On Being Free

Somewhere in the vast expanse of

Earth, air, sea and sky

The fires born of freedom soar

And beg to question why.

 

And banners wave as flags unfurl

And anthems waft the air

As those who paid the price

Are eulogized with loving care.

 

The faithful find her favor

As the doubters weigh her fate,

While the soft sweet song of freedom

Lays her feast upon my plate.

 

And grateful for her kindness, 

And thankful for her grace,

And longing for her loving smile

To bless the human race;

 

To fill every corner with her light

And issue her decree, to

Give every heart a moment

To reflect

                  On being free.

 

Move On

The sadness has a part in it,

Especially at the start of it,

The grieving at the leaving and

The strength it takes to cope.

The going on without

Begets a constant nagging doubt,

The struggle not to lose all sense of hope.

 

There are memories to keep,

Lasting memories so deep

Filled with caring,

Never sharing with the crowd,

Like a sweet breeze gently blowing,

Kind reminder filled with knowing

Silent promises that no one speaks out loud.

 

And the healer takes his measure,

Always vigil with such treasure,

Oh, so clever

Heaven never comes undone.

And the soft sweet scent of heather

Gives the promise of forever

And the humble strength to quietly

Move on.

 

Snow Days

Snow plows and shovels

Clop-clanging on concrete

Disturbing the reverent silence as we

Learn the days breaking story,

The forecast, the details all

Measured in inches

Right down to the hub.

 

Exposures and closures

Await smiling children with

Thoughts of sown angels,

Snow forts and snow battles in

Mittens and mufflers with

Snowmen companions, they

Race hills and canyons of

Fresh fallen flurries.

 

No workday to bother,

No wretched commute, just

A clearing of sidewalks

To get to the curb, then

Watching the splendor, the

Trees dippy-dancing.

 

I sip my hot cocoa

And quietly smile.

 

Sunshine and Butterflies

Life doesn’t always bring sunshine and butterflies,

Pink clouds and starry skies are

No guarantee.

It can all disappear right there before your eyes,

Whippoorwill softly cries,

“Just let it be.”

 

There will be better days

Waiting ahead

Wafting in sweet harmony,

Banking off promises,

Memory’s fed,

Whispering softly how good life can be.

 

No more excuses.

No more sad alibis

Followed by lonesome sighs,

Washed by the breeze.

Off tilting windmills beyond

Where the eagle flies,

Sunshine and butterflies

Fill all my dreams.

 

Buster

Buster came to bless our souls but a short time

Early in our lives;
Just one among a litter,

Nothing special, not as I recall.

‘Bout two shades shy of adorable,

A flop-eared, stumbling, bumbling pup;

Long-tongued, face-lapping beagle hound

With a touch of bird dog wanderlust.

 

Ravenous, bottomless biscuit chaser

Eager to please when food was about.

Relentless hunter leading the pack,

Howling while others lagged yapping in tow.

Fearless protector of all his domain,

Loyal to those who belonged to his court.

Even his feline companions were cherished

When danger drew near to require his defense.

 

Buddy. Companion. Guardian. Friend.

A king in his kingdom.

A pauper at heart.

We thought that our brotherhood would last forever.

If only he hadn’t loved chasing cars.

 

I Choose Happiness

Sometimes my world gets turned around.

Seems like I’m flying upside-down,

But I never lose.

When left to choose,

I chose happiness.

 

The days go by so fast, it seems,

As I run chasing my fondest dreams.

I cast my nets

Without regrets.

I choose happiness.

 

Though dark clouds come

To block the sun

I never let it get me down.

I know that time is on my side

And fate will guide me where I’m bound.

 

There’s just one thing I have to say,

And it’s a lesson for every day.

My message clear

To every ear,

I choose happiness

A New Year/ New Beginning

Patience, Sweet Serenity,

You must learn to pace yourself.

No vacuous rules say

You must rush in fervent quest

To reign the world.

Seek instead that tiny nook

That fills your heart and mind with joy,

Even now as you employ

This new beginning,

One year ending,

Opening a pristine book.

 

Much that changed

Remains the same.

Must refocus to retain

The object of this seekers dream.

Nothing quite the way it seemed

As Midnight gives with soft caress

The promise of Her silent kiss.