In the darkness
I am there
My hand is on your shoulder
In the darkness
I am there
I am standing behind you

In the darkness
I am there
I am holding your hand

In the darkness
I am there
When you can’t see
I am your eyes
When you can’t walk
I am your legs

In the darkness
I am there
When you can’t go on
I will help you
When you can’t stand
I will stand for you

In the darkness
I am there
When you cry
I will wipe your tears
When you laugh
I will laugh with you

In the darkness
I am there
I have always been there
I will never leave

Waking up
Early morning rituals
Watching the sunrise
Surveying the blue sky
Enjoying the coolness
Admiring the beauty outside
Anticipating the day
Waiting for coffee or tea
Breakfast
What to have
Checking out the news
Being alive
Savoring the pure joy of it

Sometimes when we are delayed
Or slowed down
In doing something
There’s is a reason
We may not know it
But there is
We shouldn’t fight it
Those pauses are for protection
To stop us
From doing something
Not really meant for us
Later on as we look back
We will see and understand
When you are delayed
Or stopped
Just become still
The universe is looking out for you
Always
Believe
Light up the world
With your own special light

We have a choice every day
How we will relate with people
And the world
We can be kind or unkind
We can bring light or darkness
The choice is ours
We own the after effects
Either positive or negative

If we focus on the positive
We can light up the world

Believe

We all build walls

Some are to hide behind
Some to prevent
Some to keep out
Some to mark areas

We all build walls

Some are real
Some are imaginary
Some are brick or wood
Some are stone or concrete

We all build walls

They are boundaries
Or borders
Or let limiters
Some are old

We all build walls

They can be high and reach the sky
Or low easy to jump or climb
They can lock someone out
Or keep them in

We all build walls

Let’s tear them down

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
Let’s try

A quiet time
A time of reflection
Some people sleep in
When things slow down
Before the start of a new week
Some practice their faith
Others spend time with family
Some walk through nature
Cities are emptier
Less traffic and honking horns
There’s a stillness in the air
It’s peaceful

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

Early Morning Rise

She had a hard time sleeping
Tossing and turning
Morning came too soon
Sleep had left her
Though tired, she gave up
It was still early
Birds were chirping outside
The streets were quiet from the night
A cool breeze was blowing
Moving the branches of the plants
Colored bags hung outside moved
It was refreshing after the heat of the day
The cat was sleeping on a chair outside
It was peaceful and serene
A stillness was in the air
The sun had not fully risen
City noises had not fully started
Early morning rise

Christmas jazz fills the air
Scents of pine and cinnamon
Perfume the air
Beats pounding in the background
Familiar music to the ear
Trees sitting on display
All dolled up
Christmas jazz fills the air
Holiday trappings all around
Silver, gold and red
Blue and green
Shops showing off their best
People walking and looking
Warm coats, hats and scarves
Bright lights glimmer all around
American rock music plays softly
The street scene comes alive
Cafés full of people sipping coffee
Getting ready for their shopping

Christmas jazz fills the air

Go Towards the Light
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

It’s a beautiful night
The beginning of winter
New snow has just fallen
In the moonlight it glitters
It looks like small diamonds
There’s a house near a forest
One of several nearby
The road is snow covered
Inside the fireplace is burning
The flames are orange and yellow
There is a scent of pine in the air
Mountains are in the background
Covered with snow
Small hills are around
Pine trees are scattered about
The cabin is brightly lit inside
Stew simmers on the stove
Giving off a delicious perfume
Coffee is on the stove
Ready to drink
The radio is playing jazz music
While the dog sleeps by the fire
A cat is perched on a chair nearby
It’s a comfortable place
It’s a perfect winters night

I would follow you anywhere
To the ends of the earth

I would follow you to the moon
To the sun and back

I would follow you to the end of the stars
To Mars, Venus and the rest

I would follow you to the end of the universe
I would follow you anywhere
Anytime

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

They have held
While other things have weakened
They remained strong
Like a dam

While pushed and threatened
While others spun stories
Trying to change reality
They stood firm
Holding the rushing waters back
Waves frequently breaking  against their wall
Yet it held
Like a dam

