It's coming to that time of year
When familiar sights, sounds and smells seep into the memory
When holiday lights and decorations appear
Outside trees and houses are decorated
Holiday tunes are played both old and new
Shoppers amass on the streets or online searching for that perfect gift
People take on the holiday hustle and bustle
Smells of hot chocolate and cider tempt permeate the air
Light snow flakes dance before
landing on the ground as art
A bit of magic appears
Bringing feelings of good cheer
Holiday memories

It’s Sunday morning
The sun is out
The sky is blue
Coffee is brewing
The smell inviting
Another day has arrived

It’s Sunday morning
Time to reflect
Time for stillness
Time for gratitude

It’s Sunday morning
Cafés are filling up
Streets are becoming active
Music is playing
It awakens the spirit
Newspapers put out their best

It’s Sunday morning

I offer you a rose
Many of them really
You deserve them
And so much more
I think deep red ones
Would be perfect
As for me
You were perfect
In all ways
You gave me everything
From life to guidance
You were all a person
can be
Mother
Teacher
Guide to life
At troubled times
You offered me comfort
At happy times
You smiled and laughed
You had grace
besides great beauty
You gave me the world
In all ways

I am a human being, experiencing life mostly in the present time

Somewhere along the road I realized I was a spiritual living in a human body

I celebrate both and let them manifest in resonance with each other

When I connect to another
I remember even though I was born alone and I will die alone, I am not truly alone

I am part of something greater

Believe and light up the world with kindness and care

It’s a chaotic place
Like a carnival
Lots of bright colors and noise
Crowds of people
Going to and fro
Shoppers and diners
Cafés full
Laughing
Huge amounts of traffic
Cars and bikes
Sounds of horns
Music and dance in the street
Horses and carriages
Yellow taxis carrying fares
People standing around
Music pounding
It’s a carnival

Music

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

If you hurt me I will not hurt you
I will just walk away

If you love me
I will love you back
With all my heart

If you offer a chair
I will sit with you
I will give my time

If you offer peace
I will join you
Hand in hand

If you hurt me I will not hurt you
I will just walk away

If you love me
I will love you back
With all my heart

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
A person’s worth
To another
Without being in their skin
We are all unique
Each with our own destiny
Different from another
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

There’s something
to be said about quiet
and peace
It can calm the spirit
Clear the mind
Slow things down
The world is so hectic now
So much noise
Rarely silent
With social media
There’s always something
It’s hard to find a moment
Yet we all need it
Crave it really
That little bit of peace
It refreshes us
Feeds inspiration
It’s golden
And everything

They had been together for almost a year
Their time was ending
They had gone out to dinner
In the big city
One last time
Spent time walking around enjoying their time together
They were with her parents
It was spring
The weather was perfect
She wore a lilac colored dress
It was a perfect night
The city was full of magic

Soon they would have to leave
To head back home north
They didn’t want to leave
They didn’t want the night to end
But it had to
They had no choice

When the car came around
They sat in the back
Her parents were in front
As her father drove
They were quiet
Then his hand reached out to her hand
Touching it ever so gently
They sat holding hands the entire drive
Quiet
Together

If you see me walking in the desert would you offer me a drink of water?

If I looked different than you would you say hello?

If I were tired would you offer me a place to rest?

If I were hungry, would you offer me something to eat?

If my language was different would you still accept me?

If you see me walking in the desert would you offer me a drink?

If I looked different would you say hello?

Would you help me?

If I found you on the street would you smile or look away?

Would you offer me a drink of water if I were thirsty?

Would you help me up if I fell?

If I were waiting for you would you see that we are really the same?

Sometimes we get lost in the wind
When a large gust blows
Our spirit gets caught and taken away
Sometimes we lose our way
The path seems to disappear and
becomes hard to see

We may end up where we didn’t intend doing what we hadn’t planned

We may feel out of place and lost struggling to find our way back
To a time of comfort and safety
To a time of care and love

Sometimes we get lost in the wind
Fighting to find our way home
Eventually though
A new path appears
Leading us to
Our destiny

Healing wind gently blowing
Softly touching my face
Like gentle kisses
Plants dancing to the rhythm

Healing wind soothing me
Coaxing away the heat of the day
Black velvet sky welcomes me
Settling in for the evening

Healing wind brushing against me
Hypnotizing me with each brush
Tempting me to dance with it

