Annoying thoughts can color dreams,
which proselytize their wanton schemes;
Intriguing worlds come into play,
while clouds of perception waste away.

The doldrums of this mournful scene,
can shatter hopes of a life serene;
A struggle lasts beyond the days,
in melancholy moments here to stay.

How do the clouds relieve our pain,
in subtle spaces which shall remain ?
Among the woolly white of fluff,
destructive signals call our bluff.

How soon the notions that perceive,
a chance to grow, a chance to grieve;
For when the night calls to the clouds,
it wraps the daylight in its shroud.

This wretched war of twenty years,
has finally come to an end;
Our soldiers and our pilots know,
coming home is around the bend.

The sacrifices our folks have made,
to bring aid to a foreign land;
With hesitancy they leave this place,
as the U.S. government has planned.

Yet while we save our very own,
many folks are still left behind;
who supported us and fought along,
our forces in this treacherous time.

Please, save the Afghan interpreters,
and those who nursed us when in need;
It's our duty to see they have a place,
of peace and calm--it's in our creed.

Let's cheer them well and bring relief,
from the enemies we've bravely fought;
We're bound by our word, the President said,
or else these heroes will be forgotten.

To higher ground our spirits soar,
when citizens pledge with honor;
For AMERICANS are the fortunate ones,
who live freely each passing hour.

You're still a child who spends her days,
in the solitude of your tiny nursery;
One doll is all you need for comfort,
like you, she's lonely, but feels free.

Inside your mind you're a princess,
who roams the halls of a palace;
With your pretty doll for company,
there's no sadness and no malice.

Yet whenever the sun floats into view,
your heart fills with some remorse;
Secluded still, beneath an azure sky,
time has followed its natural course.

A child is meant to run and play,
to be outdoors to cheer the daylight;
Katrina, please, put your doll to bed,
then open the door to a world of sunlight !

For all the crazy mixed-up days,
that sowed the seeds of future ways;
Gratefully we've said our last goodbyes,
to worn out notions before our eyes.

From those we've learned our very best,
and conquered fears put to the test;
Discovering paths that we should follow,
while reaching out for better tomorrows.

Lying in bed with rambling thoughts,
of ideals that bless our hopeful hearts;
Within our souls we sought to be,
as strong and solid as a maple tree.

And all the stars aligned in style,
urging us through the holy aisle;
Our spirits soared beyond the hills,
as tranquility settled within our wills.

For those who never felt the power,
of encouragement from hour to hour;
Regret is sadly among your fate,
for not trusting the outcome of life's debate.

The naked world defines my sorrow,
and leaves me hungry for more;
Of cherished moments under the sun,
with salt-sea kisses from a distant shore.

While lapis light shoots from the sky,
my heartbreak trends toward the stars;
Which hold my thoughts in shining array,
creating images that carry my scars.

Still wounded and faint I walk alone,
seeking solace from the nightly echoes;
Which color my sadness and regret,
leaving me cold as the winter's snow.

If this is the time I fade away,
then perhaps it's only a dream;
A phantom notion that plagues my soul,
reaches its heights--finally peaceful and serene.

An overflow of salty tears remains,
in hearts that covet love unrestrained;
The faded colors blanched and undefined,
with no more reasons left or undermined.

In quiet rooms that tell the tales beyond,
a world renowned for catastrophic bond;
Rises up and quells the cursed interference,
dismissing painful shadows in adherence.

The awesome glow of firelight brings pause,
to secrets gleaned from past events and cause;
No other sights diminished in the sphere,
dividing worlds of comfort far and near.

In due time these secrets have their way,
of revealing angry voices gone astray;
Yet wonders of the starlit sky commence,
in carrying missives in profound repentance.

Sitting in the nearly faded sunlight,
feeling early summer's warmth--
As its mercurial rays bounce about,
then linger on the wicker chairs,
and soaring upward to the still and stalwart
birch trees--
an occasional breeze dropping leaves on the
red-brick yard below.

Above us glows the day's calm and azure
sky--
Where floating clouds paint a softened view,
and the sun continues to shine on the sea-green
waters of the pool--
Appearing like dancing diamonds.

My arms and legs shift delicately--
to catch the rays of the 'golden god' of the Solstice.
With flushed cheeks I then observe the birds,
nestling among the trees,
preparing for the season--their voices singing
through the white-hot zephyrs.

The stage now set for a glorious afternoon,
as the children jump into the pleasant spring
of celadon waters--splashing, howling, screeching
with laughter--
Enjoying life, as it should be !