Folks drinking coffee in a cafe on a fresh morning
Surrounded by red cushions that adorn bright white walls
Looking stylish

Café time

Music playing with a loud hypnotic beat in the background
Large TVs on setting the tone
Tables set with clear dark red glasses

Café time

Professional waiters moving to and fro
People sitting outside under big  red umbrellas offering welcomed shade as needed
The start to another day in the city

Café time

It's coming to that time of year again
When familiar sights, sounds and smells seep into the memory and the mind

Putting up the tree
Scents of pine
Pies and cookies baking
Cards and letters being sent

Memories of the season

When holiday lights and decorations appear
And holiday tunes are played on the radio
Shoppers abound on the streets, looking for the perfect gift

Memories of the season

People take on the holiday hustle and bustle
Light snowflakes dance through the air to their own melody

Memories of the season

And for me, a pleasant childhood memory of driving with my dad with the radio playing Frank Sinatra in the background as we headed out once again to find the perfect tree

Holiday memories make everything special

I may not be like you
Look like you
Sound like you
But I am also human
I’m just me

My language may be different
My country
My customs
But I am also human
I’m just me

I have hopes and dreams
Wishes and desires
Though I am not of your blood
I am human
I’m just me

Trying to live my best life
In a good way
I am a peaceful person
Also human
I’m just me

I’m a traveler
An artist and writer
No more or less
Than another
I’m also human
From another place
No better or worse
I’m just me

So when you see me
Don’t judge
As I am just human
Walking my destiny
Just like you
I’m just me

On a cold winter’s day
It’s morning
The air is crisp and cold
While the sky is bright
There’s no sign of warmth
People going about
Bundled up
Bodies and hands
Cold
Trying to create warmth
Cats seeking a spot of sun
Cafe clients sitting
Huddled together
Battling the cold
Everyone seeking
To battle the cold
Warmth

Look deep inside yourself
Look in your heart
See what is really there
Feel what is there

Trust yourself
Always
Follow your path
Spin up your dreams

Look deep inside yourself
For the answers
You are seeking
They are there

When in doubt
Trust yourself
Follow your destiny
Never doubt
Through it all
You will always persevere

When in doubt
Trust yourself
Follow your heart
Follow your dreams
Reach for the stars

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 bright colors in the fall
Eventually leaving home
Falling to the ground
As winter approaches trees sit bare
As if almost asleep
Waiting again for a new season
To start anew
Reborn

Red Bird

A  red bird sits on a branch
It is winter
He is elegant
He looks so proud
Looking at him is entrancing

He brightens everything
He sets the scene
Snow is whiter
Trees branches are less stark
Winter is brighter

His feathers are perfect
On top of his head sits a crown
He has a dark black face
Surrounded by red
His beak matches his color

A bevy of them are lovely
Sitting in bushes or a tree
They look too good to be true
They are absolutely beautiful

Red bird

The Field

It is a late spring day
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

If you see someone with a frown, smile
Choose laughter over tears
If someone needs help, reach out
Offer kindness instead of harshness and cruelty
Heal don’t hurt
Love instead of hate
Don’t judge, accept
Walk towards light instead of darkness
Give instead of taking
Lift up instead of tearing down

There’s too much darkness and hate in the world right now
If we can just light the world a little through kindness and love, it’s a start
Remember we are all human

Light up the world
Lift someone up today
Bring a smile to a stranger
Be grateful for each day and moment

I have driven the highways and byways of LA, Seattle, Phoenix, Houston and Minneapolis

Looped through Chicago and Washington DC
All to help bring me to my next chapter of life

I have driven up and down California, north to Seattle and across the country twice
All to bring me home

This time, there are no roads to take me there
Instead my travel will be by air, across the sea thousands of miles  from where I started

At the end, I will be where I am supposed to be after all these years

Destiny has finally brought me

Home

It’s the real you
It’s always there
With you
It will never leave
Before you were you
It knows you better than yourself
It sees the world for what it is
It sees beyond
It feels everything
It’s connected to all there is
It can guide you
It knows your true destiny
It talks to you all the time
You only have to listen
And open your heart

