You are standing on a beach
The sun is out, the sky is a clear blue
There are a few white clouds in the sky -- very delicate
The sun is not hot, the air is not cool. It is just right.
There is a light breeze.

As you look out into the water, you see the color, a light turquoise.
The water dances like the gemstones -- glimmering like diamonds.
As you walk into the water, you do not feel wet.
Your color changes to the same as that of the water.
As you walk further into the water, your shape and consistency change.
You melt and meld into the sea.
You feel warm, safe and at peace.
You are finally home.
You are the sea.

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
As she has bathed the city

Chained

She was in the water
Chained
She was struggling to get to the surface
Fish swam all around her
As she desperately thrashed

She wanted to be free
She felt trapped
She had a hard time breathing

She was in the water
Struggling to get free
She wanted to push through
But couldn’t

Whales started swimming around her
Every now and then going to the surface to break free

As their bodies lifted above the water and dropped down they created a huge splash

She watched with envy wishing she could do the same

Then all of a sudden the chains broke
She was free
Her burdens lifted
She felt light

As she made her way to the surface a whale swam beside her
As if it was guarding her

Then she grabbed its back fin and the whale lifted them both out of the water

She felt joy as she broke free
She lifted her head and looked at the sun

She climbed onto the back of the whale
They swam together towards the shore
She climbed off the whale and walked to the beach
She was free
Her burdens had been lifted
She looked out to the sea and smiled

It is wintertime.

You are in the forest. There are pine trees and other trees around.
There is some snow and pine cones scattered on the ground. A light covering.

It is gently snowing. Large size flakes start to fall very slowly.

As you stand in the forest -- there are no sounds except a few birds in the trees softly chirping.

It is so quiet you can almost hear the snow fall.

You close your eyes to listen to the quiet and feel the stillness of the moment.

Snowflakes gently touch your face but you are not cold.

There is total peace around you.

When you open your eyes, you see a doe looking at you.

Still, quiet and peaceful.

It’s one of those Sundays
Last one in the month
Still in the midst of winter
Skies gray and cloudy
Air cool and damp

Clouded over

People are moving slowly
Streets are empty
Cafés are full
People getting breakfast
Slowly sipping coffee

Clouded over

Warm beds are tempting
Heavy blankets and jackets
Cups of hot tea with lemon
Soothe the body and soul
Hard to get moving

Clouded over

It’s another Saturday morning
Start of the weekend
Sitting at a cafe
It’s crowded
Waiting on coffee and croissant
People come to and fro
Warm inside
But very cold outside
Another winters day
Sun is out to brighten the sky
Last Saturday of the month
Almost time for a new month
The city is waking up
Time to get going
Things to do

Streets bustle with crowds of people walking to and fro filled with energy and excitement
Street corners become impassable because of large throngs of people trying to get somewhere fast, making the city look like a giant mosh pit
Trees are brightly lit for the season
Store windows are adorned with their best holiday decorations

Xmas in the city

Carolers and musicians can be heard along the streets
Giant nutcrackers adorn one building
Another with giant red ball ornaments
Street vendors sell their wares from cashmere scarves to boxed jewelry at a discount price
Coffee stands are on every corner offering a quick hot drink

Xmas in the city

Police line the streets to keep people moving along putting up barricades to move the crowds
The hotel bar areas filled to capacity with folks needing refreshment or a comfortable seat before finishing their shopping
Nothing like Christmas time in the city

Xmas in the city

In a far off distance stands a man
He is all alone
All dressed in white
He stands in the middle of a desert
He’s surrounded by light brown sand
Close by are some dunes which stand out like small mountains
It is still and quiet not a sound can be heard

The sky burns a bright yellow against a deep blue sky
No clouds can be seen for miles

On his face is a big, flashing smile
Surrounding him is a circle of bright white glimmering light

As he moves forward slowly step by step the light follows him
to his next destiny

