When covered in darkness
Seek the light
Let it cover you like a coat
When full of despair
Seek the light
When the mind is empty
Seek inspiration

When feeling lost
Seek the light
When overwhelmed
Trust yourself to see it through

When nothing seems right
Look to what you have
We all have treasures

When tired and fatigued
Try something new
When bored
Learn something

When the heart is empty
Seek art and music
Let it lift you up

When you feel alone
Help another

Lightness

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

Burning embers sitting amongst the wood
Black and orange
From time to time a gold blue flame emerges
The wood crackles against the heat
As the fire burns
The glow is calming to the spirit
The smell like a natural perfume
As the wood burns
The embers glow a red orange color
With a slight stream of white gray smoke
Reaching up towards the sky
It’s a moment of true bliss
To be treasured
  Always

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

When you are sleeping
Do you dream of me

When you are sleeping
Do you want me

When you are sleeping
Do you miss me

When you are sleeping
What do you think about

When you are sleeping
Where do you go

When you are sleeping
Do you visit beautiful places

When you are sleeping
Do you dream of me
As I do of you

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

When feeling lost
Go to the forest
Smell the trees
Take in the freshness
Let it cleanse you

When feeling unease
Go to the forest
Feast upon nature
Walk amongst the trees
Listen to the wind
It’s talking to you

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

When not sure what to do
Go to the forest
Listen to the answers
It will show you
Let it inspire you

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

The Field

It is a late spring day
Early afternoon
The sun is out
The sky is a bright blue
There is  a scattering if white clouds across the sky
There is a slight breeze -- not too warm, not too cold
Just perfect
You are sitting in a field of tall grass alone
The grass is a light beige color
The grass sways gently to the breeze and makes a soft rustling sound
The breeze is calming as it touches your face ever so gently
There is no sound only the grass moving to the breeze
You feel complete stillness and calm
You are at peace

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

Memories
Slide in and out of the recesses of our mind
Some are buried deep
Others replay on a regular basis
Like a video
Others are like clouds
That gently float by
Some bring a smile
Some make us sad
Some bring laughter
Some inspire
Some seem so real
Its as if we can touch them

Memories are a catalog of our life
They help to define us
Just like a good book
They are there to pick up
To read again
They are always with us
Like an old friend
Memories

It was a cool day
Felt like winter
The sky was crystal clear
The color was pure blue
It had rained the night before
The cool air seeped into ones bones leaving a dull ache
The cafe had mobile heaters lit
People were sitting in the café
Many seats were empty
Due to the cold
The atmosphere was muted
It made one long for the freshness of spring
Muted day

She was always the
afterthought
Never thought of first
Ignored
Put in the back
Substandard
She was different
Came from another place
Yet
Where she was
She was an outsider
Never really fitting
Even with her friends
She was an
Afterthought
It hurt
Inflicted damage
She felt she
wasn’t good enough
No matter what
She turned
To writing
For expression
Broken
Substandard

Every day she goes out
Putting on her red coat
She gets her things together
Heads out to start her day

She visits her favorite café
Slowly sipping her coffee
Thinking about her day

As she finishes her coffee
She gets ready to leave
Putting her coat back on
Packing up her things

She has had the coat for years
It came with her to a new land
When she wears it it feels like an old friend
Red is a favorite color of hers
In a way the coat helps define her
It’s like being with a part of home

Woman in the red coat

The waves are moving back and forth
Pulsing like a rhythm
The sound calms
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 hint of salt in the air
Like a sweet perfume
But the smell is not overwhelming
Nature’s magic
The water is a deep blue
With hints of white as the waves roll in and out
As the sun hits the water
Diamonds appear on the surface
Glistening against the light and the water
It looks surreal
It’s a perfect beach day

Memories
Slide in and out of the
recesses of our minds
Like clouds floating by
Some make us smile
Some make us frown
Some make us laugh out loud
Some teach us
Some seem so real it is as if
we can touch them once again
They are part of us
Just like our bodies
Perhaps even more precious
They are a gift
Treasure them
Always

When hope is lost
Heavy darkness settles in
Light diminishes
The idea of tomorrow fades
We feel mired down in muck
Hope

When hope is lost
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
Hope

When hope is lost and darkness comes
We hunger for the light
We tire of the heaviness
We long for hope
Hope

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
Hope

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
Hope

When hope returns
We are inspired
We can create
Music gets louder
People dance

Esperanza

I will love you
I will care about you
I will think about you
I will see you in my dreams

