Home can be anywhere
Home can be at anytime
It’s not a location
But a feeling

Home is where the heart is
Home is where we belong
Feels comfortable
Feels safe

Is loved and cared about
Home is everything
We need it in this world
Never let it go
It is a true treasure

The little bird pecks it’s way out
It’s coming out of it’s protected shell
It’s being born into the world
Or a turtle poking its head out
That’s how it feels after lockdown
A stranger in a new land
Setting ones feet on familiar ground
Like an explorer
Looking around at the familiar
Yet unfamiliar
What’s the same
Where are the changes
Still aware that there’s danger
Still needing to be careful
Excited yet nervous
Coming out of the shell
Once again
Into the new normal
Been here before
Not so long ago
Hoping this time
It lasts

The little bird pecks it’s way out
It’s coming out of it’s protected shell
It’s being born into the world
Or a turtle poking its head out
That’s how it feels after lockdown
A stranger in a new land
Setting ones feet on familiar ground
Like an explorer
Looking around at the familiar
Yet unfamiliar
What’s the same
Where are the changes
Still aware that there’s danger
Still needing to be careful
Excited yet nervous
Coming out of the shell
Once again
Into the new normal
Been here before
Not so long ago
Hoping this time
It lasts

Where the grass is bright green, and sounds of running water can be heard there sits a large
weeping willow tree with long, bending branches
It has been there a long time.

The branches of the willow are so long that they can reach to the ground, and then up to my apartment balcony on the top floor

In the wind, the branches sway back and forth to the rhythm of the wind spreading out like the wings of a bird

As the wind blows, and the rain starts to fall, the willow bends down and up as if it’s trying to reach the balcony of my apartment and beyond

The tree almost looks like it is dancing to the rhythm of the wind with its movements back and forth and up and down

Nature is pure magic

Where grass is bright green, and sounds of running water can be heard
there sits a large weeping willow tree with long, bending branches
It has been there a long time.

The branches of the willow are so long that they reach to the ground, and to my apartmetn balcony
In the wind, the willow branches sway back and forth to the rhythm of a beat, swaying back and forth

As the wind blows, and the rain falls, the willow bends down and over as if to try and reach the balcony of my apartment. The tree almost looks like it is dancing to the wind with its movements back and forth and up and down.

Don’t let them inflict
pain on you
Don’t hurt
Or feel less
One is not better
Than another
Though they judge

We are all human
We come from the same
Whether wealthy
Or not
Whatever language
We speak
Faith we practice

Don’t accept their judgement
Only you truly know you
Others only see a fraction of
Be strong
Believe in yourself
Accept who you are
Don’t live in the pain
Free yourself
To soar

Looking out the kitchen window
Watching the palm tree move in the breeze
Branches mirroring feathers
A few birds resting on it or seeking food
As I watch a feeling of bliss and calm fill my body
I am at peace
The scene is a form of melody
Hypnotic and meditative
Mother Nature is both composer
and conductor

Looking out the kitchen window
Watching the palm tree move in the breeze
Branches mirroring feathers
A few birds resting on it or seeking food
As I watch a feeling of bliss and calm fill my body
I am at peace
The scene is a form of melody
Hypnotic and meditative
Mother Nature is both composer and conductor

I am living the pandemic mode
It was totally unexpected
Never in my furthest dreams
Did it occur to me that I would be going through this

Pandemic mode

It seems so unreal
Like the movie Contagion
Everywhere I look, it’s empty
Very few people are out
There’s a countrywide lockdown

Pandemic mode

Every day people wait for the numbers
Hoping to hear there’s a decrease
All around the world people hold their breath
Every person on the planet is going through this
There’s no discrimination

Pandemic mode

The definition of hero has changed
Instead of athlete or celebrity
It’s doctors, nurses, front line workers
Teachers, scientists
People keeping the world running

Pandemic mode

We stay hidden away
Unable to go out
Afraid to see another
Never knowing where the illness is
Hoping for a miracle
But patience is required

Pandemic mode

Nighttime demons appear
Offering frightening visions
Waking us from our slumbers
Having us crave the morning light
For safety and solace

