-

The distance beads on sunflower petals reaching
as bright yellow vistas bring happiness to open spaces
and blue skies welcome multicolored balloons
released by children on a day in the park

Miles stare me in the face with silence
when another Sunday seems like the longest day
and I wonder where your thoughts might be
while friends vie for attention with fancy words

I long for the sunset's introduction of night,
a spring moon crossing my universe
and stars to count and recount as minutes
bring tomorrow and my hopes it will include you

This is just another afternoon I wish I were there
In your arms, a new smile, a new city, a new world
Learning to love all over again and I would be
if only I had started my journey long ago

For now hummingbirds dance on cool April breezes
and azaleas concentrate on the task of blooming
As a park bench beckons at the far end of the walk
for me to sit and dream of the what ifs on my list

I look around at nature's gifts and know,
if love is springtime then you are my springtime
and breathing in the warm beautiful day
I wonder...am I the springtime in your heart too?

~

Sometimes I cry,
yes, I do
when I think about what my life
was like without you

I would watch lovers stroll,
young and old, hand in hand
knowing it was always someone else,
I was somehow always left out

It hurt, I’m not going to lie, it did…
I found myself constantly wondering
what is wrong with me?
Why was I alone…

Seeing days of sunshine for others,
laughter ringing, joy on their faces
love matching their steps, as I sat
on a wooden bench staring out into the bay

Watching a single gull floating
lonely on the water,
following the never ending ripples,
silently conforming to whatever this is

And I would think, that is me,
just floating, vacant, empty, bobbing
waiting the next tide
to bring me back to start again

For so long I was this sea bird,
chasing lunch boxes
on a crowded summer beach only to
end up hungry at the end of the day

Dreaming of a day when I would have someone,
(though I came to doubt it would happen)
to fly with me, soaring our beach,
our shore, making it all worthwhile

A heart to share
these things that I kept locked
deep inside for fear
no one would care

And yes, I still cry
at these thoughts, though
far and few between now
and disappearing more each day

For I no longer fly alone
and the waiting was so well worth it
As my smile returns and I live
the life that had always been waiting for me

And I now know the answer
to what was wrong with me,
to why I was alone…

   *I hadn’t found you yet

.

I woke up to
a lovebird’s lyrics
sung upon a dewdrop lawn

Touching so
her words did echo
sweet this effervescent dawn

Mesmerized
I listened closely
breezes through my window fell

To her sound
of sunrise blessings
captured swiftly by her spell

I sat down
at my piano
inspired by what I did hear

Found the key
a soft progression
it whispered sweetly in my ear

She filled my heart
with melodies
the feel of love in me did grow

Playing keys
of black and white
so beautiful the sound did flow

Upon my sill
she sang her sonnet
as my fingers played along

The two of us
in harmony
*with her wondrous morning song

-

Just beyond the setting sun
Of heavens born delight
A moon so sweetly in its form
Does send its magic light

Yet there beyond its boundaries
Another point does shine
As if it watches over this
Our moment caught in time

Towards the northern corner
As it hovers in its play
Of mysteries in timeless flow
Brings forth its grand display

We fantasize its meaning
Many thoughts about begin
In dreams of lasting promises
To bring us back again

Though in its stately wonder
We find it is to show
Joining hearts together
Within its wondrous glow

For every star that follows us
And every moon we see
Forever in the heavens soft
Is there for you and me

As if we only wander
Through phases found in time
With every second precious
Since my love calls you mine

I pray that many evenings
Till the time our world does end
Within my arms I’ll hold you tight
My love to you I send

So look this night my darling
To the full moon bright above
And know this other point of light
Is my undying love

.

Waste on the water
Barges to sink
Hands holding anchors
Words on the brink

Pens overflowing
Nobody sees
Losing one’s talent
Aiming to please

Reading the buoy
Up and down lines
Drowned in the moonlight
Dodging the mines

Hoping for rescue
Shells on the shore
Merely a like
Nothing much more

Energy spending
Doesn’t make sense
Empty eyes staring
At the expense

Waves keep on crashing
Sand on the street
Write out another
Frown and repeat

Lungs fill with water
Maybe it’s best
No one will notice
The end of the quest

.

Down this pathway lush and green
Along a winding brook
Dragonflies on cattails play
Come on, let’s take a look

I heard it’s just around the bend
Take my hand, we’ll see
The place where fairies sing at night
Beneath an old oak tree

Sometimes I wonder,
When the wee fairies blink
Do they twinkle like stars
What do you think?

There! Do you see?!
Upon the pad of a lily
A fraggle of fairies
All acting silly!

