While sitting in a church the other day
I strongly felt your presence
It’s been four years since you left

I miss you

As I sat there quietly
In the stillness and calm of it all
I felt you sitting next to me
Answering my questions
As if we were talking like before

I miss you

I told you I’ve made mistakes
You said we all have
It’s part of being human
I told you I should have done more
You said I did just fine
Don’t worry
Everything is fine

I miss you

I told you thank you
You said for what
I said for what I was taught
What you gave me
Your legacy
You smiled
I told you I wanted you to be proud of me
You said you always were

I miss you

I told you there is an empty space in my heart
You said you were sorry for the pain

I miss you

It’s Christmas again
Your favorite time
I asked if you remembered
You said you did

I miss you

Every day of every month
I always will

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

He’s gone

The brightness has left me
The lightness of being
The humor and fun

He’s gone

And I am here alone searching for him

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.

Friday Morning

It’s Friday morning
People are just waking up
Searching for their coffee
Getting ready for work
The weekend is coming
The sun is out shining
Friday Morning

People are walking about
Cafés full of early breakfasters
Cities waking up
Everyone has the dreads
It’s Friday morning

Newspapers sit on sidewalks
Street vendors full of magazines and papers
Stores getting ready for another day
People on their way to work
Just one more day
For the weekend

It’s Friday Morning

I had been looking for you for a long time
When we found each other
I came  for you
Only you

You are my sun and moon
You are the entire universe

You are everything

Earth
It’s a true miracle
It’s our mother
It stands out
Like a precious gem
Offering life
To plants, animals and us
It’s abundance is staggering
The variety of plants and greens
The richness and diversity of life
Both human and not
The beauty of the planet
Oceans, lakes and rivers
Mountains and valleys
Artistic skies
So far, we’ve not found another like it
It’s unique
It’s our home
It’s a true oasis
A treasure
It’s our home

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

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

It first came in the winter
Of last year
Slowly
It was a hidden enemy
Not visible
But it left its mark
It would move across a country
Touching people one by one
Parts of the world watched
Assuming it would not reach them
Unfortunately they were wrong

The virus

We had been warned about this before
That something like this could happen
One day just like history
Things would repeat
This came true last year
It brought illness and death
It crushed countries
New heroes emerged
They were the new warriors
We were in a different war
All of humanity

The virus

It slowly moved from Asia to Europe
Then on to other places
Soon the entire world
Some places were hit harder than others
Borders closed down
Travel ended
People stopped going out
A new normal was created
The world waited
For science to understand
For science to learn
For a solution
For a vaccine

The virus

At first not much was known
Over time that changed
But the cost was high
In suffering and death
Economies were devastated
No one still knows how this happened
Where did it come from


The virus

Now we are in a new year
2021
Hope was for a fresh start
For an end to this
But things are still pretty much the same
Though there are some treatments
And vaccines are now available
Help is coming slowly
After a long difficult wait
But it’s going to take time

The virus

Doctors, nurses and front line people are heroes
Same for scientists and teachers
People standing up for each other
Neighbors
Families

The virus

Cities shut down
It has changed the world
How we interact with each other
Video chat
Zoom
Online classes
Tours, concerts and movies
Delivery services

The virus

We wait
For the vaccines
For the virus to diminish
For it to end
For another new normal to come
We hope an end is on the horizon
Perhaps by year end
We hope and wait

The virus

We all want to be free
To feel we can do and be
As we choose
Without being controlled
We need to be able to find our way
Unencumbered
Whether it’s taking a walk
Or shopping
Or sipping coffee
Or reading a book
Or just living
When freedom is taken away
Or stifled we feel smothered
Creativity ceases
The spirit grows quiet
Our light dims

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
I heard that happens
Yet I remember things
As if they just happened
Deep inside I still feel like me
Even if I don’t look the same
My hopes are still there
So are my dreams
All of them
Yet now I am at the last third or so of my journey instead of the beginning
How did that happen
Is this all a dream and I will wake up some day
Still a teenager

Look deep inside yourself
Look in your heart
See what is really there
Feel what is there

Trust yourself
Always
Follow your path
Spin up your dreams

Look deep inside yourself
For the answers
You are seeking
They are there

When in doubt
Trust yourself
Follow your destiny
Never doubt
Through it all
You will always persevere

When in doubt
Trust yourself
Follow your heart
Follow your dreams
Reach for the stars

