My body is tired
My soul is tired
My bones ache
I just want to lay down and rest a little

My body hurts
My soul stings
I just want to lie down and rest a little

My heart hurts
My mind is tired
I just want to lie down and rest a little

My eyes can’t see clearly
My hands can’t grasp
I just want to lie down and rest a little

My ears can’t hear
My nose hurts
I just want to lie down and rest a little

My compass is lost
I don’t know what to do
I don’t know where I am
I just want to lie down and rest a little

My body is tired
My heart hurts
My body aches
My soul stings
I just want to lie down and rest a little

When one is surrounded by clouds of darkness
When the burden feels to much to handle
When life is crushing you down
Seek the small light shining in a distance
It will guide your way
It is destiny waiting
It is these small slivers of light that give us hope
They help us try again
They help us begin again
To look for better days
They help to lift us up
Believe

Every night
Fairies arrive
They come from far away
They are tiny creatures
Almost invisible
They have delicate wings
Beautiful really
Like a hummingbird
They have always existed
Since the beginning
They come to the believers
All over the world
To grant their wishes and dreams
While they sleep
They sprinkle magic dust over them
Made of silver and gold
To bring sweet dreams and protection
As night ends they leave
Returning home
Awaiting the next night
To come once again
Fairy dust magic

I have a sweater
It’s used
But it offers warmth
It’s a favorite
On a cold day

I have glasses
To read with
And see
They have scratches
But they still work

I have food to eat
A bed to sleep in
A place to live
I am safe

There are people that care
About me
Family and others

So in a world of measures
I consider myself
Wealthy

If someone touched your life a long time ago, but you lost touch -- reach out
If someone touched your heart in a very special way -- 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

I’ve got the Monday blues
Weekends over
Time to go back to work
No more fun
No more sleeping in

I’ve got the Monday blues
Time to focus
Time to work hard
Time to get things done

I’ve got the Monday blues
No more sleepyhead
No more relaxing
Time to work
Time to get things done

I’ve got the Monday blues
Yearning for another weekend

I am a survivor
Many of us are
From the few  last years or so
We have battle scars
From fear, loss, illness
Overall stress from the times
But, we are still here
Still standing
Broken perhaps
But we made it through
To the other side
Though so many did not
Such loss and pain
The war is not over yet
It’s still going on
Quietly
In so many places
The danger is still there
Lurking
Muted only by vaccines
For that we are grateful
Yet we must remain vigilant
More battles may be coming
Yet we have made it to this point
We are survivors
We too are warriors
I am thankful

It’s been a long time
Over 18 months
Things have been closed
Lockdowns coming and going
People in their homes
Afraid to leave
Huge hardships
For people and businesses
So much suffering
All over the world
It’s been like a horror movie
Streets empty
Cities quiet
Then bit by bit
In the last month or so
As vaccinations increase
And things change
People start to return
Businesses open
Streets get busy
Sidewalks fill
Everything is coming alive
Awakening from a deep sleep

Life is a series
Of moments
Some sweet as sugar
Some bitter as vinegar

Life is a series of memories
Stretching through years
As time goes on
Some fade
Others become brighter

Life is a series of emotions
Some light and lovely
Some full of happiness
And love
Others
Full of sadness

It’s up to us to treasure
The sweet of life
And see each moment
As a precious jewel
That’s what brings light
Into our lives
Light up the world

Bring comfort
Feel like home
Offer calm
Instead of chaos
Give one a sense of belonging
Help one feel centered
They are important
They are most needed
During times of trouble
We all have them
Without them
We feel lost
We can’t find our way
They are like a lighthouse
Steering a ship to port
They clear out the fog
Erasing darkness
Bringing in the light
They are everything

There’s so much rage
It’s everywhere
Seeping into the crevices
Hidden
Not just in one country
But over the world
Trust has been broken
Little things become huge
The light is being replaced
By heaviness and darkness
Yet every now and then
Some light sneaks in
Even if it’s just a little
And when that happens
Rage dissipates
It runs
Replaced by brightness
We must treasure
Those moments
Through them
We will heal
We can move forward
If we believe
We can light up the world

It was quiet and still
A couple of birds flew through the air in the distance
The silence was deafening

Sunset

The trees laid out a dark rich green carpet underneath the trees
The color was luxurious

Sunset

The sky was a pale blue grey with pillows of clouds scattered across They broke up the sky with their placement and streaks

Sunset

The sky was also highlighted by light which created a shadow like effect similar to a renaissance painting

Sunset

As I looked at the clouds, they became brighter, and started to turn to a light pink

