Joy

All the ducks in a row at last

All of the boxes checked and i’s dotted

Time to move and go forward, forward

Packing up everything that makes me, me

Paper, peripherals, clothes, books

Bedroom and office, everything goes

How do I feel now that it’s in motion

Glad for a chance to be myself again

Sad for the loss of moments with grandsons

It’s hard to walk away and make plans

For a new life again, a new place, home

Next comes the carrying of all the boxes

The storage to be emptied on arrival

Open the door to change, confidently

Stepping inside the glass dome of time

Ready and able to feel the joy of earth

Anticipation

Anticipating the good that is coming

The culmination of dreams and hopes

Riding on the bubble of wants and needs

It is so close, so close, so close

And yet, it doesn’t seem right

To hold the breath, close the eyes

Or cross the fingers in waiting

Until the process comes through

And the promise of yesterday

Comes to fulfill all the work done

By little elves and the spirits of good

No, not really them, but our own work

In declaration of what is facilitated

A place and a space for settling in

And allowing the mind to reach out

And relax

Water

Slips right through your fingers

Cool, clear, never staying in one shape

We wash in it, drink it, swim in it

Cook with it, spray it on our grass

Water is the very base of our lives

And like all things that we need

The wealthy try their best to take it away

It is not meant to be sold, but hoarded

Only in a good way, for all people

We must learn to keep it pure

So that we are nourished, healthy

We must also keep it pure for the life

That lives in bodies of water

We must not let our greed for fuel

Override our need for water

We must send our love to Mother Earth

And find ways to restore her heart

Changes

So much to expect when changes occur

The important thing is not to have regrets

Those things that get beneath your skin

Making you itch or burn or panic

We may never know if change is good enough

To bring us happiness and cheer

Until long after the initial impetus fades

But if we stick to our convictions

Hold strong certainty in our hearts

Perhaps we will be able to make our own future

As we declare to the Universe our power

And raise a mighty fist of the conqueror

We can have those things we dream about

If only we have the persistence to fight

Rainbow

Rainbow is the sign of signs

God’s ultimate promise for renewal

The perpetual springtime, new life

Where destruction and implosion passes by

New life will come and sort itself out

What is gone is only gone for a second

Then relief will bring the hope 

For future times and living

The rainbow makes for a banner

The hope and joy that overarches it all

And remains the symbol of eternity

That all of our dreams may soon enough

Manifest in the center of our world

One Light

Searching the night sky

For that one star that lights up the night

Bringing its blessings and warmth

Whether or not there are inhabitants there

We may never know, but good fortune

Comes with each wish spoken to it

And the blue light shares its wisdom

Heals all that has gone wrong in the past

Opens the doorway for the greater good

To brighten up our lives, lighten our hearts

Star of Wonder, give us insight into our truths

Bring us harmony in all our affairs

Light the way for our greater good

And make a plan for the path we are to take

Race Day

You are quickly out of breath as you slip

Past the bleachers where the fans are cheering

You are at the lead with opponents chasing after

The finish line is in sight, but the race isn’t won yet

There are runners close at your heels

They come from both sides as you stay in your lane

Your breath becomes short and heavy

Your legs feel like rubber of a sudden

You reach within you for the extra energy

That comes with the desire to win, to succeed

And here you are, fighting for your right

To be a champion, a hero in the sport

How you suppose you will look when you get your medal

You reach for the grit, the gall

The strength in the pit of your stomach

Your arms are taught as they help you displace

The air that blows in your face as you stride

Ever so closer to the finish line

And now, you pull with each extension of your legs

The sweat pours off your face, you throw up your hands

And with a final beat of your heart, you hit the ribbon

A New Way

Borne on the wind, carrying seeds

The get and offspring of the dandelion

Rise and fall with the tunnels of breeze

We watch as the birds come to eat them

Catching them as they spiral around

And yet, so many will make their way

To the ground, to be implanted

And create the next generation

Those who will serve as nourishment

For the bees and butterflies

The little parachutes of fluff

Set the seeds adrift until long last

They drop to the Earth and settle

Into the soil where they will grow

How like the dandelion and the seed

Are the ideas of humankind, seeking

To nourish the next generation

Helping them to fly through challenges

Until it becomes time to rest, to restore

To replenish and give themselves

A new way

Losing

Losing the walkway as it disappears behind you

Memory fades of all that is past

What you believe you may never know again

Thoughts drift in and out and then they are gone

What you had for breakfast suddenly seems important

But if you try to remember it, it slips away