No matter what

I will miss you
I will need you
I will treasure you
I will stand by you

No matter what

I will love you
I will care about you
I will remember you
I will keep you in my heart

I will see you in my dreams
No matter what
Always

Folks drinking coffee in a cafe on a fresh morning
Surrounded by red cushions that adorn bright white walls
Looking stylish

Café time

Music playing with a loud hypnotic beat in the background
Large TVs on setting the tone
Tables set with clear dark red glasses

Café time

Professional waiters moving to and fro
People sitting outside under big  red umbrellas offering welcomed shade as needed
The start to another day in the city

Café time

I am a person
I am alive
I have feelings
I have needs and desires
I am no different than another
I can be hurt
I can cry
I can mourn
I can and need love
I need care, a home, sustenance
I need to belong
I want peace not war
I want to walk free
To live my life without pain or hurt
At times I am alone
At other times, not
I am no different
Than another
For I am human
We all are

After the rain
When the sun shines
And the sky is blue
The city is cleaned
It looks anew
The plants are greener
Brighter


It’s as if Mother Nature
Gave the city a bath
Just as a mother would
Putting on new clothes
Making sure everything
Is as it should be
Cleansing

He had been a professional player
A linebacker
They were built tough
And big
When he left, he created something new
Something different
A business
And a non profit to help kids
One day unexpectedly
A woman came to work for him
Her background was different
She had stepped out of her field
To try something new
She had never been this close to a celebrity
It’s a different world
He had never known someone with her background
They decided to try and make it work
Using the strengths of each
Surprisingly it worked
They both grew from the experience
The linebacker

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 bright colors in the fall
Eventually leaving home
Falling to the ground
As winter approaches trees sit bare
As if almost asleep
Waiting again for a new season
To start anew
Reborn

You are sitting in a desert with no one around.
The sky is blue, with a scattering of clouds.  
The sand is white but very fine.
It’s soft to the touch like fine silk.
There is a slight breeze which is not too hot or cold.
It brushes against your face ever so gently.
There is no noise.
It is quiet and still.
You can hear your breathing.
Over the top of you sits a translucent umbrella of light.
It’s made of peace, love, and protection.
As you start to walk, the umbrella follows you.
It will be with you forever.

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

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

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

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

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

Flames of love

You are standing on a beach
The sand is warm and soft to the touch
The sun is out and the sky is a clear brilliant blue

There are a few white clouds in the sky -- very delicate
The sun is not hot, the air is not cool. It is just right
There is a light soothing breeze
There is the smell of salt in the air
It’s intoxicating

As you look out into the water, you see the color, a light turquoise
The water dances making the waves look like diamonds sparkling in the light
As you begin to walk into the water, you do not feel wet
Your color changes to the same as the water

As you walk further out into the ocean, your shape and consistency change
You melt and meld into the sea
You feel warm, safe and at peace
You are finally home

It’s a beautiful day.
Bright white fluffy clouds in the sky.
A slight cool breeze is gently blowing.
The air is clear and fresh.
Off in a distance, a horse has jumped the gate of a corral.
It’s running free towards the mountains.
Moving faster and faster.
Till it finally disappears into the distance.
Like a mirage.
Freedom

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

The wind chimes are clanging outside the window
Making their own type of music

The wind is whipping through the trees at such a furious pace the large weeping willow outside is bending and swaying to its own dance
Branches moving like the conductor of an orchestra

The clouds have turned dark and menacing dropping lower to the ground
The sky is color changing to match

A storm and rain is on the horizon
Get ready

It was late fall
Almost time for the holidays
The heart of the city was full
People running to and fro
Taking care of business
The air was cool
Crisp to the feel
The sky painted a light gray
Could mean snow
The piano bar was full
In a well known hotel in midtown
The Hilton
People sitting, waiting and relaxing
The music was familiar jazz
Pleasant to the ear
Slowly one by one snowflakes
Started falling
They were beautiful like lace
Some on the street stopped
To watch the snow transfixed
On the beauty of nature
Eventually the pace picked up
Leaving a beautiful white blanket
Along the sidewalks and streets
For just a moment the city slowed
To admire the handiwork
Of Mother Nature
Once again

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

Sometimes if we’re lucky
We are given a dream
A special wish or desire
It becomes part of us
It seems impossible

It’s a beautiful dream
We want it more than ever
It’s always on our mind
If we believe with all our might
It then becomes reality

