Wind chimes rattling in the wind
Playing their own kind of sound
Clattering and ringing against the metal grate
As the wind whips through them
Trees bending in the wind, void of their foliage
Looking naked and stark
Moving to the rhythm of the moment
Snow lightly falling and blowing around
Looking like cotton candy
Before gently resting on the ground
It is the coming of winter and the season
Cold easing its way into homes, bodies and open spaces
Replacing the warm seduction of summer
Temperatures dropping outside
Bringing a frigid feel all around
Nighttime chills and darkness befall the city
Winter is arriving
Time to get warm

A new year is coming
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
Get ready

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

I will love you till I die
Till I take my final breathe
I will cherish you till then
You are my universe
You are my prince
You are my sun and moon

I will love you till I die

I will be in wonder of you
I will be enchanted by your charm
I will be touched by your presence

I will love you till I die

You captured my heart eons ago
You touched into my soul
You knew me like no other
No matter what
No matter where

I will love you till I die
I will cherish you until then

When you are sad
Get up and look at the sun
When you are crying
Get up and look at the stars
When you are hurting
Get up and look at mother nature
When you can't go on
Get up and remember those that went before you
When you want to give up
Get up
Remember you have your own destiny
You are not done

Believe

A summer wind whips through the air and the trees
Lightning dabbles the sky like a quick paint brush
It’s stunning
Tree limbs bend as the wind moves through them
Like a dance
The sky lightens up from the electric charge moving through
The air fills with the sound of thunder
It’s pounding a rhythm
A summer storm is fast approaching
Playing the wind chimes outside like a musical instrument
As they clang back and forth to the rhythm of the wind
Hold on
It’s coming

Home can be anywhere
Home can be at anytime

Home is where the heart is
Home is where one belongs

Feels comfortable
Feels safe

Is loved and cared about
Home is everything

Sometimes life gives us a miracle, something beyond belief that is quite wonderful.

It is up to us how we choose to enjoy and appreciate it.

When that happens, take advantage of every minute and realize how truly wonderful it is

Whispering winds blow across my face
Soothing my troubled soul

Whispering winds blow across my face
Bringing sweet scents of flowers

Whispering winds blow across my face
Lifting me up

Whispering winds blow across my face
Healing my pain

Whispering winds blow across my face
Reminding me of you

Paris
One of the most wondrous places
The city of light
Where skies can be painted gray
Rain is in the air
A hint of snow perhaps is coming
Apartments have a cold feel
Yet the streets are adorned
With holiday decorations
Shops show their prettiest wares
Chocolates and goodies
Churches offer holiday programs
Stores are busy with shoppers
Downtown lights decorated with pink
Stores regaled in gold and silver
Cafes full of people sipping coffee
Hiding from the weather
It’s Paris in December
A special magical time

I am not done yet
I may not be 18 or 20
Or even 30
But I am not done yet
I still have things to do
Places to go
Experiences awaiting me
I have voyages to take
Languages to learn
Dances to dance
Songs to sing
I have mountains to climb
Oceans to cross
Writing to write
Laughter to laugh
I still believe
The best is yet to come
I have only begun
I am not done
Not at all

Once an elderly gentleman
Very wise
Similar to Indiana Jones
Gave me a bit of advice
He said live life
Savor each moment
They pass quickly
Don’t worry
Minimize stress
Go for comfort
Life’s hard and unfair at times
We can’t control everything
But, it’s an adventure
Never be afraid
Things work out for the best
True joy comes from the adventure
All the experiences one has
What is learned along the way
What’s your adventure?

That’s life and living

He had been a professional player
A linebacker
They were built tough
And big
When he left, he created something new
Something different
A business
And a non profit to help kids
One day unexpectedly
A woman came to work for him
Her background was different
She had stepped out of her field
To try something new
She had never been this close to a celebrity
It’s a different world
He had never known someone with her background
They decided to try and make it work
Using the strengths of each
Surprisingly it worked
They both grew from the experience
The linebacker

Listen to the music
Let it guide you

Listen to the music
Let it lift you up

Listen to the music
Let it heal you

Listen to the music
Let it touch your heart

Listen to the music
Let it soothe your soul

Listen to the music
Let it make you smile

Listen to the music
Let it show you the world

It was the heart of fall
The season was in full swing
There was a slight breeze
An unusual looking feather fell to the ground
Before falling it swirled around caught up in the wind

