Sitting in a hidden corner
Quietly disappearing
Back tight against the wall
Melting into it
Almost oblivious to the world
Trying to become like a vapor
Translucent
Uncomfortable
Watchful
Like a cat
Eyes wide open
Ready to run
Anticipating
Sitting in a hidden corner
Disappearing from the world

Sweet Moments

Sweet moments
Those small moments
Sometimes fleeting
Make life worth living
They can pass quickly
Touching our hearts
Touching our souls
Hard to hold onto
Delicate
Somewhat fragile
Like a butterfly

Sweet moments
Make lasting memories
Taste like honey
Decorating our days and nights
Brightening our lives

Put them together
They form a life

I move into the mist slowly
The sky is a gray black
The moon is out shining
bright through the gray
I have lost my way
I struggle to find you
but I can not
I come across a fire
burning bright amongst
the mist and the gray
Surrounding it are spirits
dancing in the shadows of the night
Figures highlighted by the light of the fire moving rhythmically
I look around, and then I see you
Shadow dancing with my heart
I take a breath and I realize I am now free

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

Safe spaces
Loving ones
We all need them
They are sacred
Places we can go
And feel safe
Comfortable
Cared about
Stress free
They are very important
To our well being
They can be anywhere
Anything really
Home
Restaurant
Park
A bar
Cafe
Salon
Store
Forest
Beach
Country
It doesn’t matter
What’s important
Is how we feel
When we are there
They bring comfort
Love and care
They are precious
Invaluable
Safe

When you feel all muddled up go into the forest and sit amongst the green
Let your eyes feat upon the beauty

Inhale the perfume of nature
Let the beauty and stillness of it calm you

Be at peace

A Conversation with Myself:

The girl with the small notebook
asks, “Will anyone hear me?”

The woman with the candle replies,
“They already do.”

The elder with the lantern smiles,
“And there is still more to come.”

Three selves at one table,
three books side by side —
fragile, steady, glowing.

Above us, poems form constellations.
Below us, the cat purrs in the quiet.

And I know at last:
I am one long poem,
still being written.

There’s darkness outside with a glimmer of light
Slowly the darkness cedes
Traffic is slowly moving
The morning has begun
Coffee and tea being made
The quiet of night being replaced
By familiar noise
The sun starts to rise
A golden ball
It’s a glorious sight
Another morning has arrived
As the city wakes up once again

She had gone to see the Sahara
She had never been before
She wanted to see the sun rise
Over the desert
She heard it’s spectacular
The night before
She was in a camp
It was hot at night
Hard to sleep and rest
Before sunrise
She was wakened from her sleep
Time to walk to the top of the dunes
It was hard with the sand shifting
It was almost slippery
Once at the top
She sat down
Her feet dangling over the edge
She waited
Patiently
Quiet and serene
So still
For the moment
That moment
When the sun begins to rise
Over the desert
She was excited, anticipating
The view and experience
After a while
Slowly
The sun began to come up
Greatest show on earth
A bright red ball
Lifting high
It was incredible
Almost indescribable
Natures art
She felt her spirit lift
With the sun
Towards the heavens
Just as the sun finally came up
Sahara Dreams
Nothing like it

Bridge to the Sky

Build a bridge to the sky
Reach beyond your means
Touch the stars and beyond

Look at all that there is to see
Embrace the true beauty of it
Let it touch your soul

Build a bridge to the sky

Reach for the sun
Touch the edge of the universe
Let it lift you up

Build a bridge to the sky
Believe in the impossible

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

It’s one of those Sundays
Last one in the month
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

Sitting in a café
Slowly drinking my coffee
Enjoying the light breeze blowing across my face
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

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

It is wintertime.

You are in the forest. There are pine trees and other trees around.
There is some snow and pine cones scattered on the ground. A light covering.

It is gently snowing. Large size flakes start to fall very slowly.

As you stand in the forest -- there are no sounds except a few birds in the trees softly chirping.

