Angel Dance

courtly dancing couples twirl

barely touching the ground or each other

a lean here, a bend there, tap, tap,  tap,

spin ‘round and begin once again

such is the dance of heavenly royalty

their wings flutter ever so tenderly

making a scene like a shaken snow globe

these angels are creators of beauty to the eye

as each passes they brighten the earth

and caress the vision of the nightfall

the more who dance the greater the blessing

we call them by virtue of love and truth

the more life in our smiles and laughter

the more power the angels have to paint

landscapes and sunsets and flowers to behold

Stillness

lying so still one can barely see a breath

no movement from the eyes but a stare

thoughts turning like the blades of a windmill

notice the scent of the flowers in the vase

listening to the din of voices down the corridor

and the echo of tunes on the radio next door

waiting for the arrival of a friendly face

a nurse bringing medication on daily rounds

a therapist stretching limbs, softening muscles,

a loved one who brings a smile, a touch, a wish

to live in the past when life was joyful, pleasant

once one is gone, life will be a shadow

full of the spectrum of gray light that tears

a heart to shreds and makes one suppose

that the end of the path is in sight

Wolf

Spirit, teacher, watcher, guide

leads the path to earth and sky

as you track the wise one’s steps

miracles abound if you allow

walking softly through the forest

not a sound from footfalls plenty

watching, waiting, guarding, sensing

move when he moves, pause when he pauses

learn the value of moderation

always enjoy plenty in harsh times

awash in swiftly moving water

swim and fish if it strikes you so

enjoy the sun as a long-lived friend

tell the moon your sacred secrets

rest in the heat of the day

and hunt to keep warm at night

all the forest bows to wolf

Spirit, teacher, watcher, guide

Surprises

little surprises can sometimes make the day

while other times they broker sadness, confusion

what, then, is the least that we can say?

guard your emotions, moderation in all things

tender goodwill to everyone you meet

thinking the best of them, but be not blind

to the faults of their wish for deceit

for then you are open to the surprise of pain

sorrow can only result for them as soon

they will have to burrow into a den of loneliness

as karma strikes with kickbacks to make you swoon

and no one wishes to play when punishment comes

be that as it may the bright sun rises each day

and if one chooses a bad path, he will pay

Courage

courage in the face of extremes

the Self sacrificed to serve others

knowing there is not enough strength

money, power, protection, resources

yet the shoulder is pitted against the wall

so thick, so hard the word “miracle” is all

that is left to hope upon, pray for,

and belief in the ability to chip through

with sufficient repetition, pressure,

turns the opponent with mercy, love,

it must be the inverse of expectation

but courage in the face of extremes

is the source of love, of desire

to unify, to harmonize our world

Gifted

sounds that no one can hear bring the night

turning, churning, learning in phases

emptiness pushes past the reckoning, and, yes,

success follows, filling the blanks, making good

on promises that stand the test of time

where what is truly right grants its gifts

in golden plated skies, up, up and beyond

the vision on this earthly plane

for the sky, the inner existences is infinite

and the compliance with the dreams

that start and end our days is sanctified

by the connection with the Holy All, today,

each day, given superb light to walk the path

Lyra

the harp in the night sky

so serene does it play

can we not dance and spin, a nigh

and cast our path along her way?

sparkling lights the heart turns to fire

great globe and small enhance her beauty

so refined are her lines, we admire

them, as if it sang as Orpheus’ duty

myths go on as dreams and stories bold

never to pass into obscurity by retelling

ancient gods, their pity rarely turned to gold

but for true love were their tears oft’ rebelling

aeons ago man and gods intertwined

romance, passion, power divined

Tricky

tricky business walking the high wire

the circus life is not for faint-hearted

even the clowns must emote on cue

the trapeze moves back and forth swinging wide

and the metronome makes the music keep time

it all happens for a reason as there is rhyme

the fortunate ones, up the mountain they climb

satire, comedy, drama makes the mime

tall buildings in the cities make one weary

for here the competitors rise and grow, too

they’re just man-made mountains that fall

when the magic charges are placed just so

and the symphony harmonizes with drum beats

you can’t escape what a corporation eats

the present boxes the past, we all take our seats

in the arena, hoping for a champion’s feats

give it more, give it less, everyone complains

cruelty, amity, there will always be stains

never, never fly with the crow who remains

in your heart you know the truth and it always brings pains

Shining Stars

laying on the cold grass, my eyes among the stars

the vision of tomorrow calls me home

a wayward thought, the life it brought,

tripping o’er my own feet to greet

a million little reasons to come out of the mud

shining stars send me the energy from above

I will go my way where the Fates display

the passion, bliss and chances as I tiptoe

among the brush along the creek side

peeking out to search for meaning in the depths

oh, I want the wise old oak to tell me

signature on the bottom line for good

then a path that goes on stepping stones

right into that field of shining stars