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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 you feel all muddled
Go into the forest
Sit amongst the green
Surround yourself
Let your eyes feast upon the beauty
Inhale the perfume of nature
Free yourself of everything
Let the beauty and stillness calm you
Go to another place
Away from the noise and bustle
Become one with nature

Be at peace

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

She comes from the street
She’s white
With gray and black
She has a beautiful face
Her eyes are green
With black lining
It’s hypnotic
The cat

She’s a sweetheart
She wanted a home
She asked for help
Her heart is full
Of love
She’s gentle
She has a home
The cat

She loves to play
And be by her people
Her cry is quiet
She never hurts


There’s just something about her
In her face is there’s an innocence
That has captured me

The little cat

She bought it
Not long after arriving
From one of the stores
Something for summer
It gets very hot
Searing heat really
It’s cotton
A rose pink color
With a design
Cotton
The skirt is flared
It’s cool in the heat
Comfortable against the skin
Every season
She pulls it out
Though it is old
It’s a part of her now
She has some others
But this is her favorite
The age is showing now
The color is a bit faded
And there are some small holes
Nevertheless she loves it
Like a security blanket
The dress

It’s early morning
The city is still somewhat quiet
Not much traffic yet
The sun is out, but not fully
Another day is just beginning
Time for coffee and tea
To catch up on the news
And the world
Breakfast is needed
So many choices
Still time to rest
Before starting up the day
The coolness of the air
Refreshes after a hot day
Cleansing the body
It’s time for stillness
To calm the spirit

Are you real?
Are you just a dream?
You seem too good to be true
I can hardly believe it
Imagination
Are you really here?
You are perfect in every way
The way you look
The way you walk
Your handsome face
You seem to good to be true
Imagination
Are you real or a dream?
You are like a melody
The sweetest of music
The finest piece of art
Imagination

Green palm trees trying to keep their green
Leaves starting to turn brown
Bright blue skies without a hint of white clouds
Steaming sidewalks
The signs of summer

Warm sultry breezes at night
Offering a coolness to the air
Blow across my face
Gently seducing me
Black velvet skies
Decorated with sparkling diamond stars
The signs of summer

Flowers and flowering plants craving water
Reaching towards the light
Birds seeking a welcome drink
Wind chimes churning in the breeze
Animals searching for a slice of shade
The signs of summer

Women dressed in light flowing dresses
Bright colors and patterns
Making them look like butterflies
The signs of summer

Men wearing straw hats
Sunglasses
Light shirts
Linen pants with sandals
The signs of summer

Cool breezes coming late into the night
Offering a soothing touch to the sleeping
Before the heat starts again
The signs of summer

Hot heavy air fills the sky
No breeze to feel
The air is heavy
Uncomfortable
It’s steamy
Wind chimes are silent
Windows open
Searching for something
Anything light and breezy
Nighttime starts arrive against the  dark sky
Temperatures hopefully will start to drop
Doors wide open to welcome the cool air
Things starting to slow down
In preparation for the coming night
Everyone hoping to feel the coolness against the skin as the day ends
A slight reprieve from the heat
From mother nature
For just a moment
Before tomorrow

It was the heart of fall
The season was in full swing
There was a slight breeze
An unusual looking feather fell to the ground
Before falling it swirled around caught up in the wind

It was black, gray and white with a hint of red
It was in perfect condition
It was sitting in between the fallen leaves

A small boy was walking home from school
He found the feather sitting on the ground
He picked it up to look at it
To him it was beautiful and magical

To save it he took one of his school books out from his backpack
He opened the book and put the feather in between the pages and closed the book for safe keeping
Little did he know the magic was just starting

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

Hot burning days
Green palm trees trying to keep their green
Bright blue skies with no hint of white clouds
Steaming sidewalks
The signs of summer

Warm sultry breezes at night
Blow across my face
Gently seducing me
Black velvet night skies
Decorated with sparkling diamond stars
The signs of summer

Flowers and plants craving water
Reaching towards the light
Wind chimes churning in the breeze
Animals searching for a slice of shade
The signs of summer

Women dressed in light flowing dresses
Bright colors and patterns
Making them look like butterflies when they move
The signs of summer

Men wearing straw hats
Sunglasses
Light shirts
Linen pants with sandals
The signs of summer

Cool breezes coming late into the night offering a soothing touch to the sleeping
The signs of summer
It’s on its way

Early in the morning
Fall breezes blowing
Gently across my face
Tempting me
Darkly painted gray skies
With hints of gray and blue
Brightly colored leaves
Red, orange and yellow ones
Almost surreal in their beauty
Remind one of a impressionist painting
Rustling in the wind the leaves move to their own melody
Some desperately clinging to branches ever so tightly
The sound of chimes  ringing in the wind in the distance
Beckoning me to stay for just a little while

