There is a grey colored mist floating through the air almost like a haze in the air
The sun is starting to come up over the horizon – a hot pink ball slowly rising over the sea
A man is standing on the beach facing out to the water, bare feet buried in the sand
He lets the ocean waves gently wash across his feet
The water is neither too hot nor cold, it is just right
His pants are rolled up as to not get wet
He is wearing a muted grey colored sweater
Standing with his hands in his pockets, he is facing the water, watching, listening to the pounding of the waves as a soothing drum beat ever so slowly
He closes his eyes to listen and smell the salt in the air like perfume
The sounds and smells calm him – leave him with a sense of peace
He then opens his eyes and looks off to the right, down the beach
He sees a woman slowly approaching him from a distance
She is walking slowly to the beat of the waves
He closes his eyes once again, waiting for her
Then he opens his eyes and sees her standing by him now watching and listening to the roar of the raspy waves
They smile to each other, grasp hands, turn and continue walking down the beach together

BRM 2012

The rain is finished now
The city is drying out
The sky is painted bright blue
It’s a cool morning
There is a hint of freshness in the air
Breathing is a pleasure

Afterwards
It’s a beautiful perfect day
Enjoy the moment
The artistry of nature
At its best

Some say things just happen
Others say destiny assists and guides
Some say what is meant to be will be
Others say we shape our own path
Some say our futures our pre written
Others say this isn’t so
Some say there’s something called destiny
Some of us choose to dance with it

Some say things just happen with no rime or reason to them
Others say destiny always has a hand
Some of us choose to dance with it
Some say what is for you can’t be stopped no matter what
Some say that isn’t so

All I know is
I am on a path before me
That I believe to be true
Things have happened in my life to ease my traverse down that path
I am dancing with destiny

I am doing the impossible
What is hard is made easy
When the waters ran deep I didn’t falter
When the mountain was high I climbed to the top
When the distance was far I traveled it
I am dancing with destiny

I am living a miracle
That I could not have created on my own
I am where I am supposed to be
If that’s not destiny then what is?

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

I live among ghosts
Phantoms
They keep calling me
I walk by memories
Old haunts
I touch them ever so slightly
Carved through year’s of life
There are spirits
Vapors of life
I feel them touch me
They hover above
They watch
They listen
They are always there
I see remnants of where they were
I feel them
I can’t escape them
Every where I turn
Everywhere I look
I feel them
Echoes of them embedded
I feel them in the air
I feel them in thoughts
I feel them in faces
I live among ghosts and memories
Of another time

May the luck of the wind carry you in times of duress

May the luck of the wind bring you happiness at times of sadness

May the luck of the wind
take you to unexplored places

May the luck of the wind touch
your cheek gently like
butterfly kisses

Let it protect you
Keeping you safe
May it bring you peace and comfort

Sweet memories like melodies that gently play in our minds that help define us as we weave our ways through our lives.

These memories have a sweet perfume of experience and life which touches our cheeks ever so gently each and every day.

As the bright sun poured down on her
With its searing heat
It was unbearable
She needed a reprieve
There was the sound of water nearby
She found a beautiful waterfall
She couldn’t wait
The heat propelled her
She walked into the water
Under the waterfall
Letting the cool water run over her
As the water poured over her
It offered a soothing reprieve from the sun and heat
Eventually a cool breeze came
And gently blew across her face
Leaving a sense of peace and calm
It was so perfect
She never wanted to leave
She had found paradise

It was the morning
In a small city on the east coast
The rain was gently falling
The sky was a muted gray
It was early
There wasn’t much traffic
It was quiet
There was a feeling of stillness

As the rain fell two cats slept
They always slept together
One was. brown and one gray
They were like sisters
It was calming to watch them

The sound of the rain was calming
and hypnotic
It was a cool fall day
The leaves were still on the trees
Gold, red, and orange

As the rain hit the side of the building it made a noise like a faint drumbeat

The air smelled clean and refreshed
There was a hint of the wet leaves like a natural perfume

The entire scene evoked feelings of peace

Watching the rain and world was like being transported to another world

As you close your eyes, think of the ocean, its color, the smell, and everything about it. Imagine yourself slowly melting into the water. Let yourself become part of it. Feel the coolness on your body. Let it calm and refresh you.
When you are outside take a deep breath and smell the air and let it cleanse you.

Realize once again, as you have always known, that you are a part of all things here and in the universe.

