happiness – Colleen Keller Breuning

Searchlight Soul (A Sonnet)

Searchlight Soul

I woke the same as any other day,
Endlessly searching for the black hole sun.
A shattered world tempered with shades of gray…
Searching for traces of light, finding none.

I walk this long and winding road of life,
Endless anxiety laced with duress.
The frigid winds blow through my bitter heart…
Searching for inner peace and happiness.

I breathe in deep to seek release from pain,
But frigid winds blow through my bitter heart.
Oh, won’t you come and wash away the rain…
Searching the universe for a new start.

My spirits will rise with a brand new day…
For I’m a searchlight soul who’s gone astray.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2022
December 17, 2022

Hi everyone! Brrrr, it’s cold out there! I hope everyone is staying warm. Winter is coming! At least in Northern Virginia it is. It has been a very cold and gloomy week, and I have not felt my best. I have been recovering from yet another sinus infection, but feeling much better than last weekend. Ever since I got COVID last November, it seems my immune system is down and I catch every little virus or sickness that passes by me.

This is a little dark piece that was inspired by perusing the different Soundgarden lyrics. I found quite a few that fit with what I wanted to write. I haven’t written a Shakespearean sonnet in a while, so that is always fun for me – like putting a puzzle together. This piece reflects a bit of a passing mood from the other day when it rained relentlessly and I felt crappy. That’s the beauty of writing – write it out, release your crap mood, and then you feel better!! It was supposed to be a snow day, but no snow fell – only some annoying ice which looked so beautiful from my view inside. As for this weekend, it will be time for getting all of my Christmas wrapping done. I am afraid my packages to Florida are going to be a little late in getting out, due to a busy time with the grandkids earlier in the month. But nobody really minds, the grandkids will certainly have plenty of gifts to open from Santa! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend filled with a warm fire and good tidings!

xoxo
Colleen

Mood: Crappy
Inspiration: “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden

Ecrits Blogophilia Week 24.14 Topic: Brrrr, It’s Cold Out There!!
Hard Bonus: Incorporate a lyric by Soundgarden (“I woke the same as any other day”; “black hole sun”; “won’t you come and push the rain away”; and “I’m a searchlight soul”)
Easy Bonus: Mention something money can’t buy (peace, happiness)

Bewilderment

Bewilderment

Summer beckons, delights of June
My eyes are the size of the moon
Gentle breeze caresses the bay
And I won’t let it fade away.

Pour the champagne, the night is young
The taste of passion on my tongue
The weeping willows bend and sway
And I won’t let it fade away.

My wings flutter like mockingbird
Bewildered by your ad hoc words
Winter sun sets in skies of gray
And I won’t let it fade away.

Summer beckons, delights of June
And I won’t let it fade away.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2022
December 3, 2022

Happy Saturday! We are having a blast here with Katie and the grandkids! This is a short off the cuff Kyrielle sonnet that I jotted down this morning. It kind of evolved from the Panic! At the Disco lyric “eyes are the size of the moon.” It’s just a little piece about love, life, and wanting to hold onto the warmest memories we make. We go through so many emotions in life, some bad times along with the good. Sometimes people say things not intending to hurt others, but they are just words. Though it isn’t good to live in the past or the future, it always helps to have beautiful times to bring to mind. It also lets us know that pain and sorrow do not last forever. Sorrow never completely goes away, it can become less intense but then wash over you again like a rogue wave.

I wanted to write about the wonderful time we had at Otium Winery with the grandkids this past Thursday. It was a spur of the moment trip that’s around the corner from our home. The minute we opened our car doors upon arriving, three barn cats ran up to us and greeted the kids with loud meows and purring. They were so excited, since my fraidy cats have only been making very careful appearances for them. The sun was setting at the winery, and we got some beautiful photos of them with the cats. I will always cherish this memory, the picture Katie took of my holding them, cats at their sides, and the beautiful winter sun setting in the background – I adore this and live for these moments!!!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed weekend!
xoxo Colleen

Mood: Thoughtful
Inspiration: “Je Te Laisserai Des Mots” by Patrick Watson

Ecrits Blogophilia Week 22.14 Topic: Bewildered
Hard Bonus: Include a lyric from Panic! at the Disco (“Eyes are the size of the moon” and “pour the champagne”)
Easy Bonus: Use the term “ad hoc”

