In the darkness
I am there
My hand is on your shoulder
In the darkness
I am there
I am standing behind you

In the darkness
I am there
I am holding your hand

In the darkness
I am there
When you can’t see
I am your eyes
When you can’t walk
I am your legs

In the darkness
I am there
When you can’t go on
I will help you
When you can’t stand
I will for you

In the darkness
I am there
When you cry
I will wipe your tears
When you laugh
I will laugh with you

In the darkness
I am there
I have always been there

Every now and then
It rains
Sometimes it pours
Either briefly
Or for hours
There’s something peaceful
About walking in the rain
Like meditation
It’s the planet’s way
To clean itself
From the soot
Pollution and other wastes
Afterwards
Everything is pristine
Looks new
The air is clear
Sky usually bright blue
The plants are greener
Streets look clean
Mother Nature
At her best

Sometimes it’s just needed
A break from the usual
Especially when it’s hard
Just to live
To keep on hoping
Going
Looking for the light
Being positive
A small holiday
Can offer brightness
Pushing the darkness away
Lifting one up
Even if just for a moment

On a cold winter’s day
It’s morning
The air is crisp and cold
While the sky is bright
There’s no sign of warmth
People going about
Bundled up
Bodies and hands
Cold
Trying to create warmth
Cats seeking a spot of sun
Cafe clients sitting
Huddled together
Battling the cold
Everyone seeking
To battle the cold
Warmth

It’s a beautiful day.
Bright white fluffy clouds in the sky.
A slight cool breeze is blowing.
The air is clear and fresh.
Off in a distance, a horse has jumped the gate of a corral.
He’s a beautiful horse.
Chestnut colored.
He’d been planning for months.

Now, he’s running free towards the mountains.
Moving faster and faster.
Till he finally disappears into the distance.
Like a mirage.
After all this time.
Freedom

Gray skies greet me
Quiet streets almost empty
People sitting at cafes huddled together because of the coolness

Cool Sunday morning
Last day of the weekend
People enjoying the moment before the start of another week

Cool Sunday morning

Courage
It can be found
In unexpected moments
When someone rises
Up to meet the challenge
Either through actions
Or words
Or both
It can be someone
That stands up
Even when it’s hard
For what’s right
What we know deeply
In our hearts of hearts
Or someone that walks
Into danger to help
Or a healer helping the ill
Courage is everywhere
In adults and children
Around the world
There are those
That stand up
Speak out
Even when it’s difficult
Unpopular
They do it
At a time of turmoil
In the world
With pandemics
Wars
Unrest and violence
We need the courageous
More than ever

I Am of the Spirit
I am a human being.
I am of the spirit.
Experiencing life.
As it comes.
Mostly in the present.
Somewhere along the road,
I realized that I was a spiritual being.
Within a human body.
I celebrate both.
They are part of the same.
They are one.
When I connect to both.
I remember.
While I was born alone and will die alone.
I am truly not alone.
I am of the spirit.
I am part of the greater whole.
The universe is my home.
I am of the spirit.

Let love embrace you
Let it hold you tight
Let it warm your heart
Let it bring smiles to your face
Flames of love

Like a warm blanket
Let it gently touch your face
Let it calm your fears
Flames of love

Let it take you to impossible places
Let it make things possible
Let it bring magic
Flames of love

Let it lift you up
Let it help you soar like a bird
Let it touch the world
Flames of love

Let it burn eternally
Let it heal the world
Let it remove darkness

Flames of love

I am lost
In the fog
I pray for guidance
Something to hold on to
As I walk forward
Looking for signs
I feel lost
My guideposts are gone
Or hidden
I reach out my hand
To feel one
Yet nothing is there
I keep walking
Hoping the fog lifts
Then as I walk
A glimmer of light
Down the road appears
Not much but something
As I get closer to it
The light brightens
The guideposts reappear
I reach over to touch one
I feel more secure
That eventually
I won’t feel as lost
The light will shine
Once again

If you see someone with a frown, smile
Choose laughter over tears
If you see someone that could use a little money, give if you can
If someone needs help, reach out
Offer kindness instead of harshness and cruelty
Love instead of hate
Don’t judge, accept

