Let us stretch our stillness with a moment of meditation
reach our true potential, by calming the mind's  queries
Find a place where you belong and build your cradle
into the creases of time , rock forward into motion;
Send the noises over to the other side of the room
then invite silence in to soak your senses for a while
Place your instinct in the doorway of procreation
and leave your beliefs ajar, there is always a maybe?
When we think that life has closed its passage on us
we are mistaken, it is only gearing us to higher ground
to a better place where we can discover hidden strength  
Hear the song of the heart it is  yours all yours my dear
Stretch your stillness beyond your imagination and
find a concrete thought that will tell you the truth
you are not alone, you live in communion with others
here on earth, and in heaven, both contain,  YOU !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIoleidZAiQ

Miles away from home where the sun is on fire with yesterdays dreams
an Indian sari gown of silk and bead arrives  bending the wind to its  will
warm rain and saffron tinted skies caress gold eyelids and irises of old
Miles away from home the strings of my guitar recall Indian streams
and warm walks on the beach. A faint song  clings to her ghostly figure
like a lyrical refrain, while a fading light begins to lose its shine ....
August smiles still simmer on my mind ,  I was a young man in love  
with a Princess who cradled my heart to the rocking motion of the moon;
She took me to Saffron Hill, then flowered me with poetry, oh what a thrill
to be so close to the sun and not to burn from the throws of her quill ...
Miles away from home I felt the power of her light and then she was gone,
like the monsoon rains of India, she disappeared in September leaving me
to strum my sitar in a Cincinnati bar, watching neon lights light up,  
I told it to old Fred , but he just smiled at me and handed me
a saving thread , "Son,  you'll always have your memories"      
and then, he handed me another Sangria, the color of her swiveling dress

August 3, 2020

Halloween is never an alien moment for those who love to trick or treat
a caricature face painted in caked blood and fangs is an aim to scare
Donning superman capes they go door to door with cautionary meet
masked like vampires, a closed mouthed muffle in gist says, we care

Trickery can be fatal done in mindless chatter and spittle of BOO  
we don't want to face abduction of childhood thrills, so better not ignore
Paralyzed by fear can be good or bad this is a circumstance of new Halloween it up partners in crime but keep a distance don't abhor

Feasting on candy day succeeding all good, but wear a mask for me      
diabolical ways are subtle a masked bandit is a welcome sight to see.

"Professor Scarpnell  you are wanted on the phone" says an automated voice coming out of the message system. He slips the disk into the back of his neck and listens carefully to the instructions he is about to input  
Twenty four hours later all over the world  there are  people diving into water  searching for something that will change the world for good.
In a circular library sits an old librarian who has never left the City since the day she was born. "Off to pack my little bag" she says as she re-aligns a bobby pin gone askew.  At home she eats her modest egg then goes to the bedroom to search for her overnight bag.  
In another corner of the world Jim a retired fireman is peeled to the television watching the news. It appears that the virus has mutated and spread across the land faster than  the speed  of light. For the umpteenth time he wishes the department hadn't served him his papers and retired him like an old dog. At the age of fifty he is still fit as a fiddle. The phone rings at cutting edge and a green horizontal line appears.  Jack hears 'four' imprinted words....
                                     " IT'S IN THE WATER " .
He packs his shrapnel bullets in the lined compartment of his bunker gear then offers up a diluted prayer to the Gods of Technology for their systematic and safe state of weaponry.
Its a cool evening in Venice and the October wind has twined itself around the gondolas like an old friend.  Autumn  is a time for customary dishes and as the staff works diligently  in the kitchen, Chef Marco Battalione  catches up on paper work.  He opens an email from an unknown source asking for a reservation for seven on October 18,  7pm . Included is an e-transfer of $5,000 euros.
"I will need a private room where we can talk in absolute privacy  without the threat of being overheard.  The menu I leave entirely to your discretion.  I will arrive shortly after diner to introduce myself to the guests at hand.   Please do not try to contact me at this email address.  It is now obsolete for  reasons of confidentiality and for the  safety of all persons involved. "
Marco is stumped by the audacity of this person. When he realizes that  because of the restrictions on restaurants caused by COVID, he has
lost most of his income. He knows that he can ill afford to refuse such a generous offer. Setting aside a stack  of  bills, he begins to plan a menu fit for a King and Queen. With a red felt pen he  circles the date on the calendar, then pours himself a drink.  He raises a glass to the neon lights echoing over labyrinth streets and canals, and says "Salute"  

to be continued...

