You are on a Greek isle
There’s a bright blue sky
With a few white clouds
Bright fuchsia flowers
Adorn the area
The ocean is sapphire blue
Nearby is some laundry
Hanging in the wind
Bright white sheets
Just washed
That move to the rhythm
Of the wind
Giving off a scent
Of cleanliness
It’s calming and hypnotic
Magic

Without you I am lost

I lose my north
Nothing feels right
My spirit sags
I am uncomfortable

Without you I am lost

Like a sailboat without wind
Like saggy spaghetti
Like heart with no soul
Like a song with no melody

Without you life is bitter
There is no sweetness
There is no treasure
The sublime is gone

Without you I am lost

I have no direction
I feel scattered
My motivation sinks
My heart is heavy

Without you I am lost

The sun is out
The sky is a bright blue
Barely a cloud in the sky


There is a slight breeze in the air
The air is crisp and clear
It’s fresh to breathe

Wind chimes are lightly ringing in the background playing their tune

As another day starts

I Am of the Spirit
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.

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

Trust yourself
Always
Follow your path
Spin up your dreams

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

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

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

Every few months
She disappears
She hides
Invisible
As if a ghost or spirit
She’s not part of anything
She’s something else
Unnoticed
Comes from a different world
A different place

She melds into surroundings
Becoming very quiet
Keeping to herself
No one pays attention
It’s better that way
More comfortable
She watches from afar

The inspiration is gone
Flew like a flash somewhere
The muse has left

The poet is sleeping

Darkness has replaced light
Heaviness is  in the spirit
As I struggle with my thoughts
As I struggle with my feelings
I am stopped cold
I feel lost

The poet is sleeping

The muse has left
No more sounds of sweet music
No more inspirational thoughts
No more magical dreams
I lost my purpose

The poet is sleeping
I am searching for the light
I am searching for my friend
Inspiration

I hope to find it soon
I miss it

Ocean breezes fill up my lungs
Their air cleansing and healing
Invigorating me

Ocean breezes

The sound of the waves is hypnotic and calming
Almost like meditation

Ocean breezes

The turquoise color of the water is mesmerizing
My eyes are transfixed on it
Like a impressionist painting

Ocean breezes

Walking along the shore is like coming home
Picking up shells and exploring
Seeing the white foam of the waves

Ocean breezes

The cries of seagulls makes me smile
The feeling of warm sand on my feet
Makes me feel at home

Ocean breezes

When in December
In one of the most wondrous places
Paris
The city of light
The skies can be painted gray
Rain is in the air
A hint of snow perhaps
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 busy with shoppers
Downtown lights decorated with pink
Stores regaled in gold and silver
Cafes full of people sipping coffee
Hiding from the cold
It’s Paris in December
A special magical time

Sweet moments
Those small moments
Sometimes fleeting
Make life worth living
They can pass quickly
Touching our hearts
Touching our souls
Hard to hold onto
Delicate
Somewhat fragile
Like a butterfly

Sweet moments
Make lasting memories
Taste like honey
Decorating our days and nights
Brightening our lives

Put them together
They form a life

See what you can see
Feel what you can feel
Touch what you can touch
Take in all the fragrances
See the wonder of life
See me for who and what I am

Open your eyes

Take it all in
Look everywhere
See Mother Nature
In all her glory
See the oceans
See the forests and mountains
See the animals
See me for who and what I am
I am Mother Nature

Feast upon the glory of it all

As the sun drops for the night
The streets clear of cars and people
The emptiness is soothing in a way
Cats are the only creatures out
Seeking something to eat
Night quiet
As the sky grows darker
A black velvet blanket covers the sky
The stars start to appear along with a sliver of moon
Decorative lights are shining on a nearby building
Beautiful colors of pink and blue
Stillness is in the air
It is peaceful
It is calming
Sleep will be calling
With dreams
Taking one to magical places
Night quiet has arrived

What does it mean when we say we miss someone? Does it mean we miss them? Their presence? Their essence? Their look? Smile? Touch? Humor? Being around them? It means all those things and so much more

It’s a new day
A brand new year
A time when we can restart
Reinvent ourselves
Try something new
Explore
A time to hope
For something better
It’s a new day
A brand new year
A time to reflect
On what was
But also what is possible
A time to remember
Those sweet memories
That touch us
Ever so gently
Like butterflies
It’s a brand new day
It’s a new year
With new opportunities
Blessings
Believe

