It was snowing
The flakes were large and fragile
They looked like Queen Anne’s lace
The trees were covered with a white blanket
It created a canopy

The air was crisp and cool
In the distance was a cabin
It had been there for years
It was made out of wood
Handmade by the owner
Snow was piling up on the roof

Inside a fire was burning to combat the cold
Smoke was rising gently from the chimney
A kettle was on the stove to make tea
It was a good night for it
A dog was sleeping by the fireplace comforted by the warmth

Outside the snow continued to fall
Creating a postcard view
Not a sound could be heard on this peaceful night

Canopy of white

The leaf was attached to a branch for decades
Every year it returned
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

As the gentle breezes blow across my face, and the sun starts to set it’s a brief moment of paradise

As the air cools down for the night people start to relax and let go a bit from the day

It’s been a harsh day with all the heat for all concerned

Plants are thirsty for their daily drink, which they need to survive
By nighttime they are parched

People dress for the heat in light colored clothing and sandals
Seeking some respite where they can hide from the searing heat

As I sit on the terrace, I relish the soft breezes blowing across my face

I am grateful for the moment of grace and peace

The summer storm came with a fury
The rain poured down as if coming from a glass
Rushing quickly to the ground
Blinding the eye like a whiteout
The plants danced in the wind
Happy to receive natures elixir
The air got cleansed of the soot and heat
The sky washed fresh

The summer storm came with a fury
The streets were cleaned
The sidewalks scrubbed
Mother Nature at her best

The plants were nourished  to the roots
The summer storm came with a fury
Making everything new once again

I am in a reminiscent mood
Thinking back to a time in my childhood
When I lived overseas
In Brazil
Seems like eons ago
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

Purple mountains majesty reaching up high for the sky
Spreading their color everywhere
White fluffy clouds mirroring marshmallows look down on the city scene from above

Faint pink hues streak across the early evening sky
It’s the start of a new night

Purple mountains majesty
Gently touching the sky
With hues of pink color hidden in them as secret treasures

A giant gold ball starts to  slowly descend into the horizon
Against the purple backdrop

Light breezes blow as the heat finally dissipates for the day

Another day is doing its final act before night begins once again

At this time of year
Winter is coming
A fresh new start is on the way

At this time of year

Holiday trappings are everywhere
Trees are waiting for a home
Children are anticipating Santa
Presents are wrapped

At this time of year

Choirs are singing
Churches are full
People are feeling good cheer
Smiles are bigger
People are brighter
Special meals being served

At this time of year

Let’s be more kind
Let’s be more positive
Let’s laugh more and criticize less
Let’s be grateful

At this time of year

Let’s remember what this is about
Let’s come together
Let’s love harder
Let’s assume the best
Let’s forgive more

Let’s remember we are all one

At this time of year

As you go into the night, look at the sky and remember
Look at the moon in all its glory
See the light and how it shines
Feel the energy which is part
of everything
It’s part of you
Remember where you come from
And what you truly are
Let your spirit lift from your body and fly
Fly with the wind, both
warm and cold
Soar like an eagle through the universe
As you pass planets, circle
around and gaze at the wonder
of them and all that is there
Then look at yourself, a spirit of pure white light
As you fly and pick up speed, look at how light and free you are
Realize that you are a part of the universe
You are everything, and everything touches you
Close your eyes
Notice you don’t feel cold nor pain
Only peace to be in the place where
you are truly loved for what you are
Feel comfort and acceptance
You are loved
The air is still and you can hear the planets turning in the silence
Let the waters of the universe cleanse your soul
Remember that you are a child of the universe

Don’t grudge
Like
Don’t hate
Love
Don’t judge
Accept
Don’t isolate
Join
Don’t despair
Hope
Don’t see smallness
See grandness
Don’t offer darkness
Offer light
Light up the world
With your special light

Stillness

Quietly sitting
At a plaza
Amongst the trees
and plants
Observing
The floor is
beautiful tile
Patterned
Stores on either side
Behind me two fountains
The sound is calming
The air is cool and clear
Ahead sits a multi colored cat
Watching everything
There’s total peace
An oasis
It’s hypnotic

Purple with pink bands streak across the sky

The purple has a hint of gray
It looks like a Monet painting which sets the stage for the coming night

