Life is like a tree
It has many branches
Over time it grows
There are new avenues and nuances
The roots reach deeper into the soil
Seeking out precious nutrients and water
New leaves appear in the spring
Turning colors in the fall
Eventually falling to the ground
As winter approaches trees sit bare
As if almost asleep
Waiting again for a new season to start anew

Hot baked sun streaming down
Intense bright light all around
Penetrating everything
Wilting flowers fighting to stay alive
Lazy cats and dogs seeking shelter and shade
Streets and sidewalks hot to the touch
Laundry put out dries in a minute

It’s summertime once again

Bright blue skies
Sleeveless tops and dresses
Nothing feels comfortable
Beds too hot
No where to sit in comfort
Cold drinks tempting the mouth
Thoughts go to sandy beaches and ocean breezes

It’s summertime once again

Empty streets where I live
No signs of life except for a cat or two
Every now and then a bird flies by
Deathly quiet

Empty streets where I live
Going on for miles in any direction
People staying inside
To protect themselves and others

Empty streets where I live
All over the world now
In cities and towns
Humanity has been put on hold
Huge sacrifices being made
By everyone

Empty streets where I live
Never been done before
It’s a first for all of us in the world
Hopefully someday soon
They will start to fill again
When life slowly returns
To a new normal

Empty streets where I live

Wild Crazy Hair

It’s a time of wild crazy hair
No stylists or salons
Everything is locked down
Due to a pandemic
It’s time to let it go
See what happens
All I can do
Wild crazy hair

It’s a time for no cuts
Except home made
No color
No shaping
No style
Hair growing like a ****
Wild crazy hair

It’s a time for little control
Of ones wayward style
Out of control
Trying not to look like an alien
Wild crazy hair

I am living the pandemic mode
It was totally unexpected
Never in my furthest dreams
Did it occur to me that I would be going through this

Pandemic mode

It seems so unreal
Like the movie Contagion
Everywhere I look, it’s empty
Very few people are out
There’s a countrywide lockdown

Pandemic mode

Every day people wait for the numbers
Hoping to hear there’s a decrease
All around the world people hold their breath
Every person on the planet is going through this
There’s no discrimination

Pandemic mode

The definition of hero has changed
Instead of athlete or celebrity
It’s doctors, nurses, front line workers
Teachers, scientists
People keeping the world running

Pandemic mode

We stay hidden away
Unable to go out
Afraid to see another
Never knowing where the illness is
Hoping for a miracle
But patience is required

Pandemic mode

Nighttime demons appear
Offering frightening visions
Waking us from our slumbers
Having us crave the morning light
For safety and solace

Pandemic mode

A man walking on the solitary beach
A gray cloudy day
Cool but not cold
He is in pain as he slowly walks
Then he comes a glass ball partially buried in the sand
He stops to look at it
He uncovers it and lifts it up
He sees a gold clasp and opens it
Inside is a piece of rich red velvet cloth
On the cloth sits a folded piece of bright white paper
Curious he opens the paper
Written on the paper are instructions:
Touch the areas where you feel pain on your body
Then touch your fingers to the cloth
Close up the ball
And put it back in the sand as you found it
The man follows the instructions and continues walking down the beach
He hears a sound and turns around to see the glass ball lifting towards the sky the inside turning a bright gold color
And then there is a slight explosion and a shower of gold stars rain down
And as they cover the man
His pain is gone

A mist, invisible to the naked eye arrived
No one knows for sure where it came from
Some say the Far East
It started to move it’s way country by country
Slowly seeping into every city, town and village
It traveled by air, sea and land
At first undetected

Invisible mist

It can’t be seen, but can be felt
In the deepest recesses of our bodies
It wrecks havoc
Some people are spared the worst
Others suffer greatly
Some heal and others succumb
It shows very little mercy

Invisible mist

Over time since it first arrived
It has covered the world
Animals and plants are spared
Yet humanity has suffered a great deal
Life as we know it has been put on hold
Some call it the pause
Countries have shut down
Streets are empty
Economies stalled


Invisible mist

While we sit and wait
Shuttered inside
For a vaccine and treatment
Knowing any trip outside has risk
Yet tempted by the beauty of nature
The call of the familiar
Haunted by what may happen
In the end all we have is hope
That in time this will pass and become a memory
Hope that we will recover
Hope that we will begin again

Invisible mist

They were taken captive by surprise
It was an unseen enemy
They had to stay inside
It was everywhere
Unseen

