Lips stained purpleFrom the wine Wisdom born From the pain of time Stings so sweetly, So completely Gives as freely As it takes away
Nothing on Earth Can stop the silly grin When, finally, you pause To take it in and realize That these, my dear, Are the golden years
Simple but not simplistic, this life Time, not to be wasted,
is forever fluid and relative
we are all one, everything connected
the Universe is the most wondrous web ,
more vast than we can yet fathom
knowing this, I feel comfortably small
For now, I find myself delightfully contented
to feel the sunshine on my face, to laugh,
experience love.
Forever grateful I am to still have mysteries
left to ponder and a single cup
of good green tea well within my grasp.
In times of troubleAngels tread upon the Earth. These pin drops of light Illuminate all souls from within and help soothe our pain
In this time of joy It is amazing to witness just such an angel bask in good fortune, so well deserved
May happiness shine upon each step of your path And may the kindness you've bestowed come back to you and never flee and may each day of your life bless-ed be
Snowfall Surrender
Thin and lean in the warm humidity I thrive, more suited to a tropical clime
but tonight the snow falls softly and its white brightness is a welcomed respite from gray halos encircle the street lamps Christmas music plays
wistful childhood memories dance around me sledding, with a wealth of years to go I’ve held this grimace long enough it’s time to embrace this season and surrender to the snow
You’ve felt the hungerof your dreams pangs of obliqueness from that nameless, faceless hunger that gives you no pride, no shame fluid thoughts of a world draped in fixed opinions of Peace ever-searching for the answer to overcome the id and wonder what you ever did before your eyes were opened but experience weathers away your frame of mind slowly, relentlessly, minute by minute, hour after finite hour, wisdom overpowers until all you have left is the answer.
Your true self calls like the oceanshimmers, vibrant as the sun and feels as comfortable as cool clover between your toes
we all know that you’re back again and each time we see that smile is a precious gift
to the delight of all those who love you the hearts around you sing your aura is now so clear and true Your soul has found its wings
Each dawn is a chance to realize that all you’ve ever wished for is a decision away your dreams hang heavy, so ripe and sweet just ready to be plucked from their vines
we all see that you’re back again and, oh, how you’ve been missed
to the delight of all those who love you the hearts around you sing your aura is now so clear and true Your soul has found its wings.
Up until nowit’s all been empty fiction
time… can we afford to squander?
lingering in the midst of every nuance. if only, if only
giving until there’s nothing left to hold on to,
nothing but total blue
we must struggle with a world where the deepest of feelings go unspoken
until we can look into each other’s eyes with no regrets.
This is a collection of poetry that I wrote for a children's book years ago. I partnered with a great illustrator, Linda Pigman who created the pen and ink illustrations.The book will be similar in format to Shel Silverstein's, "Where the Sidewalk Ends". Each poem contains a kernel of a childhood memory. I am currently seeking a publisher for this book. If you know of anyone who may be interested please let me know, the art is done as well.
The Mean Lady On The Porch
She’s so old and mean, she sits and stares watching us with her icy glare
Is she mad at us for bouncing a ball Or is it because we’re four feet tall?
Does she frown at us girls and boys ‘cause we make far too much noise?
Sean says she’s just plain mean and so does Matt They said if she smiled, her face would crack!
Tanya told the story and Chris approved Of how the lady once had her smiler removed!
This all seemed so silly, I thought to myself As I put the ball back on the shelf
There was a flower in the yard I picked it, sighed and swallowed hard
And walked up to her, saying with a smile Hi, I’ve lived next door for quite a while
I’m glad I’m your neighbor and just want to say hi then a tear streamed down from her eye
After we talked a while I saw she wasn’t mean Sometimes people aren’t what they seem!
Red Rubber Ball
How I wish I could be a red rubber ball Ben could bounce me, then I’d be tall!
Curt could kick me and have lots of fun I’d roll along faster than people could run!
Brooke would dribble me ‘til I got dizzy During recess is when I would be busy!
It all sounds like more fun than one boy can take Besides, a red rubber ball can’t eat chocolate cake!
Secret Playground
Tucked away where no one can find it, it’s our own space my playground, your playground, our own special place.