I see, I see, right over there
With wings of precious gold
Dancing now the sun has set
I guess the truth was told

How many are there, can you see?
It looks to me like eight
I wonder when they’ll start to sing
It’s getting kind of late

I hear the sound of wind chimes
The song is about to start
There upon her lily stage
A fairy opens her heart

The sound of sweet enchantment
A love charm and a spell
I think this song is meant for us
I don't know how, but I can tell

You’re right, I hear her singing
A precious fairy tune
I feel the same way you do
Out here beneath the moon

You must know what this means
It's time I had that kiss
Under stars and moon, in forest Green
*Magic and love, abundant bliss

What is love,
it is everything...

The good and the bad,
sharing, learning, comforting,
no sides, no boundaries,
understanding,
even if you don't,
arms open...wide,
mind open...wider,
heart always accepting that
not everything is easy,
the bed of roses comes with thorns,
but you endure,
scars will show,
yet are considered beautiful,
skinned knees, bike rides,
mis-spoken words, well meaning
badly timed, hurt feelings,
chocolate covered sundaes,
picnics in the park, yardwork,
lost keys, little lies, surprise parties,
(when you specifically said no,)
breakfast in bed, arguments,
making love, making the bed afterward,
bad movies, dead cell phone batteries,
***** dishes, headaches,
eye rolls, laughter, hugs,
poetry,
being far, being close,
sweet kisses, feeling wanted,
nothing is ever too much,
tough decisions, agreed upon outcomes,
looked forward to moments,
tears, smiles, big smiles, bigger smiles,
holding hands, support,
truth, long days,
passionate nights,
taking chances,
dreaming,
rainy mornings,
bad moods, good moods,
really good moods,
candlelit dinners,
promised forevers,
(meant)
hot coffee, chilled wine,
warm affection and
brain freezes...

What is love...it is everything,
if it is you and me

I painted a butterfly’s wings
because its colors
clashed with my garden

It died,
so did my garden

-
No one knows what goes
on behind the kitchen door
You can guess and assume,
ask questions, seek answers
or sling accusations
hoping the batter will stick
But there are reasons
some choose to slip
behind a disguise
of safe netting

Perhaps scars
of the past are not
that appealing when the
mirror is faced
reflecting bad memories
or maybe threats falling
like the sky on that
little chicken’s head
are taken seriously

It could be shadows
lingering behind foggy curtains
cryptic fingers reaching,
manhandling innocence
or something as simple
as shyness fluttering
like a soft breeze
sending chills on a
warm summer day

Maybe artistic endeavors,
creative images circled
on a recipe card to bring a smile
or those who were
falsely accused hiding from
a jury of peering eyes
that leaned towards
the popular side
of the truth

Or sadly to throw stones,
spit venom
from a forked tongue,
troll from beneath
a fairytale bridge
(Three Billy Goat’s Gruff)
built on jealousy
and rickety thoughts

Anyway…
people are people,
reasons are reasons
It takes all kinds
to make a stew
that has all of the flavors
to create a poetic feast
even if we don’t know each
ingredient by its correct name

~

Walking into the unknown,
wavering trees hide new growth
as leaves collect in grayscale
piles of worried thoughts swirling

They float on gusty breezes
of the past, cold and chilling,
bringing shivers to lost smiles
that long for sunny days

Fears spill in shaded offerings,
as nervous uncertainty
waits in the brush for it’s chance,
lurking in darkened shadows

The path is long and winding,
like a serpent slithering between
wishful dreams and the frigid
nightmares gathered nearby

When another joins you,
bearing warm clothing of flannel
and fleece held in caring arms
wrapping around you tightly

It is then that you see something
in his eyes, a glint of those feelings
that so long ago disappeared
in the forgotten fog of sadness

And once more the world seems
safe as thick clouds retreat,
revealing blue sky promises
on forever horizons

Then as he takes your hand
you feel it, the truth you have
waited for, as love fills your heart
and you walk unafraid…once again

~

She sat in a
  lonely field crying
    amidst daises wishing
  for her smile,
      when along crawled
         a green caterpillar
    She cradled it
        tenderly
          in her hands
  
and between
      tear drops
        made a wish…

The caterpillar
  glistened
    as she suddenly
  sprouted
      colorful wings
    and happily flew
        away from the
    cocoon of sadness
      that had held her,
       
 with her new
       found friend
          *by her side

.