The streaks in the sky create a look that is almost unreal in its beauty

Nature is an absolute artist second to none

It’s a new day
A brand new year
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 new day
It’s a new year
Blessings

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

You are my joy
My light and happiness
When you smile
Light enters a room
Your laughter lifts up the world
Your energy is pure warmth
When you walk, it’s pure melody
You are unique
There’s no one else quite like you
When you are gone
There’s darkness
Emptiness
No colors
Life is dismal
Only gray

There’s only one like you
You

There’s only one for me
You

You are my puzzle piece
There’s only one who makes me smile

You
There’s only one
Who touches my heart
You

There’s only one in the world
You

There’s only one with a melodic walk
You

You were chosen by the universe
There’s only one with merlot lips

You

There’s only one with that Humphrey Bogart look

You

In all the world there is only one

You

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

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

Brrrr  
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 Wednesday

Will you take my hand and walk across the bridge of life with me
Will you sit in the stillness with me and savor the moment
Will you walk the shore of the sea with me picking up seashells

Will you stay with me and watch the moon and the stars

Will you travel the universe with me

Will you stay with me forever

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

Search your heart
Find the meaning of love

Search your heart
Find your destiny

Search your heart
Find comfort and care

Search your heart
Find where you belong

Search your heart
Find kindness

Search your heart
Find tolerance

Search your heart
Find what you were looking for

Search your heart
Find the best in people

Search your heart
Find beauty

Search your heart
Find why you are here

Search your heart

Search your heart
Find the meaning of love

Search your heart
Find your destiny

Search your heart
Find comfort and care

Search your heart
Find where you belong

Search your heart
Find kindness

Search your heart
Find tolerance

Search your heart
Find what you were looking for

Search your heart
Find the best in people

Search your heart
Find beauty

Search your heart
Find why you are here

Search your heart

I live far away from where I am from
I am in a different land
Across the waters
I came for someone special
To start a new journey with him
Today I start another new journey
Unplanned for
To stay healthy
To live
There’s a new enemy a foot
Across the world
In some places it is everywhere
All the nooks and crannies
We have been lucky so far
Not much is here yet
Let’s hope that holds
Yet slowly the numbers climb
I sit and watch the news where I came from
The numbers increasing each day
Thousands now
Feeling so helpless
Watching
Yet during this dark time
Which feels like a nightmare
The planet is healing
The skies are cleaner
The water becoming clearer
Animals walking about
Free of their human bonds
Dolphins and whales return to the canals of Venice
Going where they used to go
In a way it’s like a movie
Except it’s very real
Where I hope and pray for a positive ending
For us all
For the world

Afar

It is that time of year again

Smells of fir trees
Doors decorated with brightly colored wreaths
Ornaments glistening as they are hung
Beautiful bright colors of red, silver , gold , green and blue

It’s that time of year again

Houses adorned in lights
Smells of cookies and goodies being baked in the oven
Gingerbread men being decorated up
Choirs singing songs

It’s that time of year again

People running to and fro
Shoppers galore
Cold frosts in the the air
Cities and towns decorated in their holiday best
Friends and families coming together to celebrate the season

It’s that time of year again

You are standing on a beach
The waves move rhythmically
Back and forth.
The sound is soothing to the ear.
The sun is out, the sky is a clear crystal 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 breeze.
As you look out into the water, you see the color, a light turquoise.
The water dances as it moves-- looking like diamonds.
As you walk into the water, you do not feel wet.
Your color changes to the same as that of the water.
As you walk further into the water, your shape
and consistency change.
You melt and meld into the sea.
You feel warm, safe and at peace.
You are finally back home.
You are at peace and safe.
Finally.

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

Our time was always fleeting
Never enough
We were always running somewhere else
Yet wanting to be together

Our time was fleeting
Never enough
Sometimes we had an hour
Sometimes a half hour or a few minutes
Before it ran out

We always wanted more
But we never got it no matter what we tried
Our time was always fleeting
Like sand in an hourglass

Delicate like a rose petal or butterfly
Impossible to hold onto
Our time was always fleeting

You are on a Greek isle
There’s a bright blue sky
With a few white clouds
Bright fuchsia flowers
Adorn the area
The ocean is sapphire blue
Nearby is some laundry
Hanging in the wind
Bright white sheets
Just washed
That move to the rhythm
Of the wind
Giving off a scent
Of cleanliness
It’s calming and hypnotic
Magic

