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New Memorial

Posted on May 27, 2021 4 Comments

Oft seen riding the wind,

the old red, white and blue

is a reminder to me.

To be thankful,

and celebrate the freedom

given us by our forebears.

Through their sacrifice,

love, courage, and loss of life

so many brave people gave their best to us.

So I bow my head,

and whisper a silent prayer

of gratitude for those brave souls.

But then I raise my eyes,

heavenward and to the skies

and proclaim aloud from within my heart:

“I pray someday we can have a new Memorial Day,

where we remember the death of all war

but do not mourn it as we have our friends.”

Dream Fishing

Posted on May 25, 2021 5 Comments

Take the line and cast it in,

and wait.

and reel.

and wait some more.

Take the line and cast it in,

and wait.

and reel,

and wait…

you have one!

Reel it in,

but not too fast!

Reel it in,

but not too slow!

Reel it in,

that fish you’ve caught

or that slippery fish will go!

Don’t give up,

the fight is on!

Don’t panic,

you’ve nearly won!

Pull that fish,

from the shallow stream,

and hold it with pride,

you caught your dream!

There lived on a idyllic peninsula, a man who possessed of many things, and so was possessed by them. From his opulent home above the vineyards he would look down through the great windows of glass, and see the city far beneath his hillside. His wealth was much, and most of it was an inheritance from his father, who worked hard to provide for his son. Yet the son was of the mind he was a great man, because of his wealth and because the city was so far below him. Seeing that the day was good, the man decided to go to the city and sit for a fine meal and fine wine. So he put on his finest clothes and drove his finest car down the long winding path of his vineyards to the city below.

On this same day, a young woman woke in her single room apartment and whispered a silent prayer that the tips would be good. She looked out her only window and saw through the buildings the smallest glimpse of the idyllic peninsula and its vineyards. Seeing that the day was good, the young woman prepared to go to work in the city serving fine meals and fine wine. So she put on her worn out uniform and walked in her flat shoes down the sidewalks to the restaurant nearby.

Later that same day she came upon the man at his table and tried her best to smile to him, in his great repose. He did not smile in return, but told her to refill his wine. Obliging the man, she lifted the wine bottle and began to pour. As the wine glass filled she heard another patron behind her call out impatiently. Turning her head to beg their patience, she bumped the glass with the wine bottle, sending all of its ruby red contents splashing upon the man and his finest clothes. The man in his rage cursed the young woman for her incompetence, called for the chef and cursed him as well, before taking to his feet and leaving.

That night, the young woman went home with few tips, and tears upon her face as she was no longer welcome to serve at that restaurant anymore. She returned to her small apartment and crumpled into her bed, sobbing as the moonlight shone through the lonely window.

Upon the idyllic peninsula, the man quite forgot the incident as he sipped his wine in his favorite chair. He was perturbed that he had one of his favorite shirts ruined, but resolved to go down to the city tomorrow to buy two more.

Cruel

Posted on May 10, 2021 5 Comments

Life will be kind in it’s cruelty

and cruel in it’s kindness.

It will give heightened touch

and the mask of blindness.

Sweetest roses,

and sharpest thorns.

Softest fur,

and sharpest horns.

Life will draw blood,

but only to leave us scars.

Memories of where we have been,

and memories of who we are.

Memories of dreams

and memories of dreams lost.

Of hopes that are fragile

and then recklessly tossed.

Life will draw tears

and challenge our fears.

With nights of sadness,

where shadows bring madness,

and the pallor of night

takes all from our sight.

Life will give beauty,

and wither it before our eyes.

It will take purity and kindness,

and fill it with lies.

It make a smile

twist into a frown.

After all:

Life will be kind,

in it’s cruelty.

And cruel,

in it’s kindness.

Life will leave scars

to remind us,

of those things behind us.

My Garden

Posted on May 4, 2021 1 Comment

The ‘greening rain’ comes each May

and the delicate grass blades push upward

toward the light.

It is during this time each year, I walk the paths

laid out some years ago.

I wander the mossy carpets

which sponge beneath my feet.

I peek at the buds

slowly opening their eyes,

leaves unfurling at the sky.

And I breathe in the the earthy air,

forgetting myself.

The rebirth all around

astounds me.

Each year in May

you will find me this way:

Eyes closed

Broad smile

Arms outstretched

Breathing in,

and

Breathing out,

the earthy air.

Road Trip

Posted on May 2, 2021 2 Comments

Sometimes when I am busy with mundane things,

I let my heart ride in a blue convertible

with the top down and the wind blowing through my hair.

That is my happy place, no matter where.

I could be standing in the grocery store line

and my mind will travel down mountain roads,

where the sun shines dappled through alpine trees

and the breeze hangs with the smell of the forest and living things.

It is said that life

is the journey not the destination,

that the path is the goal, not some designation.

So I smile as store clerk beams my way,

and I beam right back, as if to say,

“I am cruising along this mountain road,

and I’m glad you came by this way.”

And then the mundane things seem far less so,

there are meaningful moments that we all can know.

With a smile and a nod, I cause a smile,

and their journey is made better, at least, for awhile.

Please join me in my convertible blue,

and we’ll laugh loudly into the wind,

both me and you.

It will be

Posted on April 25, 2021 5 Comments

I see you there, mortal man,

raging against the wind, tide and sea

and slicing at the vine, brush and tree,

to make of the world what you will.

And such beauty and horrors you have made!

From my window in the sky

I wonder at the living you do, with such mortal life.

But it seems so futile.

It will be, you see?

No mortal man

may change the rhythm of the tides,

or the comings and goings of the moon.

No mortal man

may freeze the hourglass,

or warm the unloving heart.

And so, mortal I ask you to say:

What is, will be.

Say it to me!

—

To which the mortal man replied:

“My Goddess, I am on bended knee

and pray you see, my life’s gift cherished.

I raged against the wind, tide and sea, to taste freedom.

I sliced the vine, brush and tree to build my home.

I have sailed with the tide,

and followed the moon,

I have treasured time

and lost love too.

But all these, are my bounty, oh Goddess.

For as I see approaching night

I must rage against

the dying light.”

Companion

Posted on April 20, 2021 2 Comments

What is a companion?

Is it a man, woman, or simply the one,

or someone who always makes things fun?

Or is it a person who’s feet touch the ground,

who’s wisdom and insight joyously abound?

Or the one who has a tender smile,

a glance and grin that makes us stay awhile?

For me, I think a companion is this:

A person who’s presence you always miss,

who always gives a gentle kiss.

Someone who hugs when you’re scared or sad,

and are always patient — even when they are mad.

A companion is the one who lights the way,

down every path, on every day.

Delicate

Posted on April 14, 2021 Leave a Comment

A dandelion lay tucked in the corner of my garden

but it was at last found by me.

It was pretty and puffed in fluffy white stuff

and my eyes took in the singular beauty,

Wanting to marvel closer, I kneeled and peeled

that delicate white stuff all puffed and pretty

straight out —

and to my dismay

fluff set afloat and upon its way.

And now that singular beauty is tossed,

Some beauties when held are quickly lost.

Who?

Posted on April 6, 2021 Leave a Comment

Mere babe, so tender and unknowing.

who were you?

Before thoughts were taught,

and curses and blows bound your heart in rigid fiber,

Were you trusting?

Before the door was empty,

and disappointment stole the hopeful breath within,

Were you innocent?

Before the love was lost,

and all your goodness was thrown and broken like shards of glass,

Did you love?

Dear babe, where have you gone?

Sweet tender babe, I search for you,

but find the cradle empty,

and blackened by the shadow of that man in the door.