Grown-ups can’t find it ‘cause they’ve forgotten the way Most of them think work’s more important than play
Me, I’ll keep coming here to slide down the slide Whoosh we race down as we giggle inside
My stomach gets queasy as we teeter and totter If I could only explain to my mother and father
How much fun can be had on one simple swing It sparks my mind to imagine incredible things
While climbing on top of the huge monkey bars I pretend I’m a spaceship floating high in the stars
Let’s never forget the way to our own special places that once painted bright smiles on our tiny faces.
Wake Up Juice
Six o’clock in the morning is way too early I’d rather sleep one more hour and have to hurry
My eyelids are droopy, the world is all fuzzy The sun isn’t even up but the alarm clock’s buzzing!
I’d be loose as a moose, or is it a goose? If I could just have one sip of wake up juice
The dark brown juice that fills dad’s cup, Its aroma fills the air as the steam floats up
It wakes dad up fast and makes him alert But he says I can’t have it cause I’m just a squirt.
The First Snowflake
The sun hangs high in the morning sky In the cooling air the first snowflake flies It flutters down for all to see and gets lost among the fallen leaves
it’s not long before his friends arrive more tiny flakes from Autumn skies
like diamonds shining pure and bright they glitter in the morning light
the air grows brutally frigid as North winds blow and the leaves get lost beneath the snow
if all is well and all is right and this continues through the night
we’ll dash for the door, mittens in hand to begin this Winter’s first SNOWMAN!
Snuggle Monkey
When I’m feeling down, in need of a hug When the world has no sympathy, he’s never smug
I just call his name and he’ll be right there he’s much hipper than some stuffed bear!
He doesn’t like bananas or swinging from trees Brussels sprouts, gingerbread, spiders or fleas
Just put on some music and watch him get funky He’s the one and only snuggle monkey
He’ll break into song whenever he pleases And likes to say, “Bless you” when anyone sneezes
He never makes a mess, or gets me in trouble I’m so very glad I have a monkey to snuggle!
A Fat Cat For A Hat
As Tammy lay down to go to sleep She cracked her book, sipped her tea And smiled as she looked at me She had a fat cat for a hat
You see, after she lay down in her bed a fat cat wrapped himself around her head and got himself warm while she read She had a fat cat for a hat!
her auburn hair was nice and soft as he snuggled in and drifted off on the nightstand her book was tossed she fell asleep with a fat cat for a hat!
Bookloft
There’s a wonderful place with rooms to roam thirty-two to be exact and each feels like home it's the Bookloft, nestled in the Village
Be careful, for if you lose your way You may wander lost for many days and read about everything from pies to plays in the Bookloft, nestled in the Village
Follow red brick streets and you’ll be there have the courage to go where not many dare Start the journey of knowledge and lose your cares in the Bookloft, nestled in the Village.
Shy Sly
Shy sly was so shy that he would close his eyes whenever he saw a stranger
but shy Sly, the poor guy feel into a hole, why? he never did see the danger.
Edgar’s Bike Shop
Whether it’s a big red bicycle with a old rusty chain Or a small tricycle that clickity-clacks like a train
Before you give up and throw it away, ask Edgar to fix it, he does everyday
Ask any kid on the block and they’ll tell you the way there’s no sign out front and he’s not open everyday
If you’re lucky Edgar will be in his garage with jumpsuit and wrench Leaning over a bent up old bike clamped to a green wooden bench
There’s no wheel that’s too crooked or flat tire he can’t seal If he’s in a good mood you’ll get a great deal
handlebars will be fixed for a few jellybeans chocolate bars will get you miraculous things
most days he’s quiet grumpy to tell you the truth but his mood is improved right through his sweet tooth.
The Barber’s Secret
Barbers now for many years, instead of cutting hair, have lowered ears
once you’d see a pile of hair on the floor but no you won’t see that anymore
they’ll tap the end of your ear with a comb quietly mumble their magic barber’s poem
and quickly each ear slides down an inch so fast it makes fooling you a cinch
Barbers now for many years, Instead of cutting hair, have lowered ears
Life takes me further from the places that can stop timeand can bring me back to visit that person I once was young and so carelessly naïve, taking for granted that forever was mine to behold and the world was always well within my grasp
now I find myself growing from dreams of wealth into true richness, savoring each moment’s singularity so easily lost in a Boccherini quintet at dusk as the candles flicker with a simple meal to fill my stomach and a humble wine to wash it down.
the middle years, they bring such a profound sense of well-being a contentment that youth can never know soon so deep will be the divide that one day we will pass as strangers and will say goodbye with only a nod going our separate ways, shrinking away on the horizon like some fading memory.
