaks held open
Desperate calls now to sate
Frenetic new love!

Fly our little ones!
We are here right behind you!
Always family.

Look to the lighthouse
When you're lost and can't be found.
The light of hope and memories will soon see you aground.
Look to the lighthouse
When grief's a stormy sea.
It's light is love and kindness, patience and empathy.
The beacons flood out darkness, despair and cruelty.
Look to the lighthouse.
It's light shines ever more,
from those who've weathered stormy seas and finally found the shore.
Let the beacons lift you up and hold you as their own.
You're a mournful traveller but you are not alone.

What happens to identity
When surrender is called?
The wrong side of history
The tiger that’s been mauled.

How do you bear the moniker
Defeated? Enemy?
Now living under their regime
Your choice is? “Happily”.

Wary of the kindnesses
That you rarely receive.
Your hand extends in friendship
but your heart says, “disbelieve”.

Someone else decided for you,
who your foes should be.
The axis tilted in the night
now you’re the “enemy”.

You gaze at your hated visage
and you scowl at the brazen one
who was simply caught living life,
you were no smoking gun!

You wish that you may find some hope
To tether you to life
To bring you back from bigotry, suffering and strife.

Your muted voice is quiet now
But one day you may try
To make sense of the whole **** mess
Or always wonder why.