A little kindness
Goes a long way
It can lighten someone’s day
Soothe the pain
Brighten up the day
Turn a frown into a smile
Replace darkness with light
Inspire
Bring about creativity
It’s one of the best gifts
One can give
A little kindness
Goes a long way
Have you given today??

Get your groove
Find a rhythm
Beat it loudly
With energy
Let the sound carry
Far and wide
Beat it
For the ill
For the dying
For the suffering
For all the lost souls

Beat the drum

For the living
As loud as you can
March down the street
Proudly
Let others hear you
Let them join you

Beat the drum

For the world
For all of us

You look out the window as nighttime approaches
It’s that time of day
You see bright pink streaks against a grey blue canvas
The pink brightens as night inches closer
The color becomes more intense and deeper
It’s almost a bright hot pink
As time clicks by the streaks of pink start to slowly pull apart like cotton candy threads
It’s stunning to watch
Dusk is approaching bringing a coat of light blackness
The lipstick pink color disappears replaced by the start of nighttime darkness once again

Is more than a city
It is a feeling
It is a place one goes to feel magic
A place that touches ones heart and never leaves
A place to go and touch history
and a place to marvel at all that is there
A place that dances like a gentle muse
Whether one fancies monuments like the Eiffel Tower or just a quiet walk down a street
Or sitting by the Seine
It is all special and sublime
But perhaps the most special thing  is to be there when it rains
To watch the people moving to and fro while the rain gently washes the city while sipping a cup of coffee in a local cafe
That’s Paris

The summer heat finally broke
At least for a day
Tonight as the sun leaves
A gentle cooler breeze blows
It is refreshing and soothing
I feel that I can breath
My lungs are refreshed
My spirit energized

As the temperature drops
I am excited by the coolness
Hoping for a better night

As darkness falls the breezes blow
Healing the vestiges of summer and the heat

Tonight has magic brought with the fresh air
The stars glisten with golden glitter
The plants sway slightly

As the city readies itself for another night

The summer storm came with a fury
The rain poured down as if coming from a glass
Rushing quickly to the ground
Blinding the eye like a whiteout
The plants danced in the wind
Happy to receive natures elixir
The air got cleansed of the soot and heat
The sky washed fresh
The streets were cleaned
The sidewalks scrubbed
Mother Nature at her best
The plants were nourished  to the roots
The summer storm came with a fury
Making everything new once again

She is speaking to us
Warning us
Advising us
Comforting us
Helping us
We just have to listen
We are all her children

She’s been telling us about the planet
Warning what will come
Showing us
With storms
Droughts
Fires
Extreme heat
We just have to listen
We must listen

She’s been crying for us
For all the creatures that live here
For the forests
Plants
She’s been begging us
To change
To stop
To respect what’s here
The planet
The boundaries between us
And them
All we have to do is listen
Then change our ways
Mother knows best

If you see me walking in the desert would you offer me a drink of water?

If I looked different than you would you say hello?

If I were tired would you offer me a place to rest?

If I were hungry, would you offer me something to eat?

If my language was different would you still accept me?

If you see me walking in the desert would you offer me a drink?

If I looked different would you say hello?

Would you help me?

If I found you on the street would you smile or look away?

Would you offer me a drink of water if I were thirsty?

Would you help me up if I fell?

If I were waiting for you would you see that we are really the same?

I was standing in the valley
By a mountain
The grass was so green
Like emeralds
The air was clean and fresh
Wildflowers were everywhere
All colors and sizes
Like a Monet painting
I had been waiting
For a long time
It seemed like forever
Then I looked up
And I saw
Slowly walking
A man
It was you
My heart leaped
I started trembling
I couldn’t believe it
After so long
After so many prayers
You were here
Standing in front of me
I reached out my hand
You smiled and took it
We started walking
Disappearing
Into the green valley

I've got Paris on my mind
The Eiffel Tower
Notre Dame
The Seine
River boats along the river
Louvre and Orsay and so much more
The ambiance of it
The lights at night
Bakeries early in the morning
Smell of fresh bread
Fine cheeses and wine
Great food
And so much more
I've got Paris on my mind...

