The sun is settling down gently, casting shadows upon western peaks. Baby bunnies scurry towards the brush as the lonely catbird speaks.
Clouds refract soft pastel hues, cotton candy melting in the skies. A spark of joy ignites my heart, and I am dancing with the fireflies.
I chase the summer solstice, down to the wooden bridge. I leap through golden meadows towards the mountain’s ridge.
The deer are grazing with their fawns in the glades upon blueberry hill. The scent of lilac perfumes the air, as the balmy breeze grows still.
Beyond the bend, I catch my breath to rest in dewy fields of green. The strawberry moon rises to greet me, its ambient glow pink and serene.
As I settle by the water’s edge, the frogs begin their symphony. Their music strikes a lonely chord, and I wish that you were here with me.
I send a message to you on the zephyr wind, beyond the stars and shimmering moonglade. The secrets of nature are waiting for us, with a multitude of promises to be made.
So make your way down to our secret pond and you will find me waiting there, with taste of honeysuckle on my tongue and the scent of summer in my hair.
I started this piece on my birthday, after observing nature on a walk at the end of the day. I jotted down a few stanzas and then forgot about it, in the busy-ness of life, work and travel. As I was recovering from bronchitis and pneumonia this week, I came across it reading through my poetry notebook and put the finishing touches on it. It’s a tribute to the beauty and delights of summer. I hope you enjoy, along with this music which complements it and was actually playing as I wrote the piece. (If you know me, I rarely write in silence, music always inspires….) xoxo Love to all, Colleen
Mood: Summer Inspiration: Sophie Hutchings “Sunlight Zone”
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
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)”
blue skyline miles above Florida greens floating in white clouds yellow sun blazes bright a thought pops into my head and I wonder, are we there yet fast descent, rolling down the tarmac I catch her in the distance, eyes brown dance she’s the queen of hearts, she colors my world running to me with arms open wide in her crown of golden pigtails I’m mesmerized by her smile she melts into my arms enchanting giggles she is my joy the essence of true love
For my sweet Posie, who actually came running to meet me at the airport yesterday, excited and smiling! It brought tears to my eyes and warmed my heart completely! She is truly a joy…. Posie, you light up my world with a color of rainbows! I love you sweetheart. xoxo Nanny Bee
My Posie Mae
SECRET BONUS PHRASES:
1. Broken pavers 2. Follow the yellow brick road 3. Oddballs and misfits 4. Just trying to fit in 5. Standing out in a crowd 6. Filling a hole 7. Brick House 8. Broken/breaking the pattern 9. Sticking out like a sore thumb 10. Square peg in a round hole (or vice versa)
The skies gleamed with crystal blue persuasion, beckoning me to the water’s edge. I stared in wonder as the seagulls frolicked and dipped into the sea. Wispy cirrus clouds floated by at a leisurely pace, and I longed to touch them. A slight breeze stirred, and the crash of the breakers called to me. I couldn’t have asked for a more picture perfect beach day.
This is exactly what my soul needed. The anxieties of life had worn me down, my nerves were frazzled and sleep eluded me. I was in search of peace. God knows I would have been content to just lie in the sand, toasting my skin to a golden brown. A rum flavored cocktail topped with an umbrella is all I really wanted. That, and perhaps a good book to immerse myself in.
But my friends were insistent. It would be the experience of a lifetime, they said. Life’s too short. Go big or go home. Don’t be a wuss…
So I swallowed my apprehension. I gave in to the pressure.
As I stepped tentatively onto the stern of the idling charter boat, my eyes were drawn to the name hand painted on its hull. The Whatchamacallit. Not a very reassuring name for a sea worthy vessel. The wind began to pick up, and the boat responded, bobbing back and forth beneath my Skechers. My heart beat furiously, and pit of my stomach burned. I wasn’t sure if this was excitement, fear… or a little of both.
The boat captain smiled broadly, thrust a life vest into my hands, then buckled me into a harness. I held on for dear life, gripping the leather straps. Returning to the midsection of the craft, he gunned the motor and ventured forward at a slow clip toward the western horizon. As the rushing wind gathered beneath the colorful parasail, it puffed up like a curtain blowing in the window. The tow rope grew longer, and my body was lifted like a balloon, high above the aqua sea.
The balmy breeze kissed my cheeks as I skimmed weightlessly across the fields of blue. My chest filled with euphoria, adrenaline pumped through my blood. I let out a squeal. So this is how it feels to be a bird! I reached out my hands to touch the soft cotton clouds, hopping from one to the next. The people on the beach below me looked like ants, and I waved to them from my perch.
Pure joy coursed through my veins. I was so lost in the delights of flying that I didn’t hear the snap. A sharp jolt, and suddenly I was adrift, scaling to new heights. Then as the parasail lost momentum, I plummeted feet first toward the sea. Terror seized my heart.
I opened my mouth to scream, but nothing came out. My body hit the surface with a loud slap, and plunged underwater violently. The impact rattled my bones, the sound shattering my eardrums. Dead silence. Everything faded to black before my wide open eyes.
Floating, the undercurrents pushed me down. A brilliant white light beckoned in the distance of the ocean depths. I swam toward it, my limbs gliding effortlessly beneath the frigid water. Never before had I held my breath this long. Oddly, my lungs now were one with the sea.
In time, I rose up beyond the confines of my watery grave to the sanctity of the cottony clouds. I watched as my loved ones built a memorial on the beach. Saw them wipe the tears away, then drive off to laughter-filled gatherings. But time marches on, and misfortune tests the sincerity of friends. They eventually stopped coming to pay tribute and moved on with their lives. They forgot about me.
But up here, I am never alone. At night, I am cocooned in the warm arms of the maternal clouds. When daybreak spills across the crystal blue skies, my heart soars. I ruffle my feathers, spread my wings and join in with the seagulls, dipping down toward the sea.
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.
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……..
Colleen Keller Breuning 