It was black, gray and white with a hint of red
It was in perfect condition
It was sitting in between the fallen leaves

A small boy was walking home from school
He found the feather sitting on the ground
He picked it up to look at it
To him it was beautiful and magical

To save it he took one of his school books out from his backpack
He opened the book and put the feather in between the pages and closed the book for safe keeping
Little did he know the magic was just starting

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

It’s a gray, foggy Sherlock Holmes looking morning outside
The sky is painted in dark muted colors
It resembles a black and white photo
There’s heavy gray mist floating amongst the trees
The streets are barely visible and deserted
There’s an eerie silence outside
It’s almost too quiet
Looks like a mystery movie about to begin
Where’s Sherlock Holmes?

Fall breezes blowing
Dark gray skies
Decorate
The sun hides for a late entrance
Bright colored leaves
Red, orange and yellow
Tease the senses
Smells of fallen leaves abound
Rustling in the wind
Some clinging to their branches

Chimes ringing in the wind faintly
Playing their own muted tune
Warming up the heart

Tea and apple cider brewing
Pies in the oven

As the temperature drops winter is not far behind

After the rain
When the sun shines
And the sky is blue
The city is cleaned
It looks anew
The plants are greener
Brighter


It’s as if Mother Nature
Gave the city a bath
Just as a mother would
Putting on new clothes
Making sure everything
Is as it should be
Cleansing

She had gone to see the Sahara
She had never been before
She wanted to see the sun rise
Over the desert
The night before she was in a camp
It was hot at night
Hard to sleep and rest
Before sunrise
She was wakened from her sleep
Time to walk to the top of the dunes
It was hard with the sand shifting
It was almost slippery
Once at the top
She sat down
Her feet dangling over the edge
She waited
Patiently
Quiet and serene
For the moment
That moment
When the sun begins to rise
Over the desert
She was excited, anticipating
The view and experience
After a while
Slowly
The sun began to come up
A bright red ball
Lifting high
It was incredible
Almost indescribable
Natures art
She felt her spirit lift
Towards the heavens
Just as the sun finally came up
Sahara Dream

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

Quiet time
When it’s still
When you can hear a pin drop
Peaceful
Sitting with my cat
Hanging out
Listening to her purr
Feeling calm
Enjoying the moment
Watching the news
Looking at things
Working on lunch
Small things
Yet important
They’re part of life
Sometimes forgotten
Quiet time

What is special?
When someone says
You’re not that special
That others have more value
Than you
What does that mean
But what is it to compare
People to people
Relationship to relationship
As we are all unique unto ourselves
No one is the same
So if someone says you’re not special
What are they also saying
About themselves
For how can we judge
One person’s worth
To another
How can we compare
Without being in their skin
We are all unique
Each with our own destiny
Different from another
Yet all human
How can we be anything
But special
For we each are an individual square
On the quilt of humanity
Together making up the whole
That’s special

Smells of fir trees fill the air
Doors decorated with festive wreaths
Ornaments glisten as they are hung on trees
Like precious jewels
Red, silver, gold, green and blue
Houses adorned with lights
Make the streets look bright
Smells of cookies being baked
Delicious aromas fill the air
Hot chocolate filled mugs with marshmallows
Steamed apple cider
Choirs singing carols
People running to and fro shopping
Cities and towns decorated up in their holiday best
It’s the time to celebrate the season

When the hot heat burns into your soul, imagine that you  are standing in a river with cool water running over your feet

It is soothing to the touch
It is calming

Imagine a cool breeze gently blowing across your face like butterfly kisses
Your skin feels cool

Imagine the scent of pine trees in the air

You are in another place
It is magic

He’s got the red velvet blues
He loves the feeling of the fabric
Smooth and silky to the touch
Intoxicating in its beauty

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

She looked like an angel
Almost not human
So beautiful and fresh
The dress was stunning
So was she

He asked her to dance
Held her close
The red velvet dress soft to his touch
He never wanted to let go

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

Red Velvet Blues

While sitting in a church
the other day
I strongly felt your presence
It’s been nine years since you left

As I sat there quietly
In the stillness and calm of it all
I felt you sitting next to me
Answering my questions
As if we were talking like before