Healing wind bringing energy
Touching the world with its grace

Sanctuary

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

Your smile lightens my day
Your eyes show me wisdom

You are my sanctuary
You bring me peace

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

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

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

A dim light shines across the waters
It’s a distance away
Shining in through the dark and fog
is a light that reflects off the waves of the ocean
It looks surreal
It creates a path through the water
Off in the distance is a ship
It’s  been gone a long time
It lost its way
It’s been searching for home
All over the world
Seeing the light off in a distance
The ship turns and aims straight for it
As the it gets closer the light shines brighter illuminating the land
The land starts to look familiar after so long
The ship is finally coming home

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
A person’s worth
To another
Without being in their skin
We are all unique
Each with our own destiny
Different from another
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

What’s in a name?
Besides our identity?
Our family?
Roots?
What does it mean?
Does one carry more weight?
Than another
Does it have special meaning?
Is it more than a name?
Is it an identity?
Does it bring back treasured memories?
Does it represent a time?
Does it evoke special feelings?
Why does it matter?
Can someone else own it?
Is there hidden meaning?
What’s in a name?

The man stood out on his balcony
It looked out on the beach and ocean
From there he could see for miles
As he stood there all of a sudden the wind picked up with no warning

It whipped through the trees causing them to bend violently
His wind chimes which were carefully hung outside played a tune mimicking the rhythm of the wind

The sky begun quickly changing color
It grew dark with huge oppressive clouds hanging over the city
The tempo of the waves also changed as the sea grew rough
as they pounded the shore

It was no longer safe to swim or be outside
People began packing up their things to make their way inside
They knew what was coming

A storm

A beach umbrella was lifted up by the wind and went flying down the beach with its owners chasing after it
A book sitting on a chair was carried into the air and dropped into the sea as its owner ran after it

The man watched the scene unfold from his balcony laughing
While he watched, his tea kettle started to whistle on the stove
He was making a cup of tea

As he finished brewing the tea his cat woke up and went outside to survey the situation

When his tea was ready, the man brought it outside to the balcony and sat with his cat gently sipping the tea watching the scene
He enjoyed the taste of lemon and inhaled the scent of it like perfume

All of a sudden his cat quickly got up and retreated inside
The man knew his cat could sense the storm coming before he would
He quickly turned and followed his cat just in the nick of time
Just as they left, and closed the door, the sky opened up pouring heavy rain

The storm had indeed arrived

Hot baked sun streaming down
Intense bright light all around
Penetrating everything
Wilting flowers fighting to live
Lazy cats and dogs seeking shelter and shade
Streets and sidewalks hot to the touch
Laundry put out dries in a minute
It’s summertime once again

Bright blue skies
Sleeveless tops and dresses
Nothing feels comfortable
Beds too hot
No where to sit in comfort
Cold drinks tempting the mouth
Thoughts go to sandy beaches
And soft cool ocean breezes

It’s summertime once again

Our lives are treasure chests
Filled with memories and experiences
Feelings
Every emotion possible
Images, smells, sensations
Each one is precious
Unique to us

Like a gemstone
Each one helps to define us
Each one helps us grow
To become who we are
Who we are meant to be

Our lives are like treasure chests
Valuable like a diamond or ruby
As time moves on they take on more value
Each one is a thread that helps mold us

Our lives are treasure chests
Beautifully designed
Intricate in every way
Filled with memories
Filled with experiences
Each one precious
Unique like no other

Golden threads tie us together
No matter what the distance
No matter the amount of time
They bind us as one

Golden threads tie us together
No matter the language
No matter the culture
No matter the place
They bind us as one

Golden threads tie us together
They reach across the universe
Never ending
They last forever
Never breaking
They bind us as one
Always

In the dark of the night I think of you and it warms me

You are my light

In the hardest of times I think of you and it gives me strength

You are my light

In times when I feel alone I think of you and I am not

You are my light

In the happiest of times I think of you and it brings me joy

You are my light

In a storm I think of you and it brings me comfort

In times of insanity when things seem upside down I think of you and the world seems right

You are my light
You are my universe

It’s a time of wonder
Where anything is possible

It’s a time of wonder
Where dreams can come true

It’s a time of wonder
Where magic happens

It’s a time of wonder
Where light overrules darkness

It’s a time of wonder
Where kindness exists

It’s a time of wonder
Where music runs through the air

It’s a time of wonder
Where smiles are bright and laughter is generous

It’s a time of wonder
Where there are bright lights and
holiday decorations

It’s a time of wonder
Where there is good cheer

It’s a time of wonder
Where one can believe

It’s a time of wonder

It’s the real you
It’s always there
With you
It will never leave
Before you were you
It was there
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
It’s talking to you now
Pay attention