He was a beautiful monarch butterfly
Unique in some ways
He had bright colored orange and black wings decorated
With an intricate pattern

He was always alone
Visiting flowers near where he lived
He never ventured too far

One day he noticed a beautiful blue butterfly close by
He had never seen such a thing
Its color was stunning to him
He flew over to it to ask where it was from

She said she had came a long ways away from the south down by Brazil
She told him there were many more just like her there

The monarch butterfly found the answer incredible
He could not believe it

The blue butterfly told him that he can go anywhere in the world at anytime if he wants

She told him that a group of butterflies would be traveling north the next day and that he was welcome to join them

Early the next morning as the sun began to rise, off in the distance, a large flock of butterflies could be seen flying north
They looked beautiful against the light of the rising sun

One of them was the monarch butterfly

I am blocked
I can’t write
Paralysis
The muse isn’t there
It’s gone for the moment
Too much stress
No matter how hard I try
The inspiration has left
The heat burns through my mind
I am blocked
I can’t write

Peaceful images are gone
Searing heat has replaced them
Upset
Discomfort
I am blocked
No matter how hard I try
I can’t write

I feel insignificant
Lost my purpose
Part of my identity
Who am I now?
Where did I go?
I am blocked
I can’t write
My mind is burning
From the heat

There is no relief in sight
The muse is gone
Will it come back??

For just a moment
The sky is crystal clear
The air is fresh
It’s cool
I can breathe
Without struggle
Or stress
I feel human
For just a moment
Before the searing heat
Returns
Before the heavy air
Returns
Once again
I am grateful
For the reprieve
Even though
Brief

It was sundown
The sun had just set
The moon was out
A large white ball on the horizon
It almost looked surreal
Just hanging there
As if on a thread
Against a gray blue backdrop
Clouds painted the sky
Fluffy and white
With two openings
From which white bands of light shone down
It’s as if they came from heaven
Natures art
From the master
Of everything

In the Dark

Lying in the dark
16 year old girl
Many years ago
Holding a portable radio
To ones ear
Listening to music
Rocking to the beat
Imagining far away places
Feet moving to the beat
Eyes closed
Letting the clouds of sleep
Approach as I listen to the
radio
Rockin to the beat
In the darkness

It’s been a long time
Since I really saw you
Saw deeply into you

We pass like two ships
Barely seeing the other
Barely touching the other

It’s been a long time
Since I felt you close to me
Felt your spirit
I’ve missed you
All that you are to me
I’ve missed you
Where did you go?

It’s been a long time
Since I really saw you

I move into the mist
The sky is grey black
The moon is out shining brightly
I have lost my way
I struggle to find you but cannot
I come across a fire burning bright
In the gray darkness and mist
Surrounding the fire are spirits
Dancing in the shadows
They are highlighted by the light of the flames
I look around and then I see you
Shadow dancing with my heart
I take a breath
And realize that I am now free

I’m melting
Just like the witch
In the Wizard of Oz
The heat is stifling
Hard to breathe
Or do anything
It’s everywhere
All over the world
Fires
Severe weather
We were warned
For years
But we chose to ignore
Now here we are
Melting
Like butter
In a frying pan
I feel like I am on fire
Never cool
Nor comfortable
Looking for a reprieve
Yet nothing comes
So instead
I’m melting
As is the world

Imagine that you are sitting
High above the world
In a tall building
It is all bright white
The windows are smoky colored glass
The sky is bright blue with a few white clouds scattered through
The sun is out and it is a beautiful bright day
There is a slight breeze moving through the air-- not too much

As you look out, you can see the ocean
It goes on for miles
It is a deep blue
The waves are slow
Hypnotic
The day is perfect
Just imagine

Sitting in a café
Slowly drinking my coffee
Enjoying the light breeze blowing
Teasing me tenderly
Watching the world pass by
Streets full of cars and people
Motorbikes and bicyclists

I’m street watching

Watching the trees swaying
Taking in the scene
Checking out the news
Feeling mellow and calm

I’m street watching

From where I sit I can see several streets, restaurants, cafes and shops
People walking to and fro
Seeking what they need or desire

I’m street watching

Springtime Memories

Butterflies, tulips, robins and daffodils
Warm gentle breezes
Leaves beginning to bud
Brown being replaced by rich green
Flowering trees and bushes starting to bloom
Lush grassy lawns coming back
Flowers decorating the streets
Bright blue skies dotted with clouds
Nature's perfume filling the air
All signs that Spring arrived

Hot steamy nights
Heavy night air
Just hanging
No clean air to breathe or feel
It’s just hot
Not comfortable
No refreshment on the horizon
Just pure heat
Breezes come
But don’t cool
No solace offered
I crave a hint of freshness
Anything
Torturing my dreams
Taking away calm sleep
Causing dreams of winter
Praying it will end soon
Hot steamy nights