( If you want to be in their heart tomorrow, be in their life today.)  

Touch the cornerstone of parenthood, love them with fervent  
Open hearted dedication.  As a mother or father, only you can give them the      
Upbringing they need, the understanding of themselves. Just love them and
Caress their souls with inspiration.  Help them to achieve their dreams ,
Holding nothing back.  Live for them and enjoy the contentment of parenthood;

And when they grow up and are ready to spread their wings and fly, don't
Negate their desires.  Love is all about letting go, share space, then
Do the right thing by them.  Do not raise them co-dependent but sane    

Guide them and teach them self assurance and self acceptance  
Only you can guide them lovingly, so bless them, everyday.

A silver moon arrives to bathe me with her moonlight
sending me into a dream state of beauty and respire
With feet of  feather weight I never touch the ground
as I gaze at the beauty  that surrounds this  gauzy lake
Accustomed to the shadows of the night I gather long
around the hem of stars that shine down on my estate
I watch the flowers in my garden lay withered at me feet
while I trundle by the angels, one thousand more to keep
Some earthlings like to babble in their little cafes at night
but its all Greek to me for I rather lay between two clouds
swinging from a hammock, woolgathering, until dawn .

Whom of you have never felt the pinch and pain
when inebriated thoughts begin to fall like rain
whom of you have ever poured it down the drain
when a loved one says, " this is insane"

Whom of you have peeled the mask of hidden truth
pushed beyond the shove, and talked up your youth ?
Whom of you worn down by life has whipped the scourge  
sobered up and restrained the urge...

Whom of you at a ripe old age still cry for your mother
when times get tough, do you have a sister or a brother
Whom of you **** faced and ****** don't give a ****
when a child cries out like an angry ram

Whom of you have ever been perfect before you were broken
when the hourglass of time says you had enough here take a token
Whom of you grasped it with both shaking hands and said yes
I'm gonna rise up and be counted, for I have made such a mess.

Whom of you like me still cry for the love that refuses to die,  
when the stars of heaven split open their light, do you cry ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn-_xr3uCEQ

DRAW IN YOUR BREATH AND THEN INHALE THE ENERGY
OF OLD THAT ONCE BROUGHT YOU LIFE  AND AWAKENED PROMISE  OF VIGOROUS GOOD .
STAND AT THE EDGE OF THE SUN AND WARM YOUR SOUL WITH THE RAYS OF LIGHT THAT BRING YOU ONLY HEALTH AND PROSPERITY. SIT WITH THE MOON AND THE STARS AT NIGHT, ALLOW THEM to SOAK YOU WITH SYSTEMATIC  BEAMS OF BEAUTY AND GRACE
(breathe in and out slowly )
WRAP YOUR MIND AROUND THE AMPLE CLOUDS, AND FEEL THE COMFORT OF A DIVINE MAJESTIC PROVIDENTIAL ONE.  GLORIOUS AND FRUITFUL AS A FIG TREE IN FULL BLOOM, BENIGNLY CUT FROM THE CLOTH OF LOVE AND MERCY, EVERY FIG LEAF IS AS PERFECT AS YOU ARE DEAR ONE.
(breathe in and out slowly )
PLACE YOUR FINGER ON THE PULSE OF UNITY AND LET YOUR HEART BE THE GENUINE PRAYER  FOR UNIVERSAL HEALING AND GOOD WILL TO ALL.
DRAW IN YOUR BREATH AND INHALE COMMUNITY SPIRIT,  KNOWING THAT TOGETHERNESS BRINGS POSITIVITY AND ETERNAL BLISS.  BE SOFT AS A KISS AND STURDY AS THE GENTLY WIND WHEN IT BRUSHES THROUGH THE PINES
ALLOW YOURSELF A MOMENT OF SILENCE TO HEAR YOUR SOUL SPEAK.  FOR MEDITATION WAS THE LANGUAGE OF SAINTS , SINNERS AND MEDIEVAL KNIGHTS ALIKE. NO MATTER WHO AND WHAT YOU ARE, KNOW THAT YOU BELONG TO THIS HUMAN RACE. YOU ARE ONE OF MANY AND YOU ARE SPEICAL. REJOICE BELOVED ONE.
(breathe in and out slowly )

