Often the world is turned upside down,
in a whirl of despair and desolation;
Hurt and pain seem to be the story,
of those suffering from life's conflagration.

Like the open wounds of war and conflict,
desolation prevails in a raging horror;
Heartfelt prayers reach out to our Lord,
when destructive forces move on to tomorrows.

If only we could love one another,
and see the world as it's supposed to be;
Hate never solves the problems we face,
everyone simply longs to be free.

A lingering sense of hopelessness,
carries on throughout the darkened days;
And through the night we all hold hands,
crying out in passionate longing as we pray.

While lounging on the grass under the maple tree,
my mind was wandering--ruminating about the past;
When the deepest, sweetest love I'd come to know,
swept me up into a world I wished would last.

A whirlwind of possibilities flew into my life,
the chance to sing along with the wind and sky;
His hands were strong--with eyes cool and bright,
I was no longer alone nor desolate as days rolled by.

The nights were filled with pleasure and romance,
with the passionate way we had grown as one;
I'd never experienced such an emotional ride,
my heart exploded like the rays of the sun.

But here I am as many years passed-- torn apart,
remembering all the beauty of our private moments;
I wonder, too, if he remembers them as I do,
those few months we lived in joy and contentment.

Emotions awaken to the sounds of heartache,
the windless days so still and refined;
Telling stories old and bold, but deliberately passive,
yet active within each others' minds' eyes.

Out in the atmosphere lurks a stranger,
with gossamer wings, bleak, aged and dark;
Reaching toward the heights of terror and gloom,
crushing a small voice crying out, like a meadowlark.  

Distracted are we, the many sounds of confusion,
as we kick the can down the road of solitude;
Attempting once more to depart from images,
which feature only cloudy days and weary sighs.

One day the distractions will morph into glory,
and bring profound hope along its mighty trail;
The mind's eye bulges with bright anticipation,
as shadows soon dissipate, sullen and pale.

My heart is solid, my feelings emanate from there,
I have everything I need in life, no bad luck, no despair--
Solid as a rock, the rocks that built my reputation,
I've never been so free of pain and sorrow, and desperation.

The wind will never blow my thoughts away from you,
the branches of the trees will reach out in prayer for you--
As if love is an eternal thing, like the ring that is on my finger,
Solid gold, a wish fulfilled--a dream of everlasting life together..

Lord, grant me the strength to remain solid, hopeful, and connected to the Divine...connected to everything spiritual,
for nothing is as solid as LOVE.

Blue, pink, purple, songstress of the heavens,
I hear those tantalizing notes in mystical colors;
Framing each phrase with softness and wonder,
every sound rises with an exceptional allure.

Black, gray, tumbling and grumbling tunes,
explode with awkward but powerful precision;
The wetness of the heavy rain embraces the earth,
as if the sky's mellifluous flow reaches a decision.

Yellow, amber, golden hues glancing through life,
singing their way along the channels of secrecy;
Yet burgeoning with wholesome welcoming sighs,
brightly shining for everyone to hear and see.

The sky's melody rings throughout castles of time,
built strongly with lingering hope and inspiration;
And when the breezes of changing seasons fly by,
we're protected and enchanted by their glorification.

The shadows are lifting from my heart,
as I recall our days and nights together;
Amazing moments took us to higher ground,
as we fought to stay cool in the hottest weather.

The ocean looked ravaged with raucous waves,
but your eyes were peaceful, loving and serene;
I lost myself in your every look, every word,
and forgot to be selfishly overwhelmed and mean.

More of you--brought tears and smiles to me,
the less I had to worry about what was my own;
Your abiding faith in me, my very presence,
lifted my spirits in a way I'd never known.

The coolness of dawn brought me down to earth,
and lessened the pain of summer's scorching heat;
In your world I was captivated by true love,
and my heart joined with yours--not skipping a beat.

Emotions--tied together in rings of camouflage,
building up in a series of songs and sighs;
As the heart beats mysteriously, irreverently,
while hopeless tears explode from captive eyes.

Portraits--of sinister solutions surely project,
the wanton hurt of many passionate moments;
Cries from the soulless, the mastermind falling,
as drifting snowflakes dissolve from missives sent.