Dream

Listen to the music
Let it guide you

Listen to the music
Let it lift you up

Listen to the music
Let it heal you

Listen to the music
Let it touch your heart

Listen to the music
Let it soothe your soul

Listen to the music
Let it make you smile

Listen to the music
Let it show you the world

It’s early
On a Saturday
The city is quiet
Peaceful
Not many people out
There’s a stillness to it
Refreshing
The air is clear
Shops not open yet
It’s the beginning
Of another day
Soon the quiet will leave
Replaced by people and noise
But for now
There’s a little bit of heaven
In the quiet and peace
Early morning

It’s that time of year
The light has changed
Ever so slightly
From summer to fall light
The suns brightness less intense

It’s that time of year
The light has changed
From summer to fall light
The air is crisper
The nights cooler

It’s that time of year
The light has changed
From summer to fall light
The heat of summer is leaving
The beauty of fall is coming

Its that time of year
When leaves start to turn
Orange, yellow and red
Dabbling the landscape
Like a fine painting

It’s that time of year
When colors are bright
There is a special shine to everything
Moods are high
The world puts on its best face

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

Memories slide in and out of the recesses of our mind

Like clouds lightly floating by
Some make us smile
Some make us frown
Some make us laugh out loud

Some seem so real it is as if we can touch them once again
They can take us to a comfortable and magical place

Memories

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

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

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

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

I miss you
Every day of every month
I always will

A summer wind whips through the air and the trees
Lightning dabbles the sky like a quick paint brush
It’s stunning
Tree limbs bend as the wind moves through them
Like a dance
The sky lightens up from the electric charge moving through
The air fills with the sound of thunder
It’s pounding a rhythm
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
Hold on
It’s coming

Home can be anywhere
Home can be at anytime

Home is where the heart is
Home is where one belongs

Feels comfortable
Feels safe

Is loved and cared about
Home is everything

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

Wind chimes rattling in the wind
Playing their own kind of sound
Clattering and ringing against the metal grate
As the wind whips through them
Trees bending in the wind, void of their foliage
Looking naked and stark
Moving to the rhythm of the moment
Snow lightly falling and blowing around
Looking like cotton candy
Before gently resting on the ground
It is the coming of winter and the season
Cold easing its way into homes, bodies and open spaces
Replacing the warm seduction of summer
Temperatures dropping outside
Bringing a frigid feel all around
Nighttime chills and darkness befall the city
Winter is arriving
Time to get warm

She had gone to see the Sahara
She had never been before
She wanted to see the sun rise
Over the desert
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
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
A bright red ball
Lifting high
It was incredible
Almost indescribable
Natures art
She felt her spirit lift
Towards the heavens
Just as the sun finally came up
Sahara Dream

Sunday night is fast approaching
Another weekend winding down
Time to get ready for the start of a new week
For many the call of work can be heard through the wind
For others the anticipation of a fresh start with a new week
All over the world this is happening whether in Paris or New York
And before we know it, another Friday will come and we can once again look forward to the weekend

Quiet time
When it’s still
When you can hear a pin drop
Peaceful
Sitting with my cat
Hanging out
Listening to her purr
Feeling calm
Enjoying the moment
Watching the news
Looking at things
Working on lunch
Small things
Yet important
They’re part of life
Sometimes forgotten
Quiet time

When the hot heat burns into your soul, imagine that you  are standing in a river with cool water running over your feet

It is soothing to the touch
It is calming

Imagine a cool breeze gently blowing across your face like butterfly kisses
Your skin feels cool

Imagine the scent of pine trees in the air

You are in another place
It is magic

Surreal

Sometimes life seems surreal
That it’s not real
When I look back
I can’t believe my age
Have I really lived this long?
Where did the years go
They just flew by
In an instant
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
Yet I am at the last third of my journey Instead of the beginning
How did that happen
Is this all a dream
So I will wake up some day
If not, I need to get busy

Surreal

Words can hurt
They can cut into the soul
Leaving deep wounds
Sometimes they remain
Never healing
Words can also uplift
They can heal
Touch one’s spirit
Inspire
Bring hope
Or they can break the spirit
Playing over and over
Bringing darkness
Destroying creativity
Or they can bring light
Inspiring great artwork
Literature and music
Tempt the imagination
They can break hearts
Or mend them
Cause tears
Or stop them
It all depends
Which words are used
Choose carefully
Words

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
Remember you have your own destiny
You are not done

Believe