Dreaming of moonlit nights
Special times with you
Light hypnotic breezes
Trees gently swaying
Wind chimes playing
Scents of lilac in the air
Walks along the beach
Sounds of waves hitting the shore
Gulls flying by
Their sound in the air
Holding hands
Dinner by candlelight
Romantic music playing
Slow dancing
Perfumed air
Soft touches
Gentle smiles
Bright laughter
Heart’s beating
Sweet kisses
Hidden places
Cherished memories
Dreaming of moonlit nights
With you

When feeling lost
Go to the forest
Smell the trees
Take in the freshness
Let it cleanse you

When feeling unease
Go to the forest
Feast upon nature
Walk amongst the trees
Listen to the wind
It’s talking to you

When feeling confused
Go to the forest
Sit amongst the beauty
Let it calm your soul
Let the beauty fill your heart
Be lifted up

When not sure what to do
Go to the forest
Listen to the answers
It will show you
Let it inspire you

The waves are moving back and forth
Pulsing like a rhythm
The sound calms
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 hint of salt in the air
Like a sweet perfume
But the smell is not overwhelming
Nature’s magic
The water is a deep blue
With hints of white as the waves roll in and out
As the sun hits the water
Diamonds appear on the surface
Glistening against the light and the water
It looks surreal
It’s a perfect beach day

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

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

Friday Morning

It’s Friday morning
People are just waking up
Searching for their coffee
Getting ready for work
The weekend is coming
The sun is out shining
Friday Morning

People are walking about
Cafés full of early breakfasters
Cities waking up
Everyone has the dreads
It’s Friday morning

Newspapers sit on sidewalks
Street vendors full of magazines and papers
Stores getting ready for another day
People on their way to work
Just one more day
For the weekend

It’s Friday Morning

It’s a time of sparkle
Glitter, silver and gold
Rubies, diamonds and emeralds
Beautifully wrapped gifts
Sugar cookies
Gingerbread
Apple cider
Hot chocolate
It’s a magical time
Where wishes are granted
If we just believe and hope
It’s a special time
It only comes once a year
But when it does
It lights up the world
For just a moment
Bringing silence and peace
Silver gold and glitter

It first came in the winter
Of last year
Slowly
It was a hidden enemy
Not visible
But it left its mark
It would move across a country
Touching people one by one
Parts of the world watched
Assuming it would not reach them
Unfortunately they were wrong

The virus

We had been warned about this before
That something like this could happen
One day just like history
Things would repeat
This came true last year
It brought illness and death
It crushed countries
New heroes emerged
They were the new warriors
We were in a different war
All of humanity

The virus

It slowly moved from Asia to Europe
Then on to other places
Soon the entire world
Some places were hit harder than others
Borders closed down
Travel ended
People stopped going out
A new normal was created
The world waited
For science to understand
For science to learn
For a solution
For a vaccine

The virus

At first not much was known
Over time that changed
But the cost was high
In suffering and death
Economies were devastated
No one still knows how this happened
Where did it come from


The virus

Now we are in a new year
2021
Hope was for a fresh start
For an end to this
But things are still pretty much the same
Though there are some treatments
And vaccines are now available
Help is coming slowly
After a long difficult wait
But it’s going to take time

The virus

Doctors, nurses and front line people are heroes
Same for scientists and teachers
People standing up for each other
Neighbors
Families

The virus

Cities shut down
It has changed the world
How we interact with each other
Video chat
Zoom
Online classes
Tours, concerts and movies
Delivery services

The virus

We wait
For the vaccines
For the virus to diminish
For it to end
For another new normal to come
We hope an end is on the horizon
Perhaps by year end
We hope and wait

