Mother Nature
that wise woman
threw a storm the other day.

It nearly took out Florida
with its raging rains and
tempestous winds.

She's been a bit tempermental of late,
what with the radiation pouring out of Japan,
the plastic clogging the Northern Gyre.

Coral reefs dying off are really
rocking her boat.  The rising carbon dioxide's making her itchy,
just look at how she's growing that poison ivy now.

Monarchs are starving.
Bats are dying off with the sniffles.
She's **** near had enough.

Makes me tremble in my boots,
just thinking what she is truly capable of
if she decides enough IS enough....

Teardrops fall gently,
gently to the earth.
Grief soaking into the soil
that holds those loved
ones. Their lives given,
given by choice
to a greater cause.
The call of their country,
their country's freedom.
May we, one and all,
Honor them this day
And always.

My thanks to those
that serve.

Wizardly wisps of
waspy mists
mingle and tingle
amongst the twists
of gnarly ropes and
knurlish boughs
flung amidst the
whys and hows.

It is not "giving up"
It is not "giving in"
It is not "the end"

What it is
Is the acceptance of
the cycle of Life.
The appreciation of a life lived.
The celebration of that life.
The time to examine the meaning of one's life.
To revel in the joy and the sorrow of living.
To find the peace one needs to move on
To whatever the next realm brings.

Hospice to me is life.

Lighted sentries stand guard
Over slickened steel rails

Rails that reach into the painted skyline
Traversing life's trail to the clickety-clack of time

Time's learn-ed history passes by
Enlightening life's travelers at every bend.

To think and wish what ifs...

To look to the past for what might have beens...

To gaze upon what once was and what could have come to past.....

Leaves one's heart tender and aching

Until you realize, what is

Is good and true and joyous

In its own right.

This world is huge.  It's small.  Its infinitesimal and vast.
How did we come by such a beauteous and frightful place?
Out in the cosmos, alone and crowded.
Living our lives in years that are only a blink in time.
What laws of nature bind us?  What freedoms do we possess?
Time rushes by only to stand still.
So many questions.  So many answers.
Which is right?  Which wrong?  Is it only a matter of perception?
Such is the human mind.  Always questioning, contradicting.
Seeking and avoiding.  Creating and destroying.

******
a ****** of crows
****** your cousin
a ******
is it a mob, a crime, a vacant thought
depends
on how you view

mur der....

The rain streaks the window pane
heavy and thick,
falls as a burden upon ears
aching to hear the turn of a key in the lock,
the scrape of leather on the wooden slats of a porch.
Its silver slick shine reflects the stillness.
Damp musty odors rise from the earth
where undisturbed it waits for footsteps
belonging to one who bears the rays of hope and life,
the very sun itself in heart and soul.
And so, time passes....

C'mere, babe.
Let me wipe those tears away
and still that trembling lip.
Let me wrap these arms around you
and calm your quaking heart
Let me look into your eyes
and steady your uncertainty.

C'mere, babe.
Let me show you what it means
to be seen.
Let me show you what it means
to be heard.
Let me show you what it means
to be touched.

C'mere babe.
Let me teach you to laugh again
Let me teach you to sing again
Let me teach you to dance again.

C'mere babe.

Look at me.

Laugh with me.

Love me.......

I never knew there was
a special person out there
just for me.

I never knew he was more
than a dream.

I never knew he could make
my heart sing and the sun
shine.

I never knew that one look,
one touch from him could take
my breath away.

I never knew, until
I knew him.

Though I walk in silence
I fear not the darkness surrounding me.

The lantern that swings at my side
Guides me through the twisted paths.

I seek only the present
its fulfillment in whole, not past nor future.

Only the forward motion of the lantern
leading me through this moment, then the next.

Its pendulum swing an eternal guide
as it lights the way for my next footfall.

Leaving behind the imprint of
my last step in the darkness.

Seek only now. Know only now.
Live and breathe this moment completely.

It is the essence of life as we move along its path.

Stark against steel gray sky
Steeples rise sharp
Grazing lowered clouds
of hazed vapor.
Hallowed halls echo
ancient steps treading
remembered paths.
Whispered breaths
of voices once raised
in praise and worship
play soft on gentle breezes
in the folds of time long gone.

Silently gliding through
invisible trails
In search of quarry
most rare.