Fear--those wordless notions of discontent,
built like pyramids to last in the eternal sphere;
Gravely woven into a faded, jumbled tapestry,
weakened by Fate, holding on with pride revered.

Words--how they burden us with legacies,
descriptive and expressive but not always right;
The ghosts of our past seem ever-present now,
as they seek what's meaningful in spirits of the night.

Time is just a transitory journey,
which captivates the moment's eye;
And uplifts all wondering gazes,
toward a sense of spirituality on high.

The seekers we have soon become,
fly endlessly through treasured spaces;
And give joyous meaning to our lives,
despite the clouds' attempts to erase us.

As shadows fall around the stalwart trees,
they beckon to our core of resistance;
And soon our loathsome shells of fear dissolve,
while our souls struggle to go the distance.

The ephemeral notion appears as a quandary,
whenever we tend to question its true value;
In a blink of a eye the mystical moment passes,
yet with serenity and calm we find renewal.

A lowly dawn exposes feelings of regret,
in angst filled notions of hollowness;
I try to conform to what is expected,
but somehow I shut the door to openness.

As the sunlight caresses my weary self,
I still cannot move to today's rhythms;
A daunting task it is to walk the halls,
of a daily life created by cryptic prisms.

If I didn't care I wouldn't be so solemn,
the words seem to tumble from my sorry brain;
Love--a catharsis for many but not for me,
It's a language which can bring such sorrow and pain.

Yet somehow the wounds of the past retreat,
and I'm able to breathe deeply without remorse;
Your tearful face appears briefly before my eyes,
and in salvation I'll avoid this treacherous course.

Each day seems as if it's been here before,
evoking memories which play on emotions;
The years fly by without reason or rhyme,
standing cold and still--like a frozen ocean.

Yet through it all we stake our claim,
and wonder if life's quandaries are real;
Like a carnival balloon floating on high,
we let loose with our conflicting feelings.

On the beach we lie on our sands of time,
without noticing the cosmic effects;
Of the burning sun on our oiled bodies,
when our minds and souls seem to connect.

Then as the rain falls down in sheets,
with the sea now tossing and turning;
And lost in one overwhelming wave,
the sands of time have begun churning.

Safely landing among the rocks and gulls,
a clarity of thought arises within us;
In heavenly bliss we've come to know,
that the answers were always within us.

Just listen to how the winds whisper,
and feel how the air begins to change;
With springtime nearer to our hearts,
calming breezes shift as leaves rearrange.

Colors of jade from the trees above,
their robust fullness since aroused;
And when the sparkling rain arrives,
each leaf is engaged in subtle tosses.

While cool emerald grasses wave hello,
and greet us gently with their wonder;
Sweet are the winds from lilac bushes,
their scent strewn above and yonder.

We welcome the colors of blissful days,
as our hair flies softly toward the skies;
And May's sunlit beauty embellishes the scene,
when we capture each breeze through our eyes.

Some say the promise of love provides,
a sacred bond existing side by side;
And when our souls return each sign,
we find emotions where heaven resides.

A touch is like the wonders of Spring,
with an ache of passion that Autumn can bring;
A wintry night keeps us close and warm,
by the hearth where loving charms are born.

When summer arrives with ocean's roar,
and boiling over with heat we run to the shore;
Where we hold hands and splash into the sea,
as a myriad of waves catch us in reverie.

The sunlight dims as we lie on the sand,
again, we take one another's hands;
Then just one kiss awakens us again,
to share each moment which God has given.

Watching the sky turn misty and gray,
my thoughts wandering to worlds away;
Where the indigo sky streaked with sunlight,
sends me back to my years of eternal daylight.

As a child of summer the world was mine,
the ocean swirled with colors divine;
The soft, warm sand touched my soul,
and the seagulls perched on the rocks would call.

Swept into a daydream that filled my heart,
with family and friends who have since departed;
My parents packed sandwiches for us to munch,
and the chocolate bars--how much fun to crunch !

Wading in the foam at the edge of the shore,
was bliss to me right down to the core;
Now dad and mom are shadows and clouds,
and my friends have moved away from town.