Mother Earth sobs,under the weight of our vanity she struggles to feed her children
the frigid winds blow the whimpers of her pain ever-scattered but the almighty dollar deafens her cries as minds are further dulled by the distraction of this race going nowhere
Open misconceptions until you're safely gathered inthey serve to dull the nagging ache of wicked little sins born from wondrous worlds bathed in astral light we grow desirous hearts plagued by earthly plight all appears to be Babel to a heart yet unraveled you will see clearly when your soul is well-traveled serendipitous thoughts flood in to fuel the flame as wisdom slowly roasts the seeds of blame in the middle path lies a truth so pure joy that can't be quelled, pain that can't be cured when the sun is setting and it's time to wander home the devil gets the flesh and the Lord gets the bones.
the sun will rise,the clock will turn time will pass, as it always has
evil will exist injustice will be done the poor will suffer, as they always have
ready yourself drink in the knowledge open your eyes, as they hope you won’t
there will be a time when the weak will stand! And we will all bask in a humble morality.
Feeling as I’ve felt beforeinwardly sullen in evening hours
unfolding fathoms within myself wanting constant peace for evermore
laughing as I’ve laughed before in vast commotion I’m forever reborn
never wanting to escape the crowd existing so carefree, a smile breaks
living as I’ve lived before learning to decipher life’s cryptic tongue
infinite cycles eternally revolving in a concept that most cannot yet grasp.
When the routines of lifeshroud my peace and cause me to wander lost
I long to be a small fish in a big pond,
to lose myself in the bright spot of the next road’s vanishing and to be born again in foreign eyes
I then awaken in remembrance that happiness isn’t meant to be rationed out like thin grey gruel
each day's dawn is a sweet symphony and as long as I hear the music my dreams will have to die another day.
One sipof genmai life becomes a beautiful sigh
nothing now exists
but a steaming bowl of soba
spicy tuna rolls
and a kind of kindred peace that makes tolerable the troubles of the day.
these are wordssimple words that like slow Spring rain, fall softly to silence
a bridge between minds yours and mine are these words that reach out through time
to hold a few precious moments of your life
these words.
Of all these things I covet,all that I've loved to pieces until they are no more you are my greatest enigma my touchstone, the thief of my heart your words drip as your soul skips through the next field of daisies
the words you've said will echo through the ages in my head and will wrap me in warmth on cold days true love is but a wellspring of patience in disguise
I feed upon the sky at nightas the last ribbon of sun is gone, the darkness envelopes this place I sit four thousand breaths from dawn
my eyes embrace the ancient light as countless have before, as crickets sound a seamless chirp from grass down by the shore
time’s a faint and faded concept the years converge as one, miles are merely memories to be brushed away and shunned
reality is obsolete before the evening’s shepherd moon, my eyes open to realize it’s four thousand breaths from noon.
I am four generations removedfrom a world unrecognizable, a world without walls, truth of word and of law but ultimately just another domino to fall in the name of progress
Imagination can only give a glimpse But the seed of memory is strong in me Often bubbling up as effervescent Wisdom whispering in my thoughts
The forest is where I come to worship its great canopy, my cathedral branches gently swaying in the breeze to the melody of birdsong, its beautiful choir I connect with Nature in all her majesty, the supreme intelligence behind it gives order to the chaos again grounds and humbles me leaving everything right again
just a brief respite from our unbalanced existence but it helps to quell the sadness of the sorry state we’re in then the Native Sun tells me to open my eyes and see that humanity is finally beginning To awaken from a slumber long huddled in Cimmerian shade
Our family is being remade before our very eyes And the children of new world are an amalgam much stronger than the first, now a harmony unimaginable can be visualized Shimmering in the not so distant twilight, and felt flowing towards our shores Truth and destiny cannot forever be hushed
And to the Native Sun I whisper back, “please hurry”.