I told you I’ve made mistakes
You said we all have
It’s part of being human
I told you I should have done more
You said I did just fine
Don’t worry
Everything is fine

I told you thank you
You said for what
I said for what I was taught
What you gave me
Your legacy
You smiled
I told you I wanted you to
be proud of me
You said you always were

I told you there is an empty space in my heart
You said you were sorry for the pain
I miss you

It’s the holidays again
Your favorite time
I asked if you remembered
You said you did

I miss you
Every day of every month
I always will

I am dried up
The muse is gone
Instead there is a desert of sand
Dry hot sand
No inspiration
I feel empty
I feel hollow
I miss the writing
I miss the creativity

It’s like a desert

I am dried up
The music is gone
Same for the muse
I have lost my way
All I am left with is sand
Desert


I miss them

Memories slide in and out of the recesses of our mind

Like clouds lightly floating by
Some make us smile
Some make us frown
Some make us laugh out loud

Some seem so real it is as if we can touch them once again
They can take us to a comfortable and magical place

Memories

Surreal

Sometimes life seems surreal
That it’s not real
When I look back
I can’t believe my age
Have I really lived this long?
Where did the years go
They just flew by
In an instant
Yet I remember things
As if they just happened
Deep inside I still feel like me
Even if I don’t look the same
My hopes are still there
So are my dreams
Yet I am at the last third of my journey Instead of the beginning
How did that happen
Is this all a dream
So I will wake up some day
If not, I need to get busy

Surreal

Every day we offer slices of ourselves to the world

Some are quiet and subdued
Some are sweet
Some are loud and boisterous
Some are fun
Some are ****, almost sour
Some are thoughtful and serious

Slices

Some are filled with darkness and heaviness
Others are bursting with bright light and hope
Some are kind and loving and others are not
Some are lonely
Others are filled with celebration of life

Slices

But every slice is a part of us
And together they help to make up what is us

Slices

I am a person
I am alive
I have feelings
I have needs and desires
I am no different than another
I am from this world
Just like you
I can be hurt
I can cry
I can mourn
I can and need love
I need care, a home, sustenance
I need to belong
I want peace not war
I want to walk free
To live my life without pain or hurt
At times I am alone
At other times, not
I am no different
Than another
For I am only human
We all are here
In the end
We are all the same

I have a sweater
It’s used
But it offers warmth
It’s a favorite
On a cold day

I have glasses
To read with
And see
They have scratches
But they still work

I have food to eat
A bed to sleep in
A place to live
I am safe

There are people that care
About me
Family and others

So in a world of measures
I consider myself
Wealthy

Snow lightly falling and blowing around outside
Barren trees with branches moving to the wind
Windows clattering with frost beginning to appear
People dressed in heavy coats with gloves and boots
It is the coming of winter and the start of a new cycle in the
weather for the year
Cold easing its way into homes, bodies and open spaces replacing
the warmth of summer with a new found friend
Temperatures dropping outside
Nighttime chills and darkness befall the city as it gets ready ready to put
on its heavy blanket in preparation

When I lay my head down upon your lap I feel complete comfort

You bring peace and harmony
Total love

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
Sun is out to brighten the sky
First Saturday of the month
The city is waking up
Time to get going
Things to do

I am a human being.
I am of the spirit.
Experiencing life.
As it comes.
Mostly in the present.
Somewhere along the road,
I realized that I was a spiritual being.
Within a human body.
I celebrate both.
They are part of the same.
They are one.
When I connect to both.
I remember.
While I was born alone and will die alone.
I am truly not alone.
I am of the spirit.
I am part of the greater whole.
The universe is my home.
I am of the spirit.

We’ve all known them
Many of us personally
Perhaps at work
Or in our lives
Or in our dreams
They can be harsh
Or cruel
Devoid of much humanity
They seem to get energy from others
Monsters
We hide from them
Run from them
Hoping they will leave
Or not exist
Yet they do
As long as we tolerate them
They will
Yet we know
In the end
Love triumphs evil
Kindness over cruelty
Light over darkness
Let’s spread more love
And light
Each and every day

Early in the morning, on a crisp bright day, seagulls soar high against a clear blue sky

High above the ocean, they swirl around so fast you can barely see them
They almost look unreal

Quickly without warning, the gulls turn and aim towards the sun reaching higher and higher in their flight before disappearing

