Smile

What is this thing that causes a smile
Not the one on your face, but the one in your heart?
The one that is warm and so full of life
To kindle this smile is there some kind of art?
I look all around me and see smiles of all kinds
Upturned mouths that say much of what’s on their minds.
The smile that is given as though it’s a chore
And the smile that says “Dear, you could be so much more.”
The vacant eyed one that hurts more than it helps
Or the tight one that seems more like a yell.
The smile with a slap as you’re stabbed in the back
Please tell me what is it that all these smiles lack?
Where is the warmth that comes with good cheer
What is the thing that causes such fear…….
Is it so hard to reach out and give a small part
Of the warmth and the love that you feel in your heart?
Must it always be judged by the praise that you need
Is it all just a matter of personal greed?
Love has a smile that knows no real bounds
It flows outward freely and follows the sounds
Of the life-beat of others, their needs and their cries
And the smile it produces, it reaches your eyes.
This is the smile that I so want to wear,
The one that speaks clearly to the fact that I care
For each inspiration is a gift given back
And really enriches my soul’s hollow lack.
Perhaps if I smile from the heart, and I give
One of these days I may learn how to live.

Happy New Year!

My computer crashed yesterday. I guess it will be a while before I get my art up and running. I wish each of you the best year yet!

Peace

During this hectic winter season, I wish each of you one perfect moment of peace.

I will be gone for a while. I have a tumor in my right kidney, and surgery is scheduled for Thursday. I will be back as soon as I am strong enough to sit at the computer and create.
Be good...play nice. There is too much hurt in this world as it is......peace.

Tiger

Tiger, tiger burning bright?
Not this time I fear………
Running, ever running, always on the move -
The reasons not remembered, obscured within the mood,
And promise of new freedom, running with the lies
Taking reason’s chances, and dreaming of the prize…
Tiger can’t you see it- Don’t you really know?
You have to take you with you, wherever ere you go.
Tell yourself the reasons, believing that they’re true,
And yet, sometimes I wonder
Just who is fooling who.
Tiger stop, and listen, to the feelings in your heart.
Then and only then……….
Can you make a true new start.

Today

Today . .. I wish you all a day of ordinary miracles

Listen!

Can you hear it? The approach of winter riding in on the coat tails of autumn. Slowly, teasingly, it sneaks forth on silent wisps. Fooling the senses, hidden within the south wind and the smell of well thawed earth. It is coming. Soon, too soon, it will freeze the ground solid. Deathlike, the trees will stand as silent sentinels to the sky. Harsh, cold and unfeeling…..yet deep within the core of each thing, the renewal of life glimmers. Hold tight, keep safe. It’s just a fleeting moment, that’s all. A fleeting moment with a stark beauty all it’s own. Listen……………..WINTER.

Crystal Dragons

The Thanksgiving Duck

Thanksgiving Day was approaching
The men all went out to hunt
Mom wanted a great big turkey
They came back with a single duck.
She cleaned, and plucked, and cooked it
With orange sauce and tea ,
Brought it out to the table -
Where sat twenty three…
Her nerves were a little frazzled
She wasn’t sure what to say,
A tiny little duck to serve
Here on Thanksgiving Day.
Then Uncle Bud, with grin so wide
Did break the silence there,
He stood up tall and looked around,
Then sat down in his chair.
"I’m thankful for this bounty
The food’s not great but look!
We have good health - each other,
We’ve kids, and dogs, and books".
Then each in turn spoke up to say
How thankful they each were
For friendships and the blessings
Among the many there.
Somewhere within that laughter,
The talk, the smiles, and such
The dog snuck up and snagged it -
That ‘ol Thanksgiving duck.
But no one seemed to notice,
Their hearts were full you see,
Who cares if dog got lucky
Stuffed full of duck with tea.
Perhaps it’s not the food you eat
Or how you serve the goods
It’s counting all the blessings,
Remembering all the thoughts,
That bring us here together
Whether families or online -
Happy Thanksgiving wishes all!
Have a "bountiful" time.

Waiting for Pie

Flight of a Thousand Geese

They came last night in that time just after sunset. Wave after wave of Canadian geese flying out of the West. Hundreds of them broken into separate groups, heading away from the newly set sun to find a place to settle for the night. I had never seen anything like it, and like a small child I was enthralled. This morning while we were feeding the horses, a sound began to build. The roar of a million people applauding……it was surreal. Like sleepy humans suddenly discovering that they are late for work, the geese rose in one great thundering mass. They were too far away to see, and never hearing anything like it before, the horses showed signs of panic. They wanted to run, but the people they trusted were standing at ease and looking to the sky. Being the trusting beings that they are, those horses stood still, the only evidence of their panic instinct showing in their erect posture and wildly flashing eyes. As the geese approached, they once again broke into separate groups, each heading toward an unknown destination. I can fully understand now why ancient man believed his world to be populated with gods and spirits. It was amazing…..truly amazing.