Taking a portion of
culinary verbiage
and building a
strong relationship
begins by combining
essential ingredients

1 part - trust
1 part - honesty
1 part - compassion
1 part - respect
1 part - humility
1 part - levity

Wisk gently and
F O L D E D  I N
with the key binder
of love
Let it rise,
slowly bake on low,
let cool as needed
and enjoy for an
entire lifetime.

As having an avid distain
for strangulating traffic
I chose to remain
FOREVER CIRCUITOUS

Choosing the path
of least resistance
I seek to flow with life
riding the proverbial wave.

Oh to let go and
be free to dance
like no one is
watching you
moving your
body with an
energy of youth
Hands lifted high
and spinning about
with eyes closed
to feel the music
Connections made
as bodies intertwine
in animalistic motions
with no cares as the
reality of the day is
lost in the sound.

At the central root
   of our interwoven
      tapestry is a strong
          capacity to love
              originating at birth

                                 From the first touch
                                 we feel
                                 From the first kiss
                                 we receive

Elementary at our
   core value with
      respect to purity
         in understanding
            the context of love

                                  From the first hug
                                  that's embraced
                                  From the first smile
                                  that's graced

FUN-DA-MEN-TAL
   L        O        V        E
      full of grace, grounded
         in principal & entrenched
             in common foundation.

The nostalgic aroma
of fresh baked
GINGERBREAD
takes me back to
youthful time of
holiday and family
Soft, moist and warm
with the lingering
smell of cinnamon,
nutmeg and ginger
is heavenly at best
Finished with fresh
whipped cream that
slowly oozes into the
warm slice and
overwhelms the
palate to an absolute
level 5 drool point.

In my tiny world
nothing compares
to your aroma
when freshly baked
out of the oven
the scent of
GINGERBREAD
assimilates itself
into every corner
& crack of the house
That spicy hint of
ginger and nutmeg
combine to arouse
my scenes of days
gone by of giant
GINGERBREAD men
and large glasses of milk
by the fireplace
In any form as a loaf
or snap you are king,
but warn with whipped
cream... nothing else
needs to be said.

Below the golden fields of tall wheat
lies a slow flowing stream of shallow depth
The scent of spruce fills the cool breezy air
along with a gentle buzzing of the bees as
they pollinate every flower in the fields.

Time almost stands still while looking up at
sparse motionless and wispy-like clouds
Turning my face into the warm cast rays of
sunshine, I stand until a GLOW covers me
Today I am blessed amongst all men.

Now I lay me down to rest
I pray my Lord
I've done my best
and as I sleep
may my dreams be true
to find the peace
and love in you.

Like any other day
I awake to give thanks
All senses and limbs
in complete tact
ever GRATEFUL I am
Seeking the meaning
of my existence on
this complex rock
I ponder all things
large and small
Limited in my slumber
time passes swiftly
supported by my
blood shot eyes and
semi-weary body.

Morbid to the core
society had turned
without reservation
Focused on matters
all to surreal & grim
We turn away from
all that is good and
commonly pure of
substance for the
wicked and sinister
Mired in depths of
muck and evil ways
We cannot turn away
from trauma as we
embrace the carnage
rubbernecking our
way through life
Turn from these ways
for they are doomed
to be our downfall
Don't just stop to
smell the flowers...
behold the beauty.

Is there anything
more divine than
something made by
human hands
Throughout generations
of honed skills
handed down
to family member
or apprentice
crafted to be passed on
only to become
possibly antiqued
The subtle care and
time involved with
impeccable technique...
no substitute for the
HAND CRAFTED.

Slapped into the restraints
of a blissful romance
literally captured by love

Respectfully overstated
but never under diminished
feelings of lasting amore

Sentenced to life without
possibility of separation
unity is bonded forever.

I'd like to give thanks to all the amazing
poets and writers who aspire to simply
share from the heart.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and
your families no matter your country,
religion or creed.  Peace unto you.

