Step forward instead of backward
Lift up instead of put down
Help instead of hurt
Love instead of hate
Inspire instead of limit
Kindness instead of harshness
Integrity instead of corruption
Lightness instead of darkness
Hope instead of despair
Laughter instead of tears
Creativity instead of bland
Dancing instead of sitting
Tolerance instead of none
Positivity instead of negativity
Possible instead of impossible
Step forward

I can stand in darkness
I can be consumed by the sheer heaviness of it
How it over powers and takes over

Or I can walk towards and stand in the light
Letting its brilliance soothe and heal me
Letting the warmth massage my soul and body
Giving me much needed relief

I can stand in the darkness and be alone
No one around only silence
Where heavy clouds abound

Or I can stand in the light and be surrounded by love
Bathed in its beauty

Letting the light open and fill my heart and all corners of my life

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

Cold and dark winters night
Raining outside
Sky a deep black velvet
Temperatures cooling off
Hard to feel comfortable outside
Bones starting to ache

My heart, soul and body hunger for the sun
Just a glimpse of it through the clouds
It’s been days of gray
I would take anything
I snuggle into my bed with warm blankets
Enjoying their warmth and comfort as the time passes into nighttime

My cat is by my feet seeking warmth for her body
I enjoy the sound of her purr as she falls asleep
Letting the sound calm me
Eventually my eyes feel heavy
Sleep is calling
On another winter’s night

As the sun drops for the night
The streets clear of cars and people
The emptiness is soothing in a way
Cats are the only creatures out
Seeking something to eat
Night quiet
As the sky grows darker
A black velvet blanket covers the sky
The stars start to appear along with a sliver of moon
Decorative lights are shining on a nearby building
Beautiful colors of pink and blue
Stillness is in the air
It is peaceful
It is calming
Sleep will be calling
With dreams
Taking one to magical places
Night quiet has arrived

Cool Reprieve

After several hot days
With searing heat
Humid nights
Fitful sleep
The body on fire
Mother Nature granted
A cool reprieve
Of temperatures
And soothing breezes
To lift up the spirit and body
To heal and invigorate
To heal the land
Feed the birds and plants
To lift up the soul
And light up the world
Once again

You are my light
You are my moon
You are my sun
You are my prince
You are my universe

You touch my heart
You touch my soul
You are perfect
You are my universe

You light my world
With your presence
You bring joy
You bring deep happiness
You calm the waters
You are my universe

You are my moon
You are my sun
You are my prince
You are my everything
Without you there is no light
Without you there is no life
Looking at you
Brings me closer to heaven

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

Red bird

He brightens everything
He sets the scene
Snow is whiter
Trees are greener
Winter is brighter

Red bird

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

Red bird

A bevy of them are lovely
Sitting in bushes or a tree
They look too good to be true
They are beautiful

Red bird

Do you remember?
We met long ago
In a different time and place

Things were simpler then
The pace was slower and easy

We came from different worlds
But it didn't matter
Not then and now

Do you remember?
We met long ago
In a different world

Now we are in the same world
Do you remember?

The leaf had been attached to a branch for decades
Every year it returned
To the same place
Suddenly one day the branch
was no longer there
It had disappeared
Into nothingness
The leaf lost its anchor
The leaf fell free
As it floated to the ground
It was lost
With no grounding
No home
No protection
It only had
Sweet memories
To offer comfort
The lost leaf

I will stand by you when you hurt
I will stand by you when you feel joy
I will be there in the good and bad
The hard and the easy
The darkness and the light
I will hold you up when you can’t
When you fall to the ground in pain
I will stand by you and lift you up
I will hold your hand to comfort you
And pull you close to me
I will never let you go
If you feel alone
You are not
Just turn around
And you will see
I am behind you
Standing by you
As I always have been

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

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

A dim light shines across the waters a distance away
Shining in the dark and fog
The light reflects off the waves of the water
It’s beautiful
It creates a path through the waves
In the distance is a ship which has been gone for a very long time
The ship lost its way and has been looking for home ever since
Seeing the light off in a distance the ship turns and aims for it
This could be the way back
As the ship gets closer the light gets brighter illuminating the land by it
The land looks familiar now after so long
The ship is coming home

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
And sometimes they break
or a piece of them 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 be treasured

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 Treasure

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
A Treasure

I’ve got the sleepy time blues
I am drawn to sleep and dream land

My body fights waking up
Preferring to rest in bed
The blues are dragging me down
Like a hypnotic drug

Craving for the warmth of blankets and the comfort of bed
Sleep has control over me
It won’t let go

My muscles don’t want to move
My mind is quiet
Thinking is hard
Muddled thoughts

When will sleep let me go today and set me free ?

