relationships – Colleen Keller Breuning

Presence

Presence

When anguish cuts like steely blade,
Anxiety and pain invade.
Those days when life becomes intense,
I am grateful for your presence.

Let’s seek our solace in the skies:
Gold and crimson winter sunrise,
Full moon fades to halves and crescents.
I am grateful for your presence.

You shower me with faithful love,
The greatest gift from God above.
Blooming in your warm spring essence,
I am grateful for your presence.

When anguish cuts like steely blade
I am grateful for your presence.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2021
December 11, 2021

This Kyrielle Sonnet was written for the Instagram group @hergrowthcollective. The topic for 12/9/21 is “Presence.” Presence is the state or fact of existing, occurring, or being present in a place or thing. It can be a person or thing that exists or is present in a place but is not seen.

For me, the reciprocal presence of loving, genuine people in my life is one of the greatest gifts. I have been so fortunate to be surrounded throughout my life with family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors who really do care. I would never be where I am today without them, and I can only hope that I have also touched them. I am extremely grateful that I have maintained rich relationships with them over the years.

These meaningful relationships go both ways. To some degree, I am present in their lives, and they are present in mine. It does not have to be a physical presence, but rather in my heart and my mind. My adult children and my grandchildren live in Florida, and I try my best to be as present in their lives as possible through texts, messages and FaceTime when I am not visiting. The greatest thrill is being able to see them in person once again. It is so healing to the heart and soul.

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but try to choose one word to abide by or strive for during the year. In 2021, it was “calm.” Sometimes I did not do very well with that word, due to anxiety and stress. There were a lot of life changes and travel, so it was a great focus word for this past year. Perhaps “presence” will be my word for 2022, as I strive to be more present in my loved ones’ lives, savor each moment, and learn to let go of worrying about the past and future. What will your word for 2022 be?

xoxo
Colleen

Mood: Grateful
Inspiration: “No Surprises” by Radiohead

Beyond the Spanish Moss

Beyond the Spanish Moss

Scrub pines and banyans beckon
bedecked with Spanish moss
lazy cumulus clouds drift free
across the periwinkle horizon.

Fiery sun rises opposite the moon
its early morning heat blazing
as the dragonfly silently hovers
alighting on dew drenched lily pad.

The blue heron turns, unblinking
lifts long delicate wings in flight
gliding gracefully across the bay
and the seagulls are calling, calling.

The wind is shifting as waves crash
and there’s a white mist blinding me
tears trickle, my world shifts and tilts
I feel my heart being pulled homeward.

Shall I cling to you like Spanish moss,
move in tandem with balmy breeze?
Might my lips burn like the August sun,
and make the heat rise within you?

Soon our arms entwine and lift in flight
as we soar across the azure sea
sailing far beyond Spanish moss
ascending past the stars into eternity.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2021
July 11, 2021

Paradise

5123 — "Bahama Seagulls"
Colleen M. Breuning (c) 2011

Paradise

A balmy breeze ruffled the palm trees as they lay in the sun, in the sanctuary of their wooden cabana. The gentle surf tumbled and pushed forth, leaving ripple marks in the sugar soft sand. Overhead, black-headed seagulls dipped, scolded and cried out to their mates, landing on the barrier rocks searching for food. If this wasn’t paradise, it was pretty damn close in his mind.

He glanced over at her lying in repose, clad in her new leopard print swimsuit, her skin bronzed by the Bahamian sun. He shut his eyes and thought of their moonlight rendezvous, shuddering with delight. No…. there was no need for bringing back sexy moves or adding spice to their relationship. Last night was proof that it had never left, even at this juncture of their life. He felt blessed that the fires of passion still burned between them. So often he heard coworkers joking and make derogatory remarks about their old “ball-and-chain” wives. She had never been that, and never would be to him. He would never, never give in or stoop so low to say one negative thing about her. True, she had her faults; she was human, after all. But in his mind, she was simply perfect.

He still remembered the very first time he looked into those big brown eyes of hers, how she captivated his heart with her warm Southern accent and her easy manner. They had belonged to others then, but something inside him told him that they were destined to be together. He once confided his innermost feelings to a mutual friend, and it was she who put them back in touch. For that, he would be eternally grateful.

The heat of the April sun was building, and she stirred, stretching lazily like a cat. She asked him if he wanted to take a dip in the ocean with her. They rose and holding hands, strode to the water’s edge. The breakers caressed their ankles and enticed them to wade out deeper. The seawater was shockingly cold until they immersed themselves completely. As they rose out of the water, their skin puckered with goosebumps, they erupted in giggles. She circled her arms around his neck, and he embraced her, carrying her deeper into the water. She sighed and nuzzled beneath his earlobe, whispering that she felt so lucky to be in paradise with him. He told her that no matter where they were, it was always paradise to him. She drew away and looked at him with those big brown eyes, now etched with fine lines, and smiled. As his lips covered hers, her eyes closed and she sighed, floating deeper into paradise beneath the Bahamian sun.

Colleen M. Breuning © 2011
April 25, 2011

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.

Colleen M. Breuning © 2011
March 28, 2011

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……..

Survivor

Blogophilia 4.4 Topic: “This Has Been a Public Service Announcement”

Bonus Points:

(Hard, 2pts): Name three bands from the 1980s
(Easy, 1pt): include the words “take what you can… give nothing back!”

Final date to post: March 29th, 2011 GMT midnight

Final date to post ALL GUESSES: March 26th, 2011 GMT midnight

80s bands used:
Ambrosia, KISS, After the Fire, Poison, Heart, Yes, Tears for Fears, Simple Minds, Genesis, Journey, Survivor

SONY DSC — "Boulder Ablaze" by Kkart-d2y7uog @ DeviantArt (c) 2011

Survivor

It tasted sweet as ambrosia,
that long ago dangerous kiss
one spark of passion
flaming into a wildfire
that ravaged me, consumed me,
raging anger in the night,
the white heat of new star.
After the fire ran its course,
there was nothing left but
spent kindling, smoke and ashes.

I drank from your cup of poison,
I fell for your charms…
seduction then slaughter.
Take what you can…give nothing back
was your motto.
You left my psyche battered,
brow beaten and bruised,
scar upon scar,
a heart turned to stone.

Yes, I pushed aside my needs,
sacrificed my dignity,
trading torrents of tears for fears
hanging tight for dear life,
unable to surrender control,
such a simple concept
that simple minds like mine
could not grasp.

Scared and shivering,
on the brink of demise,
a beam of light shone upon me
through a crack in the window
and I thought I heard a voice
beckoning me towards change.
A warmth flooded my veins,
and an awakening began…
a genesis of sorts.

Brick by brick,
stone by stone
I cobbled together a purpose,
bridged my past to my future,
guided by the sun over my shoulders.
I took the fork in the road
and righted my journey in life,
a delicate pink calla lily
blooming in autumn,
a survivor against all odds.

No, I don’t need you anymore…
I don’t want you anymore…
So stay the hell out of my life.
This has been a public service announcement.
Govern yourself accordingly.

SECRET BONUS POINT GUESSES:

Tattoo you, runner’s high, tribal dance, dancing with the stars, hieroglyphics, run for fun, jazzercize, fleet feet, race to the finish, urn, black beauties, the ides of march, vase, pottery, that’s all I got tonight!