At a time of negativity
Be positive
Be thankful
For loved ones, family and friends
For your experiences
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
Let it help you lift others
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
Enjoy every day
Treasure each moment
Give love
Instead of hate
Offer kindness
Instead of cruelty
Make someone smile
Fill your heart with joy
Pass it on to another
Be thankful

The sun is out!
After a dark storm
With lots of pouring rain
Heaviness
High winds
Dark gray skies
The sun finally comes
Like a welcome friend
Bright, golden, warm
Enticing
Blue sky returns
Set against marshmallow white clouds
Sunshine bliss

Everything is clean
Washed by nature
The city takes on a new look
Streets look better
Windows shine
Flower colors are striking
Trees stand taller
Reaching up towards the sky
Grass is greener
Sunshine bliss

Moods brighten
Smiles are bigger
People feel lighter
If freed from something
Laughter is louder
Sunshine bliss

It was quiet and still.
Not a sound could be heard.
A couple of birds flew through the air in the distance almost invisible.
The trees laid out a rich green carpet underneath the trees.  
It looked luxurious and sublime.
The sky was pale blue gray with pillows of fluffy clouds.
They broke up the sky with their placement and streaks.
The sky was highlighted by a light which had a shadow resembling a renaissance painting.
Perhaps Monet.
As I looked at the clouds, they became brighter, and started to turn to a light pink color.
Eventually the color changed to a deep pink.
It was so beautiful and indescribable.

It was sundown
The sun had just set
The moon was out
A large white ball on the horizon
It almost looked surreal
Just hanging there
As if on a thread
Against a gray blue backdrop
Clouds painted the sky
Fluffy and white
With two openings
From which white bands of light shone down
It’s as if they came from heaven
Natures art
From the master
Of everything

Smiles are everything
They can warm the heart
They brighten up a room
They can touch the spirit
They reach the sun
They are the difference
between light and dark
Start the day
They are magic
They can make friendships
Resolve differences
Warm the world
Bridge issues
Heal wounds
Smiles are everything

It’s been a long time since I really saw you
Really saw deeply into you

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

It’s been a long time since I really saw you
Really saw deeply into you
Felt you close to me
Felt your spirit

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

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

There is a very special place a long, long ways away.....it is thousands of years old with traces back to Spain and before. In the land of a thousand and one nights. It is a city built of light rose pink buildings with turquoise window frames and a feeling of a great pace. Things move slowly here as there is no reason to rush. At night, a calm falls over the city and takes on a lavender hue. People sit in cafes enjoying their coffees and the hypnotic breezes that brush across their faces. Some call this feeling the purple haze. It seeps into buildings, through the walls and windows covering its residents with a soft blanket while they sleep. It has a delicate scent of lilacs and the color is a pale colored lavender with flecks of gold and silver woven through it like a fine tapestry or fabric. As the mist penetrates the air, it brings about a feeling of total peace and tranquility second to none. The origin is a mystery,  though some say it comes from the snow capped Atlas mountains near by.

White lights glitter against the black grill
The terrace is door open
A view of the plants can be seen
which are highlighted by the lowering sun giving them an impressionistic look

A slight breeze moves through the awning gently moving it back and forth

The light plays against the rose colored buildings giving them a special magical hue
It’s almost surreal

Another day is coming to a close as nighttime encroaches
The change from light to darkness is in a holding pattern like an aircraft waiting to land

The shades of pink change as the sun drops

As the sun continues to drop its
time to relax and slowdown
People are gravitating to cafes for their coffee and chat with friends
Evening is on its’ way

Tonight there’s a half moon
It’s silvery white
Hanging by a golden thread in a
dark painted sky
Around the moon is a delicate halo
It looks incandescent to the eye
The vision is almost hypnotic

It’s a half moon night
The air is warm
Heavy and thick
Not refreshing

Summer is in the beginning of its final throes
Breathing fire into the day and night
Making it hard to live and concentrate
Fall is waiting in the wings

It’s a half moon night

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’s a small sliver of moon tonight
It hangs in a thick, rich black velvet sky

The moon glimmers a soft white
The sky looks rich enough to touch
In the distance is a pink glow of the city

Another day closes with a new night beginning
The air has cooled to the breath
The lungs feel refreshed
A slight healing breeze is blowing
It soothes the heat beaten brow

plants welcome their daily drink
People move on the street enjoying the cool reprieve and coming night