There’s darkness outside with a glimmer of light
Slowly the darkness cedes
Traffic is slowly moving
The morning has begun
Coffee and tea being made
The quiet of night being replaced
By familiar noise
The sun starts to rise
A golden ball
It’s a glorious sight
Another morning has arrived
As the city wakes up once again

He was a beautiful monarch butterfly
Unique in some ways
He had bright colored orange and black wings decorated
With an intricate pattern

He was always alone
Visiting flowers near where he lived
He never ventured too far

One day he noticed a beautiful blue butterfly close by
He had never seen such a thing
Its color was stunning to him
He flew over to it to ask where it was from

She said she had came a long ways away from the south down by Brazil
She told him there were many more just like her there

The monarch butterfly found the answer incredible
He could not believe it

The blue butterfly told him that he can go anywhere in the world at anytime if he wants

She told him that a group of butterflies would be traveling north the next day and that he was welcome to join them

Early the next morning as the sun began to rise, off in the distance, a large flock of butterflies could be seen flying north
They looked beautiful against the light of the rising sun

One of them was the monarch butterfly

Candles

Relationships are like candles
All shapes and sizes
Some are small
Some are tall
Sometimes they burn bright
Sometimes they burn hot
Sometimes their light grows softer
Sometimes the light dances
Sometimes the light dims
And sometimes the light just fades

Relationships are like candles
Sometimes they burn bright
Sometimes they burn noisily
Sometimes they burn hot

Relationships are light candles
Sometimes they are large
Sometimes they are small
Sometimes they are delicate
Needing special care
Every time they are beautiful

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

We are all here for a reason.
The things we experience, the people we meet are all part of our journey which is called life.
Our legacy is how we lived.
How we will be remembered.
We are all unique. We each have a gift.
We just have to discover it.
Each day we can choose to stand in the light.
Instead of the darkness.
We can make someone smile or laugh.
Bring happiness.
Offer kindness and care.
Each time we do, we light up the world.
Let’s light up the world.
With our own special light.

I am a person
I am alive
I want to live
I have feelings
I have hopes and dreams
I have needs
I am no different from another
I need love
I need care
A home
Food and water
I want to walk free
To be able to live my life
Without pain or hurt
At times I am alone
Other times I am not
I am no different than another
I just want to be
I just want to be

Build a bridge to the sky
Reach beyond your means
Touch the stars and beyond

Look at all that there is to see
Embrace the true beauty of it
Let it touch your soul

Build a bridge to the sky

Reach for the sun
Touch the edge of the universe
Let it lift you up

Build a bridge to the sky
Believe in the impossible

Brrrr
It’s cold outside
The sky is gray
With a feeling of rain or snow
People are bundled up
In coats, hats and scarves
Brrrr
It’s cold
At home
People hide under blankets
Seeking any kind of warmth
A fireplace is welcome
For both people and animals
Brrr
It’s cold outside
Winter is on its way
The season is changing
Snow, sleet and cold rain
Get ready

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

It’s holiday time
Get ready for tinsel and gold
Decked out trees and snow covered streets

It’s holiday time

Hot chocolate
Apple cider and pies
Turkey and roast beef
Cookies and candies
Children laughing

It’s holiday time

Choirs and concerts
Presents under the tree
Good cheer and smiles
Beautiful cities decorated
Bright lights and colors everywhere

It’s holiday time

Family, loved ones and friends
Special places and memories
Cinnamon and pine scents

It’s holiday time

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

It was Sunday 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

Fall breezes gently blowing
Dark gray skies overhead
Muted clouds paint the sky
Fresh crisp air
Cleansing to the lungs
Bright colored leaves decorating the landscape
Red, orange and yellow
Like precious jewels
Rustling in the wind to their own melody
Offering their scent as perfume
Others hugging the branches ever so tightly
Hoping for another day
Before gently falling
Chimes softly ringing
Playing their own muted tune
It’s that time of year
Autumn