The virus

A man was walking on the solitary beach
He was alone
His clothes were in muted colors
It was a gray cloudy day
Cool but not cold
He is in pain as he slowly walks
Then he comes across a glass ball partially buried in the sand
He stops to look at it
He kneels down and uncovers it He lifts it up to the light
As he does he notices a gold clasp and opens it
Inside is a piece of rich red velvet cloth
On the cloth sits a folded piece of white paper
Curious he opens the paper
Written on the paper are instructions:
Touch the areas where you feel pain on your body
Then, touch your fingers to the cloth
Close up the ball
Put  it back in the sand as you found it
The man follows the instructions and then continues walking down the beach
He hears a sudden sound and turns around to see the glass ball lifting towards the sky
Its inside turning a bright gold color
All of a sudden there is a slight explosion after which a shower of gold stars rain down everywhere
As they cover the man
His pain is gone
He smiles and continues walking down the beach
Grateful for what has happened

Sometimes if we’re lucky
We are given a dream
A special wish or desire
It becomes part of us
It seems impossible

It’s a beautiful dream
We want it more than ever
It’s always on our mind
If we believe with all our might
It then becomes reality

Dream

The rain is finished now
The city is drying out
With some wet places
It’s quiet
Not the normal hustle
The sky is a muted gray
With a hint of white clouds
It’s a cool morning
Great for walking
There is freshness in the air
Breathing is a pleasure
It’s a beautiful day

Every night
Fairies arrive
They are tiny creatures
Almost invisible
They have very delicate wings
Like a hummingbird
They have existed for all time
They come to the believers
All over the world
To grant their wishes and dreams
While they sleep
They sprinkle magic dust on them
Made of silver and gold
To bring sweet dreams and protection
As night ends they return to their land
Awaiting the next night

I remember when:

I was just a girl
Visiting New York City
My first plane flight
Living with my parents overseas
Learning to speak another language

I remember when

Jumping in piles of leaves in the fall
The smell of fall
Building a treehouse in the forest
Watching the birds from our back window
Watching my mother make jelly
Going trick or treating with friends

I remember when

Sleeping over at friends houses
Roasting marshmallows
Selling lemonade
Playing softball

I remember when

Watching my father garden
Going downtown with my mother
Getting new dresses for school
Watching the new Beatles movie
Walking to school

I remember when

Troll dolls were in
The smell of lilacs outside my window
Snowy winters
Christmas with friends

I remember when

Some of us are lucky
To be by a golden bucket of peace
It’s calming
It brings a feeling of beatitude
When we immerse ourselves
We can lose our daily troubles
Slipping into a special place
Of safety
Of belonging
Of familiarity
It’s a place one doesn’t want to leave
Ever
Have you found yours?
Treasure it
It’s precious
It’s rare
Believe
In possibilities
Light up the world

It is that time of year again
Smells of pine trees
Doors decorated with wreaths
Ornaments glistening as they are hung
Beautiful bright colors
Red, silver , gold , green and blue
Gorgeous garlands
Candy canes and goodies
Houses adorned with lights
Cookies being baked
Hot apple cider and hot chocolate
Choirs singing familiar songs
People running to and fro
Looking for the perfect gift
Shoppers online
Children visiting Santa
Cities and towns decorated
Friends and families coming  together
It’s that time of year

You are my light
My sun, moon and stars
My heart
You are life
When you smile, light shines
Like a sunbeam
Since I first saw you
You became part of me
You took over my heart
You have always been there
You are the best of me
The best of the world
You bring life and happiness
Calm and peace
You are the world

You are sitting in a desert with no one around.
The sky is blue, with a scattering of clouds.  
The sand is white but very fine.
It’s soft to the touch like fine silk.
There is a slight breeze which is not too hot or cold.
It brushes against your face ever so gently.
There is no noise.
It is quiet and still.
You can hear your breathing.
Over the top of you sits a translucent umbrella of light.
It’s made of peace, love, and protection.
As you start to walk, the umbrella follows you.
It will be with you forever.

