Hello Fall Are You Here?

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

It’s a time of sparkle
Glitter, silver and gold
Rubies, diamonds and emeralds
Beautifully wrapped gifts
Sugar cookies
Gingerbread
Apple cider
Hot chocolate
It’s a magical time
Where wishes are granted
If we just believe and hope
It’s a special time
It only comes once a year
But when it does
It lights up the world
For just a moment
Bringing silence and peace
Silver gold and glitter

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

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

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

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

Red bird

Hot Burning Days

Green palm trees trying to keep their green
Bright blue skies without a hint of white clouds
Steaming sidewalks
Hot to the touch
Searing sun
The signs of summer

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

Flowers and flowering 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 arriving late into the night
Offering a soothing reprieve
The signs of summer

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

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

As you look out into the water, you see the color, a light turquoise.
The water dances making the waves look like diamonds sparkling in the light.

As you begin to walk into the water, you do not feel wet.
Your color changes to the same as the water.

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

You are finally home.

We all need to belong
To have a special someone
Have a place to hang our hat
To put our feet up and call home
Where friends and family are
Somewhere
Somehow
To something
To be loved and love
Without it we feel lost
Untethered
Like a balloon loose in the sky

We all need to belong

Somewhere
Somehow
To something greater than ourselves
We need to matter
We need to have a purpose
A reason to keep moving
We need to feel a place in this world
We all need to belong

It is night time
I move into the mist
It covers me like a veil
The sky is gray black
The moon is out shining
bright through the grey
I have lost my way
My north is gone
I struggle to find you
but I cannot
I come across a fire
burning bright amongst
the mist and the gray
The flames reach high towards the sky
Looking magical
Surrounding it are spirits
dancing in the shadows of the night
Figures highlighted by the light of the fire
I look around and turn, then I see you
Shadow dancing with my heart
I take a breath and I realize I am now free

When cold runs through your hands
And your fingers grow numb
Your gloves don’t really work
And your nose is cold to the touch
It’s arrived
When your toes feel cold
And your body seeks warmth
Anywhere
With jackets, scarves or heat
Trying to seek some comfort
A brief respite
Even a spot of tea
Or hot chocolate
Or apple cider
With steam rising
The signs of the season have arrived
It’s winter

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

She arrived some
time ago
From a long distance
She’s been making her way
Bit by bit
There are places she goes
Where she’s a regular
She feels comfortable and safe
Every morning she greets the
the locals
It’s her way to spread some joy
She’s always loved the phrase
Good morning
It helps to set the tone
She walks up the street
In her neighborhood
Along the way
She watches and looks
Sometimes the sky is gray
And the air is cool
Other times it’s bright blue
and warm
She’s made her place
In her own way
In a world different than her own
That’s called life
She belongs
In her own way

I can breathe
After feeling pulled underwater for several months
I can breathe
The air is fresh
After feeling uncomfortable and smothered
I can breathe
My shackles have been released
I can float to the top
I can breathe
My troubles have passed
I can breathe
And like a whale swimming to the surface for air
Once again I can breathe and see the sun
I am free

The Season is Coming
Can’t you feel it?
The change?
The light is different?
Less intense
The air is getting cooler
Calming breezes
Crisp nights
Colors coming
Reds, yellows, oranges and golds
Trees showing their best
Apples abound
Smells of cider and cinnamon
Sweaters in stores
Fall coats
Warm socks
Blankets
Hot chocolate
Soups
Apple pie
Bright colors
Hypnotic scents
The season is upon us
It’s coming

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

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

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

Sitting in a café
Watching the people
Talking and smiling
People from everywhere
Languages of the world

Watching the staff
Coming and going
Bringing orders
Like an orchestra
Languages of the world

People on their phones
Eating and drinking
Texting and talking
Laughing
Languages of the world

Baked goods on display
Beautiful desserts
Smells of things baking
People buying bread
Languages of the world

Street scene playing outside
People out and about
Bright sun shining down
Blue sky dotted with clouds
Languages of the world

Windy Saturday night greets me
As the winds play with the plants and the wind chimes
Causing them to sing and dance
Hopefully the heat has decided to leave after a long hot spell
Fall weather would be welcomed

White lights adorn the main grill door to the terrace giving it a magical feel
The colored lights by the bar move to their own beat

The door is wide open to feast upon the breezes
It has been a long time to feel cooler weather
The cat is outside exploring