All the while, the dark blue ocean pounds the shore offering a pungent smell of salt as the waves hit
Onlookers stop to watch the dance of nature once again as it hypnotizes them into a state of calm

Words can hurt
They can cut into the soul
Leaving deep wounds
Sometimes they remain
Never healing
Words can also uplift
They can heal
Touch one’s spirit
Inspire
Bring hope
Or they can break the spirit
Playing over and over
Bringing darkness
Destroying creativity
Or they can bring light
Inspiring great artwork
Literature and music
Tempt the imagination
They can break hearts
Or mend them
Cause tears
Or stop them
It all depends
Which words are used
Choose carefully
Words

Memories
Slide in and out of the recesses of our mind
Some are buried deep
Others replay on a regular basis
Like a video
Others are like clouds
That gently float by
Some bring a smile
Some make us sad
Some bring laughter
Some inspire
Some seem so real
Its as if we can touch them

Memories are a catalog of our life
They help to define us
Just like a good book
They are there to pick up
To read again
They are always with us
Like an old friend
Memories

We all seek comfort
Everywhere we can
Whether in our homes
Friends, or  work
It’s important
It keeps us centered
It could be a choice of clothes
Or hairstyle
Or shoes
It’s whatever feels natural
What brings calm and serenity
There are also locations
That can do this
Along with some that don’t
In times of stress
It’s even more important
It can be different for all of us
But the desire is the same
To seek out what soothes
It not only helps the body
But the soul

You are standing on a beach.
The sand is warm and soft to the touch.
The sun is out and the sky is a clear brilliant 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 soothing breeze.
There is the smell of salt in the air.

As you look out into the water, you see the color, a light turquoise.
The water dances making the waves look like diamonds sparkling in the light.

As you begin to walk into the water, you do not feel wet.
Your color changes to the same as the water.

As you walk further out into the ocean, your shape and consistency change.
You melt and meld into the sea.
You feel warm, safe and at peace.

You are finally home.

We are all makers of it
With an action
Or a sharp word
We can bring darkness
Hurt and pain
We can also lift up
Inspire
Create great beauty
Art
Dance
Music
Wonderful things
In an instant
We can bring despair
Hopelessness
Deep pain
Or tremendous light
It’s all about choices
Each and every day
We have the power
To light up the world
If we want

The ocean waves are moving back and forth on a 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 overwhelming. The water is a deep blue with hints of white as the waves roll in and out. As the sun hits the water,  tiny diamonds appear and glisten against the light and the water.

The scene is perfect and you are there
It is not a dream
You are at peace

Home can be anywhere
Home can be at anytime
It can be a city
Or a country
Or a place
Even a person

Home is where the heart is
Home is where one belongs
Feels comfortable
Feels safe

Is where there is love and care
It can offer peace and serenity
We each have one
We just have to find it
Home is everything

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

Many talk about a simple life
Especially now
Minimalism is popular
To do more with less
Remove complications
There is beauty in it
A rhythm
Melody
Slowing down
Breathing
Really breathing
Uncluttering
Noticing things
Perhaps not really seen before
Focusing on the important
Letting go of the other
Many places are complicated
People rushing to and fro
Lots of energy and tension
No time for the simple
But when one can
Throw off
What’s not really important
There’s a sense of freedom
An art to simplicity
And beauty

Where did you come from? The stars or the clouds?
Another planet or time?
How long have you been here? Forever?
How did you find me after all this time?
Have you always been there, waiting?
You are truly a man of wonder and light
Where does your kindness come from?
Your heart, your spirit?
Is it from the heavens above?
Were you made just for me?
Sometimes it seems as such
You are perfect

Man of wonder, man of light

Every time you smile,
It’s as if the sun has come into the world
Your smile brightens those who stand before you
But also the world
And all the darkness before it and beyond
Your heart helps to lighten, heal and soothe
You offer comfort during times of pain
Your voice reaches into ones heart
Leaving a gift of love
Each time you speak the listener melts just a little bit

Folks drinking coffee in a cafe
Surrounded by red cushions that adorn bright white walls

Music playing with a loud hypnotic beat
News playing in the background on a TV
Red cushions cover the seats as well
Tables set with clear dark red glasses

Professional waiters moving to and fro
People sitting outside under red umbrellas offering welcomed shade

On the start to another hot steamy day