When I grew up you were a pound sign
now you've changed
just as so many things today

# I cannot say the word
you offend me at times
why did you convert?

# you connect related items
we are made to offer our opinions
cyber voyeurism at it's heart

# so many love you
I'm not the one
find you place amongst the masses.

Rolling over to
crack my eye lids
to the morning sunrise
a faint
HAZE
compromises my view
temporarily
My hands proceed
to gently rubs
clearing away
the film that clouds
what the Lord has made
I am grateful
to be alive, to be awake
and able to function
in a clear mental capacity
Time to be purposeful
and productive.

Say HIS name in love
when feeling low
Say HIS name in peace
to prove and show
Be lifted up by the
word and adhere to
the path set forth
Be sanctified by HIS
deeds and works
giving all to HE who
is king all by HIMSELF.
Be blessed and covered
by the blood that was
shed for mercy & grace.

I recognize the game
and observe the antics
from afar, yet close enough
to view the subtle intent

Always a back pocket
H I D D E N  A G E N A
completely bias in nature
and unwilling to succeed

The unmitigated digging
for any dirt to further the
ugly cause of doing others
injustice for no reason

Karma will always play
a roll in leveling the
field when appropriate
despite evil intent.

As a young child I would
awaked from my mid-day nap
to the glorious smell of fresh
home-baked cookies, not the
premade out of the tube crap
... the real deal made by mom
Was I dreaming of her awesome
soft baked chocolate chips, the
classic sugar cookie or the
peanut butter thumb print
No matter... I was good with
anything produced by her hand
Sneaking down the stairs to the
kitchen I follow my nose to
discover nothing but aroma
Mixing bowls are all cleaned and
no sign of any used baking sheet
First instinct is to climb the cabinet
and search the old hiding spot
to no avail, she has out smarted
me yet again in concealing evidence
No jar is left probing by my best
Sherlock Holmes investigation
the HIDDEN COOKIE JAM will
not outwit me again and again
I will seek you until I find you
then I will lay waste to you like
Cookie Monster had his way on
Sesame Street.

The rise and fall
advance and recess

You overflow
the space allowed

Restrictions abound
limitations none

Fluid in motion
a force of nature

Capes and coves
ponds and mangroves

Lunar control
gentle tides roll

Word of your prowess
commands respect.

As I traverse
to my secret place
a destination
just for me
a place of solace
splendor
and rich with
lush green fields
Day or night
I can find myself
there
leaning more about
myself
the universe
and my love
My HILLSIDE
gives back to me
in a spiritual manner
with guidance
from the Man above
Peering into the
glorious heavens
on any star filled
evening
Watching the sun
play hide and seek
with the clouds
by day
I often discover
relief from the
world and
answers to life's
deepest questions.
The HILLSIDE
is my peace.

Once upon a lonely season
I waited too late
and had no real reason
I tried online
and malls at a distance
to find the right gifts
my struggles persistent
When all hope was lost
I fell to my knees
and prayed to the Lord
to help with my needs
Uplifted in deed
my prayers had come true
when blessed with the gift
of this poem for you.

Be it ever so humble...
a case when size doesn't matter

Be it ever so comforting...
nothing like a stoked fire place

Be it ever so true...
keeper of all thoughts and secrets

Be it ever so loving...
family gatherings and holidays

... HOME.

You were kneaded
covered and risen
with loving hands
I caught hint of you
and my anticipation
heightened without delay
The time it took to
prepare you seems
great for something
so diminutive
I spied at you from
across the room
rolled into tiny
spheres of three
Your top was lightly
braised with
clarified butter
and slowly baked
What follows is
an aroma that
encapsulates the
entire house with
the most glorious
scent of less than
complex ingredients
Words tend not to
do this aroma
justice so I will
not try
We all know it
and can't resist
you fresh out of
the over
cracked open
to reveal the
steam of life
Tenderly buttered
as to not collapse
your fragile frame
I take you into
my mouth and
exhale with a
euphoric sigh.

