She was staying at the beach
Her room looked out on the boardwalk
The beach was beautiful
White sand
Turquoise water
Warm sun but not too hot
When the sun hit the water the reflection looked like shimmering diamonds

One night after dinner she sat on a bench
Facing the ocean
Watching the moon and sea do their dance together
The moon shone brightly down on the waves
Highlighting the white tips of the waves
As the moon continued to shine
The water seemed to move in an almost hypnotic way
Getting stronger and stronger
Drawing her to it

She was entranced
She could not pull herself away
Though time passed and it was time to go
She watched the dance of the moon and the sea as they spun their magic together

When I feel lost I will rise up
I will reach out towards the stars
To find my way back

When I can’t find my way
I will rise up and see the light
I will follow it back to my path

When I have no words
I will rise up and let you inspire me
I will let you guide me

When I am full of despair
I will rise up towards the sky
Letting it carry me on to my destiny

When I am full of darkness
I will up towards the sun
Letting it fill me with light

Wind chimes rattling in the wind
Clattering of the bells ringing against the metal grate as the cold winter wind
whips through them
Trees bending in the wind, void of their foliage and green moving
to their own kind of rhythm

Winter chimes

Snow lightly falling and blowing around like cotton candy strands
before gently falling to the ground or other surfaces
It is the coming of winter and the start of the a new cycle in the
weather and season for the year

Winter chimes

Cold easing its way into homes, bodies and open spaces
Temperatures dropping outside creating a frigid feel to
the body
Animals seeking a warm shelter
Nighttime chills and darkness befall the city
Once again it puts on its nightcap for the sleep that is slowly coming

Winter chimes

Hot burning days
Green palm trees trying to keep their color
Bright blue skies without a hint of white clouds
Searing sun
Steaming sidewalks

The signs of summer

Warm sultry breezes at night
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 like an addict
Reaching towards the light
Wind chimes churning in the breeze with a gentle tune
Animals searching for a slice of shade hunting for water

The signs of summer

Women dressed in light flowing dresses
Bright colors and patterns
Looking 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

What’s in a name?
Besides our identity?
Our family?
Roots?
What does it mean?
Does one carry more weight?
Than another
Does it have special meaning?
Is it more than a name?
Is it an identity?
Does it bring back treasured memories?
Does it represent a time?
Does it evoke special feelings?
Why does it matter?
Can someone else own it?
Is there hidden meaning?
What’s in a name?

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

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
They can break hearts
Or mend them
Cause tears
Or stop them
It all depends
Which words are used
Choose carefully
Words

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

After hardship
After pain
It’s important
To seek joy
Even if for a moment
Let it fill your heart
With light and warmth
Let it chase away darkness
Joy can be found
In so many ways
Large and small
It doesn’t matter
It’s the feeling
That’s important
So always
Seek joy
Because
In the end
That’s really
all we have
Use it to
Light up the world
With your own special light
Believe

Once again we wait
After diminishing
The enemy has returned
With a fury
Touching all parts
Of the world
No one is immune
Even the vaccinated
So we take a pause
Slow down our excitement
And wait
We are frustrated
We are tired
Both emotionally
And physically
Yet we go on
We have no choice
We return to past practices
To protect ourselves and
Loved ones
Watching for signs
That once again
We can finally stop waiting
And start to return
To life

A warm summer wind whips through the air and the trees
Causing them to move to the rhythm and the beat
Lightning dabbles the sky
Like the quick stroke of a paint brush
Tree limbs bend as the wind darts through them
The sky lightens up from the electric charge
The air fills with the loud sound of thunder
A summer storm is fast approaching
Playing the wind chimes outside
Like a musical instrument
As they move back and forth
To the rhythm of the wind
Mother Nature has arrived

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....