Springtime Memories

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

Every now and then
When we are away
We need to return
To a little bit of home
Sometimes it’s
Hard to find
But when we do
It can bring a smile
Offering comfort

So when you ache
Deep inside
For something familiar
Try and find a little
bit of home
Let it work it’s magic
Bringing the familiar
For just a moment
It can be magical

Music and memories go together
Like salt and pepper
One complements the other
One triggers the other
Listening to a song can easily transport one back to a memory or time
A certain memory can bring back a certain feeling
It’s as if one stepped into a time machine to relive that moment
Music can also inspire, ignite and calm the soul
It can heal ones wounds and evoke strong feelings
Music can take me back to a sweet memory of my father shoveling the snow outside during a winter storm
Or my father taking my hand as a small girl to enter a Brazilian ceremony many decades ago
Or to remember a colleague playing a song by the Temptations in the office one Friday morning to help start the day
Music and memories inspire our lives to be so much more like an artists’ painting

When in doubt
Trust
When in doubt
Believe
When in doubt
Pause
When in doubt
Meditate
When in doubt
Follow the light
When in doubt
Stay calm
When in doubt
Seek comfort
When in doubt
Trust

The nuances are ever so slight and almost hidden, just a slight difference, or way of being, perhaps even thinking or feeling. Sometimes it seems that they are not even there, invisible to the touch and senses.
From one familiar land to another that is somewhat familiar yet unfamiliar. There is a chemistry to a place, and a rhythm which one needs to fit into and the melody may not be exactly the same. Similar to an orchestra, one needs to find the right instrument and music to play.
The dance of the nuances can happen. Between people, between worlds, between almost anything.
What seemed so sure so many times before may seem unsure now. Steps feel a bit uneven as one moves out onto new terrain and unchartered territory. Like a baby bird gathering it’s courage to leave the nest.
But, through each step, learned and accustomed, the unfamiliar starts to become more familiar.
The music to the dance is one of patience, time and learning.

Let joy touch you

Let it reach into you
Let it touch your heart
Let it stroke your face gently
Let it hold your hand
Let it lift you up towards the sky

Let joy touch you

Let it fill your heart with happiness
Let it bring you laughter
Let it bring you the moon
Let it bring love and comfort

Let joy touch you

Let it make you dream
Let it make you believe
Let it bring you sweetness
Let it soothe your soul

Let joy touch you

The sun is out
Showing its face
After a dark storm
With lots of pouring rain
Heaviness
High winds
Dark gray skies
When the sun finally comes
Like a welcome friend
Bright, golden, warm
Enticing
Blue sky returns
Set against marshmallow white clouds
Sunshine bliss

Everything is clean
Washed by nature
The city takes on a new look
Streets look better
Windows shine
Flower colors are striking
Trees stand taller
Reaching up towards the sky
Grass is greener
Sunshine bliss

Moods brighten
Smiles are bigger
People feel lighter
If freed from something
Laughter is louder

Sunshine bliss

Snowflakes gently touch your face but you are not cold

The air is refreshing
As you breathe you focus on your each breath

There is total peace around you
There is a scent of pine in the air
It reminds you of the coming season

You close your eyes to listen to the quiet
When you open your eyes, you see a doe looking at you.
Still, quiet and peaceful.

Sometimes we may fail
We may even feel like a failure
We may fall down or not meet expectations
Ours or others
But if we try, including new things are we?
As long as we get up and try again
Failure

People judge others all the time
Holding them up to their standards
Whether they are appropriate or not
How can one truly know about another
Without being in their shoes
Failure

If we take a risk and try something
If we reach beyond our means
If we find our own way
Even if different and unique
If we define ourselves based on our choices
Are we a failure
It’s in the eye of the beholder
Especially ours
Failure

There were two stones that had been together
They had never been apart
They sat in the bottom of a river
Peaceful
Sublime

Then all of a sudden one day they were separated by storms and rough waters
They ended up being pushed into different parts of the sea
Settling eventually on to the floor where they each sat alone

After several decades and stormy weather one day they were moved  close to each other once again

Like magnets they were uncontrollably drawn to the other and somehow managed to lock together as if made only for each other
Over time they became one piece
Destiny had arrived in all its glory

It’s magic

As you go out into the night, look up at the sky and remember

Look at the moon in all its glory
See how the light
shines upon the clouds
Feast upon the stars and pure beauty of the darkness

Gather peace and tranquility from the stillness

Realize we are part of something greater than ourselves
Feel the energy which is part
of everything