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

I’ve got the gray blues
Been cold and rainy for days
My bones ache to the core
I’ve got the gray blues

Missing the sun
Those warm golden rays
Shining down on my face
Lighting the way to another day
I’ve got the gray blues
Craving when they go away

Love of My Heart

You are the love of my heart
My true hope
My inspiration
The glimmer of the stars
Light in the darkness

You are the love of my heart

My impossible dream
My Prince
The most perfect part of me
My best

You are the love of my heart
The sun and moon
You are everything right with the world

You are the love of my heart

It’s Sunday morning
The sun is out
The sky is blue
Coffee is brewing
The smell inviting
Another day has arrived

It’s Sunday morning
Time to reflect
Time for stillness
Time for gratitude

It’s Sunday morning
Cafés are filling up
Streets are becoming active
Music is playing
It awakens the spirit
Newspapers put out their best

It’s Sunday morning

She was in the water
Chained
She was struggling to get to the surface
Fish swam all around her
As she desperately thrashed

She wanted to be free
She felt trapped
She had a hard time breathing

She was in the water
Struggling to get free
She wanted to push through
But couldn’t

Whales started swimming around her
Every now and then going to the surface to break free
As their bodies lifted above the water and dropped down they created a huge splash

She watched with envy wishing she could do the same
Then all of a sudden the chains broke
She was free
Her burdens lifted
She felt light

As she made her way to the surface a whale swam beside her
As if it was guarding her
Then she grabbed its back fin and the whale lifted them both out of the water
She felt joy as she broke free
She lifted her head and looked at the sun

She climbed onto the back of the whale
They swam together towards the shore
She climbed off the whale and walked to the beach
She was free
Her burdens had been lifted
She looked out to the sea and smiled
Watching the whale swim back out

Every night
Since the beginning
Fairies arrive
They are tiny creatures
Almost invisible
They have delicate wings
Like a hummingbird
They have always existed
They come to the believers
All over the world
To grant their wishes and dreams
As they sleep
Fairies sprinkle magic dust
To bring sweet dreams and protection
As night ends they return to their land
Awaiting the next night

I was standing by you
You did not know it
I touched you but you did not feel it
I called your name
You did not hear me

I was standing by you
You did not know it
I looked at you
You did not see me
I remembered you
You did not remember me

I was standing by you
I touched you
I called you
I looked at you
But you did not know it

I remembered you
But you forgot me

I walked by you
I followed you
But you did not know it

It’s been well over a year
Yet things are not the same
They can’t really go back
There will have to be a new normal
Some day
These are still dangerous times
Never knowing what’s safe
Lockdowns and masks
Vaccine and social distancing
Yet some succumb
It’s hard to sit in a cafe
The Magic has dissipated
One is always wondering
Who’s who
Is is alright?
The feeling of yesterday
Is gone
It seems so long ago
It’s just not the same
Things are different now
Perhaps never going back
To that time of real comfort
Time will tell
But for now, they aren’t the same

The summer storm came with a fury
The rain poured down as if coming from a glass
Rushing quickly to the ground
Blinding the eye like a whiteout
The plants danced in the wind
Happy to receive natures elixir
The air got cleansed of the soot and heat
The sky washed fresh
The streets were cleaned
The sidewalks scrubbed
Mother Nature at her best
The plants were nourished  to the roots
The summer storm came with a fury
Making everything new once again

It was a cool sunny morning
Spring on the horizon
The sky had a crispness to it
Sky was bright blue
The cool air was refreshing
Before the heat of summer

Tourists were coming back
After a slight hiatus
People were out sitting at cafe
Coffee and goodies
Some seats were empty
The atmosphere was somewhat muted
It made one long for the coming of spring
It’s just around the corner

Hot heavy air fills the sky
It’s suffocating
No breeze to feel
Wind chimes silent in the wind

Windows open searching for something, anything light and breezy
Nighttime starting to come against the grey dark sky

Temperatures will start to drop
Doors open up hoping to receive
some comfort with cooler air