It was a cool day
Felt like winter
The sky was crystal clear
The color was pure blue
It had rained the night before
The cool air seeped into ones bones leaving a dull ache
The cafe had mobile heaters lit
People were sitting in the café
Many seats were empty
Due to the cold
The atmosphere was muted
It made one long for the freshness of spring
Muted day

She sat in utter silence
In an unfamiliar place
Everything was new
Never experienced before

She was barely noticed
Almost invisible to the eye
Out of her own element
She tried to melt into the wall
She was an outsider

She sat in silence
Barely noticed
Quiet
Almost invisible
Barely seen and heard

She was from another place
Another time
She had traveled a long distance
To be here

She was not seen nor heard
She was insignificant
She was the unfamiliar one
She did not truly exist in some ways

Burning embers sitting amongst the wood
Black and orange
From time to time a gold blue flame emerges
The wood crackles against the heat
As the fire burns
The glow is calming to the spirit
The smell like a natural perfume
As the wood burns
The embers glow a red orange color
With a slight stream of white gray smoke
Reaching up towards the sky
It’s a moment of true bliss
To be treasured
  Always

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

On a cold winter’s day
It’s morning
The air is crisp and cold
While the sky is bright
There’s no sign of warmth
People going about
Bundled up
Bodies and hands
Cold
Trying to create warmth
Cats seeking a spot of sun
Cafe clients sitting
Huddled together
Battling the cold
Everyone seeking
To battle the cold
Warmth

Warm hypnotic breezes blow
The air is fresh and clear
Comfortable to breathe
A weeping willow bends to and fro
Its branches reaching towards the sky
The sky is light blue with a scattering of white clouds
Lulling one into a state of peace
Wind chimes play their melody to the rhythm of the wind
The willow tree leaves glisten from the sunlight
What a perfect summer day if only it could go on forever...

We all want to be free
To feel we can do and be
As we choose
Without being controlled
We need to be able to find our way
Unencumbered
Whether it’s taking a walk
Or shopping
Or sipping coffee
Or reading a book
Or just living
When freedom is taken away
Or stifled we feel smothered
Creativity ceases
The spirit grows quiet
Our light dims

When hope is lost
Heavy darkness settles in
Light diminishes
The idea of tomorrow fades
We feel mired down in muck
Hope

When hope is lost
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
Hope

When hope is lost and darkness comes
We hunger for the light
We tire of the heaviness
We long for hope
Hope

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
Hope

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
Hope

When hope returns
We are inspired
We can create
Music gets louder
People dance

Esperanza

Let love embrace you
Let it hold you tight
Let it warm your heart
Let it bring smiles to your face
Flames of love

Like a warm blanket
Let it gently touch your face
Let it calm your fears
Flames of love

Let it take you to impossible places
Let it make things possible
Let it bring magic
Flames of love

Let it lift you up
Let it help you soar like a bird
Let it touch the world
Flames of love

Let it burn eternally
Let it heal the world
Let it remove darkness

Flames of love

A Time of Faith

It’s Sunday morning
For some
A time of faith
A time of family
Of belief
Community
Trust
It’s Sunday morning
A time to reflect
On the week
And what’s coming
A time to slow down
It’s Sunday morning
Meditate
Calm oneself
Looking for peace
Stillness
It’s Sunday morning
A time of faith

Every day she goes out
Putting on her red coat
She gets her things together
Heads out to start her day

She visits her favorite café
Slowly sipping her coffee
Thinking about her day

As she finishes her coffee
She gets ready to leave
Putting her coat back on
Packing up her things

She has had the coat for years
It came with her to a new land
When she wears it it feels like an old friend
Red is a favorite color of hers
In a way the coat helps define her
It’s like being with a part of home

Woman in the red coat

It’s a beautiful day.
Bright white fluffy clouds in the sky.
A slight cool breeze is blowing.
The air is clear and fresh.
Off in a distance, a horse has jumped the gate of a corral.
He’s a beautiful horse.
Chestnut colored.
He’d been planning for months.