Siege

While it looked beautiful outside
There were hidden dangers
Even loved ones might carry it
Innocent children not so innocent
Full of it

Siege

It started out slowly
Making its moves across the country
Soon the whole world had it
Seeping into all places
Hidden and seen
Known and unknown

It was as if humanity was handcuffed
Kept as a prisoner
Each held in their own prison cell
Unable to live as they once had
A new normal had arrived
There was before and after

Siege

There was no telling when it would end
Everyone was waiting for a change
Yet to come
There were new heroes now
Science was heralded
As were doctors and nurses
All front line people
They risk every day

Siege

At night we sit with our fears
Afraid to sleep
Not sure what the morning will bring

Siege

Home

Home is where the heart is
It offers sanctuary
It can be anywhere
Home is where one belongs
It can be at anytime
It feels comfortable
It feels safe
It soothes us when we are troubled
Is where one feels loved and cared for
Home is everything
Home

It is night time
I move into the mist
It covers me like a veil
The sky is gray black
The moon is out shining
bright through the grey
I have lost my way
My north is gone
I struggle to find you
but I cannot
I come across a fire
burning bright amongst
the mist and the gray
The flames reach high towards the sky
Looking magical
Surrounding it are spirits
dancing in the shadows of the night
Figures highlighted by the light of the fire
I look around and turn, then I see you
Shadow dancing with my heart
I take a breath and I realize I am now free

Butterflies, tulips, robins and daffodils
Warm gentle breezes
Leaves beginning to come out
Flowering trees and bushes
Greenery everywhere
Cherry blossoms decorating the Tidal Basin
Bright, hypnotic blue skies
All signs that Spring has once again arrived

When we forget our roots we lose our humanity
We are all one
When we forget our roots we lose who we are
We are all one
When we forget those that helped us we lose our history
We are all one
When we don’t respect others we lose respect
We are all one
When we are cruel we diminish ourselves
We are all one
When we lift up one we lift up the world
We are all one

As the the facade fades away like a coat being taken off for the night what lies underneath is a beating heart where the soul and spirit reside
Take off your coat and lay it down for a rest
Let me feast upon your heart for a while and feel pure bliss
You bring peace and hope into my life
You calm the stormy waters
You are faith
Believe

Light a candle
Save the world
Sit in stillness and pray
Light a candle
Save the world
Sit in stillness and pray

Light a candle
Ask for help at this troubled time
Stand in the light repelling the dark
Ask for healing for all
Ask for that we may move forward

Light a candle
Lift up yourself
Then lift up the world

Believe

A red rose is perfect in every way
The blue sky with hints of white clouds is stunning
Oceans with their white capped waves are hypnotizing
Beaches with silky sand cool to the touch
Yet, right now humans are limited
The outside world doesn’t offer much solace
It’s like a poison beauty
Tempting but possibly deadly

How I crave to leave the terrace and walk the streets
To sit at a cafe or bakery for breakfast
To go to the store and not fear what may happen
It’s like a poison beauty
Tempting but possibly deadly

The light breezes blowing across my face
The blooming roses on the terrace
The memories of normality
Haunt me in my memories and dreams
It’s like a poison beauty
Tempting but possibly deadly

Oh how I long for this time to pass
For the ability to come and go
To be free of stress and worry
To feel the stillness and peace again

Poison Beauty

It’s a war
We can’t see the enemy
It’s invisible
It came with little warning
We weren’t prepared

War

It’s a war
It’s everywhere
Hurting many
We have to fight
With everything we’ve got
We have to be smart
Smarter than we’ve ever been

War

It’s a war
We have to work together
Across the world
To find ways to conquer the enemy
Until then
We must stay inside
To protect ourselves and others

War

It’s a war
They are usually won slowly
It takes time
We must be patient
But in the end it will be over
And at that time
We can begin to rebuild
But let’s not forget how we came together
Anyway we could
Online
Singing from balconies
Applauding the ones going off to fight
Free online concerts
New songs in the air
Online classes and museum tours
Generosity to those in need

In the end
We are all human
We are one

War

The ocean waves are moving back and forth on a sunny day. The sky is a bright blue. The air is warm but not too hot. There is a slight breeze in the air. There is a tint of salt in the air like a sweet perfume but the smell is not too overwhelming. The water is a deep blue with hints of white as the waves roll in and out. As the sun hits the water,  tiny diamonds appear and glisten against the light and the water.

