In the Mountains

In the Mountains

There is a calm before the storm
Beyond the place where black winds form.
Miles away from cacophony,
Where the soul finds serenity.

Breathe in the pristine country air,
Observe the beauty everywhere.
Blue skies stretch for infinity
Where the soul finds serenity.

Here in the mountains I shall stay
As the winter sun fades away.
Resting here for eternity,
Where the soul finds serenity.

There is a calm before the storm
Where the soul finds serenity.

Colleen Keller Breuning @ 2023
January 14, 2023

Today is my sweet Posie Mae’s third birthday! It is hard to believe she is already 3 years old. We were unable to travel to be with her this year, but we did FaceTime with her this morning. We got to see her open the presents we sent. She loved the pretty pink princess dress with accessories and the ballerina music box! She even modeled the pink dress for us, and was absolutely in heaven. I love her more than words can say!

I’ll be honest, I’m feeling melancholy and sad in every cell of my being this afternoon.  I wish so badly to be with Posie on her special day.  Even though FaceTiming is great, it does not even compare to being there and celebrating with her. There were several reasons we did not make the trip this year. First, my busiest work month is January. Hell hath no fury, compared to an exploding workload of client year end filings, W-2s and 1099s to issue by January 31! Second, the airfare that I researched was completely outrageous and we really can’t afford it right now. We had some major expenses in 2022, just like 2021. Third, I’m not retired and rich, nor will I ever be. LOL

This year we are planning to spend Christmas in Florida with the grandkids, so we probably will not be able to make another trip there for Posie’s birthday in less than 2 weeks next year either. That is life – we must make hard choices. I’m sad that I can’t be there for every single milestone for the grandkids, but in reality my kids’ grandparents certainly did not make it down to Florida to celebrate every birthday, holiday or milestone either. It’s just not physically or financially possible. I need to remind myself of that occasionally. But I’m human, and I admittedly have FOMO. I want to share every special moment with them, but we don’t live in Florida anymore and can’t really afford to retire. Wah! Okay, time to snap out of the pity party, Colleen lol!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, and hoping that your year is off to a grand start.

xoxo
Colleen

Mood: Melancholy
Inspiration: “Enigmatic Encounter” by ATB/Enigma

Ecrits Blogophilia Week 28.14 Topic: Hell Hath No Fury
Hard Bonus: Use a Clive Cussler book title (Black Winds)
Easy Bonus: Mention something you might see under a microscope (cell)

Perfectly Flawed

Perfectly Flawed

Paper thin
pale porcelain skin
aching bones upon the wake.

Sullen dawn
a hole in the clouds
and I’m thinking I might break.

Dark sky bursts
rain pelting, melting
glacial heart that never thawed.

Fragile soul
bleeding wounds that healed
and I am perfectly flawed.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2022
July 30, 2022

Mood: Grateful
Inspiration: “Porcelain” by Moby (my ringtone)

My Christmas Spirit

My Christmas Spirit

Tender hearts swell with gratitude,
The season casts its festive mood.
Twilight twirls in fresh fallen snow
As Christmas lights twinkle and glow.

Cardinals cavort in branches bare,
Winter sun fades in crimson flair.
Your spirit calls when cold winds blow
As Christmas lights twinkle and glow.

Memories of you warm my soul,
Your absence left a gaping hole.
Tears and emotions ebb and flow
As Christmas lights twinkle and glow.

Tender hearts swell with gratitude
As Christmas lights twinkle and glow.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2021
December 31, 2021

Memories of Christmas past always come to mind as I am decorating for the Christmas holidays. This year, for the first time in 8 years, I decided to put up some of my Dickens villages. It always makes me think of my father, for some reason. He delighted in seeing the lighted houses when he visited our Florida home shortly before he was diagnosed with cancer in 2001. We had him around until February 2003, and then our whole world changed.

Not having Dad around, especially at the holidays, makes me a little melancholy at times. He is my own personal Christmas spirit that comforts me when I am feeling sad or unsettled. I know he’s watching down on everyone in our family, with a huge smile. I believe he’s proud of all of us, to see how our families have grown. I only wish my grandchildren could have met him. I miss you and love you, Dad.