If the sun shines, look at its brightness and realize and remember that is a part of who you are as well. Let your spirit fly free. Your heart and spirit are pure.

When you close your eyes again, let music play in your head, hear the notes and the sounds as they play in your mind and realize that is a gift from the universe.

You are part of the most magnificent orchestra in the universe -- life, and your talent is your instrument.

Silver Sliver of a Moon
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 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 back

Folks drinking coffee in a cafe
Surrounded by red cushions
That adorn bright white walls
Golden lights
Suspended from the ceiling
Music playing with a soft hypnotic sound
Sometimes jazz
Tables set with clear dark red glasses
Professional waiters moving to and fro
People sitting outside under red umbrellas which offer welcomed shade
Tables adorned with coffee
And other breakfast goodies
On the start to another hot steamy day
In the city

Summertime Moments

Our lives are like books
Divided into chapters
Each one may be a year
or more
Or less
Depending
There’s a beginning when
we are young
A middle
and the then the final stage
when we move towards
older age
Like an artist or writer
We create each chapter
Based on our choices in life
The people we meet
Our experiences
As we move forward in our life
we may change and
adjust our chapters
Each life book is different
from another
Unique unto us only
No more or less value than another
Each life experience helps
to shape us and grow
Adding to the chapter
In our own way
we are each a creator
and artist
Of our life and 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

Get your groove
Find a rhythm
Beat it loudly
With energy
Let the sound carry
Far and wide
Beat it
For the ill
For the dying
For the suffering
For all the lost souls

Beat the drum

For the living
As loud as you can
March down the street
Proudly
Let others hear you
Let them join you

Beat the drum

For the world
For all of us

Warm mellow breezes brush against my face
The sky turns light purple as the sun goes down
Carmel cappuccino sits on the table
Waiting for me
While a candle burns
Bossa nova music plays
In the background

As the sun continues to drop
The breezes increase taking some of the heat away
The smell of the cappuccino fills the air
As the bossa nova plays
It’s a special time
A time of magic

The ocean waves are moving back
and forth on a bright sunny day.
The sky is a bright blue.
The air is warm but not too hot.
There is a slight breeze in the air.
There is a tint of salt in the air like a sweet perfume but the smell is not too heavy. The water is a deep blue with hints of white as the waves roll in and out.
As the sun hits the water, diamonds show up and glisten against the light and the water.
It’s a perfect day

Is more than a city
It is a feeling
It is a place one goes to feel magic
A place that touches ones heart and never leaves
A place to go and touch history
and a place to marvel at all that is there
A place that dances like a gentle muse
Whether one fancies monuments like the Eiffel Tower or just a quiet walk down a street
Or sitting by the Seine
It is all special and sublime
But perhaps the most special thing  is to be there when it rains
To watch the people moving to and fro while the rain gently washes the city while sipping a cup of coffee in a local cafe
That’s Paris

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

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

I can finally breathe
The air is cool as it hits my face
Refreshing
A welcome reprieve from the heat
The temperature has been searing
Really unbearable
Now quiet surrounds
People relish in the change
Birds can be heard in the distance
Heralding the cooling
Peace is near
So is tranquillity
Finally

I was standing in the valley
By a mountain
The grass was so green
Like emeralds
The air was clean and fresh
Wildflowers were everywhere
All colors and sizes
Like a Monet painting
I had been waiting
For a long time
It seemed like forever
Then I looked up
And I saw
Slowly walking
A man
It was you
My heart jumped
I started trembling
I couldn’t believe it
After so long
After so many prayers
You were here
Standing in front of me
I reached out my hand
You smiled and took it
We started walking
Disappearing
Into the green valley

I've got Paris on my mind
The Eiffel Tower
Notre Dame
The Seine
River boats along the river
Louvre and Orsay and so much more
The ambiance of it
The lights at night
Bakeries early in the morning
Smell of fresh bread
Fine cheeses and wine
Great food
And so much more
I've got Paris on my mind...