But I'll never forget those days of delight,
which ended in a sunset so colorful and bright;
The rain now caresses the old maple tree,
as my daydreams are floating out to the sea.

The days linger long when clouds embrace,
the magnetic pull of your eternal face;
Its sweetness shed from a myriad of stars,
with signs of love in miracles from afar.

The brightest lights will shine for me,
when your hopes and dreams call out to me;
In a whirlwind of mystical words and sounds,
appearing softly as if they're heaven-bound.

My heart grows ever fonder with each day,
from the space you've filled along the way;
Could it be that magic has opened wide,
to a welcome world of songs and sighs ?

Not as a stranger you found me at last,
my beating heart drumming like a rocket blast !
Intertwined as one solid life we'll be,
as the waves connect through a luscious sea.

As the breezes caress the tall and winsome trees,
hearts everywhere feel cherished and blessed;
When spring awakens our souls' better angels,
with calm and peace--and a sense of rest.

Sunshine reveals its awesome power,
as it pours onto daffodils and tulips growing;
A rainbow of flowers sits in the garden bed,
raising their colors like bright smiles glowing.

Serenity--a revelation from which we'll dream,
of puffy white clouds dancing and twirling above;
In an azure sky dappled with pinkish hues,
it speaks gently with softness and eternal love.

With the sky darkening towards twilight,
and the crescent moon lies on her side;
A missive is painted across the milky way,
"It will not rain tomorrow"--it will shine with pride.

I am too old for this reckoning,
I am too old NOT to reckon
     with past promises,
     Of life outside myself-
The shadows call me home,
yet where exactly do I land ?

Only words define the substance
   of Art, Growth, Humanity itself;
I dare to tell tales of which I know
    very little,
But imagining them is how
   I conquer fears,
   create escapes,
Follow my own footsteps through
a tunnel of RECKONING--and REPOSE.

Goodbyes are apt to set the record straight,
as if we've stumbled through an iron gate;
Correctly now we take the hint from above,
there's nothing left for us not even love.

Look to the heavenly skies above,
and follow your heart to the world of love;
Where night and day are always sure,
to lighten our moods in miraculous cure.

Follow the dreams of your desire,
don't let strangers put out the fire;
Family and friends will stay by your side,
while you enjoy this emotional ride.

Elegant movements among the clouds,
speak to the folks that gather in crowds;
To share the time we have on this earth,
each loving hour of bliss and mirth.

And when you're old and memory dims,
your mind will be filled right to the brim;
With glances of years that meant so much,
easily reached again through a sacred touch.

Saying goodbye to all you've known,
can cause frightening moments--overblown;
But grab onto those memories that rise within,
and follow the pathway--you're bound to win !

Looking to turn the page of indifference,
spiraling out of control in our world;
Folks gather to share their misgivings,
about whether this will ever be cured.

In equity there's the soul of humankind,
we struggle to meet the expectations;
Of freedom to be who we are and accepted,
to some folks these feelings are just flirtations.

Yet it's important to realize we all have to gain,
the promise of love deep within our spheres;
And touching one another's hearts with understanding,
is the way to create a world without tears.

Without setting goals to be more compassionate,
to use the God-given sense of empathy within;
We're lost in a world that will soon crumble,
and be buried by the neglectful notions and sins.

As images float before my eyes,
caressing the Autumn's velvet skies;
With multi-colored sparks they shed,
beyond the window beside my bed.

Gossamer angels of light and life,
teach wondrous tales to ease our strife;
While flying high in such a mystical place,
of constellations covering this saintly space.

The wonders of nature run through my mind,
while the opal moon shimmers like a dime;
I lie awake and watch the starlight fantasies,
which embolden my senses--feeling calm and free.

As I pull the covers toward my face,
yet wondering if reality has taken place;
My eyes close as sleep overcomes every care,
while the stars still twinkle in heaven's lair.

Your touch keeps me awake at night,
its depth is like an angel's wing;
Light as a feather yet burns with desire,
you have always been my everything.

From first we met in the dawn of day,
the summer sun glowing strongly;
Your eyes sparkled like the ocean's waves,
I had never felt such intense longing.