Sitting in a hidden corner
Quietly disappearing
Back tight against the wall
Melting into it
Almost oblivious to the world
Trying to become like a vapor
Translucent
Uncomfortable
Watchful
Like a cat
Eyes wide open
Ready to run
Anticipating
Sitting in a hidden corner
Disappearing from the world

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

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

If I were no longer here
Would you miss me?
Would it even matter?

Would there be a feeling of emptiness or just nothingness?

If I were no longer here
Would you miss my presence?
That specific essence that makes up me?

Would your heart ache?
Your spirit feel sorrow
Would you want to see me?
Or would it just be a momentary thing?
My being gone

If my presence were no longer here
Would you notice?
Would you miss me?
Would your heart ache?
Would your spirit cry out?

As mine would for you

I am a person
I am alive
I have feelings
I have needs
I am no different than another
I need love
I need care, a home and sustenance
I want to walk free
To be able to live my life without pain or hurt
At times I am alone
Other times I am not
I am no different than another
I am human

Some people light up your heart
Others darken your spirit with their poison

Some people bring kindness and compassion
Others bring despair and cruelty

Some people walk in the light
Others hide in dark places

Some people open their heart to love and share
Others bring hate and jealousy

Some offer a helping hand
Others walk away

Some stick in your side like a thorn
Others soothe and heal the pain

Some smell sweet like a rose
Others smell sour

Some light up the world and shine like the sun

Sometimes we get lost in the wind
When a large gust blows
Our spirit gets caught and taken away
Sometimes we lose our way
The path seems to disappear and
becomes hard to see

We may end up where we didn’t intend doing what we hadn’t planned

We may feel out of place and lost struggling to find our way back
To a time of comfort and safety
To a time of care and love

Sometimes we get lost in the wind
Fighting to find our way home

Hot heavy air fills the sky
No breeze to feel
Wind chimes silent in the wind

Windows open searching for something, anything light and breezy
Nighttime starting to come against the  dark sky

Temperatures will start to drop
Doors open hoping to cool the air

Green and gray against the canvas of nature

Things starting to slow down in preparation for the night to come

Hoping to feel the coolness against the skin as the day ends and night comes

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 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 inspire

After several hot days
Mother Nature
Granted a cool reprieve
To heal the land
Feed the birds and plants
To lift up the soul
And light up the world

When you feel lost
Follow the light
Just as ships at sea
They look for the lighthouse
The shining light guides them

When you feel scattered
Follow the light
Back to your path
Look to your lighthouse

When you feel lost
Follow the light
Let the beam of light guide you
Back to your path
Let the light comfort you
If you are out to sea
Look for the lighthouse
Shining it’s beam of light
Guiding you back to safety

He’s gone
I saw him last night to say goodbye
The last time we were together before we parted
Not our choice
We had to
He’s gone
Back where he came from

When I woke in the morning I had hoped he was still here but he’s not
He left in the murky shadows of darkness
My life left I am now alone left in the gray fog of life
He’s gone, he is really gone

The brightness has left me
The lightness
The humor and fun
Have all vanished
No more movies, walks, holding of hands. He’s gone
And I am here alone searching for him like a lost ship in the night

My body is tired
My soul is tired
My bones ache
I just want to lay down and rest a little

My body hurts
My soul stings
I just want to lie down and rest a little

My heart hurts
My mind is tired
I just want to lie down and rest a little

My eyes can’t see clearly
My hands can’t grasp
I just want to lie down and rest a little

My ears can’t hear
My nose hurts
I just want to lie down and rest a little

My compass is lost
I don’t know what to do
I don’t know where I am
I just want to lie down and rest a little

My body is tired
My heart hurts
My body aches
My soul stings
I just want to lie down and rest a little

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

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

Once again the weekend is over
It’s Tuesday already
Days go so fast
Time to get up again
Get dressed and ready for work
Traffic is heavy
Coffee is on and the odor fills the room
It’s a welcoming smell
Like an old friend
A favorite mug is out to receive the brew
Clothes are ready to put on
Coat waiting close by
As one gently slides into the weekday blues

