The rain is finished now
The city is drying out

Afterwards

The sky is painted bright blue
It’s a cool morning

Afterwards

There is a hint of freshness in the air
Breathing is a pleasure

Afterwards

It’s a beautiful day

Ambiance is everything
It can make or break a place
Or a mood
The setting
The decoration
The overall energy

It can be positive or negative
It can bring feelings of great joy
Or sadness

Ambiance is everything
It can set a tone
It can bring people together
It can keep them apart
It can lift them up to a higher place

Ambiance is everything
It can bring peace
It can evoke harmony
It can bring light
Or it can smother
Bringing darkness

Ambiance is everything

Sayonara
Good bye
Adios
See you later
Sometimes it’s the best thing to do
Friends grow apart
Needs change
Have differing interests
That shift like the sand

Sayonara
Good bye
Adios

Sometimes the best thing is to walk away
No need to explain
No need to discuss
Just let things fade away
Like the mist of fog

Sayonara

He stood on one side of the grill
She stood on the other
The grill was black wrought iron
Somewhat ornate in the design
There were openings throughout it
That’s all that separated them

As they stood on either side he moved closer to her
They looked at each other
Deep into the others eyes
For a moment they got lost in the moment

It was magic
Then he leaned into her and kissed her gently between the openings in the grill
It lasted only a moment

He then smiled
His eyes twinkling
As he laughed with joy
He turned around to leave

She stood at the grill watching him
leave

Once she could no longer see him she closed the door
Savoring the moment
It was magic

I've got Paris on my mind
The Eiffel Tower
Notre Dame
The Seine
River boats along the river
Louvre and Orsay and so much more
The ambiance of it
The lights at night
Bakeries early in the morning
Smell of fresh bread
Fine cheeses and wine
Great food
And so much more
I've got Paris on my mind...

Dark cloudy gray day
Coolness to the air
Dankness permeates
Birds on the roof eating
Chirping sounds in the air
Creates stillness and quiet
A cat cozied up sleeping
Looks like rain is possible
Good day for coffee or tea
Inside
Safe and warm
Offers needed respite
Doing quiet things
It offers comfort

Love no matter what
Open your heart
To all that there is
Believe
Keep it wide and free
Be kind no matter what
Accept
Believe
Love no matter what

Open your heart
Let others in
Feel deeply
Care no matter what

Love no matter what

In our lives we leave traces
Of ourselves
Our being
Our lives

It might be our clothes
Our smile
Our touch or laugh
Our face
We leave traces

It might be our perfume
Or cologne
The way we walk
Or leave a room
We leave traces of ourselves
Through the people we touch
The people we meet and know
Our family and friends

The stranger we smiled at
The child we helped
We leave traces
There are vapors of us
Always

We all have hidden treasures

Precious gems that mean the world to us

Unique things
Special moments
Memories
Family
Friends
Loved ones
Pets

We all have hidden treasures

We may not think about them
But we do
They are always there for us

Each is like a precious jewel

A diamond, ruby or emerald
Each one glistens with its own special beauty

We all have hidden treasures

It’s important to cherish them
Each and every day

Copacabana Days
Rio nights
Beautiful beaches
Regal hotels lining the street
White silky sand
Turquoise water
Sultry breezes
Swaying palm trees

Copacabana Days
Black and white tiled sidewalks
Umbrellas everywhere
Children running and playing
At night the beach walk outlined with a string of pearl street lights

Copacabana Days
The sound of Portuguese in the air
Ice cream vendors moving along the beach seeking eager customers
Corcovado in the background

Copacabana Days
Beautiful bird kites — all colors
Flying high in the air
People wearing their best swimwear

Copacabana Days
Rio nights

Warm hypnotic breezes blow
The air is fresh and clear
Comfortable to breathe
A weeping willow bends to and fro
Its branches reaching towards the sky
The sky is light blue with a scattering of white clouds
Lulling one into a state of peace
Wind chimes play their melody to the rhythm of the wind
The willow tree leaves glisten from the sunlight
What a perfect summer day if only it could go on forever...

