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

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 was dreaming
In a deep sleep
When I heard your voice
So real
Saying “honey”.
I thought you were there
With me
But you weren’t

I was dreaming
In a deep sleep
Body relaxed
Letting go
When I heard your voice
Saying “honey”
I thought you were there
With me
But you weren’t

You were in another place
Not here
Not with me or by me
But in my mind
You were there
In my heart you were there
With me

Dreams are what we make
From the ideas, wants and desires
From our minds and spirits
We can take them into reality
At anytime
It just requires will, persistence
And faith
If you believe
Especially in yourself
You can do anything
At anytime, anywhere
Dream big
Watch it grow
Into your reality
We are each an artist
Creating our own worlds

She is speaking to us
Pleading
Warning us
Advising us
Comforting us
Helping us
We just have to listen
We are all her children

She’s been telling us about the planet
Warning what will come
Showing us
With storms
Droughts
Fires
Extreme heat
We just have to listen
We must listen

She’s been crying for us
For all the creatures that live here
For the forests
Plants
She’s been begging us
To change
To stop
To respect what’s here
The planet
The boundaries between us
And them
All we have to do is listen
Then change our ways
Mother knows best

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

Warm hypnotic breezes blow
The weeping willow and flowers bend  to and fro

Branches reaching out towards the sky
The sky is night blue with a scattering of cotton white clouds
The air is a perfect comforting temperature which lulls one into a state of peace and stillness
Wind chimes play their melody to the rhythm of the wind
The tree leaves glisten from the sunlight hitting

All is good and peaceful

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

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

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

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

When I have no words
I will rise up to 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 rise up towards the sun
Letting it fill me with light
Pushing the darkness out

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

When I look at you I see the impossible
I see a miracle
I see infinity
When I look at you I see the incredulousness of it
How rare
How unusual
How courageous

When I look at you
I see hope
I see joy
I see the impossible become possible
When I look at you
I see the incredulousness of it

I touch the universe
I touch infinity
I feel the sun on my face
I see the moon and the stars

I see my present and future

The sun is out
The sky is a bright blue
Barely a cloud in the sky

There is a slight breeze in the air
The air is crisp and clear
It’s fresh to breathe

Wind chimes are lightly ringing in the background playing their tune

As another day starts

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

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 beautiful black stallion lived on a ranch by the mountains
He was kept in a stable or corral when not being taken out for a ride by his owners
His coat was a thick black color like velvet
It shimmered in the sun
His mane was long and majestic
His face was kind with big brown eyes
When he ran his tail would bounce some from the movement
He was majestic

Every day he was taken out of the stable to the corral to feed and exercise
He would look beyond the fence towards the green pastures and beyond with longing
He wanted to be free
He felt like he was in a cage

Each day as he went through his routine running around the corral he imagined jumping over the fence and running free
He would even dream of it

One day he decided he couldn’t stay any longer and would have to try and escape
He felt like he so trapped
He was meant to run

He practiced running around and around in the corral going faster each time building up his strength

One night as he went to bed he decided the next day when no one was watching he would free himself
The next morning when he was put out into the corral he waited until everyone left

He then backed up by the fence and started running as fast as he could
His hooves hitting the ground hard with all his strength

He then jumped the fence and kept running towards the open range and mountains

Other horses saw him in the distance and joined him
They all ran fast and hard just for the joy of it
He was so happy
He was out of the cage

He was free

We all start life the same way
But once we arrive
We all have our own journey
Some call it a path
Others our destiny
As we each start out
We encounter experiences
Both good and bad
Some are beautiful
Beyond words to describe
Others are dark, painful and ugly
But they are all part of our journey
Along the way we meet people
Many of them
Some become husbands
Or wives
Relatives
Friends
Coworkers
Others are just in passing
But they are all part of our journey
We may go to different places
In and out of our country
We may speak different languages
Dress differently
Look different
But in the end
Our journeys
All take us to the same place
Because we may think we are different
But we really aren’t
We all share something
Humanity

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

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

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

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

Sometimes it’s just needed
A break from the usual
Especially when it’s hard
Just to live
To keep on hoping
Going
Looking for the light
Being positive
A small holiday
Can offer brightness
Pushing the darkness away
Lifting one up
Even if just for a moment

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.