Half moon hovering in the dark velvet sky
Soft yellow light shining down on me
Lights of the city dimmed by its beauty
Sounds of the city in the background
Turquoise lights shine on a building close by
They are hypnotic
Creating an artful look to the coming night
Mother Nature at her best
Half moon hovering in the dark velvet sky
Another day passes as a new one begins

Every few months
She disappears
She hides
Invisible
As if a ghost or spirit
She’s not part of anything
She’s something else
Unnoticed
Comes from a different world
A different place

She melds into surroundings
Becoming very quiet
Keeping to herself
No one pays attention
It’s better that way
More comfortable
She watches from afar

Are like dabbles of paint
on a canvas
Being strung together to
make a painting
Really a work of art
We each create our own
Some are of a bright color
Some of a pastel
Some are dark

Some make us laugh and smile
Some, bring tears to our eyes
once again
Some teach us
Some help

But our memories are the true
jewels of our lives
They connect us to our past,
present and future

Let’s treasure them

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
Where did she go??

Bright blue skies
A few white clouds scattered
Golden rays of sun
Multi colored flowers everywhere
Green trees swaying
Fragrant scents adorn the air
Like perfume

Light calming breezes
Blow across the face
Teasing it ever so slightly
Like gentle butterfly kisses

Ocean waves pounding the shore
Turquoise water
Endless sandy beaches
Smooth as silk
Umbrellas everywhere

Music in the air
Children playing
Hints of summer
Fill my mind

Dreaming of moonbeam nights
Light hypnotic breezes
Trees gently swaying
Wind chimes playing
Scents of lilac in the air

Dreaming of moonbeam nights
Walks along the beach
Sounds of waves hitting the shore
Gulls flying by

Dreaming of moonbeam nights
Dinner by candlelight
Romantic music playing
Slow dancing

Dreaming of moonbeam nights
Soft touches
Gentle smiles
Bright laughter

Dreaming of moonbeam nights
Hidden places
Cherished moments

Dreaming of moonbeam nights
With you

Lying in the dark
16 year old girl
Many years ago
Holding a portable radio
To ones ear
Listening to music
Rocking to the beat
Imagining far away places
Feet moving to the beat
Eyes closed
Letting the clouds of sleep
Approach as I listen to the
radio
Rockin to the beat
In the darkness

I’m melting
Just like the witch
In the Wizard of Oz
The heat is stifling
Hard to breathe
Or do anything
It’s everywhere
All over the world
Fires
Severe weather
We were warned
For years
But we chose to ignore
Now here we are
Melting
Like butter
In a frying pan
I feel like I am on fire
Never cool
Nor comfortable
Looking for a reprieve
Yet nothing comes
So instead
I’m melting
As is the world

Imagine that you are sitting
High above the world
In a tall building
It is all bright white
The windows are smoky colored glass
The sky is bright blue with a few white clouds scattered through
The sun is out and it is a beautiful bright day
There is a slight breeze moving through the air-- not too much

As you look out, you can see the ocean
It goes on for miles
It is a deep blue
The waves are slow
Hypnotic
The day is perfect
Just imagine

In a far off distance stands a man
He is alone
On a desert-plain surrounded
by sand and sun

In the sky burns a bright yellow sun against a bright blue sky
No clouds can be seen

On his face is a big, bright smile
Surrounding him is a circle of bright light
And as he moves forward
the light follows him on and on
to his next destiny

Oh, if only he will be to see me

When hope is lost
Heavy darkness settles in
Light diminishes
The idea of tomorrow fades
We feel mired down in muck
We are paralyzed
People lose their north
They lose their sense of purpose
Seeking any sliver of light to lift them
To show them the way
Seeking anything to inspire
When hope is lost and darkness comes
We hunger for the light
We tire of the heaviness
We long for hope
Anything
When hope returns
We lift ourselves up
We seek the light
Want to stand in the sun
And never leave
Let the light and warmth heal
When hope returns
We have a can do feeling
We believe once again
We are willing to try
We offer a hand
We smile brightly
Laughter can be heard
We are inspired
We can create
Music gets louder
People dance
Hope is everything

As the sun goes down for the night, clear your mind
As the sun goes down and the heat calms down, look up towards the moon
Notice its white glimmer
Feast upon the beauty of it

As the sun goes down and the world slows down, slow your heart
Think about the good things you have
Think about how precious life is

As you get ready to rest for the night, let your body relax and carry you off to sleep
And as you wake for the next day, smile for a chance at a new start
Treasure each moment and every second as they are a gift

I was standing by you
You did not know it
I touched you but you did not feel it
I called your name
You did not hear me

I was standing by you
You did not know it
I looked at you
You did not see me
I remembered you
You did not remember me

I was standing by you
I touched you
I called you
I looked at you
But you did not know it

