Though you are both gone
From this Earth;
There's a gift you gave me
At my birth.

It fills a place
In my heart.
I felt it there
From the start.

You passed to me
Your wisdom, kindness, honesty.
And the passion
For writing poetry.
I cannot tell you
Just what that means.

The flutter of a Butterfly
Will always be
A beautiful sight
And the symbol of your memory
In my soul and in my mind.

In my heart
I will always feel you there,
Because a Grandmother's Love
Is the everlasting gift you shared.

Thank you for your examples & legacy.
Thank you for inspiring me.
Thank you both for sharing your life
Through written words and poetry.
And thank you both for your
Grandmother's Love you left with me.

🦋💜🦋
©KSS 1/22/2021

Among the things of life,
One thing I can be sure.
Love overcomes all strife
And is the heart's best cure.

Among the things of time,
It works all on it's own.
Some parts  don't always rhyme
Though patience is always known.

Among the things of dreams,
Don't ever let them go!
Fret not how long it seems
Move forward; it will show.

Among the things of friends,
The best ones always care.
They're with you til the end
And always prove they're there.

Among the things of peace,
I pray it will be made.
That war will quickly cease
And all the hate will fade.

Among the things of love,
I hope you spread it out.
For it comes from up above
To rid our fear and doubt.

Among the things of bliss,
Simplicity is key.
With you I leave this:
Enjoy life's big journey!
©KSS 7/2013

Woman or Dragon?
Some could claim one in the same.
When a fire-breathing Being is met with the winds of a Goddess,
And the flames of passion are fueled with raging love and fury.
When the beat of the heart and the blood of the womb
Ignites the rhythms of Dance and Flight and Life.
When the soar in the Soul is as mighty as the roar of madness,
And then the wings take control.
When the skin and the scales become tough as nails
Because walking through fire is all that's ever been known.
When resilience is more than folklore,
And grace rests upon weary shoulders.
When the embers remain after the flame consumes
And gentleness remains there too?
Only then can one begin to understand the meaning of both-
Dragon and Woman.
©KSS 6/2019

When I was young
I sat beneath
A Willow Tree,
Who with the wind
Carried this message
To me:

She said, "Little child,
Filled with light
And with love,
Many fears in your life,
You'll have to overcome."

With big hazel eyes,
I looked up and asked,
"Which rode do I take?
The short or the fast?"

She smiled at me then,
And with only a laugh
Said, "Your heart will know
Which path to take
For on it you see-
You will grow."

In the warm breeze
My blonde hair blew.
Confused and scared,
I started to flee
on a long road
For which I wasn't prepared.

Before I could leave
The old Willow Tree
Said, "Wait! Just one more advice:
Never let go of your dreams!
Even through pain, fear, and strife."

So here now I stand,
With all that I am;
Believing and dreaming in life.
Courageous and strong
I still carry on through
Pain, fears, and strife!
©KSS 7/2013

Caterpillar cocoon
Swirling like a monsoon.
Spinning delicate threads
Wrong turn, they'll rip to shreds.

Caterpillar cocoon
Changes coming soon.
Winding round and round
Metamorphosis bound.

Caterpillar cocoon
Fragile like a balloon.
Hoping it won't pop
Before the change can stop.

Caterpillar cocoon
In the light of the moon.
Praying change within
Brings beauty in the end.

Caterpillar cocoon
Changes coming soon.
Metamorphosis bound
Look now, beauty's all around.
©KSS 8/2013

Whimsical as it may seem
I still find myself
Getting lost in a daydream.
I look up, and look around.
Beauty surrounds.
Life gets hard sometimes,
That will always be true.
But I have found
Joy in the mundane.
I've learned how to breathe
Through the pain and anxieties.
To live mindfully.
What does it mean to
Daydream now?
To find peace in
Doing nothing—
Except watching the
Clouds.
©KSS 8/2020

As I sit across from you, lost in conversation and coffee
I get an unexpected feeling.
But oh, how my soul knew.
In the middle of spring, and without any warning
Sunlight rushes through.