It is so quiet you can almost hear the snow fall.

You close your eyes to listen to the quiet and feel the stillness of the moment.

Snowflakes gently touch your face but you are not cold.

There is total peace around you.

When you open your eyes, you see a doe looking at you.

Still, quiet and peaceful.

They work on their own or in groups
They are brilliant
They are miracle workers
They hunt an enemy we can’t see
It’s changed the world
Like a war
They are miracle workers
They are trying to stop it
All day and night they watch it
They are miracle workers
They study it
They begin to understand it
They work for labs
They work for universities
They work for companies or governments
They are miracle workers
They all want the same thing
To find a cure
To find a vaccine or treatment
They are miracle workers
The world waits hoping
Praying that something is coming
To turn the tide
To bring things back to normal
They are miracle workers
The scientists and doctors

Misty mornings wake me with their beauty
From my deep within my slumber they greet me
They cover the earth like a warm blanket

Glimmers of sun can be seen from underneath the mist as it struggles to get free
Green trees pop up their heads
searching for the sun

Misty mornings wakes me
From my deep slumber
Where dreams rule over me
Imagination is king and logic takes a break

Hypnotic mist rises up
Covering the ground with a thick blanket
Like a Sherlock Holmes movie
Entrancing me with its beauty

The rain is finished now
The city is drying out
The sky is painted bright blue
It’s a cool morning
There is a hint of freshness in the air
Breathing is a pleasure

Afterwards
It’s a beautiful perfect day
Enjoy the moment
The artistry of nature
As she has bathed the city

It’s that time of year
Fall crispness is in the air
Trees abound with bright colors
There scents of apples, cider and pies wafting through the air
Oranges, reds and golds are the colors of choice
Sweaters are pulled out
Vests and coats are worn
Boots and warm socks
Thoughts of holidays fill the mind
Light snow tickles the landscape
Piles of leaves in yards
Holiday decorations in stores
The mindset changes
To a holiday mode
Thoughts of sugarplums
Love, care and charity appear
It’s the season

Sweet moments
Those small moments
Sometimes fleeting
Make life worth living
They can pass quickly
Touching our hearts
Touching our souls
Hard to hold onto
Delicate
Somewhat fragile
Like a butterfly

Sweet moments
Make lasting memories
Taste like honey
Decorating our days and nights
Brightening our lives

Put them together
They form a life

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

Warm hypnotic breezes gently blow
Bright green plants bend to and fro
Leaves gleaming in the bright sun
Welcoming the light as a faithful friend
The sky is a full blue with a scattering of cotton white clouds
The air is a perfect comforting temperature lulling one into a state of peace
Wind chimes play their melody in the background
What a perfect day if only it could go on forever
Magical chimes

You are standing tall like a warrior in the desert
There is a path 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 you just stand at the fork not knowing what to do or which direction to go
To the right?
To the left?
The air is clear and it is silent not a noise in the air
The sky is blue with a bright sun overhead
Then all of a sudden a wind picks up and erases one of the paths
Leaving only one for you to follow towards the light and your destiny

Whenever I touch your hands
They are warm
Their feeling takes me to a special place
They exude a calmness
Whenever I touch your fingers
They offer kindness and care

Whenever I touch your hands
I am struck by their warmth
As I hold them
They touch my spirit deeply
With care and love

Whenever I touch your hands
I touch my heart
I touch my spirit
With your kindness and care

Memories come flooding back
When I first held your hand
When I first looked into your eyes
When I first hugged you
Hands carry memories
They never forget

Like I never forgot you

Set against a pale blue sky
Fluffy with their light pink color
Looking almost appetizing
Dotted with white streaks
Set a distance apart
With birds soaring high
Spreading their wings
In concentric circles
Over the city
As the sun gets ready to set
One more time
Ushering in another evening

A new year is coming
It’s almost here
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
Anything is possible
Just believe