A new year is coming
It’s almost here
It’s on the horizon

Time to renew and refresh
Time to reflect
Time to forget and forgive
Time to clear out the cobwebs

A new year is coming
It’s on the horizon

Time to embrace a clean slate
Time to renew
Time to get ready

A new year is coming
It’s on the horizon

The future is before us
The past is a memory
Time to get going
Time to focus
Time to make plans

A new year is coming
It’s on the horizon

Anything is possible
The world is our oyster
Time to make things happen

A new year is coming
It’s on the horizon
Anything is possible
Just believe

Life is like a tree
It has many branches
Over time it grows
There are new avenues and nuances
The roots reach deeper into the soil
Seeking out precious nutrients and water
New leaves appear in the spring
Turning colors in the fall
Eventually falling to the ground
As winter approaches trees sit bare
As if almost asleep
Waiting again for a new season to start anew

Sweet moments
Those small moments
Sometimes fleeting
Make life worth living
They can pass quickly
Touching our hearts
Touching our souls
Hard to hold onto
Delicate
Somewhat fragile
Like a butterfly

Sweet moments
Make lasting memories
Taste like honey
Decorating our days and nights
Brightening our lives

Put them together
They form a life

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

I saw you sitting there
I had never seen anyone like you
You were so sublime
Exotic
So enchanting
Dazzling really
When I heard you speak
And saw your smile
I was memorized
You captured my heart and so much more
I knew then I would love you forever
You are true magic and you dazzled me with your spell

Every now and then
It rains
Sometimes it pours
Either briefly
Or for hours
There’s something peaceful
About walking in the rain
Like meditation
It’s the planet’s way
To clean itself
From the soot
Pollution and other wastes
Afterwards
Everything is pristine
Looks new
The air is clear
Sky usually bright blue
The plants are greener
Streets look clean
Mother Nature
At her best

It’s Sunday morning
Folks are out
Going to and fro
Shopping
Having breakfast
Drinking coffee

It’s Sunday morning
Folks are out
Running errands
Being with friends
Drinking coffee
People watching

It’s Sunday morning
Streets are busy
With people walking
To and fro
Meeting friends
Reading newspapers

It’s Sunday morning
In the city
Time to be mellow

Shes a small baby bird
She’s been quite ill
Got hit with more than one thing
Little by little she’s healing
Taking small steps
One at a time
Trying small activities
She’s spreading her wings
Ever so slowly
Like a baby bird

As each day passes
She gets stronger
Less symptoms
More time feeling better
The feeling lifts her up
Her spirits want to fly
She wants to try to do something
Step to the edge of the nest
Explore
Like a baby bird

The quiet of stillness
Offers tranquility
Soothes the spirit
Reaches deep inside
One has to listen carefully for it

It can be felt late at night
When the world sleeps
When there is a deep silence
It comes

It’s hard to find
One has to slow down
Remove all distractions
One has to listen so carefully
Remove distractions
For the sounds of silence

It Can be found by the sea
It Can be found in the forest
It Can be found by a stream
It Can be found in the mountains
It Can be found on isolated road

The quiet of stillness
Is everywhere if one only looks
Let the silence find you
It brings peace and calm

You are my sanctuary
You bring me peace
Your touch soothes and
takes away the pain

Your smile lightens my day
Your eyes show me wisdom

You are my sanctuary
You bring me peace

You are the strong tree in a storm
The beautiful flower
The unending dream

You are light and warmth
You are my sanctuary
You bring me peace

Bring a desire for warmth
For coffee or tea
Anything hot
Steaming
So the heat caresses
The face
And the hands
Offering a hint of warmth

Cold mornings
Make getting out of bed
Difficult at best
The blankets
Comforting
Calling one to stay
Seductive
Asking us to stay
Under their protection

Cold mornings
Are refreshing
In their own way
With fresh air
Easy to breathe
And empty street’s
Cold mornings
Have their own charm