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

Goodbyes can sting
Over forty years ago I said goodbye to my dream
I watched him walk away
It was almost more than I could withstand
It was to be our final goodbye
It was our first and most gripping

As I watched him walk away
I felt my heart start to crack
Tears streamed down my face
My body shook as if going through withdrawal

Goodbyes can sting
Today felt like deja vu
Unbelievably over thirty years later
I had the chance to see him again

At the end of our visit we had our second goodbye
We had big plans and high hopes
The second goodbye did not sting as much as the first because of hope
Unfortunately our plans were dashed

Goodbyes can sting
Luckily fate found us again
Putting us on the same side of the ocean
Today we had our third goodbye
Once again I watched him walk away

In some ways it stung like the first
Memories flooding back
This pulled at something I had not felt in a long time
While I know I will see him again
The heaviness in my heart will not allay
My emotions are tight like a fiddle
It’s funny they always say it’s easier to leave than to be left

Goodbyes can sting
My heart says that is true
They also say distance makes the heart grow fonder
That has been proven true as well

Goodbyes can sting

He was just 17
He came from a faraway land
Across the ocean
He had been preparing his entire life
To travel
To venture forth
He had studied another language
Other customs and a different way of life

He was chosen to do this
To leave and travel to a distant land
As part of a special program
He was the first in his family
To do this

He was the traveler
He would leave his home and go to a new place
He went by plane flying for a long time
Landing in a very large city where everything was new
He would stay there for several days before moving on to his final destination

He ventured out at night to see the sights
He had never seen anything like this
He was intrigued and curious
He walked and walked exploring
Until he could walk no more
When it was time, he returned to his resting place for a meal and sleep
Because of all the travel and walking he slept well

The next day he went out with his friends to explore more of the city
They had one more day before leaving
They went everywhere
Going into shops
Eating new foods
Observing people
Watching the rhythm of the city
At the end of the day
As the sun went down
They returned to their resting place for dinner and much needed sleep

The next morning they would leave and go to other places
They would be there for a year
The traveler slept well to get
ready for his next adventure
He was excited by what he would see and find
Everything would be new to him

He was the traveler coming from a different land
He came a long distance
To where he was going
He had been chosen
He was special
His future awaited him
The best was yet to be
Destiny was just around the corner

After the high heat
The burning sun
When it finally cools down
Even just slightly
It’s a big relief

When the air clears
And the morning cool comes
Once again
So one can sit outside
And breathe freely
Not feeling repressed
It’s a relief

When the sky is blue
With a few clouds
Actually visible to the eye
It’s a relief

There’s a feeling of refreshment
A reprieve has been granted
From the worst of heat
Just for a moment
We are so very grateful

She bought it
Not long after arriving
At her new abode
From one of the local stores
Something for summer
It gets very hot
Searing heat really
It’s cotton
A rose pink color
With a design
The skirt is flared
It’s cool in the heat
Comfortable against the skin
Every season
She pulls it out
Though it is old
It’s a part of her now
She has some others
But this is her favorite
The age is showing now
The color is a bit faded
And there are some small holes
Nevertheless she loves it
Like a security blanket
The special dress

When one is surrounded by clouds of darkness
When the burden feels to much
From weight and darkness
Look for the small light shining in a distance
It will guide your way
It is your destiny awaiting
It is these small slivers of light that give us hope
Believe
Light up the world

May the luck of the wind carry you in times of duress

May the luck of the wind bring you happiness at times of sadness

May the luck of the wind
take you to unexplored places

May the luck of the wind touch
your cheek gently like
butterfly kisses

Let it protect you
Keeping you safe
May it bring you peace and comfort

When you feel down
Get on up
When you’re tired
Rest
When you don’t believe
Believe
When you feel empty
Fill up
When your mind is blank
Dream

When you feel down
Get on up
Lift yourself towards the light
Towards your path
Start walking
It will get easier

When you feel down
Get on up
When you’re tired
Rest
When you can’t
Do

Lift yourself up

Once again we wait
After diminishing
The enemy has returned
With a fury
Touching all parts
Of the world
No one is immune
Even the vaccinated
So we take a pause
Slow down our excitement
And wait
We are frustrated
We are tired
Both emotionally
And physically
Yet we go on
We have no choice
We return to past practices
To protect ourselves and
Loved ones
Watching for signs
That once again
We can finally stop waiting
And start to return
To life