Now it's Autumn and we're still together,
tied in knots of faded bittersweet berries;
The memories captured now in sheer delight,
our hopes are glorious with no time for worries.

We're off on a journey to stake our claim,
the winds will soon shift in our direction;
We'll never be lost as long as we live,
every day is filled with love and affection.

The rustling leaves of golden hue,
tell the story of Autumn's view;
They glimmer and glow like the stars,
which shine in the indigo sky afar.

And when they fall they tell the truth,
of Autumnal descension upon our roof;
Setting the table for cold and frosty air,
that fills our lungs and keeps us aware.

Our hearts rely on Autumn's pleasures,
to assure us all of the Lord's holy treasures;
And when the breezes blow hard and fast,
we realize Summertime could never last.

With memories clear of September smiles,
watching sapphire rain that flows for miles;
And when misty October opens its door,
the luxurious sites of scarlet endure !

While losing a sense of inevitable discovery,
and wandering from the galactic ambiance;
I paint a portrait along with the waning stars,
which guide me into a cosmic trance.

White light pierces the hectic scramble,
of planets divulging their intimate secrets;
And asteroids crash into the sea of silence,
where an unworthy moon reveals its regrets.

Calming the chaos within this mystical space,
bringing forward a myriad of sins not forgiven;
The sun delights in a showering of angelic force,
which commands the light of day to enliven.

Clear eyed yet wondering how all this matters,
when the rain and wind can disrupt the visions;
Of celestial peace which appears to scatter about,
the revelations rising from fear and delusions.

While mysteries surround us in every way,
and we find ourselves wandering every day;
Those eerie voices that subjugate reality,
attack our inner selves with regularity.

A maze of sinister plots begins to appear,
within the galaxy of our cosmic fears;
And no rest or respite from the curse,
leaves a withering light to remain dispersed.

Awareness often brings us to the surface,
of things necessary to pursue our purpose;
But confusion can reign without a doubt,
especially if starkness of mind wins out.

How difficult to master the sullen sphere,
without finding a world beyond our tears;
Releasing the sadness as we try to ascend,
the notions overwhelming us to the end.

Life often brings such ageless quandaries,
confusing each moment with their boundaries;
While emitting sources which seem unsure,
if such puzzles relent to seek a cure.

Mysteries surround me everywhere,
those incomprehensible puzzles;
Which take me to the oddest places,
in my mind, I'm quite befuddled !

Throughout my youth I was lonely,
hiding away in the attic with books;
And music that would assuage misery,
every evening I crawled through nooks.

I recall how mesmerized I could be,
by the power of the written word;
I sought to write about my torment,
but was afraid I wouldn't be heard.

With the wafting of each musical strain,
it was easy to imagine and pretend;
I'd hum along with pristine tunes,
sending my heart into such a spin !

I'm still that shy person who wanders about,
with visions swirling through my head;
Yet somehow despite my complex existence,
within me, there's no fear nor dread.

Befuddled as I may always be,
the language of love and life will endure;
I'll see a sign posted on the road one day,
beckoning me toward an open door !

Welcome it, everyone, with open hearts,
from feathery wings of angels;
Its clarity washes away each tear,
and blankets us from all angles.

The evergreens swathed in oyster white,
exquisitely aligned with holly berries;
Which light up the yard in rosy glow,
and comfort us from our worries.

No longer alone the cardinals fly,
and meet their mates high above;
Cheerfully sitting upon the branches,
nestling together with wintry love.

Gracefully floating through the air,
like delicate lace from times long ago;
While we watch this glorious solstice scene,
enchanted by the sight of first snow !

A backwards glance into infinity,
where remnants of memory fill the pages;
Of nightly whistling from trains at the station,
worn and tired yet oddly engaging.

Time seems to move on so slowly,
rearranged but distinct and intense;
We turn over in our bedtime ritual,
as each witching hour eerily descends.

Long ago we could hear in a whisper,
that fearless wraiths send us nightly stories;
And dawn brings us sleepless sunshine,
casting its beams searching for eternity.