Brrrr
It’s cold outside
The sky is gray
With a feeling of rain or snow
People are bundled up
In coats, hats and scarves
Brrrr
It’s cold
At home
People hide under blankets
Seeking any kind of warmth
A fireplace is welcome
For both people and animals
Brrr
It’s cold outside
Winter is on its way
The season is changing
Snow, sleet and cold rain
Get ready

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

Dark purple sky outside
my window
Offering hints of muted pink
Offering calming influences
Painting the sky
A piece of art
The view is hypnotic to the eye

Dark purple sky welcoming the
night as a close friend
Darkness is not too far behind
Announcing that evening
is about to begin

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

The darkness and stillness of the night are comforting
They can be hypnotic
Drawing one towards sleep
As the city noises stop

The feeling of the coolness of the air as the temperature drops
Feels wonderful
After the heat of the day

The sky turns black velvet with a hint of starlight or perhaps a sliver of moon

The warmth  of the bed draws you in
Covered with sheets and blankets wrapped for the night

As you lie there listening to the quiet your body craves sleep as your eyes begin to close

Dreamland awaits

The horse was a beautiful black color
He was stunning
He was a proud stallion
Perfect and strong
He looked like black velvet

Sometimes he would run along the shore as fast as he could
His hooves almost lifting off the ground like flying
It was magic to watch

He was so perfect he almost didn’t look real
His coat gleamed against the sun
His favorite time to run was sundown
When the water glimmered like gold dust
As he ran, his mane flew behind him like wings galloping as fast as he could

As he ran people along the way stopped to admire him almost mesmerized by his beauty
They had never seen anything like him

He was special and unique
It was nature’s magic

Glorious

That’s how crisp, cool air is
Glorious
The changing of the guard
The cleansing feeling
Of a soft breeze
Across the face
Like a tender kiss
The soothing feeling
Of heat dissipating
It’s invigorating
As the season starts to change
The sounds and smells do
Different foods and tastes
Colors change in nature
And fashion
It’s a fresh start
Where one can be brand new
A reinvention
Glorious
It’s a time for new beginnings
And magic
It’s absolutely glorious

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

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

In a far off distance stands a man
He is all alone
All dressed in white
He stands in the middle of a desert
He’s surrounded by light brown sand
Close by are some dunes which stand out like small mountains
It is still and quiet not a sound can be heard

The sky burns a bright yellow against a deep blue sky
No clouds can be seen for miles

On his face is a big, flashing smile
Surrounding him is a circle of bright white glimmering light

As he moves forward slowly step by step the light follows him
to his next destiny

The quiet of stillness
Offers tranquility
Soothes the spirit
Reaches deep inside
One has to listen carefully for it

It can be felt late at night
When the world sleeps
When there is a deep silence
It comes

It’s hard to find
One has to slow down
Remove all distractions
One has to listen so carefully
Remove distractions
For the sounds of silence

It Can be found by the sea
It Can be found in the forest
It Can be found by a stream
It Can be found in the mountains
It Can be found on isolated road

The quiet of stillness
Is everywhere if one only looks
Let the silence find you
It brings peace and calm

Candles

Relationships are like candles
All shapes and sizes
Some are small
Some are tall
Sometimes they burn bright
Sometimes they burn hot
Sometimes their light grows softer
Sometimes the light dances
Sometimes the light dims
And sometimes the light just fades

Relationships are like candles
Sometimes they burn bright
Sometimes they burn noisily
Sometimes they burn hot

Relationships are light candles
Sometimes they are large
Sometimes they are small
Sometimes they are delicate
Needing special care
Every time they are beautiful

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

Tired
Over wrought
Frustrated
In need of relief
Hungry for peace
Angry at everything
In need of something new
Anything
A break
Perhaps a new locale
A new food
Travel
She needs more
Harmony
Peace
Less chaos
Less stress
Positivity

It’s holiday time
Get ready for tinsel and gold
Decked out trees and snow covered streets