I am slowly coming back from the brink
The edge we get pushed to by illness
It felt like being hit by a two by four
It’s a place where we may not feel ourselves
Where we may feel subhuman
The things we used to do become hard to do
Every nuance in our bodies gets serious attention
Wondering what does it mean?
We wait hoping, following doctors orders, our bodies to finally turn the corner
It’s a slow process
Sometimes two steps forward and one step back
It’s frustrating
Then one day, things seem to be turning around, though slowly
You begin to feel more like yourself
Energy starts to return
Appetite increases
It’s almost like you can feel the healing going on
It’s like magic

Finally, you step back from the brink into the light
You are becoming well

Clear blue skies
Crisp air
Leaves on the ground
Smells of pine
Hot chocolate in mugs
Egg nog and apple cider
It's the season

Turkey cooking
Stuffed with special dressing
Family and friends all around
It's the season

Holiday parades
Santa dressed up
Music in the air
It's the season

Goodwill and peace
Feelings of gratitude
Quiet in the air
It's the season

Bright colors everywhere
Trees decorated
Cities put on their best
It's the season

Pies and cookies being baked
Snow gently falling
Fires burning slowly in fireplaces
It's the season

It's been too long since
I touched your face
Looked upon your smile
Heard your laugh
Felt your touch
Held your hand

It's been too long
Since we walked the beach
Smelled the sea air
Watched the waves
Wrote our names in the sand

It's been too long
Since we danced
Watched a movie
Ate popcorn
Sat in a cafe
Sipped coffee

It's been too long
Since I felt your presence
Near me

It's been too long...

It’s a time of wonder
Where anything is possible

It’s a time of wonder
Where dreams can come true

It’s a time of wonder
Where magic happens

It’s a time of wonder
Where light overrules darkness

It’s a time of wonder
Where kindness exists

It’s a time of wonder
Where music runs through the air

It’s a time of wonder
Where smiles are bright and laughter is generous

It’s a time of wonder
Where there are bright lights and
holiday decorations

It’s a time of wonder
Where there is good cheer

It’s a time of wonder
Where one can believe

It’s a time of wonder

Some of us are lucky
To be by a golden bucket of peace
It’s calming
It brings a feeling of beatitude
When we immerse ourselves
We can lose our daily troubles
Slipping into a special place
Of safety
Of belonging
Of familiarity
It’s a place one doesn’t want to leave
Ever
Have you found yours?
Treasure it
It’s precious
It’s rare
Believe
In possibilities
Light up the world

Christmas Jazz

Christmas jazz fills the air
Scents of pine and cinnamon
Perfume the air
Beats pounding in the background
Familiar music to the ear
Trees sitting on display
All dolled up
Christmas jazz fills the air
Holiday trappings all around
Silver, gold and red
Blue and green
Shops showing off their best
People walking and looking
Warm coats, hats and scarves
Bright lights glimmer all around
American rock music plays softly
The street scene comes alive
Cafés full of people sipping coffee
Getting ready for their shopping

Christmas jazz fills the air

Marginalization diminishes the spirit
Eventually extinguishing it
Until it no longer exists

Whereas when we uplift someone
We enhance the spirit and life

We create spiritual magic
Lift someone up today and help light the world

Each time we do darkness disappears just a little
Light is always stronger than darkness
Be a keeper of the light and a light worker

Red Bird

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

He brightens everything
He sets the scene
Snow is whiter
Trees branches are less stark
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 absolutely beautiful

Red bird

Sweet memories are like melodies that gently play in our minds that help define us as we weave our ways through our lives.
These memories have a sweet perfume of experience and life which touches our cheeks ever so gently each and every day.

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

Putting up the tree
Scents of pine
Pies and cookies baking
Cards and letters being sent

Memories of the season

When holiday lights and decorations appear
And holiday tunes are played on the radio
Shoppers abound on the streets, looking for the perfect gift

Memories of the season

People take on the holiday hustle and bustle
Light snowflakes dance through the air to their own melody

Memories of the season

And for me, a pleasant childhood memory of driving with my dad with the radio playing Frank Sinatra in the background as we headed out once again to find the perfect tree

Holiday memories make everything special

It’s is an early fall day
The sun is out
The sky is a bright blue
There are a few clouds scattered across the sky
There is a slight breeze -- not too warm, not too cold — just right
The trees are dressed with their fall colors
You are sitting in a field of tall grasses
The grass is a light beige color
The grass sways gently to the breeze and makes a soft rustling sound as it moves
As you sit down in the field
A cloud of butterflies surround you
They are all colors -- purple, blue, yellow, red, gold and green
As you put out your hands, several light onto your hand before flying away

You close your eyes and take in the moment
You are at peace

I was dreaming
In a deep sleep
When I heard your voice
So real
Saying “honey”.
I thought you were there
With me
But you weren’t