Somewhere in the night we closed our eyes,
while spirits provoked by myths and legends;
Were sainted souls projecting cosmic signs,
which swirled 'round about toward the heavens.

Ethereal notions then crossed into darkness,
where nothing can be easily explained;
But in the night our whispers still linger,
along with the screeching of infinity's trains.

The maple trees turning to amber and bronze,
cool, brisk winds running through my hair;
Skies of blue changing to purple and gold,
as Autumn brings us her loving care.

Summer is gone now--we can't go back,
to the lazy sounds and warmth of the sea;
Standing near the beach on the eve of Fall,
ocean waves start to crash with ferocity.

Children skip off to school in sweaters,
and can soon see their breath in the air;
Pumpkins grow round and full in the garden,
ripe and ready for this year's County Fair.

Cornstalks emerge, tall and graceful are they,
the new harvest is about to begin;
With its honeyed apples, pears, and walnuts,
filling straw baskets to carry within.

There's never a time when Autumn fails,
its storms bring refreshing rains;
And the moon is golden and frosty at night,
after a crimson sunset of fiery flames.

This transition time between seasons,
is something we can all taste and touch;
It brings with it great hopes for tomorrow,
which we'll welcome and cherish so much.

With life's confusion and delusions,
and every day another quandary;
I feel as if I'm flying upward,
to escape all the pain and worry.

It takes a moment to realize,
how truly lovely the world can be;
Within the sky's reflection now,
wonderment is all I can see.

So why would I leave this place,
in order to melt into sadness ?
Why should I return to my home,
when upon me falls such gladness ?

Home is where the heart is,
as the saying surely goes;
But now that I'm up in the clouds,
my happiness is all that shows.

It comes in spurts, the words and the visions,
sometimes jumbled, and other times clear;
Fascinating stories to flesh out on paper,
images that haunt us from far and near.

Pick up that pencil and sketch the soul,
in phrases both mellifluous and mellow;
Continuing to erase, over and over again,
until the piece uncovers its intimate flow.

Resting, then wondering if thoughts relent,
pausing, then swirling inside your mind;
While taking a chance that others will get,
the message you've molded and left behind.

A fabulous thing to entertain our gifts,
regardless of what the outcome may be;
The torture of creativity can rule your heart,
yet the process leaves you open and free.

When children ask adults questions,
our answers seem to descend;
Into a melting *** of confusion,
secretly hiding all truths and trends.

We want to set things straight for them,
through our wonders and visions of light;
But often our words spawn more questions,
while wrestling with demons in the night.

There are many complex issues in life,
enough so, that we'd rather forget;
How the universe is changing quickly,
and we cannot handle our own regrets.

It's simple just to close the door,
and fill our lives with faint illusions;
Yet somehow the sun comes up each day,
reflecting more than our delusions.

Children deserve our forthright honesty,
despite the apparent horrors and dread;
And we'll find a way to cushion the fall,
sewing their thoughts with golden threads.

The only time I ever shared my dreams,
was when I felt I could trust my love;
To someone who would keep me safe,
and visualize those dreams from up above.

We'd talk into the wee hours of the night,
while eating pancakes and sausage at 3 AM;
I swore to myself to never let him go,
as we melted into one another like winter's snow

For life seemed so protected and fulfilled,
as if my heart was wrapped in cellophane;
The beating of it stirred my aching soul,
I was finally free from all the hurt and pain.

Simplistic it may seem but for many years,
the men I truly thought would treat me well;
Had turned on me as soon as they could fly,
so far away... as if they were under a spell.

But I knew this was quite different at the start,
someone genuine and real appeared before me;
And with his gentle manner and caring ways,
I could see our future lives pass right before me.

Once I passed by a child who was crying,
an ocean of tears dripping down her cheeks;
I had no way of knowing her dilemma,
she touched her lips as if she couldn't speak.

We wandered down the street to the bakery,
where I bought some milk and chocolate cupcakes;
Her ragged dress was smeared with oil and dirt,
she finally smiled when gobbling down the cake.

How many other children lay in wait for us,
to help them get their daily needs attended ?
We went to a nearby Thrift Store for some clothing,
and I found a little dress that needed mending.

