Misty mornings wake me with their beauty
From my deep within my slumber they greet me
They cover the earth like a warm blanket

Glimmers of sun can be seen from underneath the mist as it struggles to get free
Green trees pop up their heads
searching for the sun

Misty mornings wakes me
From my deep slumber
Where dreams rule over me
Imagination is king and logic takes a break

Hypnotic mist rises up
Covering the ground with a thick blanket
Like a Sherlock Holmes movie
Entrancing me with its beauty

It’s early morning
The city is still somewhat quiet
Not much traffic yet
The sun is out, but not fully
Another day is just beginning
Time for coffee and tea
To catch up on the news
And the world
Breakfast is needed
So many choices
Still time to rest
Before starting up the day
The coolness of the air
Refreshes after a hot day
Cleansing the body
It’s time for stillness
To calm the spirit

Are we going back to normal?
That’s what folks say
But what does that really mean
Will it be the same as before?
Is it safe yet?
Will we take some of the last year and keep it?
Have we learned that we are all one
We need each other to get through this
This is worldwide
Does it feel the same sitting in a cafe?
Does the coffee taste the same?
How do I bring back my old habits?
Will it be comfortable to me
What does comfortable look like now
What will the world look like a year from now?

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

Beat the drum

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

Beat the drum

For the world
For all of us

Imagine walking through the snow into a forest full of pine trees.

As you stop amongst the trees, all you can hear is the deep silence
and the crunch of your boots as you walk through the snow.

A slight cool breeze rustles through the trees moving the limbs as the branches sway
back and forth to the rhythm of the breeze.

Snow left on the branches gently falls down slowly, as small flakes
as they hit your coat and face, they sit for a moment before leaving.

An owl sits up high on one of the branches looking down at you and the world all around.

The sky is clear, and there is a glimmer of the moon lighting the path ahead.

And, at the end of the path, is a log cabin with a light on in the window and a fire burning in the
fireplace, waiting quietly for its owner to return.

It’s a perfect winter night.

The ocean was tranquil
Waves gently flowing
In and out
Hitting the shore
As they did, they left white foam
Their rhythmic sound was hypnotic
The salt smell  was exquisite perfume
The scene was calming
Seductive
Like meditation
As the sun hit the turquoise water
It glistened and glittered
Looking like a sea of diamonds
Turquoise diamonds
The scene was sublime
Absolutely perfect
For a hot summers day

Come dance with me
Let’s dance up in the stars
Let’s tickle the moon

Come dance with me
Let’s dance until sunrise
Let’s visit Mars and Venus

Come dance with me
Into our future
Hold my hand and walk along the beach

Come dance with me
Let’s walk by the Seine
Visit the Tower of London

Come dance with me
Forever

After feeling pulled underwater
For some time

I can breathe

After feeling uncomfortable

I can breathe

My shackles have been released

I can breathe

I can move without effort

I can breathe

My troubles have passed
They are behind me
The sun is out
No more stormy days
I feel peace and harmony

I can breathe

Like a whale or dolphin
Swimming to the surface
For air
Leaping into the air
Exhaling strongly
Once again I can breathe


Breathe

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
They can break hearts
Or mend them
Cause tears
Or stop them
It all depends
Which words are used
Choose carefully
Words

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 I feel lost I will rise up
I will reach out towards the stars
To find my way back

When I can’t find my way
I will rise up and see the light
I will follow it back to my path

When I have no words
I will rise up and let you inspire me
I will let you guide me

When I am full of despair
I will rise up towards the sky
Letting it carry me on to my destiny

When I am full of darkness
I will up towards the sun
Letting it fill me with light

Sometimes we may fail
We may even feel like a failure
We may fall down or not meet expectations
Ours or others
But if we try, including new things are we?
As long as we get up and try again
Failure

People judge others all the time
Holding them up to their standards
Whether they are appropriate or not
How can one truly know about another
Without being in their shoes
Failure

If we take a risk and try something
If we reach beyond our means
If we find our own way
Even if different and unique
If we define ourselves based on our choices
Are we a failure
It’s in the eye of the beholder
Especially ours
Failure

After the rain everything is fresh
The city has been given a redo
There is a scent of clean in the air
Plants are greener
Flowers brighter
Streets are washed
Dust is gone

