To all shattered hearts, this solace I bring:  
Awaken from your morbid dreams of death;  
Do not succumb to failed love's mortal sting,  
Don't let ill-fated love stifle your breath  

Though love's retreat can impart a cruel blow,  
Rejoice, knowing it was yours for a while;
For some, Love's sweet nectar will never flow,  
So bask in your sweet memories and smile  

Suffer in solitude behind closed doors!
But know this: tears will not restore lost love;  
Rather, relive the joy that once was yours,  
Memories are gifts from Heaven above  

Now's the time to let old wounds close and heal --
How far could you fly with your broken wings?
Reach for the stars and see what they reveal,
Observe Spring and the buds of hope it brings

Discard love's bouquet, keeping but one rose --
A keepsake -- not meant to be a tether;
Now let this spent love lie in sweet repose,
To float through time like a golden feather
                                          
Though the pain appears daunting, it will end,
Your heart will heal; but there may come a time
You'll need to offer solace to a friend
Mourning love's fickle ways with a sad rhyme

Little things no longer cause despair,
Though my daily vexations be rife;
Let the wind ruffle and muss my hair,
Rain on my parade -- see if I care!
I've made my peace with Life

While the neighbor's dog barks through the night,
Why not join in with your drum and fife!
Yesterday, those moments would incite
Anger, but now I calmly recite:
I've made my peace with Life

In my woe, prayers to Heaven I'd send,
Each time, their denial cut like a knife;
And slowly I came to comprehend
Some rules of Life were not meant to bend;  
I've made my peace with Life

Love never found its way to my door,
Never would I be the envied wife;
Too tired to fight, too proud to implore,
I'm no longer engaged in this war;
I've made my peace with Life

What did I achieve when I complained?
The rallying of more woe and strife --
Dark clouds hid the sun,  and it still rained;
Now from undue stress I've been unchained ......
I've made my peace with Life

Can you imagine life without love?
Envision the sun without its fire;
What value has a book with no words?
Vain the efforts of a voiceless choir!

How would we get through life without love.....
Tell me, how could the wingless bird soar?
Hopeless is the cloud without the sky,
How desperate a wave without the shore!

Just imagine your life without love ......
Carrying a candle with no flame,
Stumbling through the darkness all alone
Toward a sepulchre bearing your name

How despairing is life without love?
Is it really as bleak as it seems?
Do you think the comfort that love brings
Is nothing but illusions and dreams?

Then you are living life without love!
If all of love's splendors you deny,
And say its absence means naught to you,
With life's darkest threads you've spun a lie

Should the moon and stars desert the sky,
And the sun withhold its golden glow,
That black, hopeless void surrounding you .......
That is life without love! ........ Now you know

Dear fellow traveler, do you feel lost,
Are you blindly searching for the way?
Then take my hand and come with me,
This is the start of a new day

Are you bewildered by life's purpose?
Well, I may have some good news for you,
And I'll be glad to share it now,
But there's a few things you must do

Clear your mind and forget what you've learned,
Old ideas never served you well;
Some questions must go unanswered --
A hunger we're not meant to quell

Now let your mind see things from all sides,
You have to consider many views;
Your heart and mind must sort through facts,
Only then can you wisely choose

Seek the pure joy of friendships and love,
Cherish these moments when they appear,    
Treasure life and its mysteries,
Don't let death burden you with fear

When love reaches out, take hold of it,
For to conquer all,  love is the key;
It will be your sword and your shield
When you're facing adversity

Though you're passing through here this one time,
There are wondrous things for you to see;
Look with your heart, not just your eyes,
Don't focus on eternity

I implore you, think of the present,
We are the guardians of this gate;
This life, this moment here in time
Will be lost if you hesitate

Someday you'll thank me, dear traveler,
That day when you're taking your last breath,
If you've faced the truth that is life
And thought less of life after death

And if there's an afterlife, you'll know,
For now, don't let it cause you distress;
Your life now is reality --
What follows is anyone's guess

I've not seen a night like this before,
Not one star is making its debut;
It's as though Heaven has shuttered its door
To conceal our anguish from its view

Our love now sails seas of turbulence,
Waves of tears threaten to sink our skiff;
Once, warm exchanges when moments were tense,
Veered us away from each treacherous cliff

In darkest hours, our love gave us strength
To weave all our woes into a song;
And in my arms you fell asleep at length --
Tell me, is this not where you belong?

Love's golden threads gently bound our hearts,
Breaking when a weakened link was strained;
My heart shattered into a thousand parts,
Scattering when it became unchained

Gather these frail fragments in your hands
Lest the winds of Time blow them away;
Don't let them sink into the shifting sands,
Stranded on the Shores of Yesterday

Place Love's golden threads upon the loom,
Weave your magic -- let the shuttles fly!
Heaven will rejoice seeing our love abloom,
Freeing the stars to dance across the sky

I've set the tea kettle to boiling,
In the windows, candles brightly burn;
While those stormy clouds are fiercely roiling,
I'll watch at the door for your return

The logs on the hearth sputter and hiss,
This raging storm seems unabating,
I need the calm of your arms and your kiss,
Please, my darling, come home .....  I'm waiting

As the twilight slowly fades to dark,
The impending gloom ignites a spark;
I raise my pen and begin to write:
"Once upon a long and lonely night ....."

With such ease the words begin to flow,
Like the rush of Springtime's melting snow,
Too often these words have framed my plight,
Sketching every long and lonely night

As the clock announces each grim hour,
The moon keeps watch from his lofty tower;
Like a sweet embrace he lays his light
Over me each long and lonely night

Thank you, friend, but in moments like these
Only a man's embrace can appease
This longing of my heart to take flight
From another long and lonely night!

In some distant tree a night bird cries
His sad anthems to the darkening skies;
Does he not know his laments invite
Yet another long and lonely night?

With such recklessness I assign blame
For this cruel torment that shows no shame;
But how can a doomed heart be contrite,
Awaiting a long and lonely night!

When trust and friendship have been betrayed,
And harsh words spill from an unkind face,
I'll find you, no matter where you have strayed
And guide you to a happier place

Don't despair should darkness surround you,
I'll venture forth, searching day and night,
Though deep are the shadows all around you,
I'll find you and bring you to the light

Should tempting arms offer their embrace,
But the love you find there prove untrue,
I'll find you and kiss away every trace
Of your pain ..... then we can start anew

When you're drifting on an endless sea
Like a wave that cannot find the shore,
I'll find you and restore the harmony
That you found in my arms once before

Go where you must and do what you will,
Leave my love and blessings behind you;
But when your heart cries and tears overspill,
You know I'll not rest 'til I find you