In my dreams I see a different time
A time of freedom
A time of no isolation
A time when I can go out
Where there is no disease
Where there’s hope

In my dreams I see a different time
A time when I can walk outside
A time at a local cafe or restaurant
A time to sit with friends
A time of hope

In my dreams I see a different time
A time of renewal
A time of creating a new start
A time of a new destiny
A time of hope

In my dreams I see a different time

Every few months
She disappears
She hides
Invisible
As if a ghost or spirit
She’s not part of anything
She’s something else
Unnoticed
Comes from a different world
A different place

She melds into surroundings
Becoming very quiet
Keeping to herself
No one pays attention
It’s better that way
More comfortable
She watches from afar

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

Folks drinking coffee in a cafe
Surrounded by red cushions that adorn bright white walls
Music playing with a soft hypnotic sound
News playing in the background on a TV
Tables set with clear dark red glasses
Professional waiters moving to and fro
People sitting outside under red umbrellas which offer welcomed shade
On the start to another hot steamy day

Summertime

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
A person’s worth
To another
Without being in their skin
We are all unique
Each with our own destiny
Different from another
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

I am a human being
That’s all
Nothing more
Nothing less
No better than an other
Just trying to live my life
Like everyone else is
Somewhere along the road
I realized I was also a spiritual being
I choose to celebrate both
This awareness is empowering
When I connect with another person
I remember
Even though I was born alone
And will die alone
I am not truly alone
We are all part of the same thing
Everything here
Is part of the universe
Animals
Plants
Oceans
Mountains

Believe
Lift up the world
With your special light

In the dark of the night I think of you and it warms me

You are my light

In the hardest of times I think of you and it gives me strength

You are my light

In times when I feel alone I think of you and I am not

You are my light

In the happiest of times I think of you and it brings me joy

You are my light

In a storm I think of you and it brings me comfort

In times of insanity when things seem upside down I think of you and the world seems right

You are my light
You are my universe

Once again the weekend is over
They go so fast
Like lightning
Yet the week drags on
Now it’s time to get up and get ready for work
It’s so hard to get up
The comfort of the bed keeps calling

Monday blues

Traffic is heavy for the regular drive
Coffee is on and the odor fills the room
Offering a welcoming smell
A favorite mug is out to receive the brew
Clothes are ready to put on
Keys on the table ready to grab
As one gently slides into the Monday blues

A dim light shines across the waters
It’s a distance away
Shining in through the dark and fog
is a light that reflects off the waves of the ocean
It looks surreal
It creates a path through the water
Off in the distance is a ship
It’s  been gone a long time
It lost its way
It’s been searching for home
All over the world
Seeing the light off in a distance
The ship turns and aims straight for it
As the it gets closer the light shines brighter illuminating the land
The land starts to look familiar after so long
The ship is finally coming home

Words are just words
It’s what comes with them
That’s important
Just because one speaks another language
Does not mean they understand the culture
Words are only one part
The rest is nuanced
Smiles, laughter, kindness
Relationship building
Without those
Words are just hollow and empty

Goodbyes can sting
Over forty years ago I said goodbye to my dream
I watched him walk away
It was almost more than I could withstand
It was to be our final goodbye
It was our first and most gripping

As I watched him walk away
I felt my heart start to crack
Tears streamed down my face
My body shook as if going through withdrawal

Goodbyes can sting
Today felt like deja vu
Unbelievably over thirty years later
I had the chance to see him again

At the end of our visit we had our second goodbye
We had big plans and high hopes
The second goodbye did not sting as much as the first because of hope
Unfortunately our plans were dashed

Goodbyes can sting
Luckily fate found us again
Putting us on the same side of the ocean
Today we had our third goodbye
Once again I watched him walk away

In some ways it stung like the first
Memories flooding back
This pulled at something I had not felt in a long time
While I know I will see him again
The heaviness in my heart will not allay
My emotions are tight like a fiddle
It’s funny they always say it’s easier to leave than to be left

Goodbyes can sting
My heart says that is true
They also say distance makes the heart grow fonder
That has been proven true as well

Goodbyes can sting

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

Look for Joy
At times of darkness
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 it fill your heart with happiness
Let it bring you laughter
Let it bring you the moon
Let it bring love and comfort
Let it make you dream
Let it make you believe
One more time
Let it bring you sweetness
Instead of sour
Let it soothe your soul

Let joy touch you

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

It’s  a winter wonderland
The holiday lights are out
Houses decorated at their best
Scents of pine waft through the air
Snow is lightly falling
It’s a winter wonderland

Streets are full of people
Running to and fro
Buying their wares
Shops are decorated
Its a winter wonderland
It’s like magic
Once a year
That touches the heart
Deep inside
Making people lighter
Smiles are brighter and bigger
Laughs deeper

It’s a winter wonderland
Believe

As you look out the window
Nighttime is approaching
You see bright pink streaks against a grey blue canvas
They are hot pink
Like the lipstick
The pink brightens becoming more intense and deep
It’s mesmerizing to the eye
As time clicks by the streaks of pink start to separate like cotton candy
Dusk is fast approaching bringing a coat of light black
The pink color disappears replaced by nighttime once again