Green and grey against the canvas of nature

Things starting to slow down in preparation for the night to come

Hoping to feel the coolness against the skin as the day ends and night comes

Looking for a light breeze to come and blow across my face

Early in the morning, on a crisp bright day, seagulls soar high against a clear blue sky

High above the ocean, they swirl around so fast you can barely see them

They almost look unreal

Quickly without warning, the gulls turn and aim towards the sun reaching higher and higher in their flight before disappearing

All the while, the dark blue ocean pounds the shore offering a pungent smell of salt as the waves hit

Onlookers stop to watch the dance of nature once again as it hypnotizes them into a state of calm

Memories

Slide in and out of the
recesses of our mind
Like clouds floating by
Some stay a while
Others rush past
Some make us smile
Some make us frown
Some make us laugh
Some seem so real
it is as if we can touch
them once again....

The bond between us and animals is sacred
To have the trust of an animal is very special
Not everyone does
Whether a pet or wild
When we bond to nature’s creatures
We reach a higher place
The best of ourselves
Our spirits touch on some level
There is communication
Between us
When an animal loves
It’s pure
Innocent
Like rainwater
There’s no ulterior motive
Of money or power
It’s just love
It is sacred
It is a blessing

The season
Of holidays
A special time for many
Full of bright colors
Reds, gold, greens and blue
The smells of baking
Cookies, cakes and more
Hot chocolate and apple cider
Hints of snow all around
Store windows dressed for the season
Scents of pine trees wafting through the air
People’s moods improve
Thinking of the common good
Instead of the one
A desire for peace
Stillness
Harmony
It’s coming
The season

Gray dark skies outside
Wet cool air to the touch
Breath almost visible
Like a fine mist
Rain falling sometimes gently
Sometimes harder
Terrace being cleaned by the water
Plants getting needed nourishment
Turning a brighter green
Sky being cleansed anew
The city being bathed and refreshed
A calm cloud hovers
Quiet and peaceful
As the rain continues to fall
Ever so gently
Rainy day

The sand on the beach was light pink in color and was fine to the touch
The water at times was a brilliant turquoise blue

The beach was lined with large umbrellas stuck in the sand at an angle
They were numerous colors and some were multi colored
They painted the beach as a work of art

People were sitting under them watching the waves through their sunglasses or basked in the sun seeking the perfect tan

The waves pounded the shore breaking with luminous white foam as they reached the shore

The air was warm but not hot with a slight breeze soothing to the skin
A hint of salt wafted through with each breeze which was refreshing

It was another hypnotic day at the beach

It was snowing
The flakes were large and fragile
They looked like Queen Anne’s lace
The trees were covered with a white blanket
It created a canopy of sorts
The air was crisp and cool
In the distance was a cabin
It had been there for years
It was made out of wood
Handmade by the owner
Snow was piling up on the roof
Inside a fire was burning to combat the cold
Smoke was rising gently from the chimney
A kettle was on the stove to make tea
It was a good night for it
A dog was sleeping by the fireplace comforted by the warmth
Outside the snow continued to fall
Creating a postcard view
Not a sound could be heard on this peaceful night

Canopy of white

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


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

Ocean breezes fill up my lungs
Their air cleansing and healing
Invigorating me

Ocean breezes

The sound of the waves is hypnotic and calming
Almost like meditation

Ocean breezes

The turquoise color of the water is mesmerizing
My eyes are transfixed on it
Like a impressionist painting

Ocean breezes

Walking along the shore is like coming home
Picking up shells and exploring
Seeing the white foam of the waves

Ocean breezes

The cries of seagulls makes me smile
The feeling of warm sand on my feet
Makes me feel at home

Ocean breezes

If I were no longer here
Would you miss me?
Would it even matter?

Would there be a feeling of emptiness or just nothingness?

If I were no longer here
Would you miss my presence?
That specific essence that makes up me?

Would your heart ache?
Your spirit feel sorrow
Would you want to see me?
Or would it just be a momentary thing?
My being gone

If my presence were no longer here
Would you notice?
Would you miss me?
Would your heart ache?
Would your spirit cry out?

As mine would for you

There is a very special place a long, long ways away.....it is thousands of years old with traces dating back to Spain and before.

In the land of a thousand and one nights. The place of myth and rumor, is a city built of light rose pink buildings with turquoise window frames and a feeling of a great peace and harmony.