There are days when all you need
is a good ending to a story
a strong cup of tea or
the right pair of arms to hold you
There are days when you wish
for less small talk phrases
and more  precious words
There are days when you want
nothing more then to stay up
and count the stars of night  
even if it means sleeping in  
There                 are              days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrgU23IkC9w

Tick tock the stop watch goes round without a sound
counting the minutes and seconds that surround us
We live our lives quietly turning hours into making
while our dreams  wait, whether realized or not they
stay within the realm of our life's lifetime, tick tock...
There are years of building up there are years of
paring down,.  There are years of joyful giving,
then there are years , we don't count as living.
Some of us hold on to the golden ring until the end
and some of us give up long before the diner bell
Some of us rehash the same old things and habits
some of us make changes that will last a lifetime
Tick tock, the stop watch has a mind of its own .
Sometimes we live as two, and other times alone,
We cannot measure the quality of a lifetime by
just one hour. It has to be measured in the end  
of ones lifetime. Either way it  will always arrive on
time, according to our internal clocks.  Tick tock...

Its the end of summer and the flowers are readying for fall
guess its just September's way of putting in her hooting call

London trees are sighing and the city folks are buying mohair
the sun is raying softer shades as we put away our lawn chairs

Writers tuck their hats and trade their benches for a cozy home
poetizing about Italian memories they pen about a trip to Rome

Here he comes Mr. Freezie by morning, Mrs. Warm by afternoon
I really did enjoy this happy summer but I think it left too soon  

its the end of summer and the flowers are finally waving goodbye,
funny how people cling more to life, when their making ready to die.

He holds his own heart in his hands but doesn't feel it
the tin feels cold to the touch I think he was hurt too much
wearing a funnel over his head he smokes away his dreams
he wants to be loved but, you can't give what you don't get  
To anyone who feels unloved today the sun says, "I Love You "
as it lands on the vessel  but not the man whos lonesome and  gray
he tilts his shadow towards the big forest feeling all hollow inside
no he doesn't remember the last time he suddenly, cried...
Rain begins to drum against his breastplate armor he begins to rust
he hears a tiny whisper a seedling in the morning dawn, " heh you"
"me?" he says, as little fires start, in his impassive eyes of gold
"yes you" says the voice, you're more then just tin, I LOVE YOU!
he opens the little trap door and feels a gush of red, Achew !
For the first time in his life he feels the cold, the sun, the rain, its insane
he can walk without a creak, he's been oiled with love and he
feels right as rain.

Wrapping him in  a blue blanket he hands him over to me
outside the snow is falling, as I gaze at him my hearts about to burst
all the pushing is over, now its time to receive his glee
bluest eyes I'd ever seen suckling at my breast with a quenching thirst  

Yesterday was Debussy and Bach
lullabies of sweet by a morning dawn
Today  a baby cradle and a gentle rock    
"Oh my God, did you see that Ron !"

We named him Joseph, after his grandfather who was a great artist
homilies of love spoken truthfully,  I cannot contain the joy
just given birth to a special boy and it feels like I've been kissed  
my love leans in and whispers " we'll give him every toy!"