Sparks of Joy

Sparks of Joy

Soft
cuddles
blazing fire
tender kisses
watching snowflakes fall
by glow of Christmas tree
scent of pines and cranberries
taste of mulled wine upon my tongue
old Christmas carols fill the night air
bringing back memories from my childhood
past, present and future meld in my soul
each moment and adventure savored
grandbabies, travel, wine and love
my heart swells with gratitude
for the life we have made
forever as one
tears sting my eyes
and turn to
sparks of
joy

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2021
December 2, 2021

This Double Etheree format poem was written for the Instagram group @hergrowthcollective. The topic for this week is “What Brings Joy.” I believe that we can choose to experience joy every day, if we are willing to make the effort. Simply gazing at the sun beaming and reflecting off frozen pond waters is a joyous sight to behold. Even if there are clouds in the sky, the gentle pitter patter of rain on the roof brings comfort while nourishing the trees and grass outside.

Christmas and holiday seasons can bring out the best of all joys, though sometimes it can bring on sadness or melancholy. Remember this – the choice is yours. Meditate, think about all the blessings that you do have, and give thanks. Open your eyes and marvel at the simple beauty of the twinkling Christmas tree lights, or the candles on your menorah! No matter what life challenges you are facing at this time (and believe me, there can be MANY), make a commitment to yourself to seek out joy each day.

And here’s the really cool thing – YOU CAN BE THE SPARK OF JOY! Spread good cheer, give genuine thanks to the cashier at the grocery store, notice their name tag and SAY their name, wish them a happy holidays! Outside the store, put a few coins or bills in the Salvation Army kettle and give the ringer a big smile! You will feel your own heart swelling with joy…. it is contagious.

I’m not trying to be saccharine sweet, but really dig down into your heart and realize that despite all of your human wants and needs…. there is so much joy to behold in this world. Find it in your own life, and be that spark of joy. I wish you all a most beautiful and blessed holiday season!

xoxo Colleen

Mood: Joyful
Inspiration: Max Richter, “Dream 13 (minus even)”

The Details

The Details ~ Blogophilia 5.4
Blogophilia 5.4 Topic: “A Crazy Twist of Fate”
Bonus Points:
(Hard, 2pts):Mention 3 Sports (I used curling, wrestling, sailing & hang gliding)
(Easy, 1pt):Use Tap Dancing

Final date to post: April 5th, 2011 GMT midnight
Final date to post ALL GUESSES: April 2nd, 2011 GMT midnight

The Details

It was a snowy day in February
when you first laid eyes on me.
I sat on display in the partner’s office,
my chocolate hair curling down my back.
It fails me when I first spotted you
from behind my glass partition.
Our hearts were tethered to others;
you kept a respectable distance for years.

But I still remember what I was wearing…
a crimson blouse with white piping,
tartan plaid wool skirt and dress boots.

Our lives took different twists and turns —
you moved south and I moved east,
bound by the long cord of mutual friends.
I was wrestling with my desperation,
weary of my mind numbing existence
when you called me that hot night in July.
I don’t remember exactly what you said,
but you sent my heart sailing like a kite.

But I still remember what I was doing…
hand washing dishes in my lavender suit,
sweat dripping down into the soapy water.

It was a sunny day in late November
that we sat in the hotel restaurant
watching sunlight glint on aqua waters,
the seagulls hang gliding in azure skies.
You and I, on the other side of paradise,
gazing into each other’s eyes
and tap dancing around our future.
I can’t recall the exact plans we made.

But I still remember what I was eating…
a cheeseburger with pineapple,
dill pickle spear and a side of fries.

I never went searching for another prince
because I don’t believe in fairy tales.
So perhaps it was predestined
or written in the distant stars,
perhaps it was a crazy twist of fate
that our lives would intersect.
The sands of time fall, memory eludes,
but some details you just can’t forget.

And I still remember how I was feeling…
like the luckiest princess in the kingdom,
to finally have another chance at love again.

Dedicated to my husband Dan!

SECRET BONUS POINT GUESSES:

Mystery lady/mystery woman, masked woman, belle of the ball, masquerade, princess, Cinderella, Mardi Gras, fairy tale, who’s that lady, hoop skirt, hidden, behind the mask, wicked, candelabra, opera candles, burning up, candle crown, phantom of the opera, opera glasses……..