The longer I looked the deeper the color became

Sunset Mother Nature’s jewel

Hot heavy air fills the sky
No breeze to feel
The air is heavy
Oppressive
It’s steamy
Wind chimes are silent in the wind
Windows open
Searching for something
Anything light and breezy
Nighttime starts to come 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 night to come
Everyone hoping to feel the coolness against the skin as the day ends and night comes
A slight reprieve from the heat
From nature
For just a moment
Until tomorrow

Comfort

Comfortable places are wonderful
They feel good to be around
They are calming
They can also energize us

Comfortable places ground us
when we are not centered
They can inspire and lift us

They are some of our most precious
jewels in life
When feeling out of sorts seek
one out and let it soothe you

Believe

Hello Fall
Are you here?
Today when I awoke it was cooler
Today the air felt crisp
Today the sky is clear
Today my hopes are high

Hello Fall
Are you back?
Will you stay?
I missed you
Where did you go?

Hello Fall
I miss your colors
I miss the smells
I miss the food
The hot chocolate
The apple cider
The pies

Hello Fall
Are you back?
It feels like you are
I hope you are
I missed you

The colors
The crisp air
The smells
The food

Hello Fall
Please stay

When you look at me

What do you see?

Do you see me as I am or how you wish I were?

When you look at me

Can you see the depths of my soul?

When you look at me

Do you see my heart aching for you ?

When you look at me

Do you see how perfect you are to me in my eyes?

When you look at me
What do you see ?

Do you see all of me?
As I see all of you

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

Early in the morning there is a silence
It's peaceful and calming
A pin dropped can be heard
The world has not yet woken up
Noise has not arrived for the day

It is in those moments when we can be truly still within ourselves
We can listen to the messages from our spirit
Our true self
We can know and reclaim our destiny and who we truly are
Treasure those moments as they are rare
They are precious jewels in our lives

At a time of great strife
The world doesn’t need war
Nor aggression
Hate or division
It needs peace
Light
Care
Not hate
This is a time of difficulty
A time of uncertainty
Fear and stress
Yet from the flames
A leader has risen
Others have come together
Perhaps for the first time
Yet there is darkness
Heaviness
And struggle
It’s hard to watch
Waiting
Hoping for an end
Wondering
Why now
Does this happen
When there’s already
So much in the world
All we can do is pray
Standing in the light
Standing up for the truth
Hoping it ends
War

I am a person
I am alive
I want to live
Just like you
I have feelings
I have hopes and dreams
I have needs
I am no different from another
I need love
I need care
A home
Food and water
I want to walk free
To be able to live my life
Without pain or hurt
At times I am alone
Other times I am not
I am no different than another
I just want to be
Like you
In the end
We are all the same

Many many years ago
You touched my heart
With yours
You lifted up my spirit
With brightness and light

Many many years ago
You touched my heart
With yours
You tied me to you
With a golden thread

You found a place and never left
You took me to new places

Many many years ago
You lifted up my spirit
You touched my heart with love
You gave me care
You tied me to you
With a golden thread

Many many years ago
You touched my heart
With yours
You lifted up my spirit
You showed me the world

You showed me the moon
You gave me the sun
You gave me everything
You touched my heart with yours

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

She had a hard time sleeping
Tossing and turning
Morning came too soon
Sleep had left her
Though tired, she gave up
It was still early
Birds were chirping outside
The streets were quiet from the night
A cool breeze was blowing
Moving the branches of the plants
Colored bags hung outside moved
It was refreshing after the heat of the day
The cat was sleeping on a chair outside
It was peaceful and serene
A stillness was in the air
The sun had not fully risen
City noises had not fully started
Early morning rise

I am in the murky waters of life
The water is cold to the touch
Up to my knees
Hard to walk
The bottom feels like sand with dirt mixed in
I can see into the bottom
Small fish swim around my legs
They gently tickle me
Reminding me that they are there
and so am I
Together. Alive

We start to move in the same direction
I am no longer alone
I am with them
Together we find clearer water
It takes some time but we do
As the water clears it becomes warmer

As we continue to walk the bottom becomes white sand
Soft to the touch
The color of the water changes
It becomes a light blue

The fish swim away leaving me at a new place and path
With open, warm waters no longer murky

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

The man stood out on his balcony
It looked out on the beach and ocean
From there he could see for miles
As he stood there all of a sudden the wind picked up with no warning

It whipped through the trees causing them to bend violently
His wind chimes which were carefully hung outside played a tune mimicking the rhythm of the wind

The sky begun quickly changing color
It grew dark with huge oppressive clouds hanging over the city
The tempo of the waves also changed as the sea grew rough
as they pounded the shore

It was no longer safe to swim or be outside
People began packing up their things to make their way inside
They knew what was coming