The plants can be seen dancing to the wind.
As the music of the weather plays it's tune
It is Saturday night and the show has just begun
I am a captive audience waiting for the next act to begin

Butterflies, tulips, robins and daffodils
Warm gentle breezes
Leaves beginning to come out
Flowering trees and bushes
Greenery everywhere
Cherry blossoms decorating the Tidal Basin
Bright, hypnotic blue skies
All signs that Spring has once again arrived

My country is on fire
It’s burning from the inside out
Hate and division are eating it alive
My city is on fire
People are screaming for help
People are screaming for justice
Peace for justice

My country is on fire
It is being ravaged by hate
It is being crushed by cruelty
My city is on fire
One of my homes is burning
People are hurting
People are screaming
People need and want justice
It’s time
It’s way past  time
We are all one
We are human

My country is on fire
I feel helpless watching
I want to do something
It’s time for change
The same thing won’t work
Words aren’t enough
Actions matter
We need to understand
We need compassion and empathy
We all want and need the same thing


My country is on fire

Red maples surround the empty road
The emptiness is calming
The color of the trees is so brilliant it almost looks false
The black asphalt road is a contrast to their color
Hints of bright green highlight the red
Almost like a painting
Even the rain doesn’t dim the leaves
It creates a look like a fairy tale or part of a movie set
Yet it’s real
Part of the artistry of Mother Nature
Pure magic

Red maple rain

She comes from the street
She’s orange and white
A ginger girl
She has a beautiful face
It’s hypnotic

The cat

She’s a mixed bag
Sometimes she’s sweet
Other times a bit crazy
Trust is hard for her
Her cries are soft and coaxing

The cat

She loves to play
She hangs around more now
But she also hits the street
Though she’s mellowed
She is still a bit wild

The cat

While she’s a bit different
There’s something about her
In her face is an innocence
That has captured me

The cat

When you feel lost
Follow the light
Just as ships at sea
They look for the lighthouse
The shining light guides them

When you feel scattered
Follow the light
Back to your path
Look to your lighthouse

When you feel lost
Follow the light
Let the beam of light guide you
Back to your path
Let the light comfort you
If you are out to sea
Look for the lighthouse
Shining it’s beam of light
Guiding you back to safety

It’s one of those days
Still in the midst of winter
Skies gray and cloudy
Air cool and damp
Clouded over
People are moving slowly
Streets are empty
Cafés are full
People getting breakfast
Slowly sipping coffee
Clouded over
Warm beds are tempting
Heavy blankets and jackets
Cups of hot tea with lemon
Soothe the body and soul
Hard to get moving
Clouded over
Looking for that ray of sun

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

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

As I sat there quietly
In the stillness and calm of it all
I felt you sitting next to me
Answering my questions
As if we were talking like before

I told you I’ve made mistakes
You said we all have
It’s part of being human
I told you I should have done more
You said I did just fine
Don’t worry
Everything is fine

I told you thank you
You said for what
I said for what I was taught
What you gave me
Your legacy
You smiled
I told you I wanted you to
be proud of me
You said you always were

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

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

I miss you
Every day of every month
I always will

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
Always

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

It was the morning
In a small city on the east coast
The rain was gently falling
The sky was a muted gray
It was early
There wasn’t much traffic
It was quiet
There was a feeling of stillness

As the rain fell two cats slept
They always slept together
One was. brown and one gray
They were like sisters
It was calming to watch them

The sound of the rain was calming
and hypnotic
It was a cool fall day
The leaves were still on the trees
Gold, red, and orange

As the rain hit the side of the building it made a noise like a faint drumbeat

The air smelled clean and refreshed
There was a hint of the wet leaves like a natural perfume

The entire scene evoked feelings of peace

Watching the rain and world was like being transported to another world

It is that time of year again
Smells of fur trees
Doors decorated with wreaths
Ornaments glistening as they are hung
Beautiful bright colors of red, silver , gold , green and blue
Houses adorned in lights
Cookies being baked
Gingerbread men being decorated
Choirs singing songs
People running to and fro
Cities and towns decorated in their holiday best
Friends and families come together to celebrate the season

A summer wind whips through the air and the trees
Lightning dabbles the sky like a quick paint brush
Creating a Monet like painting
Tree limbs bend as the wind moves through them

The sky lightens up from the electric charge moving through
The air fills with the sound of thunder
Tapping its drums and cymbals
The sky turns a greenish color
Trouble is coming