Walk towards the light instead of darkness
Give instead of taking
Lift up instead of tearing down
There’s too much darkness and hate in the world right now
If we can just light the world a little through kindness and love, it’s a start
Every bit matters

In the dark of the night I think of you and it warms me
You are my light
In the hardest of times I think of you and it gives me strength
You are my light
In times when I feel alone I think of you and I am not
You are my light
In the happiest of times I think of you and it brings me joy
You are my light
In a storm I think of you and it brings me comfort
In times of insanity when things seem upside down I think of you and the world seems right
You are my light
You are my universe

He’s got the red velvet blues
He loves the feeling of the fabric
Smooth and silky to the touch
Intoxicating in its beauty

He once saw a girl wearing one
He was mesmerized
He’d never seen anyone like her
Nor the dress
Together they were beyond belief

She looked like an angel
Almost not human
So beautiful and fresh
The dress was stunning
So was she

He asked her to dance
Held her close
The red velvet dress soft to his touch
He never wanted to let go

Even to this day
Many years later
He remembers the girl and that dress
He never forgot
She was embedded in his soul

Red Velvet Blues

She comes from the street
She’s orange and white
A ginger girl
She has a beautiful face
It’s hypnotic
She’s a mixed bag
Sometimes she’s sweet
Other times a bit crazy
Trust is hard for her
Her cries are soft and coaxing
She loves to play
She hangs around more now
But she also hits the street
Though she’s mellowed
She is still a bit wild
While she’s a bit different
There’s something about her
In her face is an innocence
That has captured me
The cat

It was early morning
It was the in between time of
night and day
She went out onto the terrace
She was dressed all in white
There was a slight cool breeze moving through her clothes
Making them move with a slight rhythm

She climbed up onto a black table
She was barefoot
The table was cool to the touch
As she stood on the table she looked out onto the city

She could see for miles
The city was still asleep
She stood at the back of the table
She then spread out her arms
She started running and leapt

As she started falling she changed into an eagle
She flapped her wings and flew
She soared through the sky
She aimed up towards the clouds
Eventually turning to the sun

She had become her true destiny

It is an early summer's day
The sun is out
The sky is a bright Wedgewood blue
There are a few white clouds scattered through the sky like a thin white veil
There is a slight breeze -- not too warm, not too cold
You are sitting in a field of tall grass
The grass is a light beige color
The grass sways gently to the breeze and makes a soft rustling sound
As you sit down in the field
A cloud of butterflies surround you
They are all colors -- purple, blue, yellow, red, and gold
As you put out your hands, they light onto your hand before flying away

Then, in the distance, a hummingbird appears
It is emerald green with a touch of pink
It is so small it could fit in the palm of your hand
As you look at it, it's movements slow down so you can see the wings beat
Your heart starts beating at the same rhythm

As you close your eyes and listen to the breeze the hummingbird touches your face gently before flying away

Music and memories go together
Like salt and pepper
One complements the other
One triggers the other
Listening to a song can easily transport one back to a memory or time
A certain memory can bring back a certain feeling
It’s as if one stepped into a time machine to relive that moment
Music can also inspire, ignite and calm the soul
It can heal ones wounds and evoke strong feelings
Music can take me back to a sweet memory of my father shoveling the snow outside during a winter storm
Or my father taking my hand as a small girl to enter a Brazilian ceremony many decades ago
Or to remember a colleague playing a song by the Temptations in the office one Friday morning to help start the day
Music and memories inspire our lives to be so much more like an artists’ painting

In the end
Light wins over dark
Love over hate
Goodness over evil
Freedom over oppression
Truth over lies
Integrity over corruption
Right over wrong
Kindness over cruelty
Healing over pain
Love is powerful energy
It can change the world
In an instant
Light up the world
With one small act
It can make a difference

Cold and dark winters night
Raining outside
Sky a deep black velvet
Temperatures cooling off
Hard to feel comfortable outside
Bones starting to ache

My heart, soul and body hunger for the sun
Just a glimpse of it through the clouds

I snuggle into my bed with warm blankets
Enjoying their warmth and comfort as the time passes into nighttime

My cat is by my feet seeking warmth for her body
I enjoy the sound of her purr as she falls asleep
Letting the sound calm me