But outside it was raining.
I was pleasantly confused.

So days and weeks I float through.
And on an ordinary Wednesday,
Lost again in conversation and coffee.
I realized... the Sunlight I feel is you.
©KSS 4/2018

Beside the deep blue water
A flower grows
From the love planted there.
Beyond the rocky bluff
And green pine trees
The winds play with my hair
As I turn to look at you.
Hearts beating
Fast and wild
As your fingers caress
Every inch of my neck.
Sunlight cascades
Illuminating my face
A sight you swear you'll never forget
As you lay me down
Beside you.
For a moment, once again
Time stands still.
The world around us in black and white
But your golden blues,
And my flower eyes
Are radiant color.
©KSS 2016

Holy.
The embodiment of what it means-
Within my flesh and bones.
Within my mind and every emotion.
Within these two hands and feet.
Within these words trickling out of me.
My voice ready to speak.
Within the blood that pours from my womb.
That some would claim as a lost opportunity
One that I have no desire to birth right now, or maybe ever.
Because I love minding my business a little "too much"
Quite literally.
That society deems as "unnatural" for a lady.
The same blood that pumps through the veins
Of my wildly compassionate heart.
Within the Acts of Service I seek to birth forth.

Holy.
The embodiment of what it means-
By my own.
By the way my feet touch the Earth,
And how that feels like home.
By the Sun, Moon, and  Stars above.
By the waters, Sea, and sand.
By passion, grief, righteous anger, Fire
And Unconditional Love.
By kindness and forgiveness.
By the embrace of a hug.
By the way of mindfulness.
By the way of living.
By the laughter of a friend.
By the touch of my Lover's hand.
By how tall the trees stand.
Rooted down deep.
By a song, rhythm, or melody.
By all that's already within me.

Holy.
The embodiment of what it means-
Isn't something separate from you and me.
You see?
Holiness is all around us.
With every. single. breath we breathe.
Inhale.
We don't have to seek outside of ourselves.
Exhale.
We don't have to do anything.
Breathe.
Just as we show up here, now, and Be.
Our hands and feet.
In our very heartbeats.
We are holy.

©KSS 2/17/2021

Hope.
A word that floats in the back of my mind
As emotions ebb and flow.

Hope.
When everything feels so unknown;
When seasons come and go.

Hope.
A feeling in my belly,
Like the flutter of a butterfly.

Hope.
The promise for a new tomorrow.
The steadfast love between you and I.

Hope.
When there's nothing left to do,
But surrender.

Hope.
The piece of puzzle in life that will help us
Make it through this time together.

Hope.
More than just a word or flutter;
The only thing I can cling to now.

Hope.
A gentle and sweet reminder,
We'll make it through somehow.

Hope.
For today and for tomorrow,
And just for right now.

Hope.

©KSS 4/2020

Like the Autumn breeze
We must learn to breathe-
softly, slowly, chill, serene.
For in our breath,
chattering mind will cease.
inhale, exhale, feel at peace.

Like the Autumn leaves
We must learn to fall-
Mother Earth embraces all.
For in our fall,
inner strength is built
ensuring always that we won't wilt.

Like the Autumn sun
We must learn to shine-
brightly, golden, so divine.
For in our shine,
lighting up the world
and those around to feel impearled.

Like the Autumn moon
We must learn to change-
Cycles never stay the same.
For in our change,
new growth is found.
within our hearts, may we astound.

Like the Autumn song
We must learn to sing-
Stillness into everything.
For in our song,
sweet melodies.
transformation; such a precious thing.
©KSS 9/2018

Women were made to roar.
So don't tell us to calm down.
We'll shake and howl,
And then stand proud
As we fix each other's crowns.

Women were made to speak.
So don't silence us when we scream.
We'll stomp and rave,
And then release
The lioness within- Strong & Brave.