Light the World

Love lifts us up
It can power the world
With its energy
With its light
Whereas hate puts down

Cruelty destroys our spirit
It minimizes us
Pushes us down
Kindness soothes and inspires

Small mindedness shrinks
Tolerance opens up
It  helps us spread our wings
To open up our heart to others

Start every day start smiling
With the pure joy of being alive
Offer kindness and laughter
Especially in difficult times

Let’s makes a difference
Push away darkness
To help light up the world
To heal our wounds

In our own special way
Light up the world

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

Sitting at the bakery

Getting a cup of coffee
With a wonderful taste
Ingesting the smell
Letting it tickle my senses
All types of people around
Getting some breakfast

Sitting in the bakery

People watching
Lots of baked goods all around
A feel of Europe
In the heart of the city

Sitting in the bakery

Watching all the sites
Listening to different languages
Seeing people going hither and yon
Getting their goods
Starting their day

Sitting in the bakery

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

Streets bustle with crowds of people walking to and fro filled with energy and excitement of the coming holiday
Street corners become impassable because of the large throngs of people trying to get somewhere making the city look like a giant mosh pit
Trees are brightly light up for the season
Carolers and musicians can be heard along the streets playing to the beat
Giant nutcrackers adorn one building on 6th Avenue along with giant ornaments and strings of lights
Street vendors sell their wares up and down the street from cashmere scarves to boxed jewelry
Hundreds of Santas and elves move throughout the city spreading their holiday cheer
Tourists and residents participate in the 12 bars of Christmas bar crawl while strolling through the city
Lines go around the corner for the Radio City Christmas show waiting for the next show
Cops line the streets to keep people moving along putting up barricades to move the crowds
The Hilton Hotel bar area is filled to capacity with folks needing refreshment before finishing their shopping
Nothing like Christmas time in New York……………

The sun is about gone for the day
It is that time before nightfall and daytime
A slight warm breeze is blowing
Teasing the face just a little
Seductive to the touch
The branches of the plants are gently moving
Like a slow dance
A touch of sun can still be seen in the distant horizon
The city street below is full of life
Restaurants and cafes are open
People moving about
A drum beat of music can be faintly heard in the background
Voices talking from the restaurant and bar next door
Lights of the city coming on for the night
As the city prepares for nightfall to come

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

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

After several hot days
With searing heat
Humid nights
Fitful sleep
The body on fire
Mother Nature granted
A cool reprieve
Of temperatures
And soothing breezes
To lift up the spirit and body
To heal and invigorate
To inspire

After several hot days
Mother Nature
Granted a cool reprieve
To heal the land
Feed the birds and plants
Refresh and give energy
Nurture the body
To lift up the soul
And light up the world

Open your eyes
Abre sus ojos
See what you can see
Feel what you can feel
Touch what you can touch
Take in all the fragrances
See the wonder of life
See me for who and what I am

Abre sus ojos
Open your eyes
Take it all in
Look everywhere
See Mother Nature
In all her glory
See the oceans
See the forests and mountains
See the animals
See me for who and what I am

Abre sus ojos
Open your eyes
See the woman before you
See her heart and spirit
Where she has been

Abre sus ojos
Open your eyes
The world is waiting

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

The sun is about gone for the day
It is that time before nightfall and daytime

A slight warm breeze is blowing, teasing the face
The branches of the plants are gently moving

A touch of sun can still be seen in the distant horizon
The city street below is full of life
Restaurants open

People moving about
A drum beat of music can be faintly heard in the background

Voices talking from the restaurant and bar next door
Lights of the city coming on for the night