Whispering winds blow across my face
Soothing my troubled soul

Whispering winds blow across my face
Bringing sweet scents of flowers

Whispering winds blow across my face
Lifting me up

Whispering winds blow across my face
Healing my pain

Whispering winds blow across my face
Reminding me of you

Once upon a choice
I danced with my soul
Rhythm
Once upon a choice
I chose to love you
Rhythm
Once upon a choice
I believed
Rhythm
Once upon a choice
I started anew
Once upon a choice
I danced with the moon
Rhythm
Once upon a choice
I held your hand
Rhythm
Once upon a choice
I lived a miracle
Rhythm
Once upon a choice
I found you

Come On Get Up

When you are sad
Get up and look at the sun
When you are crying
Get up and look at the stars
When you are hurting
Get up and look at Mother Nature
When you can't go on
Get up and remember those that went before you
When you want to give up
Get up and remember that you
have your own destiny

Believe

It’s one of those days
Still in the midst of winter
Skies gray and cloudy
Air cool and damp
Clouded over
People are moving slowly
Streets are empty
Cafés are full
People getting breakfast
Slowly sipping coffee
Clouded over
Warm beds are tempting
Heavy blankets and jackets
Cups of hot tea with lemon
Soothe the body and soul
Hard to get moving
Clouded over
Looking for that ray of sun

Search your heart
Find the meaning of love
Find your destiny
Find comfort and care
Find where you belong
Find kindness
Find tolerance
Find what you were searching for
Find the best in people
Find beauty
Find why you are here
Search your heart

Mornings
When it’s quiet
Peaceful
Are sacred
Times of stillness
When the soul
Is most present
It’s those times
When we find
Our true self
When the chaos of life
Subsides
Music is also a key
So is nature
To sacred times
They are precious
Like a rare jewel
Treasured
Always

You and the lights of Paris
Walking along the Seine
Holding hands
Taking in the beauty
Of the moment
It’s sublime
Admiring the lights
As they glimmer
Like diamonds
Creating a mood
Of love and romance
Never wanting to let go
You and the lights
Of Paris
Forever entwined
In the threads of life
And love
Always

Sitting in a café
Watching the people
Talking and smiling
People from everywhere
Languages of the world

Watching the staff
Coming and going
Bringing orders
Like an orchestra
Languages of the world

People on their phones
Eating and drinking
Texting and talking
Laughing
Languages of the world

Baked goods on display
Beautiful desserts
Smells of things baking
People buying bread
Languages of the world

Street scene playing outside
People out and about
Bright sun shining down
Blue sky dotted with clouds
Languages of the world

It was a crisp day
In the beginning of the season
The sun was bright blue with a dotting of a few white clouds

There was cold hanging in the air
It was bitter to the skin
People were huddled in
their warm clothes
Seeking something to take away
the chill
Streets were less busy
The weather keeping them away

Step forward instead of backward
Lift up instead of put down
Help instead of hurt
Love instead of hate
Inspire instead of limit
Kindness instead of harshness
Integrity instead of corruption
Lightness instead of darkness
Hope instead of despair
Laughter instead of tears
Creativity instead of bland
Dancing instead of sitting
Tolerance instead of none
Positivity instead of negativity
Possible instead of impossible
Step forward

A  red bird sits on a branch
It is winter
He is elegant
He looks proud
Looking at him is entrancing

He brightens everything
He sets the scene
Snow is whiter
Trees are greener
Winter is brighter

His feathers are perfect
On top of his head sits a crown
He has a dark black face
Surrounded by red
His beak matches his color

A bevy of them are lovely
Sitting in bushes or a tree
They look too good to be true
They are truly beautiful
Nature’s art

Red bird

There is a grey colored mist floating through the air almost like a haze in the air
The sun is starting to come up over the horizon – a hot pink ball slowly rising over the sea
A man is standing on the beach facing out to the water, bare feet buried in the sand
He lets the ocean waves gently wash across his feet
The water is neither too hot nor cold, it is just right
He is wearing a muted grey colored sweater
Standing with his hands in his pockets, he is facing the water, watching, listening to the pounding of the waves as a soothing drum beat ever so slowly
He closes his eyes to listen and smell the salt in the air like perfume
The sounds and smells calm him – leave him with a sense of peace
He then opens his eyes and looks off to the right, down the beach
He sees a woman slowly approaching him from a distance
She is walking slowly to the rhythm of the waves
He closes his eyes once again, waiting for her
Then he opens his eyes and sees her standing by him now watching and listening to the roar of the sea
They smile to each other, grasp hands, turn and continue walking down the beach together