Now, he’s running free towards the mountains.
Moving faster and faster.
Till he finally disappears into the distance.
Like a mirage.
After all this time.
Freedom

When covered in darkness
Seek the light
Let it cover you like a coat
When full of despair
Seek the light
When the mind is empty
Seek inspiration

When feeling lost
Seek the light
When overwhelmed
Trust yourself to see it through

When nothing seems right
Look to what you have
We all have treasures

When tired and fatigued
Try something new
When bored
Learn something

When the heart is empty
Seek art and music
Let it lift you up

When you feel alone
Help another

Lightness

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

It’s early
On a Saturday
The city is quiet
Peaceful
Not many people out
There’s a stillness to it
Refreshing
The air is clear
Shops not open yet
It’s the beginning
Of another day
Soon the quiet will leave
Replaced by people and noise
But for now
There’s a little bit of heaven
In the quiet and peace
Early morning

It’s a beautiful day.
Bright white fluffy clouds in the sky.
A slight cool breeze is gently blowing.
The air is clear and fresh.
Off in a distance, a horse has jumped the gate of a corral.
It’s running free towards the mountains.
Moving faster and faster.
Till it finally disappears into the distance.
Like a mirage.
Freedom

Red Velvet Blues
He’s got the red velvet blues
He loves the feeling of the fabric Smooth and silky to the touch Intoxicating in its beauty
Red Velvet Blues
He once saw a girl wearing one He was mesmerized
He’d never seen anyone like her Nor the dress
Together they were beyond belief Red Velvet Blues
She looked like an angel Almost not human
So beautiful and fresh The dress was stunning So was she
Red Velvet Blues
He asked her to dance
Held her close
The red velvet dress soft to his touch He never wanted to let go

Red Velvet Blues
Even to this day
Many years later
He remembers the girl and that dress He never forgot
She was embedded in his soul

When we are away or leave
We hunger for the scent of home
We wish for something familiar
Something we can cling to
Something we know
We will do anything for it

When we are away or leave
We hunger for the scent of home
The flowers
The trees
The landscape
The people and the food

It becomes an intoxicating perfume
For the soul and heart
To comfort and calm it
When we are away or leave
We hunger for the scent of home

She was always the
afterthought
Never thought of first
Ignored
Put in the back
Substandard
She was different
Came from another place
Yet
Where she was
She was an outsider
Never really fitting
Even with her friends
She was an
Afterthought
It hurt
Inflicted damage
She felt she
wasn’t good enough
No matter what
She turned
To writing
For expression
Broken
Substandard

It’s is an early fall day
The sun is out
The sky is a bright blue
There are a few clouds scattered across the sky
There is a slight breeze -- not too warm, not too cold — just right
The trees are dressed with their fall colors
You are sitting in a field of tall grasses
The grass is a light beige color
The grass sways gently to the breeze and makes a soft rustling sound as it moves
As you sit down in the field
A cloud of butterflies surround you
They are all colors -- purple, blue, yellow, red, gold and green
As you put out your hands, several light onto your hand before flying away

You close your eyes and take in the moment
You are at peace

I am elusive
Transparent
Hard to find
Sometimes I disappear into the night
Sometimes I look like a ghost
A vapor barely there
I can be the light mist in the wind
Touching your cheek
I am truly invisible

I can be a shadow on the wall
A faint outline of a person
Almost disappearing
Almost not there
But there

I am elusive
Hard to pin down
Always moving to and fro
I am a phantom
A ghost
I am the dream that is not real
That disappears when you wake
The butterfly you cannot keep
The sunset that leaves
A moment in time that passes

I am elusive
Never really there
At all

For the first time in a long time, I feel peace

The constant churn of pain has eased in the pit of my stomach

The grinding of sand like painful crystals on my soul has stopped

For the first time in a long time, I can breathe, and not feel my lungs struggle

I can now listen to the calm sound of nothing, pure stillness

I am at peace for the first time in a very long time

Breathe