Her bare feet
leaving no prints
for the earth
to reveal her passing.

Her eyes, deepest amber,
search endlessly
until they light upon
her gilded prey.

Notching a silver arrow
from her woven quiver
she takes its life,
and in return
she gives thanks
and blessings
to her prey
and the gods
that provide.

The face of time shows no age.
Merely continues its forward motion.
Marking movement of life and loss
The hands tick ever round and round
Never looking back, always forward
What is, only is, in the moment
And then is not.

Sugar sweet,
Medicine vile.
Mom's so mean
Full of bile.

She always says
now be good.
Gives me meds.
I misunderstood.

This is good?
In what way?
"I'm fine!" I shout.
Throughout the day.

The cough has gone.
The fever fled.
Now leave me mother
I dread that med!

Horrid flavor,
Wretched taste
Makes me shudder
Worse than paste!

Mom's just smilin'
Spoon at the ready.
Knowing better,
"C'mere, Freddy."

She's so mean,
I don't know why.
She used to love me
In days gone by.

TatianaBendito
No rhyme, no reason.
Just like the sound.

slipping silently into your arms
i look up into your warm eyes
and see heaven in them.

my eyes slide lower to those
warm soft lips that ask
softly to be kissed, to be
gently plundered of wet treasure.

i inhale as your warm hands lay
bare upon my arms and pull me into you.

my naked face tipped upwards
longing for your lips to slide
over mine, gently caressing the
curves of my mouth.

my breath warms your skin where
i breathe shallowly and quickly
in anticipation of fulfilling your needs

of fulfilling mine.

To believe, to leave
In need of reprieve.
This worn, torn heart
beats slow, so slow.
Long past the point
that it could care.
Cared to share
with one once loved.
And now I don't
deceive. I must feel,
and I must grieve
The loss of cherished
memories past.
And feel the aching
as it's breaking
Once more forlorn
the weight's been borne
And slips the harness
to stop the transgress
For peace, for comfort
To heal, to feel....

Tabla beat
hear the rhythm.

Triumphant
rise unto heav'n.

Abandon all
the nano-cares.

Freedom sought
found and shared.

I discovered a star
shiny and bright.
It burned from within
with glorious light.

I watched as it flared
bright orange then red.
It burst from my hand
and as it fled,

It sparkled and shone,
flying away with a trail
That left me in wonder
as I watched it set sail.

On beyond Saturn
and out past Neptune,
seeking its fortune
its flown too soon.

Silently sailing vast
light years away
Inspiring adventure
in every way.

Winter teeth bite
deep and harsh.

Snow does fly,
and ice imprisons.

Chill the bones
to brittle ache.

Hibernation
has its season.

Branches spike
the low hung clouds.

Hunters hunger
on hidden trail.

Skittish prey plays
hide, don't die.

Life is sparse
during Winter's reign.

Crusty *****
           scuttle through
                        the tide pools.

Fish dart among
                 undulating
                         sea-**** forests.

Salted breezes
             push waves
                       on to shore.

Seagulls
         surf the ocean
                           rhythm.

Tides rise and fall.
                 Waves roll in.
                               Peace abides.

She rises from a limpid pool.
Silvery beads cling to flesh
Clothing her in brilliant shimmer.

Lovely shining tresses spiral
Down over slim shoulders
Framing her beautiful face.

Eyes of moon silver, lips of rose
Grace her fair visage.

And I ...

I can do naught, caught as I am
in the dazzling light of her rising.

She made her last voyage.
Rode the waves across the seas.
Delivered her cargo, then set sail
As proud as always.

Until the dark seas grasped
Her hull and sundered it.
Spilling death into her safe harbor.

Tossing her time and time again
Against jagged rocks without reason.
Until sounding a mournful cry
She sank into the depths.

Her crew lost, as was her captain.

And now decades later, her
Broken rusted bow washes ashore.
Surfacing once more, a fine ship
Tortured by the sea gods.

Even the torn edges of metal
and pervasive rust unable
to disguise her proud lines.

I was 'bout a haf mile down Shadow Holler, lookin' for my dog Jack.  I rounded the bend long the river and thar he sat just lookin' up at the moon that was back dropped behind him.  I was so entranced I stood stockstill in the chill evening air.  He raised his head and let out with that beautiful soulful baying only a huntin' dog can make.
Then he took off tearing through the woods like his tail was on fire.