Sometimes when we are delayed
Or slowed down
In doing something
There’s is a reason
We may not know it
But there is
We shouldn’t fight it
Those pauses are for protection
To stop us
From doing something
Not really meant for us
Later on as we look back
We will see and understand
When you are delayed
Or stopped
Just become still
The universe is looking out for you
Always
Believe
Light up the world
With your own special light

Summer is here
Arrived with a fury
The sun is intense
Burning
Skies are crystal clear
It’s getting hot
Hot as hades
I am not good with heat
I prefer much cooler weather
When it gets like this
Chocolate can melt
I can melt
An egg can fry
Animals seek shade
Anywhere
Because of their fur coats
Birds seek needed water
Plants turn brown
Wilting
We all want a reprieve
Seeking something cool
Hot as hades

After the high heat
The burning sun
When it finally cools down
Even just slightly
It’s a big relief

When the air clears
And the morning cool comes
Once again
So one can sit outside
And breathe freely
Not feeling repressed
It’s a relief

When the sky is blue
With a few clouds
Actually visible to the eye
It’s a relief

There’s a feeling of refreshment
A reprieve has been granted
From the worst of heat
Just for a moment
We are so very grateful

A summer wind whips through the air and trees
Lightning dabbles the sky like a quick paint brush against a canvas
Creating a Monet like painting
Tree limbs bend as the wind moves through them

The sky lightens up from the electric charge moving through it
The air fills with the sound of thunder
Tapping its drums and cymbals
The sky turns a greenish color
Trouble is on the move

A summer storm is fast approaching
Playing the wind chimes outside like a musical instrument
As they clang back and forth to the rhythm of the wind

Announcing the arrival of a storm
Heavy rain starts offering a soothing drink to the earth

Summer storm

In our lives we leave traces
Of ourselves
Our being
Our lives

It might be our clothes
Our smile
Our touch or laugh
Our face
We leave traces

It might be our perfume
Or cologne
The way we walk
Or leave a room
We leave traces of ourselves
Through the people we touch
The people we meet and know
Our family and friends

The stranger we smiled at
The child we helped
We leave traces
There are vapors of us
Always

When I feel lost I will rise up
I will reach towards the stars
To find my way back

When I can’t find my way
I will rise up to see the light
I will follow it back to my path

When I have no words
I will rise up to let you inspire me
I will let you guide me

When I am full of despair
I will rise up towards the sky
Letting it carry me on to my destiny

When I am full of darkness
I will rise up towards the sun
Letting it fill me with light
Pushing the darkness out

I used to think that people and their feelings were like china plates
Beautiful
Unique
Fragile and delicate
Easily broken

When we are born
Our plates are flawless
No cracks or chips
They are new and perfect

As we go through life
They can get hurt
They get chips
And cracks
And sometimes they break
Or a piece breaks off

Life does that
The ups and downs
The good and the bad
Relationships can do that
Hearts can break
Bodies can get hurt or age
And our plates reflect it

Life is like a china plate
Delicate
Fragile in some ways
Something to be treasured

Morning chimes
Outside my door
Hanging on a branch
Teasing me
With their gentle tune
Tempting me
Enticing me
Playing music
Melodic
Soothing to the soul
Lifting me up
To start a new day

I’m a New York girl
Some of my family is from there
It feels like home to me
There are roots there
I like it
The hustle
The bustle
The vibe
I’ve been to other cities
In county and out
But there’s nothing like it
There’s an energy
I’ve not seen it other places
A toughness and resilience
Other cities have their charms
No question
But for me
I’m a New York girl

A dim light shines across the waters a distance away
Shining through the darkness and fog
The light reflects off the waves
Creating a path through the water
In the distance is a ship
It has been gone for a long time
The ship lost its way
It has been searching for home
For some time
Seeing the light off in a distance
The ship turns steering towards it
As the ship gets closer the light gets brighter
Illuminating the land by
The land looks familiar after so long
The ship is finally coming home

He was always there for me
He was my hero
He never let me down
He seemed immortal
He never walked away
He was my hero

He used to take my hand
He always listened
He inspired me to always try
He was intelligent
He was curious about the world
He was my hero

He taught me about life
He was kind and giving
He was a righteous person
He was my hero

He loved to laugh
He always took care of me
He was strong and handsome
He was my hero

He taught me right from wrong
He had integrity
He was a truth teller
He was my hero