The more water that came
The fiercer it was
They held
They stood firm
They did not buckle
Yet it held
Like a dam

While there was an onslaught
Day after day
Never stopping
They stood firm
Never bending
Like a dam

Strong
Unbending
Like a dam
A true warrior for justice

As the sun goes down
and the eve of Christmas begins
A silence and calm comes across the world
as a soft layer of clouds hovering over the world

Traffic slows down to a snails pace across the land and world
Streets and stores become empty and activity slows down

And as the hours pass and the time to Christmas draws closer
the world takes a breath and the air becomes quiet as a peaceful stillness

Lights glisten with their holiday beauty and splendor
Trees decorated up for the holiday

Families come together for a moment of holiday joy and sharing

And for just a moment in time, the focus is on peace and goodwill and tranquility throughout the land during the Christmas quiet

So, take a moment to listen to the quiet and stillness
To the bells ringing, the snow falling
And let it fill you with peace, joy, and goodwill

Beautiful gold purple sky
Mirroring a Monet painting
Rain clouds dotting the sky
Streaks of lightning highlight the clouds
A storm is fast approaching

Beautiful gold purple sky
Looks like a work of art
Coming to close out the day
Winds pick up causing the wind chimes to play
A familiar melody
Plants sway to the wind
A storm is approaching

Beautiful gold purple sky
No doubt nature is an artist
The sky has a surreal look
It’s  entrancing

Show you matter
Bring your best to the world
Offer kindness
Open up your heart
Love
Do the right thing
Accept everyone
We all want the same thing
We are all human
No matter where we are from
No matter where we live
Offer light instead of darkness
Inspire
Lift
Light up the world
Stand up
Believe

Into the night
Dream sweet and long
May your sleep heal you
Take you to wonderland
Be peaceful and calm
Till morning
When the sun greets you
With its brightness
Revel in the start of a new day
A fresh start

Dream on

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

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

Home

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

Home

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

Destiny has finally brought me

Home

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

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

When you look at me
What do you see?
Do you see me as I am or how you wish I were?
When you look at me
Can you see the depths of my soul?
When you look at me
Do you see my heart aching for you ?
When you look at me
Do you see how perfect you
are to me in my eyes?
When you look at me
What do you see ?

Do you see all of me?
As I see all of you

Gray dark skies outside
Wet cool air to the touch
Breath almost visible
Like a fine mist
Rain falling sometimes gently
Sometimes harder
Terrace being cleaned by the water
Plants getting needed nourishment
Turning a brighter green
Sky being cleansed anew
The city being bathed and refreshed
A calm cloud hovers
Quiet and peaceful
As the rain continues to fall
Ever so gently
Rainy day

Where grass is bright green, and sounds of running water can be heard
there sits a large weeping willow tree with long, bending branches
It has been there a long time.

The branches of the willow are so long that they reach to the ground, and to my apartmetn balcony
In the wind, the willow branches sway back and forth to the rhythm of a beat, swaying back and forth

As the wind blows, and the rain falls, the willow bends down and over as if to try and reach the balcony of my apartment. The tree almost looks like it is dancing to the wind with its movements back and forth and up and down.

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
It’s precious

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

It becomes an intoxicating perfume
For the soul and heart
To comfort and calm
When we are away or leave
We hunger for the scent of home
It never leaves us
It’s in our heart

It was a cool sunny morning
Spring on the horizon
The sky had a crispness to it
Sky was bright blue
The cool air was refreshing
Before the heat of summer

Tourists were coming back
After a slight hiatus
People were out sitting at cafe
Coffee and goodies
Some seats were empty
The atmosphere was somewhat muted
It made one long for the coming of spring
It’s just around the corner

Soon we can wipe the slate
Get a fresh start
The end of the year is coming
Time to start a new
We have a chance to try again
Learn and grow
This year will be in the past
We can move forward
Hopefully
Things will improve
Over time
We are being given another chance
Let’s count our blessings
Look around at the beauty
Look around at loved ones
Look around at the planet
Be grateful
Love instead of hate
Give instead of take
Use your own light
To light and lift up the world
Fresh start