I remembered you
But you forgot me

I walked by you
I followed you
But you did not know it

When in doubt
Trust
When in doubt
Believe
When in doubt
Pause
When in doubt
Meditate
When in doubt
Follow the light
When in doubt
Stay calm
When in doubt
Seek comfort
When in doubt
Trust

It’s hot as Hades
Summer is here
Arrived with a fury
The sun is intense
Burning
Skies are crystal clear
It’s getting hot
Hot as hades
I am not good with heat
I prefer much cooler weather
When it gets like this
Chocolate can melt
I can melt
An egg can fry
Animals seek shade
Anywhere
Because of their fur coats
Birds seek needed water
Plants turn brown
Wilting
We all want a reprieve
Seeking something cool
Hot as hades

It’s time to rise up
Lift ones spirit
High towards the sky
To leave behind the little things
To leave behind the mundane
It’s time to rise up
To something bigger
Grander

It’s time to lift oneself towards the sky
Towards the universe
Towards the stars
Towards all that is good

It’s time to rise up
To take the spirit to a higher place
It’s time

In our lives we leave traces
Of ourselves
Our being
Our lives

It might be our clothes
Our smile
Our touch or laugh
Our face
We leave traces

It might be our perfume
Or cologne
The way we walk
Or leave a room
We leave traces of ourselves
Through the people we touch
The people we meet and know
Our family and friends

The stranger we smiled at
The child we helped
We leave traces
There are vapors of us
Always

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

Come dance with me
Let’s touch the stars
Baila conmigo
Let’s listen to romantic music
Come walk with me
Anda conmigo
Come explore the world with me
Let’s see all there is to see
Let’s watch the stars dance
Watch the moon watching us
Let’s smell the roses
Vamos oler las rosas
Come laugh with me
Give me one hundred smiles
Come be with me
Ven conmigo
Forever

I’m a New York girl
Some of my family is from there
It feels like home to me
There are roots there
I like it
The hustle
The bustle
The vibe
I’ve been to other cities
In county and out
But there’s nothing like it
There’s an energy
I’ve not seen it other places
A toughness and resilience
Other cities have their charms
No question
But for me
I’m a New York girl

The Ship

A dim light shines across the waters a distance away
Shining in the dark and fog
The light reflects off the waves of the water
Creating a path through the waves
In the distance is a ship which has been gone for a long time
The ship lost its way and has been looking for home
Seeing the light off in a distance the ship turns and aims for it
As the ship gets closer the light gets brighter illuminating the land by it
The land looks familiar now after so long
The ship is coming home

No Matter What

I will love you
I will care about you
I will think about you
I will see you in my dreams

No matter what

I will miss you
I will need you
I will treasure you
I will stand by you

No matter what

I will love you
I will care about you
I will remember you
I will keep you in my heart

I will see you in my dreams
No matter what
Always

There is indescribable heaviness
in the air
Darkness all around like a
black velvet cape draped
to block the sun
Lightness smothered by an oppressive dour feeling
The darkness and gray
hang in the air like a winter coat
The air is stale, no freshness
The feeling of lightness is vacant
The air weighs on the back like an iron anchor
There is a feeling and clamoring for freedom and light
Searching for one small glimmer
Of anything that lifts one up
Away from the heavy darkness
If only it would come
To rescue us

Languages of the World

Sitting in a café
Quietly
Watching the people
Talking and smiling
People from everywhere
Watching the staff
Coming and going
Efficiently
Bringing orders
Like an orchestra
People on their phones
Eating and drinking
Texting and talking
Baked goods on display
Beautiful desserts
Smells of things baking
People buying things
Street scene playing outside
People out and about
Bright sun shining down
Blue sky dotted with clouds
The city is awake

Languages of the world

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

There’s something
to be said about quiet
and peace
It can calm the spirit
Clear the mind
Slow things down
The world is so hectic now
So much noise
Rarely silent
With social media
There’s always something
It’s hard to find a moment
Yet we all need it
Crave it really
That little bit of peace
It refreshes us
Feeds inspiration
It’s golden
And everything

There’s something
to be said about quiet
and peace
It can calm the spirit
Clear the mind
Slow things down
The world is so hectic now
So much noise
Rarely silent
With social media
There’s always something
It’s hard to find a moment
Yet we all need it
Crave it really
That little bit of peace
It’s golden
And everything