Water so scalding to melt plastic
and yet I fill my container to full
Not coffee or tea as consumption
was not the plan on my mind
The red bladder of synthetic-like
rubber with white plastic cap
Stretched out on my king bed
lower back exposed from pain
I gently lay upon you and feel the
the slow burn of relief & comfort
The wince and grit of my teeth
are obvious although soothing
Hot water bottle please take my
pain away please help me today.

How can I share
  myself with the world
   How can I make it
    understand my thoughts
     Can love and respect be
      translated internationally
       Can I touch hearts and minds
        as well as lift up spirits
         Do I have powers to end war
          and begin a peace dialogues
        Do I believe that a higher
       power make all possible
     Will I seek guidance to begin
    the quest to change the world
   Will I do what I say and not
  give lip service to my dreams?

Downtrodden times
call for moments
of visceral innovation

Ingenuity that stems
from a need to
supersede destiny

HUMANITY discovers
a way to push forward
in natural selection

Creative brilliance
is shown favor
in spite of our flaws.

It doesn't take
God given talent
to HUSTLE
hard work is
no substitute
for taking the
easy way out
The payoff is
well worth
the effort.

I see you in all your glory
refined & clad in fine silk

I see you at your worst
teary eyed, lost and broken

I stand in the gap with you
stronger together than apart

I feel the love emanating
building me to be better

I claim the life we cherish
forever yearning for peace

I thank the Lord for favor
always seeking His glory.

I am a father, boyfriend and ex
I am a brother, son, uncle and great uncle
I am a business man, officer and marketer
I am a designer, insurance agent and friend
that is just the tip...
I am a coach, teacher and board member
I am a manager, salesman and CMO
that is just the tip...
I am multi cultural not to be defined
I am skilled professionally
with simple tastes yet tastefully refined
I am a Christian first with that in mind
I am often seeking yet yearn to find
I am more than you may know
I am more that I tend to show
I am a private soul
I am a lover of life
I am a passionate male
with a passionate wife
I am more than you may know

I've discovered you
and who you are
hiding behind the
computer n claiming
something you are not,
but reality denotes
that you are a poet
Well versed you are
and yet an enigma
you are in many ways
Reading between the
lines I put 2 n 2 together
You follow me close
like a true private eye
I was fooled briefly,
but I KNOW
who YOU are.

Defined in our youth
by others to shape our
direction in life
Criticized and often
over corrected, the
positive reinforcement
seems fleeting
Was it lack of family
structure or was it a
poor education system
Put IN A BOX to
appease societies
notion of what we
should be.

Oh I often have plans
yet very rarely
seem to see them through
I'm not an ADD candidate
however I do get distracted
by other projects
Yep... here is go again
inflicting  my own
self-derived kibosh
My INDECISION
has cost me dearly
over the years
Often going left
when should have
gone right
I need to be all in
both feet
planted solid
I choose to be great
I welcome success.

Dramatic color changing of leaves
and cool breezy Autumn evenings
wake the senses with its beauty

INDIAN SUMMER declares a
switching of seasons as the coming
transition to Fall is forthcoming

Light sweater season or thin jacket
brings to bear stylish fashion that
still disavowals white or does it?

Long walks and tandem bike rides
along the lakeshore associates with
a well stocked picnic basket to share

Passion for this time of year knows
few boundaries and yet Snowbirds
pack and escape to warmer climates

The irony is astounding and still the
practice has been in place for decades
Love your seasons be blessed in them.

IN MY DEFENCE
I've never been
in defiance of the law

IN MY DEFENCE
I want to be able to
heal the world

IN MY DEFENCE
I've made suspect
decisions in life

IN MY DEFENCE
Father time has
caught up to me

IN MY DEFENCE
maybe I am a control
freak with much to learn

IN MY DEFENCE
I accept my punishment
and criticism like a man.