With a sacral dimple you can't miss  
he looks like an Angel  
so I draw him close and feather him a kiss    
he gurgles as if to say, "I'm your Angel"    

October 8, 2020

My heart is made of lace held fast by Holy fabric strings  
its red like a  pomegranate warm like my Father's love
my heart is open like a rose in summer when it sings  
and when I meet a stranger,... it chances it thereof

My heart is volatile like a bird  through an open door
it beats to pulsed emotions living deep inside my chest  
finding favor with my soul loving me with sweet adore,  
it pumps blood inside my chambers, never taking rest  

This heart of mine is made of love and Holiest of things
I spend my time giving true support to those in need
if I were Angel my heart would own two feathered wing
but Angel I am not, though I love to plant the seed,

Its only God that can turn a heart into Holy fabric strings
Its only God that can turn a heart into a heart that sings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DitEAtjrWg

WE ARE GOING ON A JOURNEY FOR TWO
FAR AWAY FROM THE LAND
FLYING TO THE STARS WHERE THE MOON
RESIDES
WE ARE GOING TO HEAR VIOLINS PLAYING
IN THE CAVES OF ALBERNON
SOAR WITH THE EAGLES IN THE SKY
AND FLY WITH BUTTERFLIES

WE ARE GOING TO LIVE FREELY AS TWO
LIKE TWO TURTLE DOVES IN THE HEAVENS
UNDER THE TUTELAGE OF JUST ONE GOD...

Faith is like wifi invisible to the eye but connects you to what you need.

Faith is the cornerstone of wholesome living
it brings you to a fearless place of love
Faith is a friend you will never lose
as long as you speak to it often

Faith is a pair of wings in full flight
or a light at the end of the tunnel
Faith is a gift given at birth
it takes us there, time and time again

Faith is a delicate egg ready to hatch
a seedling in the ground needing water
Faith is a rose in full bloom
a giant in an amphitheater room

F   A    I   T   H

As I quiet my mind
and press my ear softly to your pillow
my heart recalls
the lovely tune you once made up for me;
While the crickets
trill against my window
I recall ,  
The sonant sound of your voice
and those sweet kisses,
beneath the willow tree  .

Adoring eyes in the morning breeze
the water hypnotizes and the trees hold out their arms
sunshine rays of beauty fall like a water cascade
in the morning dawn
A fawn arrives breaking the spell of day
with her spotted body lean, alert and spry
by the edge of the lake its not time to die  
over by the shore...
Air is music it fills my lungs, wind picks up
playing an old melody that reminds me of,  
Adoring eyes in the morning breeze
The water hypnotizes and brings me to my knees,
one more time...

Scintillating light you never tire of shining bright
Incommensurable star, you are guardian of wishes    
Leading us silently into the ocean of our sailor dreams  
Every shimmer casts us onto the sea with deep mystique  
Natal super nova beam of beauty you are miraculous.  A    
Calligraphy of ephemeral light,  
Energetically twinkling, you echo every desire.

We have come to meet again after all these years
and in your eyes I see the young girl I once knew
no words are needed when two hearts are glued
to the worth of our last words
to the life that we once knew
Yes after all these years you have finally returned
to that special place where we first began, as two.

Every Wednesday he held a healing service for the sick
since Betty's cancer had spread to a point of no return
Fr. N was the only one she followed, with faith unbroken;  
He stood at the front of the church and called us over
one by one. Up we went with all of our hurts and pains;  
He healed by instinct and Godly knowledge, of this I have
not doubt.    
Sadly, Betty did pass but not before receiving inner peace,
which that in itself was the greatest miracle of all...
Years later upon my return from Pittsburgh I visited this quiet
Anglican church with the hope of healing something deep inside
of me.   My soul had been hungering for acceptance for many years.      
"One of you is here to heal their inner child" he said,
"whomever you are please come up and receive your healing. "
I felt like he was talking to me so I got up and walked up the isle
towards him. He held a bottle of Olive oil in his right hand, after
anointing me he whispered,  "Why do I hold a vision of split acorns
in my head ? "
Unbeknownst to him,  I had just come back from a forest located
in Pittsburgh.  I had actually picked acorns, and turning them in
my hands, I had noticed they were split and took them home with
me in a bag to glue together.  
I went down like a soft feathered bird and when I came to,
I wept for half an hour, until all my fears subsided,
When it came to this special priest there was nowhere to hide,
he was a faith healer of the truest kind, always on your side...

