singing you to sleep
is the greatest privilege

to have someone dear
become witness to my music

an audience of one —
the only applause i need

And when you cry, we will
weep with you.
But not for pity — not grief.
It is for triumph.
You made it.

True?
Applause.

Your hard work, finally,
paid off.
– fin.

When your voice
Escaped the clutches of the night
I held on tight
In vain

Your eyes that hid under the curls
They've become traces of you

To a girl I once knew
You're only a memory away

Pretend loving words are seeds in your hand ---
Toss them to the wind and let them fly!
The receptive heart whereupon they land
Will bid them take root and multiply

Like restless birds, words of love seek their nests
Where they will be sheltered and sustained,
And the lonely heart will welcome such guests,
Giving thanks for what Fate has ordained

Loving words will shine with a radiant glow
Through the darkest nights of loneliness;
And when Love's sweet nectar begins to flow,
Such delight angels could only guess!

Like burning incense your words will ascend,
Rising to the altar of the heart;
What shattered dreams and broken lives they'll mend,
What soothing balm they're sure to impart

For loving words have been known to restore
Calmness to life's tempestuous sea;
They can dispel loneliness from our door
And nullify misery's decree

Loving words, what delights they possess ---
Like the fruits of Eden long ago!
And so to sweeten life's cruel bitterness,
No grander gift could you bestow

I put my mind at ease,
     banishing all things vile,
What good are memories
     that don't inspire a smile?

But now and then my heart
     forgets to lock the door,
And when the portals part,
     he's standing there once more

Of course, I can't deny
     him entry --- I'm too weak,
And yes, I know I'll cry
     with every lie he'll speak

It seems I never learned
     to let go of his hand,
Not all bridges were burned,
      love's flame might yet be fanned

O, foolish heart of mine,
     the truth is plain to see:
When love makes one resign
      itself to misery,
And every sleepless night
      is caused by love's deceit,
Can you ignore the Light
      of Truth there at your feet?

The time is long past due
      to set his memory free,
Let love's promise renew,
      let all sad feelings flee

Prepare the burial shroud,
      ensure the grave is deep,
Grieve one last time aloud . . .
     Now let the demons sleep!

My heart throbbed with Love's expectations
As he pressed his lips to my ear;
Passion's voice eagerly whispered
Forbidden words I longed to hear

Each kiss evoked thrills beyond measure ---
How they left me gasping for air;
But, O, when his face rested on mine
And his fingers tangled my hair!

So warm was his breath and his sighing,
Like the embers of passion's fire;
Then a gentle stroke of his hand
Ignited the flames of desire

I smiled as he struggled to tell me
What his eyes so clearly revealed;
But no words had to be spoken --
The fate of our love had been sealed

So close was the blissful surrender,
I could feel the beats of his heart;
So close to ecstasy  . . .  and then,
Suddenly, it all fell apart!

The warbling of a bird awoke me,
Then my eyes caught the sun's first beam;
So close had I come to Heaven . . .
But it was no more than a  dream

The streets covered with snow and sleds,
children no longer lying in cozy beds;
Sleep is a waste when the outdoors calls,
this new season brings merriment to all !

Spinning like tops while skating on ponds,
seeing ourselves mirrored in icy lawns;
Snow-forts built with love and care,
frost nips away in the clean crisp air.

Building a snowman up on the hill,
down feathers fight off the icy chill;
Sharing with friends many Christmas treats,
slipping and sliding to a jolly old beat !

Songs on high from the chirping birds,
cardinals calling out their sweetened words;
As an evergreen sits so majestic and tall,
a welcome wonderland of joy for one and all !