I took her to my home and fixed the dress,
by that time her eyes began to shine;
I'd never seen such a look of gratitude,
and she took her hand and placed it into mine.

By now, this young lady is back with family,
the poorest of the poor they certainly are;
So when you see someone whose needs are ample,
please lend a hand and be their "superstar" !

Perhaps the moon is a prophet,
and the sun its sister;
Perhaps the grass could be greener,
and the clouds are just blisters.
And the rain is devilish in its daring,
and birds don't sing at all;
Perhaps Summer is really winter,
and Spring is really Fall.

'Round goes the carousel of life,
a kaleidoscopic backwards view;
That captures the imagination,
in seeing days and nights askew.

Perhaps we're all invisible,
just wraiths who've lost our way;
Perhaps blue is red and red is blue,
how can we know this isn't a game ?

Yet heaven dwells within us all,
God promised He would deliver;
a sunny day and rainy skies,
and cold that makes us shiver.

The world is ours, the world is His,
that's all we need to know;
Trust in faith for all humankind,
and the smallest hearts will glow...

Perhaps...

At the end of every twisted road,
there's a subtle sense of victory;
Relief in signs of breathless sighs,
restoring our pride and dignity.

Calamitous routes in honored claim,
now reveal a robust history;
For those who've conquered what remains,
from their uncommon curiosity.

In reaching back among the crowd,
we hear the chanting sounds' velocity;
That will grant a waging war of words,
far beyond its sheer ferocity.

While the broken pieces of the day,
are cleverly tossed and scattered;
For winning never seemed to be,
the thing that truly mattered.

We lay naked in our little hideaway,
after exploding with passion and love;
Our touches seemed to set us ablaze,
like fires stirring from the sun above.

You wrapped yourself in my innocence,
entering me powerfully yet tenderly;
The moment seemed to last forever,
and with you I was completely free.

We lingered in the shadows of intimacy,
as the sunlight waned in a crimson dusk;
We kissed one another with burning lips,
pulling us under the crashing waves of lust.

Then we lay in darkness--breathing deeply,
caressing--longing for another drench of rain;
As you entered me, quenching my desire,
we were one with the night once again.

The spirit within us grows and grows,
entering each phase in complex rows;
We're born to succeed in finding peace,
with the heavens blossoming in relief.

But often we stray toward evil ways,
and our spirit rebels against this phase;
So our fight with Satan has just begun,
for somehow we've strayed far from the sun.

In feverish attempts to lend ourselves toward,
a world that's humble not sowing discord;
We say our prayers nightly to God above,
that He show us His pure and eternal love.

We spend our lives trying to evade,
the ghosts which hauntingly conquer grace;
Yet it's often in wonder we watch the sky,
deliver us from evil as the moon passes by.

The ever pervasive thoughts within my mind,
have scrambled images which appear unkind;
Where ghosts of yesterday's haunting power,
can fuel one's fears each day from hour to hour.

As breezes blow through all the trees outdoors,
shaking leaves and dropping them on nature's floor;
I watch how autumn has arrived with chilly air,
and wrap myself in its vision of captive flair.

Yet with the passage of time the daylight fades,
relentless is the wind which carries each phase;
Of multi-colored life toward new tomorrows,
that still cannot erase my pain and sorrows.

But carried on the wind we find saving grace,
somehow the ghosts of lifetime's past are erased;
I breathe a blessed sigh which seems to calm me,
with the missives carried on the wind beside me.

The sting of useless, empty-headed comments,
from someone you have always cherished;
Brings forth a sudden sense of insecurity,
and rattles the beliefs you once had treasured.

I tried not to listen to her rantings,
she had been under a great deal of stress;
But the more her words stuck to me like magnets,
and led to a state of confusion and duress.

This person who promised to be my friend,
now wound up and attacking me with shards;
Of glass-like pieces cutting like a knife,
and woeful stories that I needed to discard.

Using reason seemed out of the question,
so I followed my heart to save my soul;
No matter how long you've known someone,
there's still a place for compassion and control.

