Red maples surround the empty road
The emptiness is calming
The color of the trees is so brilliant it almost looks false
It’s beautiful
The black asphalt road is a contrast to the color of the leaves
Hints of bright green highlight the red
Almost like a painting
It’s surreal
Even the rain doesn’t dim the leaves
It creates a look like a fairy tale
Or part of a movie set
Yet it’s real
Part of the artistry
Of Mother Nature
Pure magic

Red maple rain

I have known you
For such a long time
For the better part of my life
You have always been there
Since we first met
Remember?

I have known you
For such a long time
Ever since I first saw you
You have been a part of me
I have always loved you
You have dwelled in the deep recesses of my mind and heart
Intertwined in all of me like a never ending thread
Never leaving
You are part of me now
Like my eyes, hands or lungs
You bring light and happiness

Without you there is no real life

It was in the woods
A small cabin
Far from the bustle of the city
Almost buried by trees
In all shapes and sizes
In the fall, it becomes an orchestra of colors
Bright oranges, reds and yellows
The cabin was made out of wood
It had a simple design
Yet it was pure heaven
Comfortable in every way
There was a stillness to it
Which was peaceful and harmonious
The air was always fresh
Especially in autumn
When it became crisp
At night when the wind blew
The leaves would rustle
Making a pleasant sound
It was almost too good to be true
A little bit of heaven
The cabin

Even though you are tired climb
to the top of the mountain
Even though you are worn down --
keep going
Even though you hurt keep living
Climb to the top
See the world
See everything
Climb walk run
Never stop
Even though you are tired
Live
Breathe
See
Feel
Even though you are tired
Take just one more step

Your destiny awaits

If I were no longer here
Would you miss me?
Would it even matter?

Would there be a feeling of emptiness or just nothingness?

If I were no longer here
Would you miss my presence?
That specific essence that makes up me?

Would your heart ache?
Your spirit feel sorrow
Would you want to see me?
Or would it just be a momentary thing?
My being gone

If my presence were no longer here
Would you notice?
Would you miss me?
Would your heart ache?
Would your spirit cry out?

As mine would for you

I woke out of a deep sleep
I was in that place in between reality and dreams
I then heard my fathers voice
It came out of nowhere
Clear as a bell he said “time to go”
He repeated it several times
It was striking as it sounded so clear and real
It felt like he was in the room
Yet he has been gone for several years now
Those words brought back memories of him and I
When we would go out as a family
Or he and I would go out shopping
I remember going to look for that perfect Christmas tree with him
Meeting him for dinner and holiday shopping for my mother
The times I would drive him to the airport to catch a flight
Or pick him up after a trip
When we would go to a ball game together
Or my mother and I waiting in a restaurant in Jamaica while he arranged to get us home
He was always there
Now he’s in my heart

Time to go

The little bird pecks it’s way out
It’s coming out of it’s protected shell
It’s being born into the world
Or a turtle poking its head out
That’s how it feels after lockdown
A stranger in a new land
Setting ones feet on familiar ground
Like an explorer
Looking around at the familiar
Yet unfamiliar
What’s the same
Where are the changes
Still aware that there’s danger
Still needing to be careful
Excited yet nervous
Coming out of the shell
Once again
Into the new normal
Been here before
Not so long ago
Hoping this time
It lasts