Women were made to lead.
So don't pretend we won't.
We'll rise and march,
And carry on fiercely,
Every sister rooted in her strength.

Women were made to bleed.
So don't act like we are weak.
We'll shed our skin,
And be renewed,
Ready to roar again.
©KSS 4/2020

Angels all around
Whispering sweetly to me.
Through the branches and the breeze,
Through this Magnolia Tree.
I stand and look up in awe,
The beauty and strength so serene.
My Angels still whispering,
With every bird and every bee.
The message so discreet,
To any human eye.
But loud and clear it's ringing,
Aligned in heartbeat with mine.
Subtle, yet so unknown.
Loud, but whispering gently:
Surrender. Surrender. Surrender.
Completely.
©KSS 3/2018

Out of my heart
Into my hand
Written in words
My voice to be heard.

When Spirit moves
Through rhythm and rhyme
Expression of truth
Honoring wisdom and youth.

Extension of me
On paper from ink
My ancestors before;
Their words written galore.

Their spirit lives on
Through my heart and hands
Beloved Matriarchy; their gift of Poetry.
Passed down to me.

©KSS 2/22/2021

Like the wind
The water calls
Listen as the sounds
Come trickling down
A peaceful calm
Fulfills my Soul
The rhythm of the flow
Brings me back home
Music made
By Mother Earth
Free song she brings to all
Be still. Just listen to her call.
©KSS 3/2017

Mother Earth
No sacrifice She makes
Is small
At the hands of many
Who do not honor
Her at all.

And yet each Spring
New life is born
Flowers bloom
And the animals play
Hope made new
From Winter's gloom.

But the hands of men
Need to understand
Her resilience
Will not last.
And that all humans
Have a responsibility
To preserve Her brilliance-
Steadfast.

Mother Earth
Her weight on our shoulders now
Yet She continues to give.
From Her roots & soils; harvest is plenty
Into our bellies
So that all may live.

May we set aside
Our pride and ego
And all our selfish industrial waste
Get back to nature; honoring Her lands
Great care we need to take
Of Mother Earth for all our days.

©KSS 2/18/2021

Oh how you shine
Through the darkness
That surrounds.
I wonder if you even know
The glow of your aura
That abounds.

An orb of night
Is what I see
Every time we're eye to eye.
You, clinging to the darkened stare,
I wish knew the magnificence instead
That lives there.

Instead you choose
A lonely path,
But who am I to judge?
I don't believe in wrong or right.
I just believe you're
The orb of night.

Stumbling through
Obsidian and black
Just like the moon
Half shadowed by the Darkness;
Half shadowed by the Light.

But all I see in you
Is the light shining
Deep inside.
Which is why to me
You'll always be
The orb of night.
©KSS 2016

Smiles and flowers live in those moments
Where love will last forever.
Memories made of enchanting things
Are held by us together.
Beautiful thoughts like lakeside shores,
Flood me everyday.
Springtime is a thought that passes,
But love resides always.
Only happiness exists these days
When thinking back to sweet times.
Like lyrics in a melody,
It sounds quite like paradise.
Honey suckles fill the air
In that field of love.
Clouds start to gather
While rain pours down
On us from up above.
Laughter is all the remains now
When thinking of the past.
The only thing that resides there now,
Is a love that will forever last.
©KSS 2012

it's the sweetest thing
when your ocean blues
are staring right at me.
and I know I like to romanticize,
but this time I know it's true.
because when my hazel greens
are staring back at you, too.
there's a Silence that
only comes when even the most
immaculate words just wouldn't be
enough to describe the love
between us.
©KSS 12/2020

Dive in.
To the place of the unknown
To the spaces within
That, for far too long,
Have been left alone.

Breathe deep.
And give yourself permission
To move down, down, down.
Down, to the lost, forgotten
Child within, screaming for remission.

Set free.
The emotions of abandon and resentment;
Casting out and calling forth your ShadowSelf.
The atramentous Friend within,
For reconciliation.