The sky is clear and blue
Bright white clouds decorate the horizon
Mountains are visible
The rain washes away yesterday
Making room for today
It’s the start of a brand new day

Music and memories go together
Like salt and pepper
One complements the other
One triggers the other
Listening to a song can easily transport one back to a memory or time
A certain memory can bring back a certain feeling
It’s as if one stepped into a time machine to relive that moment
Music can also inspire, ignite and calm the soul
It can heal ones wounds and evoke strong feelings
Music can take me back to a sweet memory of my father shoveling the snow outside during a winter storm
Or my father taking my hand as a small girl to enter a Brazilian ceremony many decades ago
Or to remember a colleague playing a song by the Temptations in the office one Friday morning to help start the day
Music and memories inspire our lives to be so much more like an artists’ painting

When cold runs through your hands
And your fingers grow numb
And your nose is cold to the touch
It’s arrived
When your toes feel cold
And your body seeks warmth
Anywhere
With jackets, scarves or heat
Trying to seek some comfort
A brief respite
Even a spot of tea
Or hot chocolate
With steam rising
The signs of the season arrived
It’s winter

Courage
It can be found
In unexpected moments
When someone rises
Up to meet the challenge
Either through actions
Or words
Or both
It can be someone
That stands up
Even when it’s hard
For what’s right
What we know deeply
In our hearts of hearts
Or someone that walks
Into danger to help
Or a healer helping the ill
Courage is everywhere
In adults and children
Around the world
There are those
That stand up
Speak out
Even when it’s difficult
Unpopular
They do it
At a time of turmoil
In the world
With pandemics
Wars
Unrest and violence
We need the courageous
More than ever
What are you??

Cold brisk air
Clear blue skies
Smells of pine
It's the season

Turkey cooking
Filled with special stuffing
Pies being baked
It's the season

Egg nog
Mulled wine
Wreaths on the door
It's the season

Family, friends gather
Kindness abounds
It's the season

Holiday parades
Santa on the move
Decorations everywhere
Trees and cities dressed up
It's the season

Feelings of goodwill
Love and care
Peace fills the air
It's the season

She had been in hell
Things had been impossible
Nothing worked
Things were hard
She didn’t fit
Everything hurt
Physical and emotional
There was no peace
Nor harmony
Finally one day
She had a chance to leave
To change things for the better
So she headed East
Driving through rain
Big storms and darkness
When she arrived
The rain had stopped
The air was fresh
With the scent of sweet flowers
All she felt was comfort
Peace and harmony
She belonged
She had come home
To her east coast heaven

The wind chimes are clanging outside the window
Making their own type of music

The wind is whipping through the trees at such a furious pace the large weeping willow outside is bending and swaying to its own dance
Branches moving like the conductor of an orchestra

The clouds have turned dark and menacing dropping lower to the ground
The sky is color changing to match

A storm and rain is on the horizon
Get ready

Slide in and out of the recesses of our minds like clouds gently floating by

Some are older
Others quite recent

Some make us smile
Some make us frown
Some bring laughter
Others peace to the soul

Some seem so real it’s as if we can touch them once again and return to another time

In their own way
They are Magic
Unique to each of us

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.
We can make someone smile or laugh.
Bring happiness.
Offer kindness and care.
Each time we do, we light up the world.

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

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

At a time of great strife
The world doesn’t need war
Nor aggression
Hate or division
It needs peace
Light
Care
Not hate
This is a time of difficulty
A time of uncertainty
Fear and stress
Yet from the flames
A leader has risen
Others have come together
Perhaps for the first time
Yet there is darkness
Heaviness
And struggle
It’s hard to watch
Waiting
Hoping for an end
Wondering
Why now
Does this happen
When there’s already
So much in the world
All we can do is pray
Standing in the light
Standing up for the truth
Hoping it ends
War

Candy cane kisses
Peppermint hugs
Taffy and candies
It’s the holidays
A sign of the times
Sugar cookies
Gingerbread
Hot chocolate
Apple cider
Dressed up trees
A sign of the times
Fancy wreaths
Sleigh rides
Family
Good friends
A sign of the times
Candy cane kisses

I will stand by you when you hurt
I will stand by you when you feel joy
I will be there in the good and bad
The hard and the easy
The darkness and the light
I will hold you up when you can’t
When you fall to the ground in pain
I will stand by you and lift you up
I will hold your hand to comfort you
And pull you close to me
I will never let you go
If you feel alone
You are not
Just turn around
And you will see
I am behind you
Standing by you
As I always have been
I always will
Just believe