We all have a choice
Each and every day
Which path to take
One towards the light
Or the darkness
Whichever we take
Determines the energy
Of the day
The light lifts us up
Inspires
Brings good energy
Hope, possibilities
Whereas the other
Only brings negativity
Despair and sadness
So at this time
Of light and hope
Lets walk down the path
To light and hope
By doing this
We help to light up the world
Believe

The butterfly was a beautiful burnt orange color with black markings
It stood out against the flowers
It had a favorite garden it called home in another land
It likes the variety of flowers and the fountains
It loves peace and stillness

It was known for its gentility and beauty
It’s wings are like tissue paper
Fragile and light
Yet strong enough to carry it anywhere
Every spring it arrived to feast upon the flowers
Late in the fall  it leaves to slumber until the next season

It liked to fly from flower to flower taking in their nectar and perfume
Each flower was different in a special way

When the butterfly spread its wings it can fly quite a distance
Even crossing one state to another
Children always marvel at their beauty
Sometimes it will light on a hand but only for a minute before flying away
They need to be free like the wind or spirit
Not caged

If one is lucky they will touch your cheek with a soft butterfly kiss
Or perch on your shoulder for just a minute before flying away

As Christmas approached everything started to slow down.
It became still and quiet.
One could hear a pin drop.
It’s as if the world stopped.
Just for a minute.
It was still and peaceful.

This feeling comes once a year.
This year it’s important to take time to listen to the silence.

Remember we are all human.
We are all one.

Let the stillness cover you like a warm, soothing blanket.

Look around at all the treasures and goodness in your life.
Peace and joy.

It was wintertime
On the border between Colorado and Wyoming
The area was empty
No people for miles
It was lightly snowing
Large flakes slowly coming down
They were by a forest
The trees were bare

He stepped out of the car
Walked towards the trees
He was hungry for the quiet and solitude

A skidoo was put on the ground for him to use
It was gleaming white and matched the snow on the ground
He turned it on to get ready to disappear
He would ride into the trees seeking nature

He started driving
The further he went the quieter it got
He was amongst the trees now
Totally alone
He felt peaceful and still
This was what he wanted
He stepped off the Skidoo and walked into the trees

He smelled the air which was clean and fresh
He took deep breaths to cleanse his lungs and spirit
He was free
He was calm
As he turned he saw a rabbit
It was still hoping he didn’t see it
They both froze for a moment
Then the rabbit ran off into the trees

He kept walking deeper into the forest as the snow fell
Flakes onto his face but he wasn’t cold
He was home and at peace

Butterflies in the forest
Gently flying to and fro
On an early spring day
The sun gently slips through the trees
The air is crisp and clear
The scent of pine trees fills your lungs like expensive perfume
A few white clouds dot the powder blue sky

The butterflies are light pastel colors of blue, white and violet
As you stand silently and watch they fly close to you
Teasing you with a light touch like angels breath before flying away

It’s that time of year
The light has changed
Ever so slightly
From summer to fall light
The suns brightness less intense

It’s that time of year
The light has changed
From summer to fall light
The air is crisper
The nights cooler

It’s that time of year
The light has changed
From summer to fall light
The heat of summer is leaving
The beauty of fall is coming

Its that time of year
When leaves start to turn
Orange, yellow and red
Dabbling the landscape
Like a fine painting

It’s that time of year
When colors are bright
There is a special shine to everything
Moods are high
The world puts on its best face

Fall breezes gently blowing
Cool to the touch
Refreshing
Dark skies overhead
Gray
Bright colored leaves
decorating the landscape
Red, orange and yellow
Rustling in the wind to their
own melody
Offering their scent as perfume
Others hugging the branches
ever so tightly
Knowing what is coming
Chimes softly ringing
Playing their own muted tune
It’s a new season
Mother Nature is creating
Once again