A storm

A beach umbrella was lifted up by the wind and went flying down the beach with its owners chasing after it
A book sitting on a chair was carried into the air and dropped into the sea as its owner ran after it

The man watched the scene unfold from his balcony laughing
While he watched, his tea kettle started to whistle on the stove
He was making a cup of tea

As he finished brewing the tea his cat woke up and went outside to survey the situation

When his tea was ready, the man brought it outside to the balcony and sat with his cat gently sipping the tea watching the scene
He enjoyed the taste of lemon and inhaled the scent of it like perfume

All of a sudden his cat quickly got up and retreated inside
The man knew his cat could sense the storm coming before he would
He quickly turned and followed his cat just in the nick of time
Just as they left, and closed the door, the sky opened up pouring heavy rain

The storm had indeed arrived

At the toughest times
When things seem dark
Get still within yourself

Go to a place of calm and comfort in your mind
Stay there for a while

Imagine light surrounding you and giving you strength
Feel the safety and warmth of it

When you are ready move forward step by step

It’s another Monday
Sky is bright blue
Air is  cool
But heating up
Going to be warm
Weekends just sail by
In a lightning flash
Then the start
Of another week
But each day
Is a blessing
I am here
It’s time to start
Getting things going
Sitting in a cafe
Feeling the vibe
Trying to write a little ditty
To start
Monday

Slide in and out of the recesses of our
minds like clouds gently floating by

Some are older
Others quite recent

Some make us smile
Some make us frown
Some bring laughter
Others peace to the soul

Some seem so real it’s as if we can
touch them once again
and return to another time

In their own way
They are Magic
Unique to each of us

Mornings
When it’s quiet
Peaceful
Are sacred
Times of stillness
When the soul
Is most present
It’s those times
When we find
Our true self
When the chaos of life
Subsides
Music is also a key
So is nature
To sacred times
They are precious
Like a rare jewel
Treasured
Always

It’s a chaotic place
Like a carnival
Lots of bright colors and noise
Crowds of people
Going to and fro
Shoppers and diners
Cafés full
Laughing
Huge amounts of traffic
Cars and bikes
Sounds of horns
Music and dance in the street
Horses and carriages
Yellow taxis carrying fares
People standing around
Music pounding
It’s a carnival

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

Butterflies, tulips, robins and daffodils
Warm gentle breezes
Leaves beginning to bud
Flowering trees and bushes
Pinks, whites and red
Greenery everywhere
Cherry blossoms out in their full regalia
Bright, hypnotic blue skies
Signs that Spring has once again arrived

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

You are the love of my soul

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

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

You are the love of my soul

When I look at you
I get lost in your face
I disappear
It’s as if I am looking at a piece of art
I study it
Slowly
Every detail
Every curve
Every nuance
Everything about it
I become mesmerized
That’s all I see
Your face
I am frozen
Unable to move
Time seems to stop
And over the years
Your face hasn’t changed
It’s the same
As the first time I saw you
When I first became lost

No Matter What

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

It is an early summer's day
The sun is out
The sky is a bright Wedgewood blue
There are a few white clouds scattered through the sky like a thin white veil
There is a slight breeze -- not too warm, not too cold
You are sitting in a field of tall grass
The grass is a light beige color
The grass sways gently to the breeze and makes a soft rustling sound
As you sit down in the field
A cloud of butterflies surround you
They are all colors -- purple, blue, yellow, red, and gold
As you put out your hands, they light onto your hand before flying away

Then, in the distance, a hummingbird appears
It is emerald green with a touch of pink
It is so small it could fit in the palm of your hand
As you look at it, it's movements slow down so you can see the wings beat
Your heart starts beating at the same rhythm

As you close your eyes and listen to the breeze the hummingbird touches your face gently before flying away

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

Without you I am lost

I lose my north
Nothing feels right
My spirit sags
I am uncomfortable

Without you I am lost

Like a sailboat without wind
Like saggy spaghetti
Like heart with no soul
Like a song with no melody

Without you life is bitter
There is no sweetness
There is no treasure
The sublime is gone

Without you I am lost

I have no direction
I feel scattered
My motivation sinks
My heart is heavy

Without you I am lost

It’s the little things in life
That make all the difference
Like saying good morning
Smiling at someone
Saying thank you
Offering a hug
That brighten up a mood

It’s the little things in life

That sweeten a day
Lift someone up
Lighten the world just a bit

It’s the little things in life

Like saying good morning
Offering a compliment
Sharing a joke
Laughing
That make all the difference