Pandemic mode

Lately, tears come too easily.
My throat chokes up too quickly
Sadness is all around
Sadness is permeating my soul
I wish someday soon I could feel whole again
Someday the tears will stop
The pain will end
The calm will begin

Past

Today I went back into my past
When I was a child
Sometimes I wish it could last
The sights were familiar
The feelings bittersweet

Past

Funny, I don’t belong there anymore
I wish I did
I wish I could go back

Past

But, I must go forward
And leave the past to the past

Please be kind
Have patience with others
They may not be like you

Please listen
Take time to understand others

Please be careful
Your actions may affect others

Please don’t harbor anger
It doesn’t help
Step away if you have to
Please have an open heart
Instead of a closed mind
Please offer love instead of hate
It lifts us all up
Offer someone a smile

Please stand in the light
Instead of the darkness
Lift up the world
With your special light

Sometimes we need to pause
Just stop what we are doing
Quit pushing
Just be still
We are always in a rush
To move quickly
To do more
Sometimes we need to pause
To become quiet
To think
To reflect
Before moving forward again
It helps with creativity
And well-being
Just pause

Peace tranquility
protection  solace
contentment gratitude love

That’s what we all crave
It’s what we all need
We are all the same
We need the same things
We are human

Light up the world

Peace tranquility
protection  solace
contentment gratitude love

That’s what we all crave
It’s what we all need
We are all the same
We need the same things
We are human

Light up the world

Searching for peace
The special essence
of tranquility
Looking for harmony
At a time of upset
in the world
Hoping for a moment
of pure stillness
Where mind and body
rest
Is there such a thing?
These days there’s such
tumult
Everything moves quickly
No time to stop
Yet for me
Peace
Would be a piece of
Heaven

Imagine that you are sitting at the top of an all white building
The sky is bright blue with a few clouds scattered throughout
The sun is shining
There is just a slight breeze -- not too much to be overpowering

As you look out, you see the ocean
It is a beautiful turquoise blue
The day is absolutely perfect

Pink cotton candy clouds
Made of sweet spun sugar
Look too good to eat
As they paint the sky
Against a bright blue sky
Which drape a rose colored city
With an exotic look
Pink cotton candy clouds
Remind me of pink Necco wafer candies
Bringing back sweet memories

As you look out the window as nighttime approaches you see bright pink streaks against a grey blue canvas

The pink color brightens as night approaches, the color becoming more intense and deep

As time clicks by the streaks of pink start to gently pull apart like cotton candy threads

Dusk is approaching bringing a coat of light black

The lipstick pink color disappears replaced by the start of nighttime once again

Please be kind
Have patience with others
They may not be like you

Please listen
Take time to understand others

Please be careful
It’s a dangerous time
Your actions may affect others

Please don’t harbor anger
It doesn’t help a situation
Step away if you have to

Please have an open heart
Instead of a closed mind

Please offer love instead of hate
It lifts us all up
Offer someone a smile

Please stand in the light
Instead of the darkness
Lift up the world
With your special light

Please be kind
Have patience with others
They may not be like you

Please listen
Take time to understand others

Please be careful
It’s a dangerous time
Your actions may affect others

Please don’t harbor anger
It doesn’t help a situation
Step away if you have to

Please offer love instead of hate
It lifts us all up
Offer someone a smile

Please stand in the light
Instead of the darkness
Lift up the world
With your special light

A red rose is perfect in every way
The blue sky with hints of white clouds is stunning
Oceans with their white capped waves are hypnotizing
Beaches with silky sand cool to the touch
Yet, right now humans are limited
The outside world doesn’t offer much solace
It’s like a poison beauty
Tempting but possibly deadly

How I crave to leave the terrace and walk the streets
To sit at a cafe or bakery for breakfast
To go to the store and not fear what may happen
It’s like a poison beauty
Tempting but possibly deadly

The light breezes blowing across my face
The blooming roses on the terrace
The memories of normality
Haunt me in my memories and dreams
It’s like a poison beauty
Tempting but possibly deadly