Well, I commenced chasin' ol' Jack down, but I swear evra tree in that holler was out to get me.
My clothes, they was ripped up and my feet were on fire from being torn by briars and such.
I finally, upped and caught up to Jack.  He was pacing the bottom of a Sycamore that was glowing white in the moonlight.  I heard some cacklin' up in that tree and I looked up to see a sight that I nev'r saw afore.  They was a **** up in there just grinnin' down at Jack like he was playing with him.  Now Jack was in a right tizzy over that ****.  He leaped up the side of the tree as high as he could, barking treed as though his life depended on it.  That **** was doing a bit of glowing in the moonlight itself.  I'd never seen a Cinnamon colored **** before, but thar 'e was, bigger 'an life.  And while it was grinnin' it was busy collecting some twigs.  Next thing ya know it was chattering to beat the band and throwin' sticks at ol' Jack.  Well, I can tell you, Jack didn't appreciate the humor in this sitcheation.  He backed up and made a leap so high I thought shore he was gonna take flight, but he got nothin' for his trouble but a whack in the head as he collided with a big ol' twig thrown by that ****.  

Thinkin' that Jack had had about enuf I tried coaxing him home, but he was havin' nothing to do with it.  So, I told Jack I was heading home and he could come if he had a mind to, but I wasn't staying out in the woods all night while he made an *** of himself over a **** that was makin' fun of him.  I started off and then heard a loud yelp.  All of a sudden Jack came blastin' past me, and not far behind was that old Cinnamon **** giving it all he was worth.  Well, as he was headin' towards home I followed along.  Just at the mouth of Shadow Holler, and not to fer from home I found ol' Jack.  He was up a low slung tree whimperin' like a puppy.  That **** was pacing the trunk, back ****** up, teeth bared and laughin' out the side of its mouth.  As I walked up on this pathetic scene, ol' Jack took one look at me and started crying fer help.  Well, I took pity on the poor fella and walked up on that **** with a right big stick.  And right afore my eyes it just faded into nothin'.  Scared the bejeebers outta me!

Took me an hour to coax ol' Jack outta that tree.  And then I couldn't keep up with him once he headed towards our cabin.  At home I told Pa all about our lil adventure, and he bout whooped me fer even goin' into Shadow Holler.  He said, "Son, I tole you to stay outta that holla.  They's ghosts and spooks down in thar.  Old Lady Jalson disappeared never to be seen again until the Smith boys saw her wanderin' a trail down there.  On'y problem is they cud see through 'er.  They's all sorts of stories 'bout shadows roaming free and playin' tricks an' worse on folks."  

Well I never seen my Pa so scairt as when he was tellin' me that, so now I just keep away from that holler.  And, ya know what?  I ain't never seen ol' Jack even turn in that direction since that night.  Musta learned himself somethin'.

Wildly reeling in the arms of Death.
Moving to the pounding rhythm.
Eyes closed against his emaciated visage.
Heart thudding beat for beat.

Death seeks the living tonight.
Her heart's rhythm aches in his bones.
Her vitality bruises his being.
Her zeal, a wound to his bravado.

And though Death dances
wantonly and with desire,
Warmth and Love
eternally elude him.

Aged patina of ivory keys.

Chipped at the corners.
Black and white worn.

Still, as always,
able to coax beautiful notes
From willing keys.

To lighten the mood
or heighten suspense.
Notes tumbling one after another.

Each key, a single note.
When enchanted
able to suspend reality
in concert with its kinsman.

Feathers flutter.

Opaque to morning light.
Spread full to land
on open fingertips.

The barest suggestion of
nature's design
in the form,
the flutter,
the timid acceptance.

Life indeed is fragile
and awesome,
in its truest sense.

Xenophiles see it all the time.

The transubstantiation of matter
causing hysteria among every culture.

One alchemical shift from lead to gold
and you have empaths weeping over asps,
telekinetics dropping things on fairy's heads.

A tiny fusion of atoms and the next thing you know
satyrs are dancing with dingos, sphinxes are doing the two step.

Who knows what the next time/space shift is going to bring?

Sigh...........makes for a long day at work.  Ya know?