Sitting in a bakery sipping coffee
Watching the wait staff moving to and fro
People eating weekend breakfast
Talking and smiling
Streets full of people

Bakery heaven

Precious baked goods for sale
Beautiful to see
The scent of them like perfume
Intoxicating to the senses

Bakery heaven

I cry my tears alone
I feel my pain deep inside
The hurt runs through me
I truly stand alone
What I knew is gone
The rules have changed

I am on my own
My muse has left me
The joy of writing disappeared
Leaving a vacuum of nothingness
I feel lost not knowing how to express myself
Feeling misunderstood
Afraid to speak
I am on my own

When will things calm down
When will it be over
Will it be over
Ever?
What will the new normal be
When will the chaos stop
The danger
The fear and frustration
When will life return
To the sweetness
Of a spring day
With bright blue skies
Fields full of wildflowers
When?
I am waiting

When you left I wanted to scream
I wanted to run after you
To stop you
I wanted to grab your hand and go somewhere
Anywhere we could be together

When you left I wanted to scream
Every inch of me ached with the pain of you leaving
Like a hot burning knife searing my soul
I wanted to stop you
Take you anywhere where we could be together

When you left I wanted to scream
I wanted to run after you
To stop you
To do anything to keep you with me
Forever

He stands at the shore
The water gently brushes his toes
He is alone
He has done this before
Many times

Across the waters

It’s a cool day
The sky is light gray
No clouds are in sight
The waves are slow and deliberate

Across the waters

He has been standing  for some time looking  west
He is also watching the waves
Their rhythmic movement
It’s hypnotic

Across the waters

He breathes in the air deeply
It has the aroma of salt
It’s refreshing
It has a calming effect to him

Across the waters

He thinks about what is on the other side of the ocean
He prays this time it will work
He concentrates with all his might
He’s trying to send a message

Across the waters

Will it arrive?
Will they hear him?
Hello, can you hear me?
Please answer back
He waits for some time

Across the waters

Hoping for an answer
Anything
Once again nothing comes
He is left with emptiness
He turns and walks away

Across the waters

Over the years,  he tried many times
Hoping his message would be received
It traveled thousands of miles
Hello, can you hear me?
I am calling you
Please answer me

Across the waters

Finally after years of nothingness
He gets an answer back
He can’t believe it
Is it real?
How is this possible?

Across the waters

Hello is it you?
I heard you calling me
I have tried to find you
But could not
How are you?
I have missed you so


Across the waters

Brrrr Tuesday
Baby it’s cold outside
Jackets and scarves required
The air is crisp and clear
The sky is clear gray
The city is awake
Traffic moving
The café is almost empty
Too cold to come out
People huddled with their coffee
The steam offering warmth
Baby it’s cold outside
Hard to go out
Bed sounds nice where it’s warm
Winter has returned
Brrrr Tuesday

It’s been a long time
Since I really saw you
Saw deeply into you

We pass like two ships
Barely seeing the other
Barely touching the other

It’s been a long time
Since I felt you close to me
Felt your spirit
I’ve missed you
All that you are to me
I’ve missed you
Where did you go?

It’s been a long time
Since I really saw you

Hot burning days
Green palm trees trying to keep their green
Bright blue skies without a hint of white clouds
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
Reaching towards the light
Wind chimes churning in the breeze
Animals searching for a slice of shade
The signs of summer

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

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

Cool breezes coming late into the night offering a soothing touch to the sleeping
The signs of summer

It 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

We all build walls
Some are to hide behind
Some to prevent
Some to keep out
Some to mark areas
Some are real
Some are imaginary
Some are brick or wood
Some are stone or concrete
They are boundaries
Or borders
Or let limiters
Some are old
They can be high and reach the sky
Or low easy to jump or climb
They can lock someone out
Or keep them in
Let’s tear them down
And come together
We are all human
Believe

Courage
It can be found
In unexpected moments
When someone rises
Up to meet the challenge
Either through actions
Or words
Or both
It can be someone
That stands up
Even when it’s hard
For what’s right
What we know deeply
In our hearts of hearts
Or someone that walks
Into danger to help
Or a healer helping the ill
Courage is everywhere
In adults and children
Around the world
There are those
That stand up
Speak out
Even when it’s difficult
Unpopular
They do it
At a time of turmoil
In the world
With pandemics
Wars
Unrest and violence
We need the courageous
More than ever
What are you??