I was dreaming
In a deep sleep
Body relaxed
Letting go
When I heard your voice
Saying “honey”
I thought you were there
With me
But you weren’t

You were in another place
Not here
Not with me or by me
But in my mind
You were there
In my heart you were there
With me

I may not be like you
Look like you
Sound like you
But I am also human
I’m just me

My language may be different
My country
My customs
But I am also human
I’m just me

I have hopes and dreams
Wishes and desires
Though I am not of your blood
I am human
I’m just me

Trying to live my best life
In a good way
I am a peaceful person
Also human
I’m just me

I’m a traveler
An artist and writer
No more or less
Than another
I’m also human
From another place
No better or worse
I’m just me

So when you see me
Don’t judge
As I am just human
Walking my destiny
Just like you
I’m just me

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
Believe
In your power and light

You are my light
My sun, moon and stars
My heart
You are life
When you smile, light shines
Like a sunbeam
Since I first saw you
You became part of me
You took over my heart
You have always been there
You are the best of me
The best of the world
You bring life and happiness
Calm and peace
You are the world

If you see someone with a frown, smile
Choose laughter over tears
If someone needs help, reach out
Offer kindness instead of harshness and cruelty
Heal don’t hurt
Love instead of hate
Don’t judge, accept
Walk towards 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
Remember we are all human

Light up the world
Lift someone up today
Bring a smile to a stranger
Be grateful for each day and moment

When we are away or leave
We hunger for the scent of home
We wish for something familiar
Something we can cling to
Something we know
We will do anything for it

When we are away or leave
We hunger for the scent of home
The flowers
The trees
The landscape
The people and the food

It becomes an intoxicating perfume
For the soul and heart
To comfort and calm it
When we are away or leave
We hunger for the scent of home

I live among ghosts
Phantoms
They keep calling me
I walk by memories
Old haunts
I touch them ever so slightly
Carved through year’s of life
There are spirits
Vapors of life
I feel them touch me
They hover above
They watch
They listen
They are always there
I see remnants of where they were
I feel them
I can’t escape them
Every where I turn
Everywhere I look
I feel them
Echoes of them embedded
I feel them in the air
I feel them in thoughts
I feel them in faces
I live among ghosts and memories
Of another time

Hot baked sun streaming down
Intense bright light all around
Penetrating everything
Wilting flowers fighting to live
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 soft cool ocean breezes

It’s summertime once again

When she walks there’s no noise
She almost floats above the ground
It’s as if she has wings
Like a butterfly
A farasha
When she moves
It’s with grace
Her dresses move with her
Ever so gently
There’s something genteel about her
Different
Sometimes she seems to disappear
Hard to catch or hold
Other times she pauses
Before flitting off
She wears bright colored dresses
With flowers and things
As if she’s part of nature
She’s the farasha girl
The butterfly

A Touch of Hope

When hope is lost
Heavy darkness settles in
Light diminishes
The idea of tomorrow fades
We feel mired down in muck
We are paralyzed
People lose their north
They lose their sense of purpose
Seeking any sliver of light to lift them
To show them the way
Seeking anything to inspire
When hope is lost and darkness comes
We hunger for the light
We tire of the heaviness
We long for hope
Anything
When hope returns
We lift ourselves up
We seek the light
Want to stand in the sun
And never leave
Let the light and warmth heal
When hope returns
We have a can do feeling
We believe once again
We are willing to try
We offer a hand
We smile brightly
Laughter can be heard
We are inspired
We can create
Music gets louder
People dance
Hope is everything

We all have them
Every country
Across the world
They are vital
Some are our favorites
Others are not
But they help to shape us
They inspire
Encourage us
Their time is golden
Priceless
Beyond words
Because of them
We learn and grow
We expand our minds
We learn to think
Beyond ourselves
They are committed
Beyond reproach
It’s a calling
They ask very little
Just that we learn
They are real heroes
Each and every day
Giving of themselves
To lift us up
To help us become
All we can be
We owe them
Everything

Come dance with me
Let’s touch the stars
Baila conmigo
Let’s listen to romantic music
Come walk with me
Anda conmigo
Come explore the world with me
Let’s see all there is to see
Let’s watch the stars dance
Watch the moon watching us
Let’s smell the roses
Vamos oler las rosas
Come laugh with me
Give me one hundred smiles
Come be with me
Ven conmigo
Forever

You reside in the recesses of my mind
You are in my blood
My spirit
The total essence of me
You are in my heart
My soul
What makes up my spirit
The total essence of me
You have always been there
Since time began
You never left