Oh how I long for this time to pass
For the ability to come and go
To be free of stress and worry
To feel the stillness and peace again

Poison Beauty

A red rose is perfect in every way
The blue sky with hints of white clouds is stunning
Oceans with their white capped waves are hypnotizing
Beaches with silky sand cool to the touch
Yet, right now humans are limited
The outside world doesn’t offer much solace
It’s like a poison beauty
Tempting but possibly deadly

How I crave to leave the terrace and walk the streets
To sit at a cafe or bakery for breakfast
To go to the store and not fear what may happen
It’s like a poison beauty
Tempting but possibly deadly

The light breezes blowing across my face
The blooming roses on the terrace
The memories of normality
Haunt me in my memories and dreams
It’s like a poison beauty
Tempting but possibly deadly

Oh how I long for this time to pass
For the ability to come and go
To be free of stress and worry
To feel the stillness and peace again

Poison Beauty

A red rose is perfect in every way
The blue sky with hints of white clouds is stunning
Oceans with their white capped waves are hypnotizing
Beaches with silky sand cool to the touch
Yet, right now humans are limited
The outside world doesn’t offer much solace
It’s like a poison beauty
Tempting but possibly deadly

How I crave to leave the terrace and walk the streets
To sit at a cafe or bakery for breakfast
To go to the store and not fear what may happen
It’s like a poison beauty
Tempting but possibly deadly

The light breezes blowing across my face
The blooming roses on the terrace
The memories of normality
Haunt me in my memories and dreams
It’s like a poison beauty
Tempting but possibly deadly

Oh how I long for this time to pass
For the ability to come and go
To be free of stress and worry
To feel the stillness and peace again

Poison Beauty

It has been dark for so long
The air has been heavy and oppressive
It’s been difficult to hold ones head high
Every day negativity oozed everywhere
Like a heavy weight
Everything became hard
In spite of it
People kept trying
People kept helping
People kept caring
Though they were tired
But hope was diminishing
Getting fainter
But, after some time
A small sliver of light shone through
In the darkness, it seemed even brighter
People began to focus on it
Watch it
Fascinated
They then started walking towards it
The closer they came, the brighter it became
Almost like a lighthouse beacon
The light was soothing
It was also healing
Eventually the light increased
Shining down everywhere
Causing the darkness to finally recede
Hope grew
Faith grew
The heaviness lifted
For the first time in a long time
People saw possibilities
They actually started to see the people around them
Their neighbors, friends, co-workers
And they were also seen
They talked and were heard
They listened and understood
Empathy started to grow
Care for one another grew
It was a brand new day

Possibilities

Life is precious
It’s fragile
Like a wisp of air
Whether a leaf
Or a tiger
Or a human being
It’s delicate
It may appear strong
Perhaps invincible
But underneath
It’s fragile
It’s precious
Valuable
Beyond words
Or material things
There’s no amount
That matches it
For everything
Is unique unto itself
Each has a purpose
Each needs to be treasured
For what it is
Life
Precious

Life is precious
It’s fragile
Like a wisp of air
Whether a leaf
Or a tiger
Or a human being
It’s delicate
It may appear strong
Perhaps invincible
But underneath
It’s fragile
It’s precious
Valuable
Beyond words
Or material things
There’s no amount
That matches it
For everything
Is unique unto itself
Each has a purpose
Each needs to be treasured
For what it is
Life
Precious

Life is precious
It’s fragile
Like a wisp of air
Whether a leaf
Or a tiger
Or a human being
It’s delicate
It may appear strong
Perhaps invincible
But underneath
It’s very fragile
It’s precious
Valuable
Beyond words
Or material things
There’s no amount
That matches it
For everything
Is unique unto itself
Each has a purpose
Each needs to be treasured
For what it is
Life
Precious

She writes
Poetry and prose
Images come
From deep inside
Sometimes feelings
When they do
She writes
Showing the importance
Of small things
That go unnoticed
Leaves
The smell of the air
The feel of a gentle breeze
Brightness of the sun
Her words are precise
Yet not
Evoking images
Feelings
Taking the reader
On a journey
Their own special one
Shaped by their lives
Precise