Parsed upon a river bank
the north shore
as the confluence
gathers and flows...
swift as the Stratus clouds above
I attempt to find the meaning
of everything
Just one of those lazy
summer day
with time on my hands
speculation abounds
as my INTERJECTIONS
ring true in my head
I surmise nothing
yet proclaim to the
realization
that
nothing
will ever be the same
we move forward
we grow and learn
that is the extreme constant
Rolling with the punches
will lessen the burden
of changing times
We have no choice but
to adapt
or be left behind
See clear the way
of your short life
cherish it
live it
and
love it.

Convinced that we are inferior
we believe it and often wallow
in abysmal inner sorrow

Excuse after excuse may exist
on our part to hide the pain
and cast shadow on our doubts

We subjugate our paths to an
INTERNAL TRIAL of sorts,
then acquit ourselves to be free

The regrets of lost love can be
long term and damaging, but
not seeking love can be worse

Finding ourselves guilty lends
itself to feeling lost amongst
the crowded forest of trees

No light when looking upwards
as the leaves road block the path
to  a favorable redemption

It is most difficult to examine
this cycle of political rhetoric
The extreme overhyped
campaigns being presented
could be classified as brash
Toddler like in the creative
lies and falsehoods relayed
The Donkey and Elephant
determine themselves to be
parties of the people, more
like ***** of forgetfulness
Tired of the drama
Tired of the lies
Tired of the innuendoes
Over and over we are being
bullied to conform to
the status quo or total
wholesale changes
We desire transparency and
overt clarity to have a glimmer
of a strong world leader
My cynicism remains
crystal in objectivity.

I am of the human race with
common issues we all face
as we navigate through life

My mind is corrupt with
images failure and success
always seeking greatness

Determined to write my
story on my terms, I yearn
for love and compassion

A clear choice to undertake
an ISOLATED JOURNEY
to understand my resolve.

I thirst for
knowledge
so I eternally
drink it in.

Seated together on the
hard linoleum floor of
the kitchen we played
for what seemed hours
With a small rubber ball
and ten metal JAX
I honed my skills on those
rainy days when we were
not allowed outside to play
From the classic onesy
until achieving all ten
for victory, the game
was always simple & fun.
Perfecting the bounce
was always key and
cat liked dexterity
made someone a dangerous
player to defeat.

You are so smooth
and rhythmic
cool and playful
deep and dark

Your haunting
chords can move
me to tear or lift
me to places of glory

I need you to fill me
and make me dream
of places never seen
and loves of the past

Close your eyes and
listen
feel it from head to toe
listen in a quiet place

Play it proudly
without reservation
feel it from head to toe
listen to that JAZZ.

Drinking in the long summer days
that seem ever shorter than usual
I long to be near you and taste your
sweet pillow soft lips again & again

My fingers fall gracefully through
your wind kissed hair as we lock
eyes and I JONES for a meaningful
connecting that only we can share

If I've fallen, then getting up isn't
an option as the jump in claimed
me at the onset and looking back
would diminish what is to come.

You are a *****
as a female pup
you came to us
and I wasn't happy
You came under
a cloud of
false pretenses
however
I could not resist
everything about you
Saintly from the moment
you came in your basket
you grew with my baby boy
protecting him at all cost
You were not perfect
as you would run off
from time to time
always returning for
dinner like clock work
Chasing the occasional
squirrel or bird, but
always gentle to all
children and adults
I grew to love you
unconditionally
and the day you left us
was hard to swallow
my tears of sadness
are true
There will never exist another
KARMA
you were unique
kind and a real friend...
No, you were family.

What are the chances
love and romance are
in my cards

What's the opportunity
your love keeps getting
through to me

Clear and defined is my
path ensuring an optimum
chance for success

KEEP RISING to the top
like the finest of cream
on atop the milk

Step up to be on point
showing tenderness and
the ability to be loved

Set specific love goals
that a relationship can
maintain & withstand.