As the city prepares for nightfall to come one more time

For just a little while
For one fleeting moment
I touched home
To a small part of it
I sat and had a cup of coffee
Like times past when I visited a place like this

A small slice of America
Just one tiny sliver in a large pink city
For one moment it felt familiar
I looked around and felt that
I had touched a slice of my country
The look, the feel, the smell all famliar

Oh I know there are problems there now
Severe ones
A lot has to be done and changed
But within me are those threads from there
Those are the ties that bind us
Once in a while they tug at me
Touching my heart with
Memories
Life adventures
Family
Roots

This is true for all of us
We have roots to a place, threads of personal history
Where we began

But, for just a little while
I touched home
Sat in a small slice of America
Drank my coffee
Same as years ago
Ate my cinnamon roll
Savoring the taste
Remembering my voyage through life and all that brought me here

A new normal is coming
One of these days
Hopefully soon
The old one is long gone
We have to find new ways
To live and be
Ways to relate
Communicate
Different ways
We shouldn’t be afraid
We should have hope
Better ways

A new normal is coming
All across the world
In every corner
One of these days
A different way to live
A different way to be
We have to build back
Heal
Learn
Move forward together
The past is gone

A new normal is coming

It’s that time of year
Fall crispness is in the air
Trees abound with bright colors
There scents of apples, cider and pies wafting through the air
Oranges, reds and golds are the colors of choice
Sweaters are pulled out
Vests and coats are worn
Boots and warm socks
Thoughts of holidays fill the mind
Light snow tickles the landscape
Piles of leaves in yards
Holiday decorations in stores
The mindset changes
To a holiday mode
Thoughts of sugarplums
Love, care and charity appear
It’s the season

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

When feeling lost
Go to the forest
Smell the trees
Take in the freshness

When feeling unease
Go to the forest
Feast upon nature
Walk amongst the trees
Listen to the wind

When feeling confused
Go to the forest
Sit amongst the beauty
Let it calm your soul
Let the beauty fill your heart

When you’re not sure what to do
Go to the forest
Listen to answers
Let it inspire you

Soft Brazilian music plays
Barely heard
The rhythm of the beat
Samba
Dancing
Bringing smiles to faces

Palm trees blowing in the wind
White sandy beaches
Smooth as silk
Colored umbrellas
Children playing by the water
Ice cream vendors
Bird kites flying high
Corcovado in the background
Watching everything

Beautiful tiled sidewalks
Make a mosaic
Glorious blue skies
Dotted with clouds
Soft Brazilian music plays
Barely heard
Samba
Bringing smiles to all
Brazilian lilt

It was a perfect day on the island
It was miles away from the main city


To get there one had to ride the ferry for an hour across the blue waters


The sand on the beach was white and fine to the touch like fine silk
The water at times was turquoise

The beach was little lined with large umbrellas stuck in the sand
They were numerous colors and multi colored


People were sitting under them watching the waves
The waves pounded the shore breaking with bright white foam

The air was warm but not hot with a slight breeze soothing to the touch

Palm trees swayed to the breeze their leaves glistening in the sun
As the sun hit the ocean the surface looked like a million diamonds

Children were running up and down the beach laughing and playing games while parents kept a watchful eye

A man pushed an ice cream cart down the beach selling ice cream treats

A mother and her daughter played in the waves
The daughter eventually sitting in the water letting the waves run over her

It was a perfect day in every way

Everyone was grateful for the perfect day and a little slice of heaven

Love comes in all shapes and sizes
It spans oceans, rivers, mountains and deserts
It spans distance and time
Languages and cultures

Loves comes in all shapes and sizes
Young and old
Well and ill
Speaking and silent
Heard and not

Love comes and heals
It lifts up
When nothing else can
It turns darkness into light
Brings brightness to the dull

Love comes in all shapes and sizes
It inspires
It touches our deepest recesses
And melts them like honey
It lights a fire in us
That never goes out

Love comes in all shapes and sizes
Love never ends
It goes on forever
Like burning embers