Within this crimson,
opalescent phial entwined
with metallic vine slumbers
death's grim visage.

A few drops
laced in wine or tea
produces sinister
hallucinations
and
searing agony.

To be used so
sparingly,
only in greatest
need
to avoid discovery
of secrets harbored.

I tuck the phial away.

He never knew
how close he was to
agonizing death
by my hand.

Intertwining boughs
Arch high above
Shading this desolate road.
I walk a solitary path.
Roaming lost in thought
Unaware of the deepening night
Beneath these shadowy limbs.

Owls wake slowly as dusk passes to night.
Wolves catch the scent of prey on the wind.
Whispering hollowly through the trees it
Shares the news of fell deeds done this night

And I alone on this long and lonely road
Feel the danger present in every direction.

Yet, so lost in thought am I,
Unaware of approaching predators.
Until a deep sense of dread
permeates my very soul.

I hear pounding hooves on packed soil
and hurl myself into the clutches of the trees.
I listen as the ******* who would have my head
Continue their flight from the horrid deeds they perpetrated.

Lost and frightened, I stay as I fell,
then exhausted, I sleep,
covered by the brush that clawed at my clothing,
Only to wake in my love's strong arms
As his tears rain upon me at the sweet break of dawn.

Eyes of brown
Heart of gold
Sending love
I've been told.

Across the waves
between the vibes.
Written on paper
by the scribes.

Affairs of love in
history gone by.
Lover's seduced
by blink of eye.

Romeo and Juliet.
Cleopatra's Antony.
Guinevere and Lancelot.
And no less, you and me.

Loved and lusted
Sweet as wine.
Stories told
throughout time.

Love goes on
and on my dear.
Open your heart,
put away fear.

For love's soft vision
may well come.
When unsuspected,
your heart will thrum.

Vast islands of floating debris
Following the ocean currents.
in the Northern Pacific Gyre.

Man made litter
Shaming our species.

Wasteland oasis
Covering hundreds of millions of acres
Of Ocean Blue.

Mother Earth
Polluted, Corrupted
with
a malignancy
needing
eradication.

When? When will we learn??

The pillar of the community
leaned against
the door frame.

He flipped a coin in his hand
as he watched the red clad woman
walk away.

She had no idea of his psychosis.

He opened his hand and looked down.
Thoughts of his special tool case
kept in the hutch at the foot of the stairs
reluctantly left his mind as he sees the
tails on the coin in his palm.

He glances one last time at her
and moves on to other matters.

Tumbling, twirling
leaves en masse.
Seasons arrive
and then will pass.

Brilliant hues
Of orange and red
Scatter across
Warm Summer's bed.

So brief the fall
in its passing.
Cool crisp air,
vibrant leaves flashing.

Soon, too soon
The colors fade
And bitter Winter
spreads its shade.

Courage born from necessity.
Strength born from caring.
Experience born from being present.

In my life nothing other than motherhood
has challenged me more
than becoming a nurse.

Becoming a nurse takes much longer
than the years spent in a grueling
program at school jumping through
the administrative hoops.

If it were not for the experiences
I have lived through
and other people's experiences
I have lived with them,
I would not know my own
inner strength.
I would not know that I
could be courageous.

For in seeing the depths of despair
and the heights of joy
in people at their most extremes
have I been able to find my place
in this world.
Have I found joy and courage,
pain and love.

Holding a dying woman's hand.
Cleaning infected wounds.
Bathing those too weak to help themselves.
Listening to the tortured minds of the distressed.

And within these experiences
learning that one MUST act.
And in order to act, one MUST
face fears of every order.

And in the face of fear
knowing what to do
the right thing that must be done
one finds the very courage to do it.

And not only have I found courage
within myself.  I have been humbly
able to provide the strength for
other to face their fears
and to act courageously as well.

An elderly priest
sits on the dilapidated
stair to his hovel

Contemplating once again
the stinger he delivered
in his Sunday sermon.

An attempt to strike a note
of serious consideration of
the consequences
of sinning to his
congregation.

And yet, as he leans with
his gnarled hands upon his
walking stick,

He can not help but
smile at the wicked joy
he witnesses as a

Drunken Santa Claus and
a skimpily clad *******
weave their way past
him down the
cobbled lane.