Delicious goodies
Bright colored ornaments
Gorgeous colors
Red, green, blue, gold and silver
Beautifully decorated trees
Scents of pine

Candy canes and tinsel

Tables adorned with chocolates
Holiday cookies all around
Smells of turkey and roasts
Pies baking
And all things good

Candy canes and tinsel

Snow covered lawns
Glistening white like diamonds
Outside trees adorned with lights
Carolers and choirs singing

Candy canes and tinsel

Sounds of music in the air
Feelings of good cheer everywhere
Smiles and laughter

Candy canes and tinsel

Appreciate each new morning
Marvel at it
The start of a new day
Notice the beauty of the moment
At you being there to enjoy it
Look around
Notice your surroundings
Take note
Remember
Use the day as best you can
In the end, it’s a gift

Come sit with me and hold my hand as we watch the last sun of the day before evening arrives

Let’s treasure this moment together
Let me gaze into your eyes and disappear
I have waited so long for this moment

We have the power to heal
We have the power to touch
Deep inside
We have the power to love

We can lift up ourselves
We can lift up others
We can lift up the whole world

We can warm the coldest night
We can embrace others
We can stand in the light

We have the power to change
We have the power to grow
We have the power to heal

All we have to do is try
Believe

When I first met you
I couldn’t resist touching your face
Or you touching mine
Or running my fingers through your hair
During our time together
It was heaven
A form of bliss

When you left
I missed that
Like being withdrawn
From a drug
Things felt hollow
I missed your touch
Or to be able to touch you

Now decades later
We are together
I can reach out
To touch you
Or you can touch me
It’s like being delivered
Back to heaven

Brrrr today
Baby it’s cold outside
Jackets and scarves required
The air is crisp and clear
The sky is clear
The sun is out in it’s full regalia
The city is awake
Traffic moving
The café is almost empty
Too cold to come out
People huddled with their coffee
The steam offering warmth
Baby it’s cold outside
Hard to go out
Bed sounds nice where it’s warm
Winter is here and
Brrrr

I am blocked
I can’t write
The muse isn’t there
It’s gone for the moment
No matter how hard I try
The inspiration has left
The heat burns through my mind
I am blocked
I can’t write

Peaceful images are gone
Searing heat has replaced them
Stress
Discomfort
I am blocked
No matter how hard I try
I can’t write

I feel insignificant
Lost my purpose
Part of my identity
Who am I now?
Where did I go?
I am blocked
I can’t write
My mind is burning
From the heat

There is no relief in sight
The muse is gone

The ocean waves are moving back and forth on a sunny day.
The sky is a bright blue.
The air is warm but not too hot. There is a slight breeze in the air. There is a tint of salt in the air like a sweet perfume but the smell is not too heavy.
The water is a deep blue with hints of white as the waves roll in and out. As the sun hits the water, diamonds show up and glisten against the light and the water..............

When I first saw you I knew
I would cross oceans for you
First
I would climb mountains
for you
First
I would traverse great
distances for you
First
I would give up what
I knew for you
First
I would do anything to see
you once again
First
To look upon your face and
touch your cheek
First
Eventually I did just that
First
Believe anything is possible
Light up the world

Even in darkness there will be a lit candle to show the way
We just have to believe

It’s light will be enough to light the world
We just have to believe

Even in times of hardship things will work out
Even when there’s hate love will win
We just have to believe

When darkness is all around
In the end light will prevail
We just have to believe

Light a candle and help light up the world
Be the light
Lift up the world
Take away the darkness
Candlelight

At this time of year
Be the light
Shine brightly everywhere
Light up the world
Shine where there is darkness
Shine where there is despair

Be the light

At this time of year
Shine brightly everywhere
Lift someone up
Help another
Love more than hate

Be the light

At this time of year
Shine brightly everywhere
Laugh more
Cry less
Treasure more
Give more

Be the light

At this time of year
Shine brightly everywhere
Glitter and glimmer
Like fine jewels, gold and silver

Be the light

At this time of year
Shine brightly everywhere Remember we are all the same
We all need and want

Be the light

At this time of year
Count your blessings
Offer gratitude and kindness
Offer grace

Be the light

How does one fit a an entire life into just two bags?
How does one decide what to keep?

A life in two suitcases

How does one protect all the treasured memories?
How does one decide what to leave behind?

A life in two suitcases

It can be done
Life can fit into anything
If one has the will and desire

A life in two suitcases

The idea of starting anew is exciting
To go somewhere unexplored
To see something different

A life in two suitcases

What drives one to do this?
Perhaps the most perfect love

A life in two suitcases

I fear that we have lost our way
We have strayed off the path
We have changed
Not as once I remember

I fear that we have lost our way
The direction has changed
Not my choice nor idea
I don’t recognize things anymore
It’s not what I was taught
It’s not what I stand for
Things seem upside down

I fear that we have lost our way
We are mired down in muck and darkness
Struggling to find the light
Struggling to find our way back

I fear that we have lost our way
We have lost that special essence
It made us unique
Unusual
One of a kind

We were dreamers
We were hopers
Anything was possible
At any time

I fear that we have lost our way
We have strayed off the path
I hope we will find our way back

As the new year begins, may you have a wonderous year filled with blessed moments and magic.