He stood in the light
He was my hero

He was my father

She’s gone
Just gone
She did her usual thing
The thing she did
Every morning
Returning early afternoon
But this time
She hasn’t returned
She’s always been a bit wild
She came from the street
Not the home
She lost her way as a baby
But we took her in
No question she was feral
Driven by the need of freedom
Tried to give her a home
And oh I loved her
My heart was full for her
I love all cats
I can’t help it
Actually all animals
She was a real beauty
Her face was stunning
And she talked all the time
In the morning she spoke
While getting breakfast
I’d like to think she was saying
Good morning
I know I was
I miss her presence
It’s a punch to the gut
There’s a hollowness
Where she was
I still look for her
In the apartment
On the terrace
But she’s gone
I’ve looked for her
But there’s no trace
She’s just vanished
Into thin air
All that’s left
Is an empty space
It hurts

He was just 17
He came from a faraway land
Across the ocean
He had been preparing his entire life
To travel
To venture forth
He had studied another language
Other customs and a different way of life

He was chosen to do this
To leave and travel to a distant land
As part of a special program
He was the first in his family
To do this

He was the traveler
He would leave his home and go to a new place
He went by plane flying for a long time
Landing in a very large city where everything was new
He would stay there for several days before moving on to his final destination

He ventured out at night to see the sights
He had never seen anything like this
He was intrigued and curious
He walked and walked exploring
Until he could walk no more
When it was time, he returned to his resting place for a meal and sleep
Because of all the travel and walking he slept well

The next day he went out with his friends to explore more of the city
They had one more day before leaving
They went everywhere
Going into shops
Eating new foods
Observing people
Watching the rhythm of the city
At the end of the day
As the sun went down
They returned to their resting place for dinner and much needed sleep

The next morning they would leave and go to other places
They would be there for a year
The traveler slept well
To be ready for his next adventure
He was excited by what he would see
Everything would be new to him

He was the traveler
Coming from a different land
He came a long distance
To where he was going
He had been chosen
He was special
His future awaited him
The best was yet to be
Destiny was just around the corner

I am a person
I am alive
I want to live
I have feelings
I have hopes and dreams
I have needs
I am no different from another
I need love
I need care
A home
Food and water
I want to walk free
To be able to live my life
Without pain or hurt
At times I am alone
Other times I am not
I am no different than another
I just want to be
I just want to be

The leaf was attached to a branch for decades
Every year it returned
Suddenly one day the branch
was no longer there
It had disappeared
Into nothingness
The leaf lost its anchor
The leaf fell free
As it floated to the ground
It was lost
With no grounding
No home
No protection
It only had
Sweet memories
To offer comfort
The lost leaf

I live far away from where I am from
I am in a different land
Across the waters
I came for someone special
To start a new journey with him
Today I start another new journey
Unplanned for
To stay healthy
To live
There’s a new enemy a foot
Across the world
In some places it is everywhere
All the nooks and crannies
We have been lucky so far
Not much is here yet
Let’s hope that holds
Yet slowly the numbers climb
I sit and watch the news where I came from
The numbers increasing each day
Thousands now
Feeling so helpless
Watching
Yet during this dark time
Which feels like a nightmare
The planet is healing
The skies are cleaner
The water becoming clearer
Animals walking about
Free of their human bonds
Dolphins and whales return to the canals of Venice
Going where they used to go
In a way it’s like a movie
Except it’s very real
Where I hope and pray for a positive ending
For us all
For the world

Afar

It was quiet and still.
Not a sound could be heard.
A couple of birds flew through the air in the distance almost invisible.
The trees laid out a rich green carpet underneath the trees.  
It looked luxurious and sublime.
The sky was pale blue gray with pillows of fluffy clouds.
They broke up the sky with their placement and streaks.
The sky was highlighted by a light which had a shadow resembling a renaissance painting.
Perhaps Monet.
As I looked at the clouds, they became brighter, and started to turn to a light pink color.
Eventually the color changed to a deep pink.
It was so beautiful and indescribable.

My body is tired
My soul is tired
My bones ache
I just want to lay down
To rest a little

My body hurts
My soul stings
I just want to lie down
To rest a little

My heart hurts
My mind is tired
I just want to lie down
To rest a little

My eyes can’t see clearly
My hands can’t grasp
I just want to lie down
To rest a little

My ears can’t hear
My nose hurts
I just want to lie down
To rest a little

My compass is lost
I don’t know what to do
I don’t know where I am
I just want to lie down
To rest a little

My body is tired
My heart hurts
My body aches
My soul stings
I just want to lie down
To rest a little

Every night
Fairies arrive
They are tiny creatures
Almost invisible
They have delicate wings
Like a hummingbird
They have existed since the beginning
They come to the believers
All over the world
To grant their wishes and dreams
While they sleep
They sprinkle magic dust over them
Made of silver and gold
To bring sweet dreams and protection
As night ends they return to their land
Awaiting the next night
Fairy dust

Another New Normal What’s That?