Imagine sitting in the desert
Alone
The sand is bright white
You are kneeling
With your eyes closed
It is silent and still
Out of nowhere it starts to rain
Black colored rain drops
However, your mother appears
She stands over you
Smiling
Emanating white light
She holds a special umbrella
One of a kind
Over you
It’s translucent
Made of white light
As the rain drops fall
They hit the umbrella
And roll off
Never touching you
Disappearing into the ground
With no trace
Imagine

What is special?
When someone says
You’re not that special
That others have more value
Than you
What does that mean
But what is it to compare
People to people
Relationship to relationship
As we are all unique unto ourselves
No one is the same
So if someone says you’re not special
What are they also saying
About themselves
For how can we judge
A person’s worth
To another
Without being in their skin
We are all unique
Each with our own destiny
Different from another
How can we be anything
But special
For we each are an individual square
On the quilt of humanity
Together making up the whole
That’s special

Sometimes in our darkest times
We are given a miracle of hope
When we want to give up
A thread to something
Comes
Light shining through
A hand reaching out
In the deepest darkness
We need to have faith
To believe
We should never give up
Even in our toughest times
Light will get through
Eventually
Believe
Let that faith light up the world
In the darkness

Brrrr today
Baby it’s cold outside
Jackets and scarves required
The air is crisp and clear
The sky is clear
The sun is out in it’s full regalia
The city is awake
Traffic moving
The café is almost empty
Too cold to come out
People huddled with their coffee
The steam offering warmth
Baby it’s cold outside
Hard to go out
Bed sounds nice where it’s warm
Winter is here and
Brrrr

I am sitting in a café by the street
I am scene watching
People coming to and fro
Coats and hats on
Scarves around necks
It’s cold outside
Winter

Seeing what is going on outside
Watching the people inside
Sipping coffee
Eating breakfast
Smiling and laughing

People from all over
Different languages in the air
Baked goods on display
Like valuable jewels

Trees full of oranges decorate
Fountains nearby against pink
Crisp day
Sun brightly shining

I am scene watching

She’s been with us for 2 years
She was born on the street
Separated from her mother
Way too soon
She asked for help
We rescued her
She’s a white ball of fluff
She’s our cat
Absolutely beautiful
Stunning
When she first came
She was starving
Ate like she never had
Her tail looks raccoon like
She has piercing green eyes
Sometimes they look deep blue
She talks all the time
Has learned quite a few words
Is mischievous and curious
She’s my angel pie
Her name is Luckee
That’s a very long story
These days she’s around more than not
Following us around
Or just hanging out
She loves her toys
And to play
At night when we exercise
She sits up on a table
Watching
Overseeing
In the morning
She expects to be greeted
With a good morning
Every day she has her treats
Before eating, she smiles
She’s part of us now

She’s my angel pie

I’ve got the Monday blues
Weekends over
Time to go back to work
No more fun
No more sleeping in

I’ve got the Monday blues
Time to focus
Time to work hard
Time to get things done

I’ve got the Monday blues
No more sleepyhead
No more relaxing
Time to work
Time to get things done

I’ve got the Monday blues
Yearning for another weekend

There’s still darkness outside
With hint of light appearing
It’s still early
Traffic starts moving
Towards their destinations
Ever so slowly
The morning is just beginning
Empty roads in places
Full morning has not yet started
As 7am approaches,
A golden ball can be seen in the sky
The sun is rising
It’s a glorious sight
Another morning has arrived
As the city starts to get up once again
The beginning of a new day
Time to start

Life is precious
It’s fragile
Like a wisp of air
Whether a leaf
Or a tiger
Or a human being
It’s delicate
It may appear strong
Perhaps invincible
But underneath
It’s fragile
It’s precious
Valuable
Beyond words
Or material things
There’s no amount
That matches it
For everything
Is unique unto itself
Each has a purpose
Each needs to be treasured
For what it is
Life
Precious