It’s holiday time

Hot chocolate
Apple cider and pies
Turkey and roast beef
Cookies and candies
Children laughing

It’s holiday time

Choirs and concerts
Presents under the tree
Good cheer and smiles
Beautiful cities decorated
Bright lights and colors everywhere

It’s holiday time

Family, loved ones and friends
Special places and memories
Cinnamon and pine scents

It’s holiday time

I saw him last night to say goodbye
The last time we were together before we parted
Not by our choice
We had to
He’s gone
Back where he came from
When I woke in the morning
I had hoped he was still here but he’s not
He left in the murky shadows of darkness
My life left I am now alone left in the gray fog of life
My heart hurts. My soul stings with pain
The brightness has left me
The lightness of being
The humor and fun
He’s gone now
I am here left alone
Searching for him
Always

It was Sunday morning
In a small city on the east coast
The rain was gently falling
The sky was a muted gray
It was early
There wasn’t much traffic
It was quiet
There was a feeling of stillness

As the rain fell two cats slept
They always slept together
One was. brown and one gray
They were like sisters
It was calming to watch them

The sound of the rain was calming and hypnotic
It was a cool fall day
The leaves were still on the trees
Gold, red, and orange

As the rain hit the side of the building it made a noise like a faint drumbeat

The air smelled clean and refreshed
There was a hint of the wet leaves like a natural perfume

The entire scene evoked feelings of peace

Watching the rain and world was like being transported to another world

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

It’s another Saturday morning
Start of the weekend
Sitting at a cafe
It’s crowded
Waiting on coffee and croissant
People come to and fro
Warm inside
But very cold outside
Another winters day
Sun is out to brighten the sky
Last Saturday of the month
Almost time for a new month
The city is waking up
Time to get going
Things to do

We all have a choice
Each and every day
Which path to take
One towards the light
Or the darkness
Whichever we take
Determines the energy
Of the day
The light lifts us up
Inspires
Brings good energy
Hope, possibilities
Whereas the other
Only brings negativity
Despair and sadness
So at this time
Of light and hope
Lets walk down the path
To light and hope
By doing this
We help to light up the world
Believe

For just a little while
One fleeting moment
I went home
To a place like it
I sat and had a cup of coffee
Like times past I visited
A small slice of America
One tiny sliver
For one moment it felt familiar
I looked around and felt
Just a slice of my country
The look, the feel, the smell

Oh I know there are problems now
Severe ones
A lot has to be done and change
But within me are threads from there
Those ties that bind
Once in a while they tug at me
Touching my heart
Memories
Life adventures
Family
Roots

This is true for all of us
We have roots to a place
Where we began

But, for just a little while
I touched home
Sat in a small slice of America
Drank my coffee
Same as years ago
Ate my cinnamon roll
Savoring the taste
Remembering my voyage through life and all that brought me here

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

It is wintertime.
You are deep in the forest. There are pine trees and other trees all around.
Snow and pine cones are scattered on the ground.
There is a strong scent of pine.
It is refreshing.
It is gently snowing. Large size flakes start falling.
As they hit the ground they melt.
As you stand in the forest -- there are no sounds except a few birds in the trees softly chirping.
It is so quiet you can almost hear the snow fall.
You feel your heartbeat.
You close your eyes to listen to the quiet and feel the stillness of the moment.
Snowflakes gently touch your face but you are not cold.
There is total peace around you.
Harmony with nature.
When you open your eyes, you see a doe looking at you.
It is sublime.
Still, quiet and peaceful.

We are all here for a reason.
The things we experience, the people we meet are all part of our journey which is called life.
Our legacy is how we lived.
How we will be remembered.
We are all unique. We each have a gift.
We just have to discover it.
Each day we can choose to stand in the light.
Instead of the darkness.
We can make someone smile or laugh.
Bring happiness.
Offer kindness and care.
Each time we do, we light up the world.
Let’s light up the world.
With our own special light.