Things move slowly here as there is no reason to rush. At night, a calm falls over the city and it takes on a lavender hue.

People sit in cafes enjoying their coffee while the hypnotic breezes brush across their faces tempting smiles and laughter. Some call this feeling the purple haze. It seeps into buildings like a vapor, moving through the walls and windows covering its residents with a soft blanket while they sleep.

It has a delicate scent of lilacs and the color is a pale colored lavender with flecks of gold and silver woven through it like a fine tapestry or fabric.

As the mist penetrates the air, it brings about a feeling of total peace and tranquility second to none. The origin is a mystery,  though some say it comes from the snow capped mountains near by.

All anyone knows for sure is that it is a precious gift.

It’s magic

Dreaming of moonlight nights
Light hypnotic breezes
Trees gently swaying
Wind chimes playing
Scents of lilac in the air
Dreaming of moonlight nights
Walks along the beach
Sounds of waves hitting the shore
Gulls flying by
Holding hands
Dreaming of moonlight nights
Dinner by candlelight
Romantic music playing
Slow dancing
Perfumed air
Dreaming of moonlight nights
Soft touches
Gentle smiles
Bright laughter
Heart’s beating
Sweet kisses
Dreaming of moonlight nights
Hidden places
Cherished moments
Dreaming of moonlight nights
With you

When you feel down
Get on up
When you’re tired
Rest
When you don’t believe
Believe
When you feel empty
Fill up
When your mind is blank
Dream

When you feel down
Get on up
Lift yourself towards the light
Towards your path
Start walking
It will get easier

When you feel down
Get on up
When you’re tired
Rest
When you can’t
Do

Lift yourself up

Slowly, quietly, a dark enemy was approaching which would propel us into something neither of us truly wanted. I don’t think anyone intentionally falls into an abyss, where there is only darkness and no light, but we did.

It felt like a black hole of nothingness. He was disappearing, bit by bit. It was as if he was slipping into quicksand and I couldn’t do anything to stop it. It was devastating. I felt helpless and alone.

If you see someone with a frown, smile
Choose laughter over tears
If you see someone that could use a dollar, give
If someone needs help, reach out
Offer kindness instead of harshness and cruelty
Love instead of hate
Don’t judge, accept
Stay in the light instead of darkness
Give instead of taking
Lift up instead of tearing down
Trust instead of distrust
Open ones heart instead of closing it
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
Every bit matters

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
Safety
Peace and harmony
She belonged
She had come home
To her east coast heaven

It's 6 am on the east coast

Washington DC

Up high, over the horizon is a wide open sky

As far as the eye can see

Threads of cotton candy pink streak across the sky against a pallet of blue/gray.

It is so beautiful, it almost looks surreal and artificially created.

The city has not yet awoken for the day.

It is still, calm and quiet.

A slight, ever so gentle breeze rustles through the trees.

Then, slowly, the pink cotton candy streaks start to blend together

and dissolve into the sun.

As the ball begins to rise, it announces the coming of a brand new day.

A few birds fly by a balcony and land on a ledge to watch the view.

And once again, Washington DC wakes up.

Our lives are treasure chests
Filled with memories and experiences
Feelings
Every emotion possible
Images, smells, sensations
Each one is precious
Unique to us

Like a gemstone
Each one helps to define us
Each one helps us grow
To become who we are
Who we are meant to be

Our lives are like treasure chests
Valuable like a diamond or ruby
As time moves on they take on more value
Each one is a thread that helps mold us

Our lives are treasure chests
Beautifully designed
Intricate in every way
Filled with memories
Filled with experiences
Each one precious
Unique like no other

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...

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

Street Scene

Sitting in a café
Facing the street
On a sunny day
Watching the traffic pass
People on the street
All shapes and sizes
Different colors of clothing
A Coke truck across the street
Horns honking
It’s life
In the city
The café has plants
Large green ones
They offer a slice
Of nature and calm

He’s leaving again
He hasn’t left in a long time
It reminds me of years ago
When he left for good
There was no choice
It isn’t the same this time
But it brings up memories
Brings back that pain

He’s leaving again

On a jet plane
The feeling is so strange
Surreal
At times quite bothersome

It reminds me of years ago
With a young girl dressed in pink
Standing by a street light
Saying goodbye
Watching him leave

He’s leaving again
It pulls at my heart strings
It stings in a way
Leaving me here alone
What’s different this time is
He’s coming back