I hope all of you had a wonderful 2021 and holiday season, despite all the turmoil, COVID, and heartbreak we have seen in this world. I wish you all peace, health and joy in 2022!

Love,
Colleen

Mood: Pensive
Inspiration: “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Ric Mills

Butterfly Piano

Butterfly Piano

Keys
caressed
by fingers
gently stroking
black and ivory
sweet music sets us free
crimson blood thrums in our veins
as intangible passions stir
on wings of enchanted butterfly
resonating in hollows of my heart
take me to this place of serenity
your wings cover mine, softly guide me
chills down my spine, the song begins
our spirits take flight at dusk
delicate pas de deux
as two souls entwine
eternally
let each note
light the
dark

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2021
September 14, 2021

Mood: Golden Butterflies by Ludovico Einaudi

Beast of Burden

Beast of Burden

I’m facing dark clouds tomorrow
Soul weighed down by pain and sorrow
Western wind is blowing colder
Beast of burden on my shoulder.

Off the rails, rogue brain is chasing
Daunting demons I am facing
Fear etched face, I’m feeling older
Beast of burden on my shoulder.

My heart pounds wildly on the edge
Teetering on unstable ledge
Cast away the heavy boulder
Beast of burden on my shoulder.

I’m facing dark clouds tomorrow
Beast of burden on my shoulder.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2021
July 30, 2021

When you pray to God for a sign, and He’s been throwing all kinds of hints at you for a very long time to make a decision…. and you finally, finally, finally listen. Thank you, God.

Refrain (A Kyrielle Sonnet)

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“Park City Sunset” by Colleen Breuning © 2015

Refrain

Night echoes in my heavy heart
Painted darkness, my work of art.
Words and anguish mingle with rain,
My soul released with each refrain.

Voices clash, intentions aground
When everyone has his own sound.
Sing out chorus, relieve this pain,
My soul released with each refrain.

Hope abides in blue skies and seas,
The mountain range, the forest breeze.
Harmony restores, peace sustains,
My soul released with each refrain.

Night echoes in my heavy heart,
My soul released with each refrain.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2015
October 12, 2015

To Mingle With Shooting Stars

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To Mingle With Shooting Stars

These tired bones ache
and the futile tears fall
undetected, unrelenting,
like soft rain on a summer day.

The wind stills in deference
to a radiant light rising up,
drawing closer, closer
as I crawl to the precipice.

I am about to take my last voyage,
a great leap in the dark
where faith meets fate,
where screams in dreams are silenced.

Will I fall like a lead weight
or sprout butterfly wings;
sink into the fiery depths
or ascend a stairway to heaven?

Plunged into the frigid darkness,
holy water seeps through my skin,
coming clean of past transgressions,
purifying my tarnished soul.

Thunder shakes heaven and earth,
the sentinel angels have spoken;
my body and spirit finally set free
to mingle with shooting stars.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2015
September 1, 2015

For my dear friend Deborah Truitt…RIP.  I love you.

Cast Away

"Wild Dolphins at Sunrise" by Kirstenre@DeviantArt © 2011

Cast Away

The rising sun and clouds play hide and seek
On a sailcloth of multi-colored skies.
As I trace the patterns of the dawn,
Inspiration is unfolding before my eyes.

Rambunctious dolphins frolic in the tide,
As breakers roll and kiss the ragged shore.
The cry of seagulls shatters my reverie,
Leaving my wounded spirit wanting more.

I am drawn here by fragrance of the sea,
Reflections in the water calm my fears.
My heart fills up with joy, my soul imbued,
My worries fading in a trail of tears.

The wind picks up and dances through my hair,
Gently ruffling the fronds of palm trees.
The essence of a higher power prevails,
Whispering my name upon the breeze.

The sun ascends, spreading a golden glow,
Its warm fingers upon my barren skin.
I cast away my troubles to blue waters,
Soothing the turmoil stirring deep within.

Colleen M. Breuning © 2011
November 10, 2011