What does it mean when we say we miss someone? Does it mean we miss them? Their presence? Their essence? Their look? Smile? Touch? Humor? Being around them? It means all those things and so much more

Soft, lilting sounds
Almost hypnotic in their tone
Laugher rolling down green hills covered with grass
Giggles and the Wizard of Oz
Magic everywhere one looks

Times with a friend playing cards
Traveling down the yellow brick road to other places
Different places, new adventures

Spring is warm and soft like Primavera
Flowers perfume the air with their scent and perfume

The time of season has started where the air is clear
Nights are cool and nature wakes up once again to the start of a new year after the cold dark winter

Primavera
Time of renewal

Imagine sitting in the desert
Alone
The sand is bright white
Almost blinding
You are kneeling
With your eyes closed
It is silent and still
Out of nowhere it starts to rain
Black colored rain drops
However, an umbrella appears
Emanating white light
It’s one of a kind
It’s translucent
Made of white light
It hovers over you
As the rain drops fall
They hit the umbrella
And roll off
Never touching you
Disappearing into the ground
Without a trace
You are protected
Once the rain stops
The umbrella disappears
You get up
To start walking
To your destiny
Imagine

Imagine sitting in the desert
Alone
The sand is bright white
Almost blinding
You are kneeling
With your eyes closed
It is silent and still
Out of nowhere it starts to rain
Black colored rain drops
However, an umbrella appears
Emanating white light
It’s one of a kind
It’s translucent
Made of white light
It hovers over you
As the rain drops fall
They hit the umbrella
And roll off
Never touching you
Disappearing into the ground
Without a trace
You are protected
Once the rain stops
The umbrella disappears
You get up
To start walking
To your destiny
Imagine

Imagine sitting in the desert
Alone
The sand is bright white
You are kneeling
With your eyes closed
It is silent and still
Out of nowhere it starts to rain
Black colored rain drops
However, your mother appears
She stands over you
Smiling
Emanating white light
She holds a special umbrella
One of a kind
Over you
It’s translucent
Made of white light
As the rain drops fall
They hit the umbrella
And roll off
Never touching you
Disappearing into the ground
With no trace
Imagine

Imagine sitting in the desert
Alone
The sand is bright white
You are kneeling
With your eyes closed
It is silent and still
Out of nowhere it starts to rain
Black colored rain drops
However, your mother appears
She stands over you
Smiling
Emanating white light
She holds a special umbrella
One of a kind
Over you
It’s translucent
Made of white light
As the rain drops fall
They hit the umbrella
And roll off
Never touching you
Disappearing into the ground
With no trace
Imagine

It’s getting to be pumpkin time
The time of magic and fun
A time when there’s a chill in the air
Apples abound along with scents of cinnamon
Carved jack o lanterns
Faces etched creatively
Candles lit


It’s getting to be pumpkin time
The beginning of the holiday season
When cookies are baked
Pies made
Children dress up in costumes
Seeking a reward of candy and other goodies

It’s getting to be pumpkin time
A time of celebration
A time of remembering
Good friends
Families
And traditions
Where turkeys are roasted
Sweet potatoes baked
Cranberries served

It’s getting to be pumpkin time
A time of holiday cheer
Hot chocolate
Apple cider
Herbal tea
And peppermint

It’s getting to be pumpkin time
A time of snow falls
Sledding
Snowball fights
Laughter and glee
Trees decorated

It’s getting to be pumpkin time

It’s getting to be pumpkin time
The time of magic and fun
A time when there’s a chill in the air
Apples abound along with scents of cinnamon
Carved jack o lanterns
Faces etched creatively
Candles lit

It’s getting to be pumpkin time
The beginning of the holiday season
When cookies are baked
Pies made
Children dress up in costumes
Seeking a reward of candy and other goodies

It’s getting to be pumpkin time
A time of celebration
A time of remembering
Good friends
Families
And traditions
Where turkeys are roasted
Sweet potatoes baked
Cranberries served