Remember where you come from, and what you truly are

Believe

Shes a small baby bird
She’s been quite ill
Got hit with more than one thing
Little by little she’s healing
Taking small steps
One at a time
Trying small activities
She’s spreading her wings
Ever so slowly
Like a baby bird

As each day passes
She gets stronger
Less symptoms
More time feeling better
The feeling lifts her up
Her spirits want to fly
She wants to try to do something
Step to the edge of the nest
Explore
Like a baby bird

I woke out of a deep sleep
I was in that place in between reality and dreams
I then heard my fathers voice
It came out of nowhere
Clear as a bell he said “time to go”
He repeated it several times
It was striking as it sounded so clear and real
It felt like he was in the room
Yet he has been gone for several years now
Those words brought back memories of him and I
When we would go out as a family
Or he and I would go out shopping
I remember going to look for that perfect Christmas tree with him
Or meeting him for dinner and holiday shopping for my mother
Or the times I would drive him to the airport to catch a flight
Or pick him up after a trip
Or when we would go to a ball game together
Or my mother and I waiting in a restaurant in Jamaica while he arranged to get us home

Time to go

Every morning there is a  parade Carriages head across the city
Beautifully decorated in green and gold

Proud horses confident in their stride
Take them to their destination

The drivers sit up high as they make their way
Winding through the streets

Every morning there is a parade Carriages head across the city
Beautifully decorated in green and gold

Proud horses pulling them to their final destination

Every morning there is a parade

Beautiful Carriages march across the city

Go Towards the Light
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

At a time of negativity
Be positive
Be thankful
For loved ones, family and friends
For your experiences
For the life you have

At a time of great strife
Be thankful
For the many blessings
that have graced you

At a time of darkness
Reach for the light
Let it lift you
Let it inspire you
Let it help you lift others
Be thankful

At a time of difficulty
Reach for the easy
Believe
Achieve
Inspire
Be thankful

Look around you
See what there’s to see
Experience life to the fullest
Enjoy every day
Treasure each moment
Give love
Instead of hate
Offer kindness
Instead of cruelty
Make someone smile
Fill your heart with joy
Pass it on to another
Be thankful
With gratitude

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

Every day she goes out
Putting on her red coat
She gets her things together
Heads outside and starts her day

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

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

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 her
In a way the coat helps define her

Woman in the red coat

Street scene
People out running to and fro
Cold breaths in the air
Its holiday time
The season is upon us
Once again
The street scene is active
Markets full of people
Bright colors and tinsel
Everywhere
Lots of good energy
People selling their wares
Stores are fully decorated
With their best
Streets full of holiday lights
People smiling brightly with cheer
Music in the air
Trees decorated inside and out
Children running and playing
Parents shopping for the perfect gift
It’s that time of year
Street scene

Earth
It’s a true miracle
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 anything like it
It’s unique
It’s our home
It’s a true oasis
A treasure

There once was a young man that traveled to a different time and place one day

He tripped while walking from his classes and hit his head
When he awoke he found that he had traveled to a different time, place and future

He had no idea how he got there nor how he would return to his own time and place
While there, he discovered a brand new life

One day he met a girl from that time and they became very good friends
They went everywhere together
One didn’t want to be without the other
This continued for quite some time

Until one day a bad storm came with very high winds
The young man was out walking and was swept up into the winds
They lifted him up higher and higher before dropping him hard onto the ground

When he  finally awoke, he found he was no longer in the future but had been returned back to his time and place.
To his great sadness, the girl was also gone

He tried to search for her but couldn’t find her anywhere
He tried to call her but couldn’t reach her
All he could do was think about her
He was at a loss of what to do
He tried everything to return to the other time but couldn’t

He was heartbroken
So was she
She tried as well to find him but had no luck
Sometimes she would dream about him and call out his name

One day he went to the ocean and stared out at the sea. He closed his eyes and called out to her

He removed every thought in his mind except for her hoping she would hear him. Alas nothing happened

He tried doing this over and over during the years with no result

Then finally one day she heard him calling to her across time

She answered
The girl came across all time and distance to see him

She brought herself to his time and place to stay and be with him

Magic
Together forever

I am a human being.
I am of the spirit.
Experiencing life.
As it comes.
Mostly in the present.
Somewhere along the road,
I realized that I was a spiritual being inside a human body.
I celebrate both.
They are part of the same.
They are one.
When I connect to both.
I remember.
While I was born alone and will die alone.
I am truly not alone.
I am of the spirit.
I am part of the greater whole.
The universe is my home.
I am of the spirit.

