BROKEN PROMISE

As parents we made a promise to our children

the first time we held them in our arms:

To love them unconditionally

To keep them safe from harm…..

But we haven’t kept our promise

to our daughters and our sons…

when we do nothing to stop their being killed

at the hands of someone with a gun….

And so our children now are weeping…

Pleading with us to disrupt this flood

of senseless violence and murder…

and they are crying tears of blood…

We must make a choice now

of what we’re going to do.

If we don’t help them..

if we let them die

then part of us dies too.

We have been failing our children for too long.

At a solution we MUST arrive!

We must do something to keep our promise…

to our children still alive

It’s time to come together…to fulfill that promise

to keep our children free from harm

for we don’t want today to be the last time

we hold them in our arms.

GROWING UP

The 5th grade breakfast was today…

proving time can be sad as well as cruel.

Wasn’t it only yesterday…when they were starting school?

Wasn’t it only yesterday they were a much smaller size?

How could they have grown up…right before our eyes?

We’ve enjoyed our moments together…we’ve taken pleasure in the climb…

How can life move in slow motion…and fast speed at the same time?

It’s not that we don’t want them to grow up…to be kinder, smarter…stronger

It’s just we hoped their growing up…would take a little longer….

But we take solace in our sadness because there is something we all know…

They will always be our babies…no matter how they grow.

Yes, we take solace knowing we will always see them through a parent’s loving eyes

and they will always be our babies…no matter how time flies…

ANGELS IN THE TREES

I’ve always believed angels can speak to us.

They speak in voices soft but clear.

If we take the time to listen.

If we take the time to hear.

And I use to believe angels were skittish,

unwilling to be seen…day or night.

Happy to watch over and protect us

while remaining just out of sight.

Today on our morning walk we spotted some angels…

resting on the leaves…

of a tiny tree by the side of the road

which leads me to believe…

Angels are always close at hand.

Perhaps they drift in on the breeze.

Perhaps they hide beneath our shadows

or linger in the trees…

And it’s only when we open our minds

that we are able to free them…

and only when we open our hearts

that we are able to see them

THEY ARE NOT GONE

Sometimes it is quite soothing…sometimes you are aghast

when you begin to feel the presence of a loved one who has past?

You may be thinking about them or they may come out of the blue…

And you can’t explain it…but you know…they’re standing next to you.

Have they flown in on a breeze?

Perhaps the wind allowed

them to and float across the heavens 

and drift in on a cloud.

Perhaps they rode on a fallen leaf as it meandered down a stream 

or swung from a star, or rode the waves…or slid down a moonbeam…

For, no longer constrained by time and space, their sprits are free to roam…

To seek you out wherever you are…for wherever they find you…is home..

Have they come to share your joy? Have they come to ease your fears?

Have they come to enjoy you laughter?  Have they come to share you tears?

It matters not for you welcome them…as you welcome in the dawn

and it makes you happy knowing you’ll never think of them as gone.

LISTEN TO THE RAIN

The sun has surrendered to the clouds…

only hints of the mountains remain

and I am sitting on the porch swing…

listening to an afternoon rain.

There is a rhythm to the sound…it rises and falls upon the breeze

and I marvel how some raindrops find the ground

while others linger in the trees.

I find myself drawn to my bed…as raindrops cascade from the sky

The soft music they’re composing…creates the perfect lullaby…

As I close my eyes and listen…to her music soft and deep

I find the melody so soothing and drift…slowly…off to sleep…

Until I hear a tapping…upon my window pane

and I smile when I realize…I’ve been awakened by the rain…

And I walk bak to the porch swing…as the rain beguiles and enthralls

and find strength among the raindrops…for they are not afraid to fall…

And I find happiness in the rain…where others may find gloom

for I understand the sky must weep…if the flowers are to bloom.

The rain has stopped as quickly as it began…

the mountains all return

as nature once again reminds me 

of all I have to learn…

Like how, in a gentle afternoon shower,

there is so much to be gained

if one stops to take a moment…

and listen to the rain.

NATIONAL PUN DAY

Today is National Pun Day …which means once again it’s time

to bring together our affection for the pun…with the rhythm of the rhyme….

One ship carrying red paint collided with another carrying purple….

I’m sure their captains were lampooned

because once the ships collided…

both crews were marooned.

Two Eskimos who felt cold in their kayak…

started a fire when they weren’t sure what else to do.

Their craft sank quickly…proving once and for all….

you can’t have your kayak…and heat it too.

A man was hurt when a pile of books fell on top of him.

He felt sore as well as shame

His answer to what happened….

I have only my shelf to blame…

The math teacher didn’t have fun on their date

Her partner did not make a scene….

Because when she said the date was average…

he knew she was just being mean.

Why do I like puns and mushrooms...let me now review

They both can be quite ugly...yet both are good for you.

They spice up any meal …that’s a fact one can’t deny

Besides...any man who likes puns and mushrooms 

must be 

(wait for it)

Did you guess it?

a fun-guy.

Well that does it for the puns this year…no need to thank me…

I need no accolades…no recognition…no wine…

Like the man who digs for gold each day…

The pleasure was all mine!

BREATHTAKING VIEWS

We live near the ocean and visit the mountains…

both skies…an exquisite shade of blue…

People who look over the water or up at the peaks 

remark on the breathtaking views…

It is true…nature provides some breathtaking views 

every moment of every day

but daily life has its own wonderful views…

that can also take your breath away?

When you wave to a friend you haven’t seen in a while and they smile back at you

Your partner, children, grandchildren, aunts and uncles…

each one is a breathtaking view.

Random acts of kindness, watching lovers steal a glance

listening to a baby giggle, watching anybody dance.

When people caress…that perfect kiss, when a mother and her baby meet…

watching people holding hands as they walk along the street.

Cookies fresh out of the oven, watching a group of children sing

seeing one person in love accept from another….a simple wedding ring…

Puppies rolling over each other, an intimate dinner for two…

knowing the same sky that is over me is also over you…

Breathtaking views of the oceans and mountains are wonderful

as they happen every day

but these are not the only moments

that can take your breath away…

So look around…. there is so much out there to charm, enchant and woo us…

moments that not only taking our breath away…

but breathe life back into us.