There is a grey colored mist floating through the air almost like a haze in the air
The sun is starting to come up over the horizon – a hot pink ball slowly rising over the sea
A man is standing on the beach facing out to the water, bare feet buried in the sand
He lets the ocean waves gently wash across his feet
The water is neither too hot nor cold, it is just right
His pants are rolled up as to not get wet
He is wearing a muted grey colored sweater
Standing with his hands in his pockets, he is facing the water, watching, listening to the pounding of the waves as a soothing drum beat ever so slowly
He closes his eyes to listen and smell the salt in the air like perfume
The sounds and smells calm him – leave him with a sense of peace
He then opens his eyes and looks off to the right, down the beach
He sees a woman slowly approaching him from a distance
She is walking slowly to the beat of the waves
He closes his eyes once again, waiting for her
Then he opens his eyes and sees her standing by him now watching and listening to the roar of the raspy waves
They smile to each other, grasp hands, turn and continue walking down the beach together

BRM 2012

I am a person
I am alive
I want to live
Just like you
I have feelings
I have hopes and dreams
I have needs
I am no different from another
I need love
I need care
A home
Food and water
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 just want to be
Like you
In the end
We are all the same

It is an early summer's day
The sun is out
The sky is a bright Wedgewood blue
There are a few white clouds scattered through the sky like a thin white veil
There is a slight breeze -- not too warm, not too cold
You are sitting in a field of tall grass
The grass is a light beige color
The grass sways gently to the breeze and makes a soft rustling sound
As you sit down in the field
A cloud of butterflies surround you
They are all colors -- purple, blue, yellow, red, and gold
As you put out your hands, they light onto your hand before flying away

Then, in the distance, a hummingbird appears
It is emerald green with a touch of pink
It is so small it could fit in the palm of your hand
As you look at it, it's movements slow down so you can see the wings beat
Your heart starts beating at the same rhythm

As you close your eyes and listen to the breeze the hummingbird touches your face gently before flying away

Hello Fall
Are you here?
Today when I awoke it was cooler
Today the air felt crisp
Today the sky is clear
Today my hopes are high

Hello Fall
Are you back?
Will you stay?
I missed you
Where did you go?

Hello Fall
I miss your colors
I miss the smells
I miss the food
The hot chocolate
The apple cider
The pies

Hello Fall
Are you back?
It feels like you are
I hope you are
I missed you

The colors
The crisp air
The smells
The food

Hello Fall
Please stay

When I look at you
I get lost in your face
I disappear
It’s as if I am looking at a piece of art
I study it
Slowly
Every detail
Every curve
Every nuance
Everything about it
I become mesmerized
That’s all I see
Your face
I am frozen
Unable to move
Time seems to stop
And over the years
Your face hasn’t changed
It’s the same
As the first time I saw you
When I first became lost

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’s golden
And everything

There is a grey colored mist floating through the air almost like a haze in the air
The sun is starting to come up over the horizon – a hot pink ball slowly rising over the sea
A man is standing on the beach facing out to the water, bare feet buried in the sand
He lets the ocean waves gently wash across his feet
The water is neither too hot nor cold, it is just right
He is wearing a muted grey colored sweater
Standing with his hands in his pockets, he is facing the water, watching, listening to the pounding of the waves as a soothing drum beat ever so slowly
He closes his eyes to listen and smell the salt in the air like perfume
The sounds and smells calm him – leave him with a sense of peace
He then opens his eyes and looks off to the right, down the beach
He sees a woman slowly approaching him from a distance
She is walking slowly to the rhythm of the waves
He closes his eyes once again, waiting for her
Then he opens his eyes and sees her standing by him now watching and listening to the roar of the sea
They smile to each other, grasp hands, turn and continue walking down the beach together

If someone touched your life a long time ago, but you lost touch -- reach out
If someone touched your heart in a very special way -- reach out
If there is someone you never forgot and wish you were still in touch -- reach out
For all those wished second chances -- wish and try again
For all those lost opportunities, try once more
For all the times you lost faith, believe again
For every time you received a kindness, or a break, or something wonderful happened, be grateful and smile
For all the love you have received, love back
For all the smiles you have received, smile back
This is a magical time, whether or not one practices these holidays
Take advantage of this time, to love, to give, to remember, to smile and to reach out