Are we going back to normal?
That’s what folks say
But what does that really mean
Will it be the same as before?
Is it safe yet?
We’ve been here before
Several times
Will we take some of the last two years and keep it?
Did we learn that we are all one
We need each other to get through this
That things need to change
This is worldwide
Does it feel the same now sitting in a cafe?
Does the coffee taste the same?
Will it be comfortable to me
Or am I always watching
What does comfortable look like now
What will the world look like next year
Covid is returning
More variants
Will it ever leave?

The bond between animals and humans is sacred
To have the trust of an animal is very special
It is hard earned
Whether a pet or wild
When we bond to nature’s creatures
We reach a higher place
The best of ourselves
Our spirits touch on some level
There is communication
Between us
Though not with words
When an animal loves
It’s pure
Like rainwater
There are no ulterior motives
Of money or power
It’s just love
It is sacred
We should treasure it
Always

It’s the real you
It’s always there
With you
It will never leave
Before you were you
It knows you better than yourself
It sees the world for what it is
It sees beyond
It feels everything
It’s connected to all there is
It can guide you
It knows your true destiny
It talks to you all the time
You only have to listen
And open your heart

She’s a little bird
Tiny really
She moves like a butterfly
She loves sugar water
When she comes
She is silent
Except for her wings beating
She moves with little effort
Able to disappear in an instant
But if I stand silent
She won’t leave
Her feathers are emerald colored
With a dab of pink
Dazzling
She is so beautiful
She almost doesn’t look real
I am entranced by her
She hypnotizes me
With her gentility and beauty
She’s my little bird from heaven

I am in a reminiscent mood
Thinking back to a time in my childhood
When I lived overseas
In Brazil
Seems like eons ago
Such a different time
A warm, welcoming place
Especially for children
Full of joy and laughter
The music was intoxicating
The beauty stunning
Remembering the visiting of friends
Whose houses were adorned
With birds of paradise flowers
Visiting the bird sanctuary
With my mother
Seeing every kind of parrot
In a rainbow of colors
Walking the beach in Rio
The Ipanema Beach
Famous for its black and white
mosaic tile
Sitting on the beach
Listening to the waves
While people flew their bird kites
Traveling around with my parents
Seeing the country
North and South
Struck with the humanity and beauty
Those memories never left me
They still haunt the inner recesses
Of my heart

When feeling lost
Go to the forest
Smell the trees
Breathe deeply
Take in the freshness

When feeling unease
Go to the forest
Feast upon nature
Walk amongst the trees
Listen to the wind

When feeling confused
Go to the forest
Sit amongst the beauty
Let it calm your soul
Let the beauty fill your heart
Be refreshed

When not sure what to do
Go to the forest
Listen to answers
Let it inspire you
It’s nature
It always will

The start of a new week
End of the weekend
A new beginning
A fresh start
For some it’s dreaded
For others it’s a look forward
Cities clean up
Streets swept
Getting ready for a new week
Stores replenish their stock
Employees return
It’s time to get busy
And start anew

Dreams are what we make
From ideas, wants and desires
From our minds and spirits
We can take them into reality
At anytime
It just requires will, persistence
And faith
If you believe
Especially in yourself
You can do anything
At anytime, anywhere
Dream big
Watch it grow
Into your reality
We are each an artist
Creating our own worlds
Believe and dream

She was staying at the beach
Her room was on the boardwalk
The beach was beautiful
White sand
Smooth as silk
Turquoise water
Warm sun but not too hot
When the sun hit the water
The reflection looked like shimmering diamonds

One night after dinner she sat on a bench
Facing the ocean
Watching the moon and sea do their dance together
The moon shone brightly down on the waves
Highlighting the white tips of the waves
As the moon continued to shine
The water seemed to move in an almost hypnotic way
Getting stronger and stronger
Drawing her to it

She was entranced
She could not pull herself away
Though time passed and it was time to go
She couldn’t
She was transfixed
By the moment
She watched the dance of the moon and the sea
As they spun their magic together