It’s getting to be pumpkin time
A time of holiday cheer
Hot chocolate
Apple cider
Herbal tea
And peppermint

It’s getting to be pumpkin time
A time of snow falls
Sledding
Snowball fights
Laughter and glee
Trees decorated

It’s getting to be pumpkin time

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

It is nighttime
The sky is a black purple with edges of black
You are standing beside a beach
Stars scatter the sky
The sky is clear except for a few wisps of clouds
which streak the sky and can be seen by the moonlight
The moon is bright casting a light on the water
The waves move in and out to a slow pulse
As you stand by the water, your heart slows
to the pulse of the water, in and out
Your lungs fill with the smell of salt in the air
Your feet are bare
You put your feet in the water, but it is not cold
The foam covers your feet as your toes bury into the sand
As you look to the sky, the moon takes on a purplish haze through the sparse clouds
Beams of light shine down on the water making it sparkle like diamonds
As the moon brightens, the waves slow down
While it is dark, you can see every detail, you can see the white caps of the waves
There is no noise, only the sound of stillness, and your heart beating
As you listen to the quiet, you realize that you are at peace
You are where you are supposed to be

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

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

Purple with pink bands streak across the sky

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

The streaks create a look that is almost unreal in its beauty
It is pure art

Nature is an absolute artist second to none

We all have puzzle pieces

They are special and unique Someone that fits us to a T
They know what we are thinking
They finish sentences
They fit us in every way

We all have puzzle pieces

It may take a lifetime to find them
Or we may find them early in life
When we are together it is as 1
There is nothing like them

We all have puzzle pieces

They are made just for us
Everything with them is right
We are cut from the same cloth

We all have puzzle pieces

It’s as if we are with a mirror image
All we have to do is find them

We all have puzzle pieces
They are special and
unique Someone that
fits us to a T
They know what we are
thinking
They finish sentences
They fit us in every way
We all have puzzle pieces

It may take a lifetime to find them
Or we may find them early in life
When we are together it is as 1
There is nothing like them
We all have puzzle pieces

They are made just for us
Everything with them is right
We are cut from the same cloth
We all have puzzle pieces

It’s as if we are with a mirror image
All we have to do is find them

People are like puzzle pieces
Each one a different shape and size

It takes the perfect piece to fit
Into a space made for it
Others just won’t fit

People are like puzzle pieces
All different sizes and shapes
It takes the right one to fit
Others may try but the fit won’t work

People are like puzzle pieces
Going through life looking
For their one perfect piece
The one made just for them
It fits on all sides
As if cut from the same pattern

People are like puzzle pieces
Searching their whole lives for that one perfect piece
Some are lucky and find it
Others never do

People are like puzzle pieces
Each one a different shape and size

It takes the perfect piece to fit
Into a space made for it
Others just won’t fit

People are like puzzle pieces
All different sizes and shapes
It takes the right one to fit
Others may try but the fit won’t work

People are like puzzle pieces
Going through life looking
For their one perfect piece
The one made just for them
It fits on all sides
As if cut from the same pattern

People are like puzzle pieces
Searching their whole lives
for that one perfect piece
Some are lucky and find it
Others never do

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

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 are a thorn in the side
Others soothe and heal

Some light up the world and shine like the sun

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

Slowly, quietly, a dark enemy was approaching which would propel us into something neither of us truly wanted. I don’t think anyone intentionally falls into an abyss, where there is only darkness and no light, but we did.

It felt like a black hole of nothingness. He was disappearing, bit by bit. It was as if he was slipping into quicksand and I couldn’t do anything to stop it. It was devastating. I felt helpless and alone.

Sometimes we need quiet
A time to be still
To stop the chaos
To listen to the nothing
It calms the mind and spirit
Allows us to refocus later

The world is so busy
Fast moving
Never stopping
Noisy
Sometimes it’s hard to keep up
Stillness can reset us to a better place
It can enhance creativity
Allow the mind to wander
Aimlessly
Slow down the body
Lift up the mood
Sharpen the mind
Go to a higher place