Befriend.
This so called place of "Darkness"
It is within to make you whole.
Explore this space of deep emotion,
Waiting for it's story to be told.

Scream out!
Shed tears, do all that needs be done.
Feel the oppression, anger, heartache, despair.
Feel it until the place within-
The atramentous Friend, is no longer caged there.

Come forth
Now, with sweet release; ragged, yet-
Reborn, Renewed, Set free, Complete.
Move back into the Luminescent space;
The fear of ShadowSelf now obsolete.

Through Love
And honoring the Self as whole;
The atramentous Friend balances
The Luminescence within.
For through all things: As Above, So Below.
©KSS 7/2018

Do not treat me like an object.
I'm not a pleasure tool for your lust.
I am a human,
Warrior,
Goddess,
Woman,
Witch.
I do not care about your ******.

So listen as these words hiss off my lips:
I demand respect, and will accept nothing less.

Do not whistle at my back.
I am not here for your entertainment.
I will not turn to give your ego attention.
My patience has been spent.

And lest you er forget-
Without my kind you would not exist.
Alone you were not sufficient,
So God took out a rib.
©KSS 7/2018

In the morning I rise
With a sun lit sky.
I turn my face to the east,
Oh holy Compass.
I take a moment to sit
In still silence.
As I listen within
For sacred knowledge.
This avenue of affirmations & prayer
Love and gratitude
Lead me there.
I take my sweet time
Learning the rhyme.
This message Divinity sent
Holy, holy, holy
Am I, and We, all One.
©KSS 3/2018

The wonders of Springtime
Whisk me away.
The glisten of raindrops
So freshly they lay.
The chirping of birds,
Sweet songs do they sing.
With echoes of laughter
They joyfully ring.
A newness of life
As sprouts start to bloom.
A colorful sight!
Ridding Winter's dark gloom.
The magic of flowers
Stretching up toward the sky.
Green grass all around them,
The aromas sublime.
The buzzing of bees
Hum happy and free.
In fields of wildflowers,
What a sight to be seen!
The wonders of Springtime
Fill me with bliss!
Naught a happier sight
To be seen than this!

©KSS 4/2015

Inspiration.
Motivation.
In times of fear and doubt.
Determination.
Aspiration.
Are things life is about.
Ambition.
Direction.
To guide us on our way.
Indication.
Explanation.
Reminding us everyday.
Compassion.
Consideration.
Are what we need to show.
Affection.
Admiration.
So the world can see and know.
Pacification.
Imperturbation.
For us as a whole.
Exhilaration.
And Elation.
Lifelong for our Soul.
©KSS 12/2012

I reach to my heart
When depth of despair draws near
And the weight of the world
Rests on my weary shoulders.

I reach to my heart
When the lack of compassion and apathy prevails
Because tongues of men spit words
That couldn't be further from the truth.

I reach to my heart
When the brave and wise tend to
Other's needs alongside their own,
Because their hearts are made of
Pure Gold.

I reach to my heart
When the fear of the unknown
Becomes too much to bear.
When my mind won't stop chattering.

I reach for my heart
When it all feels like too much...

But the Peace Lily bloomed
Just to weep with us too,
And suddenly all of our burdens became one.

I reach for my heart
When there is no hope in sight
Yet- deep down I know I can feel
The Healing Light.
Because Love is all I've ever truly known.
©KSS 4/2020

We're all a little mad
In this world of spinning dreams.
Where teardrops turn to waterfalls,
And fate's determined by the sea.
We're all a little crazy
In this field of life and love.
With winding roads and rabbit holes,
And things you wouldn't dare speak of.
We're all a bit insane
Each dealt a different hand to play.
Though we shuffle the deck of cards,
The Queen of Hearts will still remain.
We're all a bit bizarre
In this place of mystery.
For time ticks faster, faster still,
A kaleidoscope like history.
We're all a little weird
Like Cheshire grinning ear to ear.
But in this Wonderland of Life,
Grand adventures find us here.
©KSS 8/2015