I feel relieved now that I've escaped this pain,
unsolicited and unworthy of time together;
Being true to oneself takes strong self-assurance,
which I came to know despite the 'stormy weather'

Committed to a life of joy and peace,
how disappointed to discover it otherwise;
Sailing about in the azure waves,
where no one could hear my cries.

Then my skiff is caught in a lightning flash,
a course correction needed to sustain;
From the forceful rocking, reeling and shaking,
then tossing over in the blackest rain.

Tears blending with the salty air,
I manage to get control of the tumbling;
Soaked to the skin I arrive at the deck,
and climb up ahead of a fearsome rumbling.

The wind was whipping around the bay,
then tossing me further into an abyss;
Perhaps I've imagined what was happening,
but I was overwhelmed with sheer bliss.

Light beamed ahead and startled my eyes,
and suddenly there was such relief;
I'd crossed over into the promised land,
no words did I dare to speak...

A vision appeared and calmed my soul,
no more anger, frustration and fear;
The tears dissipated and there I stood,
and my purpose was finally clear.

Keep my head up high and don't regret,
the mistakes of the recent past;
Reject the hurt and chaos of today's world,
and help folks conquer their everyday tasks.

He stood outside my window wanting attention,
I couldn't believe he'd be so bold;
I looked across the quad with hesitance,
as he shook and shivered from the cold.

It was evening now and snow had fallen,
in curious shapes of winter's delight;
I watched him as he let them gather,
his eyes were dark yet shining like the night.

Oh, truly--how much I wanted to let him,
come into my world for just an hour;
But we had grown apart in many ways,
and our emotions became raw and sour.

It's gratifying to have a college memory,
even though the aching still applies;
I backed away from my dorm window,
and silently spoke the words of our goodbyes.

The old clock sat staunchly in the corner,
with such a stalwart stance;
It rang out with every hour's time,
like a memory of ancients past.

The table set for five was stilled,
with dust and dirt piled high;
Each window in the yellowed kitchen,
was cracked from the cold outside.

A slate-gray sky hung overhead,
threatening the town with early snow;
a young man listened to the roaring wind,
And a tear fell from his eye.

He used to live in this broken place,
with his wife and children at his side;
But the crops were mighty thin this year,
to his family, he bid a sad goodbye.

Now what to do with these remnants,
of a loving life he had known;
A garbled prayer slipped past his lips,
while his heart turned into stone.

Yet memories have a certain way,
of stirring our fervent desires;
With the storm approaching quickly,
he set out to light a fire.

And within the flames he caught a glimpse,
of the force behind all his dreams;
Which lifted him from his sadness and grief,
and willed his soul to be redeemed.

My dear friend, the chaos is finally diminished,
the frantic hours of pain and conflict have finished;
Awaken to the easy, open breath of life today,
knowing the darkest clouds have now blown away.

You've suffered silently for so long this year,
never asking anyone else to quell your fears;
The urgent need to be respected and accepted,
you kept within your heart, afraid to be rejected.

But those scary moments that corrupted your mind,
were coming from a world of a much different kind;
The messages you received were jumbled and cruel,
they brought you far away from the 'golden rule'.

Now there's truly peace within these garden walls,
as if a mystical aura has enveloped and enthralled;
Your quiet prayers toward heaven were received;
so dry your tears, your soulful words brought sweet relief.

When I talk to the flowers and the trees,
I whisper gently so no else hears me;
It's my very own language that I share,
with the gifts from Nature, alive and aware.

Someday I'll follow a lonely bird's flight,
from the day's hours to the dark of night;
I'll sing his sweet song along with my own,
and cuddle softly within his nesting home.

An exquisite trip I'll take through life,
devoid of anger, frustration, stress, and strife;
I can be anyone, or anything I'd like to be,
perhaps morphing into a branch of a maple tree.

Yes, I'll fly away to parts known and unknown,
I'll leave my fears with the fairies and gnomes;
And in the crystalline dawn of early morning,
there'll be my secret thoughts, forever churning.

Slowly the wheel turns 'round and 'round,
defying every superstitious claim;
That only fear surely lies ahead,
as wicked sorcerers have proclaimed.