December 3, 2020

Let's put CHRIST back into Christmas and steer towards the season without fear  
with no distraction of any kind to take us away from the LOVE gift he proposed
Superfluous  gifts with money tags are of no use this year so we better adhere
to the treasure of His birth, a birth that was so dear that even the camel posed

Lets cook good food, gather our children to our *****  and give them hope
light your candles, use your best china,  tomorrow is only a promised wind
Laugh at yourself a little,  God knows you need it, its a great way to cope
be as kind as you can be, use your empathy for those who's hearts rescind

Bring the tinsel to your front window show the world that you are a believer
Christ was the light of the world and still is today, he was never a deceiver
Send Christmas cards in abundance this year, and open your heart to LOVE
it is the only gift worth giving and receiving, ...for its a one size fitted glove

Let's put the CHRIST back into Christmas and remember our parents rule,  
if you don't realize by now its not about the gifts, then go back to school.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
LETS SALUTE THE HOLY SON..

(What To Do When There  Is No Inspiration)

I open my mind to music and allow the sound waves to wash over me
then, soaking in the notes as if I were a skilled virtuoso
a master of the arts , I allow the sounds to meld and mesh in me
Lost in the ethereal feel of this peaceful moment ,  
I forget about phrases and compositions and begin to focus
on the appearance of color and imagery;  
When my soul feels the longing to write like the poets of old,  
I rise to the occasion and allow my mind to surprise me
with the many spectrums of written possibilities ;
I inhale deeply and begin my journey home to poetry  
Sometimes its one sentence, sometimes just a word
but as I string my thoughts together the music fades
and the beautiful glades of verse, magically appear before me
I give honor to my creative spirit and I give thanks to my muse;  
There is no  greater satisfaction on earth then being inspired
so after a long stay in the dessert, I give thanks to God
for showing me how to regress back to my original spark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9FU7Q-BthE

Have you seen the light of Him that shines brighter then the  
Aludra star of heaven's lair, and have you seen the rays that
Veer towards you when you pray, my brother have you
Ever known more peace then when you bow your head in prayer

Yoked to your heart He is your everlasting soulmate and your friend  
On the wings of faith you can soar towards Him night and day  
Unearth your fears and find the comfort that you need  

Sacred Father, Abba, Patriarch and Archer of all that is good in you  
Every action of yours is guided by His Holy subservient angels
Experience Him in your journey of love and know that you are  
Noteworthy of His protection.  Sister of life on earth plant  a seed

The creator will water it and make it grow like a rose in the dessert
Hide it from the enemy let it prosper in His vineyard. You the  
Elect who is never left in the dark, is a child of the Beloved,

Love with all your heart as he has loved you, built an alter and  
Invite Him to your table dear friend, He is the candle that burns bright
Goodness and peace will follow you if you make  
Him your  confessor and your constant companion .
Trust in Him who created you to His image, know you are loved.

Take my soul and carry me to where all fantasy can bloom  
dance me all around to the music of a rhapsody divine
hold me in your arms from dusk to moon's consign  
and sing to me a tura lura one more time ;
Send me to the stars carefree as a bird in flight tee hee
glance at me behind our nook I wait for thee til' three
fold me in, roll me out, waltz me all around the room
and sing to me your tura lura one more time;
Bring me to that place where you remember well my face
dress me in white silk then place a flower in my hair
mold me to your heart I am pliable as air , let us dance,  
while we sing the tura lura song, one more time;

On camera they caught a black jaguar crossing the Amazon in plain day
he was black and sleek and swam like an otter with motion and sway

Head of the wild life foundation was present ready to capture with lens
a special moment that at first looked like a crocodile, this made no sense

Black jaguars are near threatened species in Central and South America
so this big cat swimming the waters of Brazil was more then just la di da

They estimate only 600 black jaguars are left, so it was smart to mention
the footage and raise awareness in order to promote their protection  

It was a pretty smart move for that jaguar to pick that boat to swim near
I hope they will survive  for I think they are creatures to admire not fear.