The fog reaches up to your crown and explodes

Very little is sacred now, not your mind for sure

You remember taking walks, but the stepping stones

Have lost their shine--they are covered in algae

And the next step is never for sure

Faces seem to pop in and out, sometimes familiar

And other times they seem to be new to you

The gifts that used to bring you so much joy

No longer bring the pleasure, the excitement

At last, the greatest joy is a rocking chair

Beautiful

As you look into the mirror, Dear One,

Know this:  you were loved from the first

You were the pride of your father’s eye

And a blessing to your mother’s heart

You were a gift on the very first breath

A creation of the Almighty God

Come to live in the flesh on Earth

And now that you are grown, take this

And believe that you have a mission

Your life is worth much more than you know

It may not be apparent right now,

Yet you were sent here for a reason

It may be, to be a parent of another miracle

It may be to save a life or two

It may be to smile at someone lost

It doesn’t have to be anything big,

But, you see, they are all big things

To the person on the receiving end

As you look into the mirror, Dear One,

Know this:  you are special and important

A beautiful creation of the Almighty God

Waiting

waiting for answers as you sit still

not wanting to scare off the possibilities

breathe so quietly and slowly, no one hears

you can hear your heart beat, and suppose

those in the next room behind the door

can hear your heart beating as well

you learn to relax and not make a sound

it is just how you were told to be

and you are the perfect one, good one

you begin counting the minutes

watching your watch to see how long it takes

perhaps you will make it happen sooner

you practice holding your breath

swing your feet, count the bricks beside you

nothing makes it come faster

answers do not come today, but perhaps soon

Free

you broke my heart long ago

my mind no longer replays the moment

one wonders why love never lasts

but time erases what it cannot fathom

my life has gone on, this I know

that happiness does not belong

to only one and not to others

my heart will thrill to another one day

and little will stop me from love

the path I walk has measured steps

a set pattern of stepping stones

how great to know with certainty

that tomorrow brings Light

that I can find my way out of the tunnel

sweet assurance that I am free

Stress

the feeling of a million ants crawling

on your skin for a moment, then a rest,

and once again they march in circles

occasionally biting with a burn

and then relief comes and they are gone

but your stomach churns and you feel sick

a headache starts to roll in like thunder

first in the front, then the back, too

your eyes flash on the inside

and you feel dizzy, too, and your breath

gets choppy, you try to slow it down

breathe deeply, hold the breath,

let it out slowly, slowly, slowly

you catch yourself in a big, soft chair

hoping that it will all stop now

and as you relax, neck, shoulders

your eyes come back into focus

your skin feels cool, the headache eases

and, for the moment, the stress is over

Ducks

duck flies South in the winter

but comes to the pond in the summer

the wild ones try to swim all around

but the tame ones are bossy

they push them out of their domain

and so it is with all God’s creatures

each one wants its own space, place

to build memories and territory

to protect and establish bossiness

although, perhaps, they want mating rights

and all the females in the vicinity

are the property of the head duck

I imagine someone powerful could speak

and everyone would listen, take to heart

but it all comes down to ducks in a row

The Race

pressing forward, waiting for the starting gun

blood pressure rises, eyes focus on the track

the prize lies somewhere in the foggy future

imagine what you want, it will be there

and yet, the gun does not sound, not today

there are still things that need to be done

is there enough money, can you pay your bills

will there be someone to help you move, settle

will the colors of paint be to your liking

and how about the floors, not carpet you say

and there it is again, everyone poised at the ready

the blocks are cocked under your feet

stirring up the blood, sweat stinging your eyes

you begin to see the cloud dissipating in front

and yet it is far away, or so it seems

focus! focus! keep your mind centered on it

suddenly, the gun goes off and you kick

out of the blocks, stretching your stride

hoping that everyone allows you to win the race

Opportunity

opportunity opens the door allowing the Light

to pass through and shine upon the path

a new lifestyle, a new environment

differing greatly from what was known

unsure where the next step will guide me

change is certain, brightness is uncertain

but as the song says, life is good

so I will put on my best face and smile

walk confidently on my path and be sure

life will turn a corner, but not greatly so

we touch base every day, help, play

the opportunity grows with each passing day

we are closer to what we hope it will be

answers will come in their own dear time

and we can take a step here and there

we don’t know what will come of it

but I like to play the lotto, too

Blessing

labor upon those things that net you gain

not the difficulties that turn over in your mind