A summer storm is fast approaching
Playing the wind chimes outside like a musical instrument
As they clang back and forth to the rhythm of the wind

Announcing the arrival of the storm
Heavy rain starts offering a soothing drink to the earth

Summer wind

In the quiet time I can feel it
It comes over me like a mist
In the stillness of the moment I sense it
It gently caresses me
In the calm I hear it like like a beautiful melody

I am lifted up
I can reach beyond myself
I can go to another world
I can lose myself
I am inspired

In the quiet time I feel it
I go to a special place
Where things are calm and still
Where peace lives
Where there is light
Where there is no darkness

In the stillness I can sense it
I can hear others hearts beating
In the calm I feel it in my soul
I am lifted up
To another place and world
To a place of light
To a place of inspiration
To a place of greatness
To a place unlike anything
In the stillness of the moment

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

Where did that 16 year old girl go?
What about the 28 year old?
Where are they?
Life passed so quickly
Where is the strength and freedom of youth?
The excitement of the new?

How do I find her and bring her back ?
Is she in the recesses of my mind and heart ?
Is she hiding ?
Dimmed by life’s travails

Where is that 16 year old girl
Filled with energy and emotion
How can I find her?
Where is she?
Is she in me when I look in the mirror ?
How can I feel free?
To run on the beach or fly like a bird
Where did she go??

Darkness outside with a small hint of light coming into the sky
Traffic moving towards their
destinations ever so slowly
The morning has begun
Empty roads in some places as the full morning rush has not yet started
As 7am approaches, a golden ball can be seen in the sky as the sun starts to rise
It’s a glorious sight
Another morning has arrived as the city starts to wake up once again

Folks drinking coffee in a cafe
Surrounded by red cushions
That adorn bright white walls
Golden lights
Suspended from the ceiling
Music playing with a soft hypnotic sound
Sometimes jazz
Tables set with clear dark red glasses
Professional waiters moving to and fro
People sitting outside under red umbrellas which offer welcomed shade
Tables adorned with coffee
And other breakfast goodies
On the start to another hot steamy day
In the city

Summertime Moments

Warm hypnotic breezes gently blow
Bright green plants bend to and fro
Leaves gleaming in the bright sun
Welcoming the light as a faithful friend
The sky is a full blue with a scattering of cotton white clouds
The air is a perfect comforting temperature lulling one into a state of peace
Wind chimes play their melody in the background
What a perfect day if only it could go on forever
Magical chimes

As Christmas fast approached and evening arrived everything started to slow down.

Through the eve of Christmas into the Christmas day, a calm, and silent peace arrived -- for just a moment. Take time to enjoy and listen to the silence and peace which covers everything like a warm, soothing blanket.

Look around at all the treasures and goodness in your life....Peace, joy and happy holidays!

A new year is arriving
Soon
This is the last Tuesday of the year
On New Year’s Eve
At midnight
All over the world
We will turn a new page
One by one
A new year is on its way
We can’t stop it
It’s running towards us
Like a horse
It will be a new year
To start anew
Fresh
As the driven snow
It’s not hard
Just one step
At a time
We can all remake ourselves
To whatever we want
Just have hope
Just believe
Just light up the world
A new day is coming
Soon

It’s a cold winters day
Fall is leaving for the year
The sun is out against a bright blue sky
There are a few white clouds

Old man winter is knocking at the door

The wind is whipping through the trees at a frantic pace
The trees are almost bare
Grass has turned brown
Animals are seeking warmth

Old man winter is knocking at the door

The air is  crisp and tickles the nose
It’s bitter, and biting against the skin
There’s a dusting of snow scattered around
People are out dressed in winter coats and hats

Old man winter is knocking on the door 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

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

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

In my dreams I see a different time

Once upon a choice
I danced with my soul
Rhythm
Once upon a choice
I chose to love you
Rhythm
Once upon a choice
I believed
Rhythm
Once upon a choice
I started anew
Once upon a choice
I danced with the moon
Rhythm
Once upon a choice
I held your hand
Rhythm
Once upon a choice
I lived a miracle
Rhythm
Once upon a choice
I found you

Sometimes in our darkest times
We are given a miracle of hope
When we want to give up
A thread to something
Comes
Light shining through
A hand reaching out
In the deepest darkness
We need to have faith
To believe
We should never give up
Even in our toughest times
Light will get through
Eventually
Believe
Let that faith light up the world
In the darkness

