to listen
we speak less

to care
words become soft
as clouds

from Paris to Berlin
it made me grin
the sky way to obnoxious there
back to Paris it is

the sky more blue
where purple grapes
ferment into poetic verse

She appeared, a vision
a brightness shining
upon my tired soul
a phantom of desire

habibti,Tatlim,Askim, e dashur
there is no brighter light
that your heart
upon mine

Yes! There I said it
a claim I declare it true
such love and care
rainbow of colors
red, purple, green, orange and blue
many shades of beauty anew
twenty four different vegetables fresh
twelve different greens
olive oil always a must
with a touch of Caesar
to be zesty, and make smiles gleam
truly art for a fancy museum
I impressed myself
only myself it seems
beside this work of art
a bottle of French Merlot
a meal to die for

I stared down
a tear more for the dressing
alone, even the candles now dead
slowly I got up
disposed  the salad in  the garbage
poured the wine down the drain
rains falls outside
darkness rains inside
alone
a meal to die for

Courage

Courage
It can be found
In unexpected moments
When someone rises
Up to meet the challenge
Either through actions
Or words
Or both
It can be someone
That stands up
Even when it’s hard
For what’s right
What we know deeply
In our hearts of hearts
Or someone that walks
Into danger to help
Or a healer helping the ill
Courage is everywhere
In adults and children
Around the world
There are those
That stand up
Speak out
Even when it’s difficult
Unpopular
They do it
At a time of turmoil
In the world
With pandemics
Wars
Unrest and violence
We need the courageous
More than ever
What are you??