A summer wind quickly whips through the air and the trees
Lightning dabbles the sky like a quick paint brush stroke

Tree limbs bend as the wind moves through them shaking the branches and leaves

The sky lightens up from the electric charge moving through
The air fills with the sound of loud crushing thunder

A summer storm is fast approaching
Causing the wind chimes outside to play like a musical instrument
As they clang back and forth to the rhythm of the wind

The summer wind has arrived

After so much time
So much suffering
With great storms and turbulence
Where people have been waiting such a long time
Things are slowly changing
A calm has come
At least for now

After so much division and sour feelings
After so much pain and illness
Possibilities and hope have arrived
A calm has come
At least for now

After heavy darkness
Light has shined through
It shines bright through the clouds
Bringing blue sky
Pushing the darkness away
A calm has come
At least for now

After great sadness
Heavy hearts
Tears and angst
Joy has arrived
Life has gotten a bit better
Smiles starting to return
Laughter
A calm has come
At least for now

After people gave up
After too much stress
They want  to try again
To begin again
Together
A calm has come
At least for now

Calming

The sun is almost gone for the day
It is that time before nightfall and daytime
The in between
A slight warm breeze is blowing
Teasing the face just a little
Seductive to the touch
Like a lover
The branches of the plants are gently moving
Like a slow dance
A touch of sun can still be seen in the distant horizon
The city street below is full of life
Restaurants and cafes are open
People are moving about
A drum beat of music can be faintly heard in the background
Voices talking from the restaurant and bar next door
Lights of the city coming on for the night
As the city prepares for nightfall to come

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
The beauty of nature
Nothing like it
Captivating the soul
Nature’s beauty

Cool Reprieve

After several hot days
With searing heat
Humid nights
Fitful sleep
The body on fire
Mother Nature granted
A cool reprieve
Of temperatures
And soothing breezes
To lift up the spirit and body
To heal and invigorate
To heal the land
Feed the birds and plants
To lift up the soul
And light up the world
Once again

I am sitting in a café by the street
I am scene watching
People coming to and fro
Coats and hats on
Scarves around necks
It’s cold outside

I am scene watching

Seeing what is going on outside
Watching the people inside
Sipping coffee
Eating breakfast
Smiling and laughing

I am scene watching

People from all over
Different languages in the air
Baked goods on display
Like valuable jewels
Scents of a hot bakery wafting

I am scene watching

Trees full of oranges decorate
Fountains nearby against pink
Crisp cloudy day
Sun hiding behind the gray

I am scene watching

Sometimes change is good
Whether a place, home, clothing or coiffure
There are many more ways
To evoke a change
Learning or travel
We can become embedded
In the same thing
Change can loosen us up
Brighten up the brain
Offer new challenges

It can make all the difference
In attitude, overall happiness
With a quick change
One can become anew
It’s a new start

It can inspire
Lift one up
And just be fun

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

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
Calling one back
Enticing
Comforting  
Begging us to stay
Under their protection

Cold mornings
Are refreshing
In their own way
With fresh air
Easy to breathe
Bright skies
Cold mornings
Have their own special charm
Embrace it
Live it

We all have puzzle pieces

They are special and unique Someone that fits us to a T
They know what we are thinking
They finish sentences
They fit us in every way

We all have puzzle pieces

It may take a lifetime to find them
Or we may find them early in life
When we are together it is as 1
There is nothing like them

We all have puzzle pieces

They are made just for us
Everything with them is right
We are cut from the same cloth

We all have puzzle pieces

It’s as if we are with a mirror image
All we have to do is find them

Trust

When in doubt
Trust

When in doubt
Believe

When in doubt
Pause

When in doubt
Meditate

When in doubt
Go towards the light

When in doubt
Stay calm

When in doubt
Seek comfort

When in doubt
Trust

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.