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
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

In the background playing at the cafe
Drums beat ever so slightly
There is a faint, hypnotic rhythm
It is both entrancing and calming

In the background playing at the cafe
Drums beat ever so slightly
They draw me into memories

My heart starts to slow
Matching the beat
My imagination wanders

In the background at the cafe
Drums beat ever so slightly
Like a meditative dance

Every morning there is a  parade Carriages head across the city
Beautifully decorated in green and gold

Proud horses confident in their stride
Take them to their destination

The drivers sit up high as they make their way
Winding through the streets

Every morning there is a parade Carriages head across the city
Beautifully decorated in green and gold

Proud horses pulling them to their final destination

Every morning there is a parade

Beautiful Carriages march across the city

Steamy Night

Hot heavy air fills the sky
No breeze to feel
The air is heavy
It’s steamy
Wind chimes are silent in the wind
Windows open
Searching for something
Anything light and breezy
Nighttime starts to come against the  dark sky
Temperatures hopefully will start to drop
Doors wide open to welcome the cool air
Things starting to slow down in preparation for the night to come
Everyone hoping to feel the coolness against the skin as the day ends and night comes
A slight reprieve from the heat
From nature
For just a moment

It’s a cold winters day
Fall is leaving for the year
The sun is out against a bright blue sky
There are a few white clouds
The wind is whipping through the trees at a frantic pace
The trees are almost bare
Grass has turned brown
Animals are seeking warmth
Huddled together
The air is  crisp and tickles the nose
It’s bitter, and biting against the skin
There’s a dusting of snow scattered around
People are out dressed in winter coats and hats
Cars struggle to start
Breath is visible in the air
Old man winter is knocking on the door once again

They walk among us
They have always been here
They are the ancient ones
Teachers
They are everywhere
They are part of the earth
Quiet
Listening
Watching
Protecting
They are of the spirit
More than the body
Their faces reflect light
They have seen things
Back to the beginning
Of all things
They understand
Our purpose
They carry peace
Harmony
In their hearts

It’s the season
Of greens and reds
Scents of pine
Apple cider
And hot chocolate
Where glitter
Brings light and magic
It’s the season of
Cheer and good feeling
Where love usurps all
Smiles replace frowns
Laughter instead of tears
Just a touch of glitter
Spread by all
Throughout the land
Can lift up the world
With a little kindness
And magic
It’s the season
Of belief
Light up the world
With your special light

Mornings
When it’s quiet
Peaceful
Are sacred
Times of stillness
When the soul
Is most present
It’s those times
When we find
Our true self
When the chaos of life
Subsides
Music is also a key
So is nature
To sacred times
They are precious
Like a jewel
Treasured
Always

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

The ocean waves are moving back and forth on a sunny day.
The sky is a bright blue. Like a painting.  
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
It’s like a sweet perfume but not overwhelming.
The water is a deep blue with hints of white as the waves roll in and out.
As the sun hits the water.
The appearance of diamonds show up.
Glistening against the light and the water.
It is magic.
A sweet moment of peace.
A time of pure bliss.

A warm summer wind whips through the air and the trees
Causing them to shake to the rhythm and the beat
Lightning dabbles the sky like the quick stroke of a paint brush
Tree limbs bend as the wind darts through them
The sky lightens up from the electric charge moving through the sky
The air fills with the sound of loud thunder
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

Hot steamy days
Cool mornings
Breezes at night that tease my face with a touch of coolness

Bright unrelenting sun
Blue skies
Plants hungering for a drink
To quench their thirst
Animals seeking shade

Summer has arrived

Air conditioning on full blast
People adorned with sunglasses
Straw hats in bright colors abound

Summer has arrived

Cravings of cooling pass through people’s mind
Beaches and beach towns fill up
Umbrellas everywhere

