May ravens sing to you
May they brighten Winter's dreary walks
As fallen leaves crunch beneath your feet
And the sky grows a melancholy gray
May cheerfulness run forth to greet you
With happy, outstretched arms
May no rain or darkness sadden your day
May only beauty, wishes, and dreams
Dance inside your head
Happy Birthday, Dad!

**~Marian~

In a dreamy woodland
There's a cottage just for me
And it's waiting there now
Beside a peaceful stream
Where quiet maples grow
And deer are not afraid
Where mushrooms grow in sweet silence
And sunlight glistens amongst the leaves
There's an enchanted cottage
Hidden in those shady woods
Where running cedar
And lady ferns intertwine
Where tears never fall
From any eye
That is where my secret abode
Is found in shadowy canopy
Of sun-dappled trees
Where dewdrops passionately kiss
The demure bluebells
Where breezes whisper
Through tall, swaying pines
And rustle ancient autumn leaves
From many seasons ago
Where time stands still
And woodland fairies dance
Where willow harps are played
Echoing in dreamy breezes
Through the trees and dancing through the air
Waltzing with the butterflies
Touching the lemon citrus sun
With fingers of gold
And spring days bygone
That's where you'll find me
Dreaming riparian
Scent of petrichor
Healing my soul
In summer woodland yonder

*~Marian~

Thank You, God, for what You did that day
So I'll lift my humble praise on harp to Thee
For Thou, oh Lord hath set me free

My faith waivers like a blowing leaf
But I trust You'll show the way
Thank You, God for what You did that day

Thank You, God for watching over all
Tonight I feel Thy presence near to me
So I'll lift my humble praise on harp to Thee

Now I appreciate the essence of being alive
So thank Thee, Lord, for what Thou hast done for me
For Thou, oh Lord hath set me free

*~Marian~

Tomorrow is the day
When the flowers awaken
From their winter sleep
Tomorrow is when the birds
Will sing an anthem
Never do the bells more
Sweetly ring
Tomorrow is the day
When the sky turns orange
When the end of that day approaches
Tomorrow is the day
When my smile returns again
And I'm so excited!

**~Marian~

As dawn approaches
She unfurls butterfly wings
Towards a distant sunrise
And soars beyond the clouds
To a place where morning glories grow
In silence, while her beauty
Sings a hymn of sunlight

**~Marian~

Born of sea
Starlight birthed in her eyes
In the ephemeral breath of time
She walks along the shore
With no trace of footprints to be seen

*~Marian~

You were probably my very best friend
So far in all my life
We would cuddle together on the porch
There was no need for words
But if there was something I wanted to say
I would whisper it in your ears
You’re not here now
And summer days are spent reminiscing you

**~Marian~

My cold has left me feeling even worse today
So I thought I'd go ahead and pop
Out my second challenge
And for those of you who haven't done
Challenge No. 1, feel free to write one for it
Today, I'd like to see a poem about a puppy
Or a dog, if that's okay
I love dogs, though I currently have none,
And reading poems about furry
Little canines would be awesome! :)
Please, when writing them include
What breed of pup you're writing about
Thank you for participating in advance,
Anyone is welcome to join our challenge
Well, that's about all,
Bye for now!

*~Marian~

If there were more smiles in the world
There wouldn't be so many tears

*~Marian~

Winter is coming!
With arctic winds
And bitter frost
Lining the cold ground
Frozen dewdrops glisten
In the meadow by light
Of morning sunshine
Winter is coming!
Can't you feel the stinging
Breezes nipping our faces?
When lacy snowflakes start
Pouring out of the grey clouds
Flowers lay dormant until next Spring
And animals go to sleep
Winter is coming!
Can't you feel it in the air?