I dream of the future that brings me to you
The seasons, the hours, the love ever true
The singing and dancing and feel of your skin
That day when my arms holding you will begin

The sound of your voice as it whispers my name
The moon bright and full in the sky once again
The sunrise each morning as day it does start
My head on your chest and the beat of your heart

The rain that does fall every once in a while
The beauty that flows from your wonderful smile
The birds up above in the brightest blue sky
A walk in the park as the day passes by

Living and learning, discovering you
Loving each moment and all that you do
The feel of your kiss oh so tender to me
The wind and the waves that do come from the sea

Your hypnotic eyes and chocolate brown hair
The hint of your scent that I’m desperate to share
Your wonderful hands as they hold on to mine
Oh why can’t it be this way all of the time

This life that I lead just can not be same
Without the expression that comes with your name
I dream of the future that brings me to you
The seasons, the hours, the love ever true

☆

Across my universe
A new star appears
everytime I think of you

A new planet is discovered
orbiting around us
each time you tell me you love me

along with flowers and trees
birds and butterflies
sunny days and rain storms

each stone, every stream flowing
on a beautiful Sunday morning
when the sun rises and I see your smile

Every midnight thought,
sleep revealed dream,
sunset that I write about

I just listened to the Beatles singing
"Nothings going to change my world"
And I finally understand...Across the universe

You are my world, my universe,
everything that matters to me
and nothing is going to change my world

I write so many poems about my love for you
hoping you see them, read them,
and understand how I feel

and this is another, though it rambles...
not cohesive,  doesn't rhyme,  no flow or cadence
It is just me just trying to say once again

that I love you, you are my universe,
my world, my everything and
nothing is going to change that...ever

~

The days pass by
as I sit and watch
No longer counting them
for it matters not,
they are going to wave goodbye
regardless of what I do

I think back on all
I have seen
Moments of joy and sadness,
people I have met,
some I have lost
and those I will miss

Hard times, rough times,
good times
Things I wish I could take back,
do over again
and others I wish I would
have had the courage to try

I wonder why about many things,
it seems I often wonder why
and even though
the answers don’t always come,
(I never expect them to,)
I still keep asking

But one thing I know for sure
is that my past
is merely that, my past
and my future, no matter
how short it might be,
is bright

Because at this late stage
of my life I have found you,
and I no longer care
about what happened before,
I can only see what
is happening now

So as these days
dwindle before me,
and the end creeps nearer
I know it was worth the wait,
worth the struggles and
the obstacles I faced

For in none of my dreams,
even the wildest I could imagine,
did I ever dream
I would be loved
by a woman like you

~

Just a shell
is all that remains
Hollow and lifeless
of thread and thoughts
Fraying slowly in
lost dreams and
unfulfilled wishes

Falling into the shadows of
fractured promises
and the passage of time
when winds will disperse
the memories of what
he once was

scattering them as they
disappear on the horizons
beyond the distant sunset
he so enjoyed sharing,
now colorless,
as he stares blankly

just a shell

is all that remains…

Now in the shade
A lonely figure
Of interlaced thoughts
Draws a shape
In the soft earth
Because the bark
Has since overgrown
The one he carved above
In a previous life

-

Behind the thick crimson and gold thread curtains
he stands listening to the din of the audience
searching their seats for popcorn crumbs
while roaming hands brush against the legs
of those sitting closest

The young girls get the winks
and free drinks as the old men
vie for position, straightening their hair
and flashing thick wallets
from stretched out back pockets

He peeks through the slit in the
fancy brocade drapes to find a full house,
everyone is here, the self imposed mayor
wearing a handmade campaign button
shakes hands and seeks signatures

Mrs. Broadmore assigns seats in her row
as the little people gather around, telling her
how beautiful she is while hoping for a glimpse
of the diamond crusted gin filled flask she keeps
tucked away in her left garter

The lights dim as the depressed sulk to their seats in the balcony,
broken hearts fill the back rows closest to the bar,
cheerleaders in pink lipstick and short skirts, the football team
all ****** out of their minds and the debate club collect in the center
while the pretty people, the wealthy pose in the front rows

He gets the signal as the curtain slowly lifts
to the ceiling on well oiled pulleys
There is not a sound as he makes his way
to the microphone at center stage, dead silence
but he reads his poem anyway

It is obvious he is no Leonard Cohen
but he does his best as he recites the verses
he has penned especially for this evening
Upon finishing he stares out as two people
clap their approval and the others whisper and look away

His shoulders drop as he leaves the stage,
head hung low, crumbling the paper he had read from
and tossing it in the trash as he wonders aloud, “why, why do I do it?”
A janitor sweeping near the exit door hears him
and shaking his head replies, “Because you’re a poet, that’s why”