Hot burning days
Green palm trees trying to keep their green
Bright blue skies with no hint of white clouds
Steaming sidewalks
The signs of summer

Warm sultry breezes at night
Blow across my face
Gently seducing me
Black velvet night skies
Decorated with sparkling diamond stars
The signs of summer

Flowers and plants craving water
Reaching towards the light
Wind chimes churning in the breeze
Animals searching for a slice of shade
The signs of summer

Women dressed in light flowing dresses
Bright colors and patterns
Making them look like butterflies when they move
The signs of summer

Men wearing straw hats
Sunglasses
Light shirts
Linen pants with sandals
The signs of summer

Cool breezes coming late into the night offering a soothing touch to the sleeping
The signs of summer
It’s on its way

It's 6am on the east coast
Washington DC
Up high, over the horizon is a wide open sky
As far as the eye can see
threads of cotton candy pink streak across the sky against a pallet of
blue/gray.
It is so beautiful, it almost looks surreal and artificially created.
The city has not yet awoken.
It is still, calm and quiet.
A slight, ever so gentle breeze rustles through the trees.
Then, slowly, the pink cotton candy streaks start to blend together
and dissolve into a bright red ball.
As the ball begins to rise, it announces the coming of a brand new day.
A few birds fly by a balcony and land on a ledge to watch the view.
And once again, Washington DC wakes up

It’s another Monday
Sky is gray blue
Air is winter cool
Weekends just sail by
In a lightning flash
Then the start
Of another week
But each day
Is a blessing
I am here
It’s time to start
Getting things going
Listening to some tunes
Trying to write a little ditty
Monday

We are so fragile
If you really look at us
We are the wisp of something
Like queen anne’s lace
We hunger for care
We hunger for gentility

Oh we may bluster
We may puff out our chests
We may yell
We may stomp our feet
In the end
We are fragile
Like a leaf
Like a flower petal

Our hearts are delicate
Easy to hurt
Easy to break
We seem strong
But we really are not

We are so fragile
Like a leaf
Blowing in the wind
Like a flower petal
Fallen to the ground
We hunger for care
We hunger for gentility
We hunger for harmony
We are fragile
Needing love
Peace
And comfort

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

Summertime Moments

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
It was calm

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

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

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 scent of the wet leaves
Like a natural perfume
The entire scene evoked feelings of beatitude

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

Early in the morning
Fall breezes blowing
Gently across my face
Tempting me
Darkly painted gray skies
With hints of gray and blue
Brightly colored leaves
Red, orange and yellow ones
Almost surreal in their beauty
Remind one of a impressionist painting
Rustling in the wind the leaves move to their own melody
Some desperately clinging to branches ever so tightly
The sound of chimes  ringing in the wind in the distance
Beckoning me to stay for just a little while

Every now and then we find
a special doorway
It leads to magic
Where anything is possible
It is a beautiful place unlike any other
It looks like a fairytale

Every now and then we find
a special doorway
It leads to magic
Where dreams come true
Where we can do the impossible
We can climb any mountain
Cross the deepest river

Every now and then we find
a special doorway
It leads to magic
To a special place and time
Unlike any other
Where dreams come true
And the impossible becomes possible

Gray skies greet me
Quiet streets almost empty
People sitting at cafes huddled together because of the coolness

Cool Sunday morning
Last day of the weekend
People enjoying the moment before the start of another week

Cool Sunday morning

Imagine sitting in the desert
Alone
The sand is bright white
You are kneeling
With your eyes closed
It is silent and still
Out of nowhere it starts to rain
Black colored rain drops
However, your mother appears
She stands over you
Smiling
Emanating white light
She holds a special umbrella
One of a kind
Over you
It’s translucent
Made of white light
As the rain drops fall
They hit the umbrella
And roll off
Never touching you
Disappearing into the ground
With no trace
Imagine

Dream on

Into the night
Dream sweet and long
May your sleep heal you
Take you to wonderland
Be peaceful and calm

Dream on

Till morning
When the sun greets you
With its brightness
Revel in the start of a new day
A fresh start

Dream on

I Am From a Different Place
I am from a different place
I am from a different time
I have walked a different path
I traveled a long distance
In many ways to arrive

I am from a different place
I am from a different time
I have walked a different path

I can be like a feather
Blowing in the wind
Untethered
Light to the touch
Almost invisible

I can be like a bird
Soaring high in the sky
Enjoying the glory of flying

I can be like a cat
Quiet and watching
The world go by

I am from a different place
I am from a different time
I walked a different path
I traveled a long distance
In many ways to arrive

I am on a path and journey
There have been twists and turns
That’s what took me here
At this place and time