think on the beautiful things in the world

deny nothing that brings lightness to your heart

you know very well what it is time to let go of

and you can cherish the good gifts you receive

take a moment to recall the love you are blessed with

don’t deny those who help you along your path

just smile, gift them with an honest offering

and show how you care, how you are grateful

for the things you’ve been given all your life

not the things you missed out on, if you know

that there are reasons you lost something special

but don’t let that loss bring you melancholy

offer the best and brightest part of yourself

and you will be a blessing to all you know

Mirth

They say that counting crows is silly

that “one equals death, two a birth

three, a dream and four, mirth”

that being said, we should talk about omens

which work for some people, if you believe

and that others cannot see

what is right before them

but those who know the way of the Earth Mother

will be able to tell a great deal

about the changing of the weather

the life of what we see in abundance

do they move just so?  what of their song?

there are subtle differences, you know

but if I were to choose, I like mirth

Beginnings

all things new and fresh to start

the hopeful path opens slightly

uncertainty walks before the dream

making, waking, taking steps today

unsure, self-honesty, filled with anxiety

always, but taking the steps anyway

being the brave one, the craven one

new roads now begin to open up

feeling the pressure that Jupiter brings

allowing myself to feel the joy

getting ready to spread my wings

whatever is ready to come will come

and I shall be ready to greet them

for now is the time for beginnings

Together

I seek out the light with my heart

I know there are others as well

the future is uncertain for now

we must encourage each other

walk through the storm, the shadows

what we want is to rise in the sunlight

giving our gifts to one another

our love, our extra, our time

each person shares what they have

whether it means to give from the heart

or to serve as we are talented

moving forward, holding hands

we have the right, the impulse

the persuasion to give and share

let us close out the darkness

that tells us otherwise

and we will move forward together

Playing Cards

crack open a fresh deck and cut

the way the card sharks do

snap, bridge, flutter them back

again and again as you shuffle

and finally they are where you like

a quick cut from your neighbor

and they are ready to deal

fascinating as you shoot them out

around the table to each player

they slide as they move toward home

each person picks up his stack

carefully eyeing the cards dealt

they hold their faces still and yet

each one has his tell if you will

once the game starts, each person

will narrow the eyes and scratch

the hairs on his chin, and pull them

each movement a sign of good or bad

cards in his hand

Dream Home

nestled in the trees so tight

a little space I find delight

it matters little how it comes

I find it makes a lovely home

and while the money isn’t there

perhaps one day, I’ll win and care

for such a beautiful, sweet abode

where I can write and chill in mode

and if the Good Lord sees to fit

that when my treasure on me lit

I hope to live in luxury

yet I will still, always be me

and if I have what I desire

I will thank God, not a liar

this is what I want to say

where I want to live and play

Washing Windows

washing windows to make them clear

rub-a-dub, swish, make them dear

how the water runs in streams

as you wash the glass

move the rag around the surface

surely it will pass

and then spray on the windex next

so dry them with a towel

they become so shiny clean

the sun glistens as it passes

through the window making light

for all my plants

how delightful as my heart lifts

and the luck of the day touches

good things occur, as it might

but now I see so more, so much

Making Toast

my favorite breakfast is two slices of toast

you gather the bread, wheat, if you like,

and gently slide the slices into the toaster

top side up if they’re tall slices

one side up if they’re small slices

and then you wait, and wait, and wait

hopefully it will finish in your lifetime

but finally, it comes up in a pop

and you can grab your slices, gingerly

because they will be very hot!

put them carefully on your plate

and scour the frig for butter or the like

hoping the toast will still be hot enough

to melt the butter, making it mellow

ah! there you have it! the butter is found

and quickly, slather it on your toast

once done, the melted butter is lovely

and what do you suppose should go on top?

maybe jam or jelly or peanut butter

or my favorite:  cinnamon and sugar

you have a masterpiece for dining

and when you go for a taste

your mouth waters and the toast is divine

Imagining

imagining the best in life

not staying to the path you stride

forward, ever forward, eyes forward

making more of yourself than you thought

possibly living the dream

though you come from nothing

for you can grow and reach at length

for the one thing that makes it heaven

the fulfillment of your wishes

ask and you shall receive the best

and if you embody all that you desire

you will be atop the mountain

in no time, as it were, smiling

and living your best, your desire

you have, you will be, all you imagine