Summer has arrived

Comfortable places are wonderful
They feel good to be around
They are calming
They can also energize us

Comfortable places ground us when we are not centered
They can inspire and lift us

They are some of our most precious jewels in life

When feeling out of sorts seek one out and let it soothe you

Believe

There were two stones that had been together
They had never been apart
They sat in the bottom of a river
Peaceful
Sublime

Then all of a sudden one day they were separated by storms and rough waters
They ended up being pushed into different parts of the sea
Settling eventually on to the floor where they each sat alone

After several decades and stormy weather one day they were moved  close to each other once again

Like magnets they were uncontrollably drawn to the other and somehow managed to lock together as if made only for each other
Over time they became one piece
Destiny had arrived in all its glory

It’s magic

Christmas jazz fills the air
Scents of pine and cinnamon
Beats pounding in the background
Elton John
Trees sitting on display

Christmas jazz fills the air

Holiday trappings all around
Silver, gold and red
Shops showing their best
People walking and looking
Warm coats, hats and scarves

Christmas jazz fills the air

Bright lights glimmer everywhere
Music spins through the air
Bright paper and ribbons

Christmas jazz fills the air

American rock music plays softly
The street scene comes alive
Cafés full of people sipping coffee

Christmas jazz fills the air

We all deserve dignity
To be treated with respect
No matter our situation
It shouldn’t be based on wealth
Nor social status
Skin color
Because we are all human
No matter our country
Language, faith or customs
We all need the same things
We have families
Friends
Homes
Respect should be easily given
Which brings dignity
For in the end
We all come from the same place
Dignity

At this time of year
Winter is coming
A fresh new start is on the way

At this time of year

Holiday trappings are everywhere
Trees are waiting for a home
Children are anticipating Santa
Presents are wrapped

At this time of year

Choirs are singing
Churches are full
People are feeling good cheer
Smiles are bigger
Special meals being served

At this time of year

Let’s be more kind
Let’s be more positive
Let’s laugh more and criticize less
Let’s be grateful

At this time of year

Let’s remember what’s about
Let’s come together
Let’s love harder
Let’s assume the best
Let’s forgive more

Let’s remember we are all one

At this time of year

Spin a little magic
Offer a little kindness
Bring a smile to someone
Make something happen

Magic

Touch a heart
Help someone in need
Light up a part of the world

Spin a little magic
Be a magician

Cold and dark winters night
Raining outside
Sky a deep black velvet
Temperatures cooling off
Hard to feel comfortable outside
Bones starting to ache

My heart, soul and body hunger for the sun
Just a glimpse of it through the clouds

I snuggle into my bed with warm blankets
Enjoying their warmth and comfort as the time passes into nighttime

My cat is by my feet seeking warmth for her body
I enjoy the sound of her purr as she falls asleep
Letting the sound calm me

Wind chimes rattling in the wind, playing their own kind of tune
Clattering of the bells ringing against the metal grate as the wind
whips through them
Trees bending in the wind, void of their foliage and green moving
to their own kind of rhythm
Snow lightly falling and blowing around like cotton candy strands
before gently nesting on the ground or other surfaces
It is the coming of winter and the start of the a new cycle in the
weather for the year
Cold easing its way into homes, bodies and open spaces replacing
the warm heat of the summer with a new found friend
Temperatures dropping outside like flies bringing a frigid feel to
the day and evening
Nighttime chills and darkness befall the city as it gets ready to put
its nightcap on for the sleep that is slowly coming

I can breathe

After feeling pulled underwater for several months
I can breathe
After feeling uncomfortable
I can breathe
My shackles have been released
I can breathe
My troubles have passed
I can breathe
And like a whale swimming to the surface for air
Once again I can breathe

Sometimes the way we lift ourselves up is to lift up another

Even if it’s hard to do

It’s the best thing we can do not only for others, but for ourselves

By doing this we go towards the light not darkness

Take the time to give someone a smile It matters

Offer kindness instead of hate
Inspire by how you choose to live

Follow your heart and destiny
Stay with peace and harmony
Always