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

There is forest and quiet
The trees reach to the sky
Darkness abounds
The air is cool and clear
A cabin sits
Surrounded by snow and trees
Mountains are in the background
A light is burning in the cabin
Smoke coming out the chimney
Scents of pine trees in the air
A dog sits on the steps
He’s a husky
Beautiful white and black
Waiting for it’s owner
A pie is baking in the oven
Apple perhaps
Coffee is on the stove
A fire burns in the fireplace
There is sublime quiet
There is a sense of calm
It is intoxicating
Like a sanctuary

Deep in the woods

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

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

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

Music

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

Hot heavy air fills the sky
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  dark sky

Temperatures will start to drop
Doors open hoping to cool the air

Green and gray 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

Something serendipitous happened --  I looked up at this young man who looked like a real prince to me and fell for him, head over heels.
All sorts of emotions were welling up in me all at the same time.
Things I had never really felt before, and only read about.

Somehow he had grabbed my heart and pulled it into his. He became part of the fabric of my entire being. He was as important to me as the air I breathed. It was as if I had jumped over a cliff emotionally into something so wonderful it was indescribable. I felt as if I could walk on air or fly. My heart had been given wings.

It has been said, that it only takes a moment, and in this case, that was surely true. From that moment on, from that dance on, we became high school sweethearts and were inseparable.

Magic can happen if one believes. It’s waiting for you.

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

Wake up
Clear your head
It’s another Thursday
Time to get going
Wake up

It’s another day
Time to get things done
Time to clear the head
Time to get dressed
Time for coffee and breakfast

Wake up
It’s another Thursday
The weekend is almost here
One more day
Time to get busy

Wake up
It’s Thursday
Time to get coffee
Time to have breakfast
Time to get going

You walk through the entrance of a cave
At the end of the darkness is a small pool of water
The water is warm, but not too warm
The temperature is just right
The color of the water is deep turquoise.
You start to walk into the water
The bottom of the pool is sandy
It’s smooth as silk
You pause and stand in the middle
Eventually you move
Towards the back of the pool
As you stand there
A waterfall starts to gently pour over you
From above
Rays of bright light start shining down
Making the water sparkle like diamonds
You are entranced
By the magic of the place
Never wanting to leave

It’s time to rise up
Lift ones spirit
High towards the sky
To leave behind the little things
To leave behind the mundane
It’s time to rise up
To something bigger
Grander

It’s time to lift oneself towards the sky
Towards the universe
Towards the stars
Towards all that is good

It’s time to rise up
To take the spirit to a higher place
It’s time

I am a human being, experiencing life mostly in the present time

Somewhere along the road I realized I was a spiritual living in a human body

I celebrate both and let them manifest in resonance with each other

When I connect to another
I remember even though I was born alone and I will die alone, I am not truly alone

I am part of something greater

Believe and light up the world with kindness and care

Longing for the cool
It is the beginning of October
Yet the heat keeps coming
Like an unwelcome visitor
That has overstayed

I am yearning for the feel
Of cool crisp air
Cleansing breezes against my face
Clear skies

I am missing the scents of fall
My body and spirit tire from the heat

I am longing for the cool
Crisp, fresh air
The need for a blanket or sweater

Perhaps tomorrow it will come
I am longing for the cool

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

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

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

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...

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

If you see me walking in the desert would you offer me a drink of water?

If I looked different than you would you say hello?

If I were tired would you offer me a place to rest?

If I were hungry, would you offer me something to eat?

If my language was different would you still accept me?

If you see me walking in the desert would you offer me a drink?

If I looked different would you say hello?

Would you help me?

If I found you on the street would you smile or look away?

Would you offer me a drink of water if I were thirsty?

Would you help me up if I fell?

If I were waiting for you would you see that we are really the same?

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

Sometimes we get lost in the wind
When a large gust blows
Our spirit gets caught and taken away
Sometimes we lose our way
The path seems to disappear and
becomes hard to see

We may end up where we didn’t intend doing what we hadn’t planned

We may feel out of place and lost struggling to find our way back
To a time of comfort and safety
To a time of care and love

Sometimes we get lost in the wind
Fighting to find our way home
Eventually though
A new path appears
Leading us to
Our destiny