The scene is perfect and you are there
It is not a dream
You are at peace

In my dreams I see a different time
A time of freedom
A time of no isolation
A time when I can go out
Where there is no disease

In my dreams I see a different time
A time when I can walk outside
A time at a local cafe or restaurant
A time to sit with friends

In my dreams I see a different time
A time of renewal
A time of creating a new start
A time of a new destiny

In my dreams I see a different time

You walk through the entrance of a cave.  At the end of the darkness is a small pool of water. The water is warm, but not too warm, the temperature is perfect and is a beautiful deep turquoise. Some areas are lighter colored than others. You slowly walk into the water and stand in the middle of the water. As you stand there, a waterfall starts to genre pour over you from above. Rays of bright golden light from an opening above the cave start shining making the water sparkle like diamonds.

There is a feeling of total peace and serenity

Bliss

When you just can’t do it anymore
Close your eyes
Become still and quiet
Let the stillness comfort you
Let it calm you
Relax your body
Let the universe pick you up
Allow it take you to the stars and keep you safe

The day has been set for cooler weather, rain on the horizon
Skies are gray with a hint of sun
The air is cool and crisp, the weather folks say it may rain

I have been snuggled in my bed, with the covers pulled high reading the news
My kitty was at my side, sound asleep

My husband was getting ready for work

As I sat and read the news, sipping my coffee, enjoying the warmth and comfort, I contemplated my day

Gray colored day

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

Afar

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

Afar

We have been lucky so far
Not much is here yet
Let’s hope that holds
Yet slowly the numbers climb

Afar

I sit and watch the news where I came from
The numbers increasing each day
Thousands now
Feeling so helpless
Watching

Afar

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

Afar

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

For the first time in a long time, I feel peace

The constant churn of pain has eased in the pit of my stomach

The grinding of sand like painful crystals on my soul has stopped

For the first time in a long time, I can breathe, and not feel my lungs struggle

I can now listen to the calm sound of nothing, pure stillness

I am at peace for the first time in a very long time

Breathe

They come dressed in white
Covered head to toe
Wearing protective gear
They are the warriors
Here to fight the enemy
They didn’t ask for this fight
It was brought to them
As so many times before


They are on the front lines
Full of courage and care
Making sure the war is won
They are the protectors
The healers
They bring hope at a time of despair
They bring light when there is darkness
They are the warriors

They are our best hope
Every day they fight for the world
To keep us safe
While others may run away
They run towards the enemy
Full of courage and care
They are doctors, nurses and caregivers
They are researchers and scientists
They are warriors
They are heroes

You are standing tall like a warrior in the desert

There is a path in front of you with two directions

One to the left
One to the right

Each will take you in a different direction in your life

But the choice is hard
So much to think about
So little time

So you stand at the fork not knowing what to do or which way to go

To the right?
To the left?
You remain still hoping for a sign

The air is crystal clear and it is silent not a noise to be heard

The sky is blue with a bright sun overhead
As you remain standing looking forward a wind comes and erases one of the paths

Leaving only one for you to follow towards the light and your destiny

Light up the world
Believe in better days ahead

Memories
Slide in and out of the recesses of our mind
Like clouds gently floating by
Some make us smile
Some are sweet as sugar
Some make us frown
Some are sour like vinegar
Some make us laugh out loud
Some are like old friends
Some seem so real it is as if we can touch them once again....
Memories

I can breathe
After feeling pulled underwater for several months
I can breathe
The air is fresh
After feeling uncomfortable and smothered
I can breathe
My shackles have been released
I can float to the top
I can breathe
My troubles have passed
I can breathe
And like a whale swimming to the surface for air
Once again I can breathe and see the sun
I am free

It seems like just yesterday that I was a young girl playing with my dolls and friends

Begging my parents to stay up late

Inside I don't feel that different
I love to imagine new places in my mind and go there

Where did the time go?