We’ve all known them
Many of us personally
Perhaps at work
Or in our lives
Or in our dreams
They can be harsh
Or cruel
Devoid of much humanity
They seem to get energy from others
Monsters
We hide from them
Run from them
Hoping they will leave
Or not exist
Yet they do
As long as we tolerate them
They will
Yet we know
In the end
Love triumphs evil
Kindness over cruelty
Light over darkness
Let’s spread more love
And light
Each and every day

You are the love of my soul
My true hope
My inspiration
The glimmer of the stars
Light in the darkness

You are the love of my soul

My impossible dream
My Prince
The most perfect part of me
My best

You are the love of my soul
The sun and moon
You are everything right with the world

You are the love of my soul

If you see someone with a frown, smile
Choose laughter over tears
If you see someone that could use a little money, give if you can
If someone needs help, reach out
Offer kindness instead of harshness and cruelty
Love instead of hate
Don’t judge, accept

Walk towards the light instead of darkness
Give instead of taking
Lift up instead of tearing down
There’s too much darkness and hate in the world right now
If we can just light the world a little through kindness and love, it’s a start
Every bit matters

A new year is arriving
Soon
This is the last Tuesday of the year
On New Year’s Eve
At midnight
All over the world
We will turn a new page
One by one
A new year is on its way
We can’t stop it
It’s running towards us
Like a horse
It will be a new year
To start anew
Fresh
As the driven snow
It’s not hard
Just one step
At a time
We can all remake ourselves
To whatever we want
Just have hope
Just believe
Just light up the world
A new day is coming
Soon

Smiles are everything
They can warm the heart
They brighten up a room
They can touch the spirit
They reach the sun
They are the difference
between light and dark
Start the day
They are magic
They can make friendships
Resolve differences
Warm the world
Bridge issues
Heal wounds
Smiles are everything

A new year is coming
Soon
This is the last Friday of the year
On New Year’s Eve
At midnight
All over the world
We will turn a new page
One by one
A new year is coming
We can’t stop it
It’s running towards us
Like a horse
It’s will be a new day
To start anew
Fresh
Create a new beginning
It’s not hard
Just one step
At a time
We can all remake ourselves
To whatever we want
Just have hope
Just believe
Just light up the world
A new day is coming

It’s a new day
A brand new year is coming
A time when we can restart
Reinvent ourselves
Try something new
Explore
A time to hope
For something better
It’s a new day
A brand new year
A time to reflect
On what was
But also what is possible
A time to remember
Those sweet memories
That touch us
Ever so gently
Like butterflies
It’s a brand new day
It’s a new year
With new opportunities
Blessings
Believe

A new year is coming
It’s on the horizon

Time to renew and refresh
Time to reflect
Time to forget and forgive
Time to clear out the cobwebs

A new year is coming
It’s on the horizon

Time to embrace a clean slate
Time to renew
Time to get ready

A new year is coming
It’s on the horizon

The future is before us
The past is a memory
Time to get going
Time to focus
Time to make plans

A new year is coming
It’s on the horizon

Anything is possible
The world is our oyster
Time to make things happen

A new year is coming
It’s on the horizon
Get ready

Soon we can wipe the slate
Get a fresh start
The end of the year is coming
Time to start a new
We have a chance to try again
Learn and grow
This year will be in the past
We can move forward
Hopefully
Things will improve
Over time
We are being given another chance
Let’s count our blessings
Look around at the beauty
Look around at loved ones
Look around at the planet
Be grateful
Love instead of hate
Give instead of take
Use your own light
To light and lift up the world
Fresh start

You taught me how to live
What to love
How to live

You taught me how to love
What to love

You taught me how to grow
You taught me how to accept

You taught me how to love
What to love

You taught me how to read
You taught me how to question
You taught me what to believe

You taught me how to love
What to love

You taught me everything
You gave me everything

You taught me how to love
What to love

You taught me about honor
You taught me about integrity

You taught me how to love
What to love

You taught me to never give up
You taught me to reach high

You taught me how to love
Most importantly
You taught me what to love