I saw him last night to say goodbye
The last time we were together before we parted
Not by our choice
We had to
He’s gone
Back where he came from
When I woke in the morning
I had hoped he was still here but he’s not
He left in the murky shadows of darkness
My life left I am now alone left in the gray fog of life
My heart hurts. My soul stings with pain
The brightness has left me
The lightness of being
The humor and fun
He’s gone now
I am here left alone
Searching for him
Always

It is wintertime.
You are deep in the forest. There are pine trees and other trees all around.
Snow and pine cones are scattered on the ground.
There is a strong scent of pine.
It is refreshing.
It is gently snowing. Large size flakes start falling.
As they hit the ground they melt.
As you stand in the forest -- there are no sounds except a few birds in the trees softly chirping.
It is so quiet you can almost hear the snow fall.
You feel your heartbeat.
You close your eyes to listen to the quiet and feel the stillness of the moment.
Snowflakes gently touch your face but you are not cold.
There is total peace around you.
Harmony with nature.
When you open your eyes, you see a doe looking at you.
It is sublime.
Still, quiet and peaceful.

For just a little while
One fleeting moment
I went home
To a place like it
I sat and had a cup of coffee
Like times past I visited
A small slice of America
One tiny sliver
For one moment it felt familiar
I looked around and felt
Just a slice of my country
The look, the feel, the smell

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

This is true for all of us
We have roots to a place
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

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

Cruelty destroys our spirit
It minimizes us
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

Let’s makes a difference
To help light up the world
In our own special way

Dark purple sky outside
my window
Offering hints of muted pink
Offering calming influences
Painting the sky
A piece of art
The view is hypnotic to the eye

Dark purple sky welcoming the
night as a close friend
Darkness is not too far behind
Announcing that evening
is about to begin

We have the power to light the way

To shine a bright light

Where there is none

To take light over darkness
Every day

To take kindness over cruelty

To light the way

To lift someone up
Instead of putting them down

To reach for the stars

To choose love
Instead of hate

To light the way

To help when needed
Instead of turning away

To reach high
To shine a bright light

To do the impossible

It is a late spring day
Summertime is coming
It’s early afternoon
The sun is out
The sky is a bright blue
There is  a scattering if white clouds across the sky
There is a slight breeze -- not too warm, not too cold
Just perfect
You are sitting in a field of tall grass alone
The grass is a light beige color
The grass sways gently to the breeze and makes a soft rustling sound
The breeze is calming as it touches your face ever so gently
There is no sound only the grass moving to the breeze
You feel complete stillness and calm
You are at peace

Dark nights
Cool temperatures
A spooky feeling
At the end of the month
A time for trick or treat
Brightly lit pumpkins
With carved faces
Horror movies
Costumes galore
Fill the streets
Children excited
For the night
Their night in a way
Anticipating their hauls
Of goodies
Who will have more?
What will the costumes be?
A time of fun and togetherness
Halloween memories

Sometimes we just need quiet
A time to be still
To stop the chaos
Of life
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
Let’s look for
Quiet times

Canopy of White

It was snowing
The flakes were large and fragile
They looked like Queen Anne’s lace
The trees were covered with a white blanket
It created a canopy
The air was crisp and cool
In the distance was a cabin
It had been there for years
It was made out of wood
Handmade by the owner
Snow was piling up on the roof
Inside a fire was burning to combat the cold
Smoke was rising gently from the chimney
A kettle was on the stove to make tea
It was a good night for it
A dog was sleeping by the fireplace comforted by the warmth
Outside the snow continued to fall
Creating a postcard view
Not a sound could be heard on this peaceful night

Canopy of white

In the dark of the night I think of you and it warms me
In the hardest of times I think of you and it gives me strength
In times when I feel alone I think of you and I am not
In the happiest of times I think of you and it brings me joy
In a storm I think of you and it brings me comfort
In times of insanity when things seem upside down I think of you and the world seems right

You are my light
You are my universe
You are everything