That’s how crisp, cool air is
Glorious
The changing of the guard
The cleansing feeling of a soft breeze
Across the face like a gentle kiss
The soothing feeling
Of the heat dissipating
It’s invigorating
As the season starts to change
The sounds and smells do
Different foods and tastes
Colors change in nature and fashion
It’s a fresh start
Where one can be brand new
Glorious
It’s a time for new beginnings
And magic

The Voyager

She was leaving a place
Not like home
Heading to another
She couldn’t wait another second
She was heading home
To a place she had been before
To a place she knew and felt comfortable

She would drive all day and night
It didn’t matter
She knew where she was going and why

She began in the morning with her cat by her side
She would arrive at night before the end of the day

She drove through all types of weather ending her drive in heavy rain

At times it felt like the drive would never end
Rain pounding on the road and her car
It felt like it took forever

Large trucks racing by causing her car to be bathed in water
She was leaving a place
Not like home
Heading to another
She was heading home
Nothing would stop her
This was meant to be

Then she finally saw the signs of home
She smiled
She was getting close
Almost there
She was going home
Leaving a place not like home

Once she arrived where she was supposed to be
She settled herself in for the night
The rain had stopped
The air was cool but not cold
It was springtime
Trees were flowering
Flowers all around
Before sleeping she opened the window
The aroma of the trees filled her lungs and room
She took a deep breath and took it all in
The smell was like intoxicating perfume
She felt great relief and a sense of comfort
Her body started to relax
She knew she was finally home

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 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

The little bird pecks it’s way out
It’s coming out of it’s protected shell
It’s being born into the world
Or a turtle poking its head out
That’s how it feels after lockdown
A stranger in a new land
Setting ones feet on familiar ground
Like an explorer
Looking around at the familiar
Yet unfamiliar
What’s the same
Where are the changes
Still aware that there’s danger
Still needing to be careful
Excited yet nervous
Coming out of the shell
Once again
Into the new normal
Been here before
Not so long ago
Hoping this time
It lasts

See what you can see
Feel what you can feel
Touch what you can touch
Take in all the fragrances
See the wonder of life
See me for who and what I am

Open your eyes

Take it all in
Look everywhere
See Mother Nature
In all her glory
See the oceans
See the forests and mountains
See the animals
See me for who and what I am
I am Mother Nature

Feast upon the glory of it all

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 one of those days
Still in the midst of winter
Skies gray and cloudy
Air cool and damp
Clouded over
People are moving slowly
Streets are empty
Cafés are full
People getting breakfast
Slowly sipping coffee
Clouded over
Warm beds are tempting
Heavy blankets and jackets
Cups of hot tea with lemon
Soothe the body and soul
Hard to get moving
Clouded over
Looking for that ray of sun

We were hidden away
On top of the city
For more than a year
The world had been in turmoil
From many things
It was a dangerous time
Yet we were safe
Living above the city
Watching the world below
Come and go
Leaving when necessary
Hoping things will calm down
That they would get better
But was a see saw
So for then
We lived our lives
Happily
Tucked away together
Claiming lost time
From years past
Feeling blessed
That we were safe and healthy
On top of the city

Home is more than a place, or a location
Its where you are cared for, and where you belong
It’s where you are meant to be
It can be anywhere, not where you were born
It can be anyplace in the world
Home is not an idea
It’s a feeling

I am a survivor
Many of us are
From the few  last years or so
We have battle scars
From fear, loss, illness
Overall stress from the times
But, we are still here
Still standing
Broken perhaps
But we made it through
To the other side
Though so many did not
Such loss and pain
The war is not over yet
It’s still going on
Quietly
In so many places
The danger is still there
Lurking
Muted only by vaccines
For that we are grateful
Yet we must remain vigilant
More battles may be coming
Yet we have made it to this point
We are survivors
We too are warriors
I am thankful

Bring comfort
Feel like home
Offer calm
Instead of chaos
Give one a sense of belonging
Help one feel centered
They are important
They are most needed
During times of trouble
We all have them
Without them
We feel lost
We can’t find our way
They are like a lighthouse
Steering a ship to port
They clear out the fog
Erasing darkness
Bringing in the light
They are everything

