‘LOVE’ – What mystique power it wields
In what myriad guise it wraps!
At times a sweet ache so coy to reveal
Or a sudden urge, hard to unveil

Sometimes a deep sensation
A strong surge of emotion
Permeating every atom
Pervading from top to bottom

It heightens the pulse
And makes every nerve convulse
It has left kingdoms fall asunder
And many a mighty man - surrender

Often, like dew drops falling from above
Or the warbling notes flowing out from the grove
It leaves the heart go upbeat in prosody
Changing every sensation into rhapsody

As beams of silver cast by the moon
Or the cold touch of spray in the horrid heat of noon
It soothes, embalms and thrills the heart
Filling the void and leaving no dearth

Love sublime, sure like a candle lit
Consumes itself, and never dwindles a bit
It dispels the gloom and dissipates the fright
Invigorating the soul and healing every hurt

As brilliance to stars, fragrance to flowers
Music to flute or shade to bowers
Love is to Man, freeing him from all sores
Bestowing him the strength to meet all throes

Love can neither be beguiled nor disguised
Nor be stifled or be construed
Love puts all other things into place
And hems life with a lovely lace

Love is all we seek and too scarce to find
A magic thread by which hearts are bound
Hark! It is love that makes the world spin around
And cures all the ills that surround

Oh! Love thou virtues I will defend

Fields of cotton,
vast and white …
Like a rolling sea of snow in the deep, deep south.

Pecan Pie and honey,
Muscadine jelly …
So sweet, sweet in my mouth.

Mmmm, Saturday shrimp boil
and cheering for college ball.
After church on Sunday, a picnic barbecue.

Two things, for sure,
will never be missing …
and that'll be me and you.

Herds of cattle grazing,
flocks of sheep a lazing …
Tomatoes fresh off the vine.

Gentle rolling hills
and streams and caves …
Maple, Oak and Pine.

Harvest season,
kids, young and old, all squealing …
Time for the Peanut Fest.

The smells of cotton candy and corn dogs,
white knuckle rides, country music and a rodeo ...
Those times are simply the best.

The haunting shrieks of an ol' Barred Owl,
roadsides and backyards …
filled with grazing deer.

God's lovely creatures both furry and fowl …
Wild Hogs … Peregrine Falcons,
seen and heard, far and near.

Granny's Peach Cobbler,
Mom's scratch-built biscuits …
Catfish in the skillet.

Could you find something to replace
even one of these heart-warming smells?
Well, tell me then …
How will it?

A lonely train horn calls,
off in the distance …
as  I lay in my bed.

It lulls me to sleep
with a contented smile …
All these moments filling my head.

Oh,  Alabama.

many days I feel it isn't worth it
it is better I end it
I just do not fit
right

Small disappointments
unfilled expectations
make my daily lessons
I am no longer surprised

gifted with so many unused liberties
armed with many facilities
having all basic amenities
why still unsatisfied?

my thirst for what?

but compare it to so many of them
where do my problems stand
should my opinions even matter

God still has to hear my many complaints
every other day
No wonder he doesn't listen,
I wouldn't too.

Blessed with so much
wasted it all
on being this bitter self I hate
my present state draws the ugly future
and the only cure
is to feel gratitude
on the things I still have
on my conscience who still cares.

Stars and butterflies
Unicorns, glowing fairies
Love is magical