A fresh start

At this time of great rancor in the world let’s try and reach for the light instead of darkness.

A fresh start

To light the world step by step.

A fresh start

One small thing can brighten someone’s day.

A fresh start

If we can each shine a light the darkness will lessen.

A fresh start

Smile when you can
Share laughter
Offer kindness
Judge less
Hug frequently
Love harder

A fresh start

Treasure what you have
And always be grateful

A fresh start

We all have a brand new blank page.
Let’s make it count.

A fresh start

You reside in the recesses of my mind
You are in my blood
My spirit
The total essence of me

You reside in the recesses of my mind
You are in my heart
My soul
What makes up my spirit
The total essence of me

You have always been there
Since time began
You never left

You course through all of me
You are part of everything I touch

You reside in the recesses of my mind
You are everywhere
You always have been

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

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

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

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

Look around you
See what there’s to see
Experience life to the fullest
Give love
Make someone smile
Be thankful

After Covid
After the New Normal

What happens after the new normal
When we try to become just normal
When we try to put life back
Can we recreate some semblance of order
When is it the right time to even try
Or do we continue as we have been
Until the hidden enemy is at bay

What happens after the new normal
Is there yet another one
Do we continue to wait
For the rescue
Or does patience get the best of us
Does the world take on another new look
Does it become a quieter, more solitary time

What happens to the new normal
When it becomes just normal

It’s Friday
Almost the weekend
Many people herald it
It’s the end of a work week
Time to rest
Enjoy
It’s Friday
Time to step back
Calm down
Breathe
Time to look forward
To something else
It’s Friday

You slowly walk through the entrance of a cave.  At the end of the darkness is a small pool of water. The water is warm, not too warm, the temperature is just right and the color is a deep turquoise. You walk into the water and stand in the middle. As you stand there, a waterfall starts to pour over you, but very gently with rays of bright light from an opening above shining all around  making the water sparkle like diamonds. You are in the most perfect place. The feeling of serenity pours over you.

Let love embrace you
Let it hold you tight
Let it warm your heart on a cold night
Let it bring smiles to your face

Flames of love

Like a warm blanket
Let it gently touch your face
Let it calm your fears

Flames of love

Let it take you to impossible places
Let it make things possible
Let it bring magic

Flames of love

Let it lift you up
Let it help you soar like a bird
Let it touch the world

Flames of love

Let it burn eternally
Let it heal the world
Let it remove darkness

Flames of love

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

When the rain comes
It cleans everything
Streets are washed
Thirsty plants turn greener
Flowers flourish
Grass grows taller
The air is fresher
Everything looks new

When the rain comes
It slows down the world
The sound is calming
Almost hypnotic
Animals seek shelter
Watching
As each drop comes
Knowing the earth is being replenished

When the rain comes
Life comes

It was a crisp winters day
In the middle of the season
The sun was bright blue with a dotting of a few white clouds

There was a cold wind whipping through the trees
It was bitter to the skin
Branches were bending to it as if they were dancing
Wind chimes could be heard in the distance

The snow was blowing around shifting location creating white dunes like cotton candy

The fireplace was burning with a fresh log creating a hypnotic warmth in the room
The wood gave off a pleasant scent as it burned
It was a good day to be inside

A new year is coming
It’s on the horizon

Time to renew and refresh
Time to reflect
Time to forget and forgive
Time to clear out the cobwebs

A new year is coming
It’s on the horizon

Time to embrace a clean slate
Time to renew
Time to get ready

A new year is coming
It’s on the horizon

The future is before us
The past is a memory
Time to get going
Time to focus
Time to make plans

A new year is coming
It’s on the horizon

Anything is possible
The world is our oyster
Time to make things happen

A new year is coming
It’s on the horizon

It’s a gray, foggy Sherlock Holmes looking morning outside

The sky is painted in dark muted colors
It resembles a black and white photo

There’s heavy gray mist floating amongst the trees
The streets are barely visible and deserted

There’s an eerie silence outside
It’s almost too quiet
Looks like a mystery movie about to begin

Waking up
Early morning rituals
Watching the sunrise
Surveying the blue sky
Enjoying the coolness
Admiring the beauty outside
Anticipating the day
Waiting for coffee or tea
Breakfast
What to have
Checking out the news
Being alive
Savoring the pure joy of it

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

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