It’s the little things in life
That make the difference

It’s a new day
A brand new year is coming
A time when we can restart
Reinvent ourselves
Try something new
Explore
A time to hope
For something better
It’s a new day
A brand new year
A time to reflect
On what was
But also what is possible
A time to remember
Those sweet memories
That touch us
Ever so gently
Like butterflies
It’s a brand new day
It’s a new year
With new opportunities
Blessings
Believe

We are so fragile
If you really look at us
We are the wisp of something
Like queen anne’s lace
We hunger for care
We hunger for gentility

Oh we may bluster
We may puff out our chests
We may yell
We may stomp our feet
In the end
We are so fragile
Like a leaf
Like a flower petal

Our hearts are delicate
Easy to hurt
Easy to break
We seem strong
But we are not

We are so fragile
Like a leaf
Like a flower petal
We hunger for care
We hunger for gentility

It was early morning
It was the in between time of
night and day
She went out onto the terrace
She was dressed all in white
There was a slight cool breeze moving through her clothes
Making them move with a slight rhythm

She climbed up onto a black table
She was barefoot
The table was cool to the touch
As she stood on the table she looked out onto the city

She could see for miles
The city was still asleep
She stood at the back of the table
She then spread out her arms
She started running and leapt

As she started falling she changed into an eagle
She flapped her wings and flew
She soared through the sky
She aimed up towards the clouds
Eventually turning to the sun

She had become her true destiny

Sweet moments
Those small moments
Sometimes fleeting
Make life worth living
They can pass quickly
Touching our hearts
Touching our souls
Hard to hold onto
Delicate
Somewhat fragile
Like a butterfly

Sweet moments
Make lasting memories
Taste like honey
Decorating our days and nights
Brightening our lives

Put them together
They form a life

After feeling pulled underwater for several months

I can breathe

After feeling uncomfortable

I can breathe

My shackles have been released

I can breathe

My troubles have passed

I can breathe

Like a whale swimming to the surface for air

Once again I can breathe
I am free

Go to a place and still yourself
Close your eyes
Sit quietly and listen

Stillness

You will hear the universe speak
Peace and harmony will be found
You will have what you need
Always

Stillness

Are like dabbles of paint
on a canvas
Being strung together to
make a painting
Really a work of art
We each create our own
Some are of a bright color
Some of a pastel
Some are dark

Some make us laugh and smile
Some, bring tears to our eyes
once again
Some teach us
Some help

But our memories are the true
jewels of our lives
They connect us to our past,
present and future

Let’s treasure them

There are silences that don’t come from peace,
but from being quietly, persistently excluded.
This poem speaks to that — to the kind of moment where someone enters a room
and is met with the coldness of not being welcomed.

It isn’t loud.
It isn’t dramatic.
But it stays.

When the Room Falls Silent

It wasn’t the first time.
It’s happened before.

The hush arrived like an old companion,
unwelcome, settling in the corners
as she walked into the room.
She knew it well.

They were talking —
her husband’s son, wife,
and former sister-in-law.
A circle she couldn’t penetrate.
No matter how hard she tried.
Or what she tried.

Many years of setting down roots.
Creating a new life
in soil that never quite warmed to her.
No longer in her home country.
She moved across the world for him.
She sacrificed.
Because of love.
True love.

She felt out of place.
In her own home.
She wanted to crawl away.
She smiled, again.
Apologized, again.
As if entering a room
was unappreciated
when you don’t match the pattern of the others.

But she remembers another time.
In another place.

When something opened —
a warmth still nameless.
She thought maybe things were different
maybe she belonged.
Finally.

She carried that memory with care.
Hope. Happiness.

But this time
the frost returned.
The coldness.
The silence was deafening.
With a message.
You are not welcome.
⸻

Still —

She is not invisible.
She is not less.
She exists.
She has value.

She is simply is not theirs.
But she is hers.
And she will not spend her life
trying for the unattainable.
It hurts too much.
At times crushing.

I am in a reminiscent mood
Thinking back to a time in my childhood
When I lived overseas
In Brazil
Seems like eons ago
Such a different time
A warm, welcoming place
Especially for children
Full of joy and laughter
The music was intoxicating
The beauty stunning
Remembering the visiting of friends
Whose houses were adorned
With birds of paradise flowers
Visiting the bird sanctuary
With my mother
Seeing every kind of parrot
In a rainbow of colors
Walking the beach in Rio
The Ipanema Beach
Famous for its black and white
mosaic tile
Sitting on the beach
Listening to the waves
While people flew their bird kites
Traveling around with my parents
Seeing the country
North and South
Struck with the humanity and beauty
Those memories never left me
They still haunt the inner recesses
Of my heart

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
His pants are rolled up as to not get wet
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 waves
They smile to each other, grasp hands, turn and continue walking down the beach together

BRM 2012