You course through all of me
You are part of everything I touch

You reside in the recesses of my mind
You are everywhere
You always have been

Tonight there’s a half moon
It’s silvery white
Hanging by a golden thread in a
dark painted sky
Around the moon is a delicate halo
It looks incandescent to the eye
The vision is almost hypnotic

It’s a half moon night
The air is warm
Heavy and thick
Not refreshing

Summer is in the beginning of its final throes
Breathing fire into the day and night
Making it hard to live and concentrate
Fall is waiting in the wings
Eagerly awaited

It’s a half moon night

It is that time of year again
Smells of pine trees
Doors decorated with wreaths
Ornaments glistening as they are hung
Beautiful bright colors
Red, silver , gold , green and blue
Gorgeous garlands
Candy canes and goodies
Houses adorned with lights
Cookies being baked
Hot apple cider and hot chocolate
Choirs singing familiar songs
People running to and fro
Looking for the perfect gift
Shoppers online
Children visiting Santa
Cities and towns decorated
Friends and families coming  together
It’s that time of year

Clear blue skies
Crisp air
Leaves on the ground
Smells of pine
Hot chocolate in mugs
Egg nog and apple cider
It's the season

Turkey cooking
Stuffed with special dressing
Family and friends all around
It's the season

Holiday parades
Santa dressed up
Music in the air
It's the season

Goodwill and peace
Feelings of gratitude
Quiet in the air
It's the season

Bright colors everywhere
Trees decorated
Cities put on their best
It's the season

Pies and cookies being baked
Snow gently falling
Fires burning slowly in fireplaces
It's the season

She sat in utter silence
In an unfamiliar place
Everything was new
Never experienced before

She was barely noticed
Almost invisible to the eye
Out of her own element
She tried to melt into the wall
She was an outsider

She sat in silence
Barely noticed
Quiet
Almost invisible
Barely seen and heard

She was from another place
Another time
She had traveled a long distance
To be here

She was not seen nor heard
She was insignificant
She was the unfamiliar one
She did not truly exist in some ways

Once an elderly gentleman
Very wise
Similar to Indiana Jones
Gave me a bit of advice
He said live life
Savor each moment
They pass quickly
Don’t worry
Minimize stress
Go for comfort
Life’s hard and unfair at times
We can’t control everything
But, it’s an adventure
Never be afraid
Things work out for the best
True joy comes from the adventure
All the experiences one has
What is learned along the way
What’s your adventure?

That’s life and living

A Time of Faith

It’s Sunday morning
For some
A time of faith
A time of family
Of belief
Community
Trust
It’s Sunday morning
A time to reflect
On the week
And what’s coming
A time to slow down
It’s Sunday morning
Meditate
Calm oneself
Looking for peace
Stillness
It’s Sunday morning
A time of faith

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 winter time
It’s lightly snowing
The pine trees are getting covered with a white blanket
It’s fresh looking outside

Cocoon

The snow glitters like diamonds
A fire is burning in the fireplace
The smell of the wood permeates the air like perfume

Cocoon

You are snuggled in bed wrapped
up in warm blankets like a cocoon

Cocoon

You are comfortable and safe
As sleep approaches you surrender to it without a struggle

You are cocooned

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

Warm hypnotic breezes blow
The air is fresh and clear
Comfortable to breathe
A weeping willow bends to and fro
Its branches reaching towards the sky
The sky is light blue with a scattering of white clouds
Lulling one into a state of peace
Wind chimes play their melody to the rhythm of the wind
The willow tree leaves glisten from the sunlight
What a perfect summer day if only it could go on forever...

It’s a time of sparkle
Glitter, silver and gold
Rubies, diamonds and emeralds
Beautifully wrapped gifts
Sugar cookies
Gingerbread
Apple cider
Hot chocolate
It’s a magical time
Where wishes are granted
If we just believe and hope
It’s a special time
It only comes once a year
But when it does
It lights up the world
For just a moment
Bringing silence and peace
Silver gold and glitter

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

I remember when:

I was just a girl
Visiting New York City
My first plane flight
Living with my parents overseas
Learning to speak another language

I remember when

Jumping in piles of leaves in the fall
The smell of fall
Building a treehouse in the forest
Watching the birds from our back window
Watching my mother make jelly
Going trick or treating with friends

I remember when

Sleeping over at friends houses
Roasting marshmallows
Selling lemonade
Playing softball

I remember when

Watching my father garden
Going downtown with my mother
Getting new dresses for school
Watching the new Beatles movie
Walking to school

I remember when

Troll dolls were in
The smell of lilacs outside my window
Snowy winters
Christmas with friends

I remember when