Every now and then someone looks up and smiles at the moon
It’s magic

The moon looks down at the earth and smiles

Sometimes there’s a reprise
Of something
Could be anything
An event
An illness
A song
A relationship

Sometimes life repeats itself
With a person
A feeling
A situation

The world is in a reprise
Of sorts
It was trying
To escape last year
The horror of it
The illness
Sadness
And death
Yet destiny
Had another idea
A reprise

Some people light up your heart
Others darken your spirit with their poison

Some people bring kindness and compassion
Others bring despair and cruelty

Some people walk in the light
Others hide in dark places

Some people open their heart to love and share
Others bring hate and jealousy

Some offer a helping hand
Others walk away

Some stick in your side like a thorn
Others soothe and heal the pain

Some smell sweet like a rose
Others smell sour

Some light up the world and shine like the sun

Sometimes when we are delayed
Or slowed down
In doing something
There’s a reason
We may not know it
But there is
We shouldn’t fight it
Those pauses are for protection
To stop us
From doing something
Not really meant for us
Later on as we look back
We will see and understand
When you are delayed
Or stopped
Just become still
The universe is looking out for you
Trust and believe
Light up the world

I used to think that people and their feelings were like china plates
Beautiful
Unique
Fragile and delicate
Easily broken

When we are born
Our plates are flawless
No cracks or chips
They are new and perfect

As we go through life
They can get hurt
They get chips
And cracks
And sometimes they break or a piece of them breaks off

Life does that
The ups and downs
The good and the bad
Relationships can do that
Hearts can break
Bodies can get hurt or age
And our plates reflect it

Life is like a china plate
Delicate
Fragile in some ways
Something to be treasured

What is special?
When someone says
You’re not that special
That others have more value
Than you
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

She had gone to see the Sahara
She had never been before
She wanted to see the sun rise
Over the desert
She heard it’s spectacular
The night before
She was in a camp
It was hot at night
Hard to sleep and rest
Before sunrise
She was wakened from her sleep
Time to walk to the top of the dunes
It was hard with the sand shifting
It was almost slippery
Once at the top
She sat down
Her feet dangling over the edge
She waited
Patiently
Quiet and serene
So still
For the moment
That moment
When the sun begins to rise
Over the desert
She was excited, anticipating
The view and experience
After a while
Slowly
The sun began to come up
Greatest show on earth
A bright red ball
Lifting high
It was incredible
Almost indescribable
Natures art
She felt her spirit lift
With the sun
Towards the heavens
Just as the sun finally came up
Sahara Dreams
Nothing like it

Sweet Moments

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

At this time of year
Winter is here
A fresh new year is on the way
Holiday trappings are everywhere
Trees are waiting for a home
Children are anticipating Santa
Shoppers are out
Presents are being wrapped
Choirs are singing
Churches are full
People are feeling good cheer
Smiles are bigger
Special meals are being served
Let’s be more kind
Let’s be more positive
Let’s laugh more and criticize less
Let’s be grateful for what we have
Let’s remember what it’s about
Let’s come together
Let’s love harder
Let’s assume the best
Let’s forgive more
Let’s remember we are all one
Everywhere

At this time of year

Hot steamy coffee

On a cold day
With breathe visible
Bones chilled
Body aching
Longing for warmth

Hot steamy coffee

To soothe the cold
To warm up the soul
To calm the mind and set it free

Hot steamy coffee

To jumpstart the day
To motivate the body

Hot steamy coffee

You are standing tall like a warrior in the desert
There is a path with two directions
One to the left
One to the right
Each will take you in a different direction in your life
But the choice is hard
So much to think about
So you just stand at the fork not knowing what to do or which direction to go
To the right?
To the left?
The air is clear and it is silent not a noise in the air
The sky is blue with a bright sun overhead
Then all of a sudden a wind picks up and erases one of the paths
Leaving only one for you to follow towards the light and your destiny

After the vaccine
Now what?
A new normal
What is it?
Are we safe?
Can we go back in time
Or are things now different
Forever

After the vaccine
Will we wear masks
No hugging
No hand shakes
Keeping our distance
Limited travel

After the vaccine
What does it mean
Can we see friends
Can we see family
Can we go home
Can we go back to our life
After the vaccine