It feels like just the other day when I was running through the fields with my friends

Looking out the kitchen window
Watching the palm tree move in the breeze
Branches mirroring feathers
A few birds resting on it or seeking food
As I watch a feeling of bliss and calm fill my body
I am at peace
The scene is a form of melody
Hypnotic and meditative
Mother Nature is both composer and conductor

Sometimes I feel like my life is surreal
That it’s not real
When I look back on my life I can’t believe my age
Have I really lived this long?
Where did the years go
They just flew by
Yet I remember things as if they just happened
And deep inside I still feel like me
Even if I don’t look the same
My hopes are still there
So are my dreams
Yet I am at the last third or so of my journey now instead of the beginning
How did that happen
Is this all a dream and I will wake up some day

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

Sometimes in our toughest times, we are given a miracle of hope

They can be unexpected but needed

In those times, we should never give up, and believe

We will be given what we need when we most need it

We are here for a purpose with our own destiny

When someone knocks you down with a wet towel
Get up

When someone hurts you
Get up

When it gets hard and impossible
Get up

When you can see nothing but darkness
Get up

Remember who you are
Remember where you come from
Remember you are unique
You have a right to be here
Get up

When I speak I feel misunderstood
My words seem twisted
The meaning is changed
I feel lost and alone
I don't know what to do
Schisms are created making relating difficult
The air gets heavy
I become afraid to speak
I tremble and grow quiet

When I speak I feel misunderstood
People don't hear what I mean
The intention is mired down in muck
I feel lost and alone
I can't find my way

Once a year we get a fresh start
It happens every January
We get to start anew
Fresh Start

The slate is rubbed clean
We can start over
We can try something new

Fresh Start
Learn new things
Have an adventure

Fresh Start

Christmas is more than a day
It's more than a holiday
It's an idea, a feeling
It brings good cheer, smiles and laughter

People are kinder
People love a bit more
Animosity is put aside
Christmas is an idea

It's as if the world was sprinkled with magic sparkles

For a moment things slow down and magic appears

The world becomes lighter and darkness fades

Christmas is an idea
It's a feeling
It's magic

Believe and light up the world with joy

At this time of year
Winter is coming
A fresh new start is on the way

At this time of year

Holiday trappings are everywhere
Trees are waiting for a home
Children are anticipating Santa
Presents are wrapped

At this time of year

Choirs are singing
Churches are full
People are feeling good cheer
Smiles are bigger
People are brighter
Special meals being served

At this time of year

Let’s be more kind
Let’s be more positive
Let’s laugh more and criticize less
Let’s be grateful

At this time of year

Let’s remember what this is about
Let’s come together
Let’s love harder
Let’s assume the best
Let’s forgive more

Let’s remember we are all one

At this time of year

She waited all day for the sun to drop
She needed the darkness
It would help free her
It would remove the bonds tying her


As the sun dropped for the day
She readied herself
She put on a long white dress
She went to the balcony
She climbed up on the table
As she moved to the edge
She spread out her arms
All of a sudden wings appeared
She took a leap and flew into the darkness
She is free

It's coming to that time of year again
Christmas is just a few days away
The excitement is building
Children waiting in anticipation
When familiar sights, sounds and smells seep into the memory and the mind
When bright holiday lights and decorations appear

Christmas and holiday movies appear
Some are good old regulars
Offering comfort and cheer
Stores dressed up in their best

People take on the holiday hustle and bustle
Light snowflakes start dancing in the air to their own melody
It’s that time of year
It’s the holidays

Snow covered pine trees blanketed with white
Muted lights outside
Cold air clean to the breath
Winter is here

Slow walking people bundled up
Bright colored scarves
Hats of all shapes and sizes
Winter is here

Birds seeking their next meal
Cats on the prowl
Fireplaces burning
Winter is here

Pies in the oven
Cookies being made
Roasts awaiting the oven
Winter is here

Sweaters and boots
The fare of the time
Warm flannel PJs
Winter is here

If someone touched your life and your heart a long time ago, but you lost touch -- reach out
If there is someone you never forgot and wish you were still in touch -- reach out
For all those wished second chances -- wish and try again
For all those lost opportunities, try once more
For all the times you lost faith, believe again
For every time you received a kindness, or a break, or something wonderful happened, be grateful and smile
For all the love you have received, love back
For all the smiles you have received, smile back
This is a magical time, whether or not one practices these holidays
Take advantage of this time, to love, to give, to remember, to smile and to reach out
Believe
Light up the world

Streets bustle with crowds of people walking to and fro filled with energy and excitement of the coming holiday
Street corners become impassable because of the large throngs of people trying to get somewhere making the city look like a giant mosh pit
Trees are brightly light up for the season
Carolers and musicians can be heard along the streets playing to the beat
Giant nutcrackers adorn one building on 6th Avenue along with giant ornaments and strings of lights
Street vendors sell their wares up and down the street from cashmere scarves to boxed jewelry
Hundreds of Santas and elves move throughout the city spreading their holiday cheer
Tourists and residents participate in the 12 bars of Christmas bar crawl while strolling through the city
Lines go around the corner for the Radio City Christmas show waiting for the next show
Cops line the streets to keep people moving along putting up barricades to move the crowds
The Hilton Hotel bar area is filled to capacity with folks needing refreshment before finishing their shopping
Nothing like Christmas time in New York……………