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

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

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

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

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

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

Early in the morning there is a silence
It's peaceful and calming
A pin dropped can be heard
The world has not yet woken up
Noise has not arrived for the day

It is in those moments when we can be truly still within ourselves
We can listen to the messages from our spirit
Our true self
We can know and reclaim our destiny and who we truly are
Treasure those moments as they are rare
They are precious jewels in our lives

Just Me

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

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

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

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

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

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

I've got Paris on my mind
The Eiffel Tower
Notre Dame
The Seine
River boats along the river
Louvre and Orsay and so much more
The ambiance of it
The lights at night
Bakeries early in the morning
Smell of fresh bread
Fine cheeses and wine
Great food
And so much more
I've got Paris on my mind...

Sitting in a café
Watching the people
Talking and smiling
People from everywhere
Languages of the world

Watching the staff
Coming and going
Bringing orders
Like an orchestra
Languages of the world

People on their phones
Eating and drinking
Texting and talking
Laughing
Languages of the world

Baked goods on display
Beautiful desserts
Smells of things baking
People buying bread
Languages of the world

Street scene playing outside
People out and about
Bright sun shining down
Blue sky dotted with clouds
Languages of the world

Coming out of the ground
Rose colored hills and mountains
Against a perfect bright blue sky
Solid jutting rock reaching up high
Forest greenery below
Making a natural blanket
Beholds a lovely sight
As Mother Nature paints a work of art once again

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

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
Appears to close out the day
Winds pick up causing the wind chimes to play
Plants move to and fro to the wind
A storm is fast approaching

Beautiful gold purple sky
Looks surreal
The color is deep and hypnotizing

When one is surrounded by clouds of darkness
When the burden feels to much to handle
When life is crushing you down
Seek the small light shining in a distance
It will guide your way
It is destiny waiting
It is these small slivers of light that give us hope
They help us try again
They help us begin again
To look for better days
They help to lift us up
Believe

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

Like a whale swimming to the surface for air

Once again I can breathe
I am free

Wind chimes rattling in the wind
Clattering of the bells ringing against the metal grate as the cold winter wind
whips through them
Trees bending in the wind, void of their foliage and green moving
to their own kind of rhythm

Winter chimes

Snow lightly falling and blowing around like cotton candy strands
before gently falling to the ground or other surfaces
It is the coming of winter and the start of the a new cycle in the
weather and season for the year

Winter chimes

Cold easing its way into homes, bodies and open spaces
Temperatures dropping outside creating a frigid feel to
the body
Animals seeking a warm shelter
Nighttime chills and darkness befall the city
Once again it puts on its nightcap for the sleep that is slowly coming

Winter chimes

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

Sometimes in our darkest times
We are given a miracle of hope
When we want to give up
A thread to something
Comes
Light shining through
A hand reaching out
In the deepest darkness
We need to have faith
To believe
We should never give up
Even in our toughest times
Light will get through
Eventually
Believe
Let that faith light up the world
In the darkness

You are my light
You are my moon
You are my sun
You are my prince
You are my universe

You touch my heart
You touch my soul
You are perfect
You are my universe

You light my world with your presence
You bring joy
You bring deep happiness
You calm the waters
You are my universe

You are my moon
You are my sun
You are my universe
You are my prince
You are my everything
Without you there is no light
Without you there is no life
Looking at you brings me closer to heaven

Imagine that you are sitting
High above the world
In a tall building
It is all bright white
The windows are smoky colored glass
The sky is bright blue with a few white clouds scattered through
The sun is out and it is a beautiful bright day
There is a slight breeze moving through the air-- not too much

As you look out, you can see the ocean
It goes on for miles
It is a deep blue
The waves are slow
Hypnotic
The day is perfect
Just imagine

It’s December
In one of the most wondrous places
Paris
The skies are painted gray
Rain is in the air
A hint of snow perhaps
Apartments have a cold feel

Paris

Yet the streets are adorned
With holiday decorations
Shops show their prettiest wares
Chocolates and goodies

Paris

Churches offer holiday programs
Stores busy with shoppers
Downtown lights decorated with pink
Stores regaled in gold and silver
Cafes full of people sipping coffee
Hiding from the cold
It’s Paris in December