It was dark outside-- almost grayish in color
There was a hint of mist in the air
I was in another country
Your country -- searching
For you
We had lost each other for some time
I was trying to find you
I was told to come here
I was out in the land somewhere
Then I came upon a cave
Very large and dark
Musty inside
I entered it
And walked towards the back
Shadows of flames danced on the walls
The air was cool
As I approached the fire I saw you sitting beside it
Wearing a brown fabric robe
After so long you were there
Before me
It was incredible
You did not speak
I asked where you had been, how you were
You did not answer
In an instant you disappeared
All that remained were the remnants of the burning fire
I called out your name desperately
Only silence answered me
Once again I was alone without you
Lost in my dreams

What is it?
Nobility or something more
If someone has it
What does that mean
Are they acting in a higher way?
Doing good things ?
Or is it a title only
When someone supports a noble cause
Is it for the greater good ?
Do we all have nobility in us?
Can we
Does it lift up the world ?

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

Sitting at home on a cold winters night
Bundled up under blankets with someone you love
Reading a good book or watching a movie
Sipping hot tea or cocoa as the rain or snow gently falls outside
Feeling safe inside
Smells of beef stew cooking on the stove remind one of home as a child
Hot bread baking in the oven
The warmth filling the kitchen
Warm sweaters of bright colors
Fleece lined jackets with mittens and gloves
All bring back feelings of home and comfort

There is a grey colored mist floating through the air almost like a haze in the air

The sun is starting to come up over the horizon – a hot pink ball slowly rising over the sea

A man is standing on the beach facing out to the water, bare feet buried in the sand

He lets the ocean waves gently wash across his feet

The water is neither too hot nor cold, it is just right

He is wearing a muted grey colored sweater

Standing with his hands in his pockets, he is facing the water, watching, listening to the pounding of the

waves as a soothing drum beat ever so slowly

He closes his eyes to listen and smell the salt in the air like perfume

The sounds and smells calm him – leave him with a sense of peace

He then opens his eyes and looks off to the right, down the beach

He sees a woman slowly approaching him from a distance

She is walking slowly to the beat of the waves

He closes his eyes once again, waiting for her

Then he opens his eyes and sees her standing by him now watching and listening to the roar of the raspy

They smile to each other, grasp hands, turn and continue walking down the beach together....

Christmas jazz fills the air
Scents of pine and cinnamon
Beats pounding in the background
Elton John
Trees sitting on display

Christmas jazz fills the air

Holiday trappings all around
Silver, gold and red
Shops showing their best
People walking and looking
Warm coats, hats and scarves

Christmas jazz fills the air

Bright lights glimmer everywhere
Music spins through the air
Bright paper and ribbons

Christmas jazz fills the air

American rock music plays softly
The street scene comes alive
Cafés full of people sipping coffee

Christmas jazz fills the air

When hope is lost
Heavy darkness comes
Light diminishes
The idea of tomorrow fades
We feel mired down
Like we are stuck

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
Once again

When hope is lost and darkness comes
We hunger for the light
Desperation enters
We long for hope
We need it

Life is not about perfection; it is about growth and development. Growth comes from pushing through challenges and obstacles that happen. Whatever you do to consistently will shape your life will determine whether you meet your challenges with courage, faith and determination or if you allow them to overcome you with fear, and frustration.

Never give up
Always believe in your own potential for greatness
You are your own best coach
Believe
Light up the world

Silver bells
Sweet memories
Of times past
Run through my mind
Like a quiet stream
Hints of cinnamon in the air
Apple cider
Hot chocolate
Beautiful trees and wreaths
Decorated everywhere
Scents of pine trees
Burning wood
In fireplaces
Snow covered ground
Looking like a winter wonderland
Silver bells
Sweet memories
If I close my eyes
They come as dreams
Making me wish they never end

She had been in hell
Things had been impossible
Nothing worked
Things were hard
She didn’t fit
Everything hurt
Physical and emotional
There was no peace
Nor harmony
Finally one day
She had a chance to leave
To change things for the better
So she headed East
Driving through rain
Big storms and darkness
When she arrived
The rain had stopped
The air was fresh
With the scent of sweet flowers
All she felt was comfort
Peace and harmony
She belonged
She had come home
To her east coast heaven

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.

In the end, our legacy is about how we were and how we lived our lives.

After feeling pulled underwater
For some time

I can breathe

After feeling uncomfortable

I can breathe

My shackles have been released

I can breathe

I can move without effort

I can breathe

My troubles have passed
They are behind me
The sun is out
No more stormy days
I feel peace and harmony

I can breathe

Like a whale or dolphin
Swimming to the surface
For air
Exhaling strongly
Once again I can breathe

Fresh air