Once a year we get a fresh start
It happens every January
We get to start anew
Fresh Start

The slate is rubbed clean
We can start over
We can try something new

Fresh Start
Learn new things
Have an adventure

Fresh Start

In a far off distance stands a man
He is alone
He is dressed in all white linen garb
On a desert plane surrounded by sand and sun
The brightness is almost blinding

In the sky burns a deep yellow sun against a
brilliant blue sky,  no clouds can be seen

On his face is a big smile
Surrounding him is a circle of white light
It appeared out of nowhere
As he moves forward
the light follows him step by step
to his next destiny

Imagine walking into a forest full of pine and other trees
They are all colors and sizes

As you stop amongst the trees, all you can hear is the deep silence
and the sound of your boots as you walk along on the dirt path

A slight cool breeze rustles through the trees moving the limbs
as the branches sway back and forth to the rhythm of the breeze

It is pleasant and calming
There is a scent of freshness in the air
It is invigorating

The sky is clear, and there is a glimmer of the sun gently hitting the path ahead
As you look up through the trees, the sun seems to shimmer

You keep walking
At the end of the path, is a small log cabin with
a fire burning in the fireplace, waiting quietly for its owner to return
You can smell something baking in the oven

It’s a perfect summer day

It’s  a winter wonderland
The holiday lights are out
Houses decorated to their best
Scents of waft pine in 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
It touches the heart
Makes people lighter
Smiles are brighter and bigger

It’s a winter wonderland

Bright blue skies
A few white clouds scattered
Golden rays of sun
Multi colored flowers everywhere
Green trees swaying
Fragrant scents adorn the air
Like perfume

Light calming breezes
Blow across the face
Teasing it ever so slightly
Like gentle butterfly kisses

Ocean waves pounding the shore
Turquoise water
Endless sandy beaches
Smooth as silk
Umbrellas everywhere

Music in the air
Children playing
Hints of summer
Fill my mind

A mist, invisible to the naked eye arrived
No one knows for sure where it came from
Some say the Far East
It started to move it’s way country by country
Slowly seeping into every city, town and village
It traveled by air, sea and land
At first undetected

Invisible mist

It can’t be seen, but can be felt
In the deepest recesses of our bodies
It wrecks havoc
Some people are spared the worst
Others suffer greatly
Some heal and others succumb
It shows very little mercy

Invisible mist

Over time since it first arrived
It has covered the world
Animals and plants are spared
Yet humanity has suffered a great deal
Life as we know it has been put on hold
Some call it the pause
Countries have shut down
Streets are empty
Economies stalled


Invisible mist

While we sit and wait
Shuttered inside
For a vaccine and treatment
Knowing any trip outside has risk
Yet tempted by the beauty of nature
The call of the familiar
Haunted by what may happen
In the end all we have is hope
That in time this will pass and become a memory
Hope that we will recover
Hope that we will begin again

Invisible mist

Get your groove
Find a rhythm
Beat it loudly
With energy
Let the sound carry
Far and wide
Beat it
For the ill
For the dying
For the suffering
For all the lost souls

Beat the drum

For the living
As loud as you can
March down the street
Proudly
Let others hear you
Let them join you

Beat the drum

For the world
For all of us

Empty streets where I live
No signs of life except for a cat or two
Every now and then a bird flies by
Deathly quiet

Empty streets where I live
Going on for miles in any direction
People staying inside
To protect themselves and others

Empty streets where I live
All over the world now
In cities and towns
Humanity has been put on hold
Huge sacrifices being made
By everyone

Empty streets where I live
Never been done before
It’s a first for all of us in the world
Hopefully someday soon
They will start to fill again
When life slowly returns
To a new normal

Empty streets where I live

It is an early summer’s day
The sun is out
The sky is a perfect bright 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 sand color
The grass sways gently to the breeze and makes a soft rustling sound
As you sit in the field
A cloud of butterflies  start to surround you
They are all colors -- purple, blue, yellow, red, and gold
As you put out your hands, they light onto your hand
Then, in the distance a humming bird appears
It is beautiful
Bright green with just a touch of pink
It’s feathers almost shimmer in the light
It is so small it could fit in the palm of your hand
As you watch it, its movements slow down
You can almost see the wings beat
Your heart starts beating at the same rhythm
As you close your eyes and listen to the breeze
The hummingbird gently touches your face before flying away

You are in a moment of truth bliss and peace