In a conspiracy of reckless gallantry,
the people appearing restless and tired;
Like the embers flying through the sky,
from a raging, roaring and ceaseless fire.

The clock tells time but no one cares,
to know if the hour has finally come;
When spirits' light or devil's darkness,
will erase the quandaries within their homes.

They sob and pray till their voices falter,
with hopelessness from the perilous days;
Until an angel appears singing out with love,
and a promise their souls will soon be saved.

Feeling worthy now--their emotions quite shaken,
from discovering faith within the realm;
For only charity's gifts can conquer hate,
and horrors dissolve through peace and calm.

The waves of years that carry along,
our ocean of thoughts where memories belong;
Compel us all to do our part,
to ignite the passions within our hearts.

How quaintly do our treasures speak,
like stones that fall along the creek;
In mellow moments we sit and stare,
and wondering if we ever cared.

While looking back upon the days,
which sheltered us from sunlight's blaze;
As falling rain disperses each thought,
in cascading drops to cure the drought.

Our hearts and minds can be uplifted,
from spiritual notions which are gifted;
In heaven-sent moonlight from above,
the craving redeemed by eternal love.

And round and round and round we go,
our illusions parting like melting snow;
Life passes by but we've been blessed,
in ways that soulful winds caressed.

He stood so close to me,
I could feel his breath, smelling of crisp apples,
for it was autumn and we walked briskly through
the winds of change.

His long blue-black hair and celadon eyes,
captured me immediately. The slanted sun touched
his face with a coral glow as we gathered our books
and headed to his dorm.

He stopped suddenly, gently brushing his hand
through my hair,
pulling at the longest strands of auburn, then releasing
them quickly as if he'd gone too far.

I waited to see what would happen next;
the wind caressing his charcoal locks, and
swinging my red scarf in the cold, fresh air.

There was a burst of light snow, fluttering down
on us as we said goodbye. He always called me
"sport" as he knew my love was raging within me,
but he was "spoken for" by the girl back home.

Still, I wonder, if it were a different time and place,
would he have been the one. I cherished my time with him,
brief as it may have been...

And now he's with God, after a lifetime of success and joy
with his girl from home. I'll always feel blessed to have
known him; to have laughed, sung, joked, shared lunches, and cried on his shoulder about life's foibles.

Thank you, dear sir, forever. At 21, you were my guiding light !

The children played through rainy days,
just so they could see a rainbow;
It didn't happen as they'd hoped,
the sky never put on a show.

A blazing sun peaked through the trees,
and the children forgot their mission;
Turning toward their folks imploring now,
could we please have your permission ?

To take a hike into the nearby woods,
where squirrels and rabbits play;
"We promise that we won't take long",
so their elders gave them an "O.K."

They danced about the swirling fountain,
at the entrance of the jade-green forest;
Then took a trip down to the lake,
where they could lounge and take a rest.

When suddenly a burst of lightning,
carved its way through the maple trees;
Wild thunder pounded with all its might,
the wind blew harder with each breeze.

Well, the children hid inside their tent,
until the raging storm had passed;
And waiting for them in the sky above,
was a precious gift from God at last !

A rainbow carved its way across the sky,
red, yellow, green, and purple light;
Magical moments filled their hearts,
as they laughed and cheered in sheer delight.

Remember, when you least expect it,
a rainbow may come into view;
And somehow the chaos of life relents,
for the world will begin anew.

As I glance around my corner room,
a place that I call home;
The walls glistening in pearly white,
bringing peace when I'm alone.

My writing desk of hearty oak,
is carved quite intricately;
With books and papers piled high,
all arranged meticulously.

A tiny table sits by the window,
and placed there with supreme delicacy;
Is my collection of porcelain flowers,
imbuing a sense of serenity.

A Queen Anne's chair near the fireplace,
gleams in a vivid, azure blue;
With a comfy quilt of rosy pink,
lay waiting for me at noon.

The flowing diaphanous curtains,
allow rays of pale sunlight today;
While my tea-tray tempts my appetite,
for luscious tastes of scones and Earl Grey.

I could not ask for any finer things,
to set my eager mind at rest;
What a lovely way to face the world,
with a life that's genuinely blessed !