Snow lightly falling and blowing around outside
Barren trees with branches moving to the wind
Windows clattering with frost beginning to appear
People dressed in heavy coats with gloves and boots
It is the coming of winter and the start of a new cycle in the
weather for the year
Cold easing its way into homes, bodies and open spaces replacing
the warmth of summer with a new found friend
Temperatures dropping outside
Nighttime chills and darkness befall the city as it gets ready ready to put
on its heavy blanket in preparation

It's coming to that time of year again
When familiar sights, sounds and smells seep into the memory and the mind

Holiday times

When holiday lights and decorations appear
The smell of pine trees permeates the air like perfume
Holiday tunes are played on the radio
Shoppers abound on the streets

Holiday times

People take on the holiday hustle and bustle
Light snow flakes dance through the air offering a beautiful white covering

Holiday times

Pleasant childhood memories of going out  with my father in search of
the "perfect tree"

Holiday times

The little cat sat in the window
She was watching the snow falling outside
This was her first winter

The little cat

Inside was at all Christmas tree
It was decorated with bright lights and ornaments
The lights and sunlight made them glimmer
At times it looked like they were covered with diamonds

The little cat

The little cat loved to look at them and sit under the tree
She had never experienced the magic before
Recently she had been adopted

The little cat

As she sat at the window she had a deep feeling of contentment
The snow began to gently fall outside
As she watched the scene outside she heard faint music
She closed her eyes to listen
She was grateful for her new home and owners

The little cat

Candy canes and gingerbread
Peppermint and tea
Carolers

Holiday spirits

All sorts of goodies baking in the oven
Tunes playing on the radio
Scents of turkey and roasts

Holiday spirits

Brightly colored lights
Tall fir trees standing proudly
Snow gently falling outside

Holiday spirits

Crisp cold air
Icicles hanging
All set the scene for holiday cheer

Holiday spirits

Imagine walking through the snow into a forest full of pine trees
As you stop amongst the trees, all you can hear is the silence
A slight cool breeze rustles through the trees moving the limbs

Enchanted wintertime night

Snow left on the branches gently falls down to the ground
As they hit your coat and face, they sit for a moment before melting
An owl sits up high on one of the branches looking down at you and the world all around

Enchanted wintertime night

It is that time of year again

Smells of fir trees
Doors decorated with brightly colored wreaths
Ornaments glistening as they are hung
Beautiful bright colors of red, silver , gold , green and blue

It’s that time of year again

Houses adorned in lights
Smells of cookies and goodies being baked in the oven
Gingerbread men being decorated up
Choirs singing songs

It’s that time of year again

People running to and fro
Shoppers galore
Cold frosts in the the air
Cities and towns decorated in their holiday best
Friends and families coming together to celebrate the season

It’s that time of year again

Wind chimes rattling in the wind
Clattering of the bells ringing against the metal grate as the cold winter wind
whips through them
Trees bending in the wind, void of their foliage and green moving
to their own kind of rhythm

Winter chimes

Snow lightly falling and blowing around like cotton candy strands
before gently falling to the ground or other surfaces
It is the coming of winter and the start of the a new cycle in the
weather and season for the year

Winter chimes

Cold easing its way into homes, bodies and open spaces
Temperatures dropping outside creating a frigid feel to
the body
Animals seeking a warm shelter
Nighttime chills and darkness befall the city
Once again it puts on its nightcap for the sleep that is slowly coming

Winter chimes

Streets bustle with crowds of people walking to and fro filled with energy and excitement
Street corners become impassable because of large throngs of people trying to get somewhere fast, making the city look like a giant mosh pit
Trees are brightly lit for the season
Store windows are adorned with their best holiday decorations

Xmas in the city

Carolers and musicians can be heard along the streets
Giant nutcrackers adorn one building
Another with giant red ball ornaments
Street vendors sell their wares from cashmere scarves to boxed jewelry at a discount price
Coffee stands are on every corner offering a quick hot drink

Xmas in the city

Police line the streets to keep people moving along putting up barricades to move the crowds
The hotel bar areas filled to capacity with folks needing refreshment or a comfortable seat before finishing their shopping
Nothing like Christmas time in the city

Xmas in the city