*~Marian~

The waves dancing on the shore
The seashells washing up on the sand
It all paints a picture of home
The boats far out to sea
Against a backdrop of citrus skies
It all paints a picture of my home
The seagulls crying out to each other
Beacons standing strong and tall
On rocky cliffs and reefs
It all paints a picture of my beautiful home
Holding hands on the cliffs
Overlooking the sunsets by the sea
This all paints a picture of my home
The pirates here of long ago
Searching for hidden treasure
Things forgotten under the sea
Sunken battleships, years of rot
It’s all a picture of home to me
The footprints in the sand
From where I take my morning walks
Barefoot, my skin against the gritty sand
This is all a painting of my home
The sandcastles of destroyed wishes
Hopes, dreams, and ambitions
Torn asunder by angry waves
It is still a painting of my home
Hibiscus crowns and lovers
Happy children dancing in the waves
Smiling, as they build their goals
Yes, this is a painting of my home
I’m lost across the endless water
Floating in a canvas of inky blue sky
Please, show me a picture of my home
Still mourning in the foam and froth
Praying for a new dawn tomorrow
Please, show me a painting of my home
I’m drowning in these waves
My ship is ready to be lost at sea
The waves are climbing higher
I look for one spark of light
To guide me—show me the way
Please, paint me a picture of home
But I cannot see in the wind and rain
The stinging of salt upon my face
No familiar light from the beacon
So I keep on praying faithfully
Please, paint me a picture of my home

*~Marian~

Please enjoy each today
So you can enjoy
Every tomorrow

*~Marian~

The fairy of the midnight moon
She hides in those luminescent rays
Her wings are made of gossamer
Accented with beads and glitter
The fairy of the summer's moon
Wears honeysuckles in her hair
She dances upon the tops of trees
Smiling from her haven in the stars
Is it any wonder that she is bright
After all she lives hidden amongst
The same stars you see each night
For she's the fairy of the twilight moon

*~Marian~

It's hard to be a daddy
And mend children's broken toys
It's hard to be a daddy
When everyone looks up to you
Everyone's depending on you
Expecting you to be perfect
In everything you do
It's hard to be a daddy
You try to bottle up your emotions
Stop your tears, shed your fears
It can be so frustrating
It can try your patience
It's never easy to be a daddy
And set an example
For your child/children
It's so hard to be daddy
But daddies are kind and loving
With gentle hearts
Strong, loving hands
Teasing, happy eyes
Tight hugs and tender kisses
It's hard to be a daddy
And that's why daddies are special
That's why daddies are blessings
I love my daddy!

*~Marian~

Yes, we shall walk amongst fallen leaves
And acorns scattered in the woods
We'll sip iced-tea on the porch
And Coca-Cola in the shade
We'll step over mushrooms
Of a creamy, ivory hue
We'll hold hands when we take walks
In the meadows of lush green
Everything will be happy
My dear one, have no fear
For this is our wish
For each other
Just to live in harmony
Maybe to sit and relax
On the old wooden porch swing
Or curl up on the hammock
Just for an afternoon nap
I'll pick some daffodils and irises
And even make you a daisy chain
And necklaces made of dandelions
That look like pure golden sunshine
We'll go to the creek
Hidden amongst thick, dense forest trees
We'll sit on the big, rocky boulders
Or wade in the cool water
In the evenings
Inside our old-fashioned dream home
We'll gather together in the parlor
Just all three of us
And write poetry by the fireside
Everything's quiet
Except for the ticking of clocks
And the crackle of flames
From our grand old fireplace
So, we'll keep on wishing, mother dear
Our wish for each other
Maybe some day soon--
Some happy day
Our wish will come true

*~Marian~

Yes, we shall walk through ferns as tall as our waist
And step over the beige colored mushrooms
We'll sit down and dream beside the creek
And let the melody of a cello and harp duet
Refresh us and give us strength anew
We'll live inside that old-fashioned home
With lovely wallpaper in nearly every room
We'll sit down together on the comfortable window seat
Overlooking the dreamy farm with tall, tall grass
And rustic fences here and there in those verdant pastures
We can sip cold Dr. Pepper on the privacy of our verandah
Enjoying the silence together--me and you
We'll stroll through gardens full of iris blooms
Take walks down our flowering cherry tree lane
Walk inside the beautiful forest with wild honeysuckle vines
And periwinkles carpeting the forest floor
Yes, we'll wander aimlessly all day
Maybe walk a few dogs and ride some horses
This is our dream that may never come true
But we'll keep on wishing for it--me and you

*~Marian~

My smile is ever so slowly ephemeral
My iridescence is becoming opaque
I feel languid from day to day
My broken heart is imbued with pain
There is no elixir for the loss
The hurt is so great at times
My eloquence is laced with somber thoughts
I am efflorescent without my petals
I am demure and brood at night
I feel so woebegone
No one--nothing can take away my pain
I cry tremulous sobs in the corner of my room
By candlelight I pen my tales
My epiphany is heartbreak
Someday I will let go of my pain
But for now I will grieve
And regret the day when I said my last adieu

**~Marian~