BLACK CAT IN THE STREET

A little while ago on my morning walk I wondered, how can this be?

when a black cat came out of the shadows to say hello…to me

Without any inhibitions…in the middle of the street

she ran up and when I looked down…she was purring at my feet.

I bent down to scratch her back…”Hello little kitty." I said.

She mewed her own Good Morning…then let me scratch her head.

We chatted for a while then when there was nothing more to say

I stood up, said “Goodbye…and we both went on our way.

The next morning on my walk I again wondered how can this be

when up ahead…there in the street…that same cat was waiting for me.

This is something I didn’t expect…I could have never foreseen

but when I finally reached her…we followed the day before’s routine.

And now most days there is this black cat…sitting in the middle of the street

patiently waiting for me…and who I always stop to greet.

Most of the cats I see on my walk…when I say ‘hi’ or have a good day

usually act as if I wasn’t there…or deliberately look away.

And I was brought up believing my day would be filled with wrath

if at any time during that day…a black cat crossed my path.

But this little cat has taught me different…though I still don’t know her name

she’s taught me not to judge…for not all cats are the same.

And since I’ve had good luck since meeting her I think it would be fair

not to judge another cat…by the color of their hair.

I think about this at least once a day…when I bend down to greet

and scratch the head and chat a while…with my black cat in the street.

A TIME TO BELIEVE

As children we believe in the wonder of the Easter Bunny.

We believe in a giant rabbit…gentle and kind

who as we sleep on Easter Eve leaves eggs on the lawn for us to find.

Eggs of different colors…with different stripes and different bands.

We believe he carries all the eggs for all the children of the world

in one basket…with one hand.

As children we believe in the wonder of Santa Claus.

We believe that somehow, magically, as we sleep on Christmas Eve

underneath our Christmas tree…presents he will leave.

We believe in elves…in reindeer that can fly

we believe Santa has a knack

of fitting all the presents for every child of the world

on one sleigh and in one sack.

As children we believe in the wonder of birthdays.

As we sit with a cake in front of us on a dish

We believe in myths and fairy tales…and the magic of a wish.

We believe that on our birthday…all we have to do 

is close our eyes, blow out some candles and our wishes will come true.

Then we grow up and gradually, bit by bit, in a way we don’t even see…

the fantasies of our childhood give way to life’s reality.

And that’s okay…that’s as it should be but as adults we pay a high cost

If, as our fantasies fall by the wayside, our wonder is also lost.

That’s why I still blow out my birthday candles…still with my eyes closed too

for I’ll never stop believing in wishes that come true.

That’s why I still look for presents as Christmas morning dawns

and why I’ll be searching for eggs today hidden somewhere on my lawn.

Because I believe no matter how old we are

it’s the wonders that make us smile…

it’s the wonders that are important 

it’s the wonders that makes life worthwhile.

HAPPY EASTER

PERHAPS I'D TELL HER

I took my granddaughter to a park…and as I watched her running to and fro

I wondered what advice I could give her…you know…advice to help her grow…

Perhaps I’d tell her:

Life is to be lived…don’t always do what’s right.

Don’t always color within the lines…by all means fly a kite.

Believe in yourself when others don’t…ride in a boat upon the sea…

Stop to count the stars at night…at least one time…climb a tree.

Do the best you can in all you do…If you make a mistake…don’t fret.

Watch the sunrise in the morning…and in the evening watch it set.

Swing on a swing, slide down a slide…run…for no reason at all.

Enjoy the warmth of summer, the birth of Spring…and the changing leaves in Fall.

Eat ice cream whenever you want… hug…and kiss…and share….

Never knowingly hurt another being….sometimes…it’s okay to swear.

Travel to new places…learn to ride a bike without any hands.

Never be in hurry to grow up…smile as often as you can.

Do what you know is right…don’t be afraid to take a chance…

Sing whenever you feel like it… feel free to cry and laugh and dance. 

Love life when everything is bright…and love life when all is black

for you’ll find if you love with all your heart…the world will love you back.

These thoughts will get you started…I’d say…but I’m sure once you’re grown…

you’ll be a wonderful person…with opinions of your own.

And perhaps one day you’ll watch your own granddaughter…running to and fro…

and you’ll have your own advice to give her…

you know…

advice to help her grow.

GOOD NIGHT

Her first memory of her father…though she doesn’t know the year

was when he tucked her into bed one night and whispered ‘I love you’ in her ear.

From then it didn’t matter if he read her a Fairy Tale or helped her wipe away a tear

he’d always say good night by whispering ‘I love you’ in her ear.

And that memory has stayed with her to this day

It’s one she never will forget

for if there’s a better way to fall asleep at night…she hasn’t found it yet.

His fondest memory of his daughter is the day she tapped him on his back

and when he turned around she smiled and said, “Daddy, I love you back.”

And as she grew a little older…a memory he holds dear

is how she’d run up to him spontaneously just to whisper ‘I love you’ in his ear.

Even now when she has a family of her own at night the same memory appears

just before she closes her eyes she hears him whisper ’I love you’ in her ears

And when he closes his eyes he remembers the night she touched him on his back

the night he turned

the night she smiled

the night she whispered, ‘Daddy, I love you back.’

It’s a memory that has stayed with each of them …a memory neither will ever forget

for if there’s a better way to fall asleep at night…they haven’t found it yet.

And when it was time to say their final goodbye

As she held his hand she said, “Daddy I am here.”

then she tucked his blanket in to keep him warm

and whispered ‘I love you’ in his ear.

For she knew as a lifetime of memories

brought a smile to her face and tears into her eyes

the best way to say goodnight…

is also the best way to say goodbye

SHADOW DANCING

She finds a quiet beauty walking in the shadows of the moon

as she listens to the crickets with the possums and raccoons.

She greets an occasional rabbit as she wonders what the day will bring

and she listens for that first bird who calls the other birds to sing.

When the air is still she notices the shadows are rigid in their stance

but when the wind is present…they begin to sway…then they begin to dance.

As she watches the shadows dancing to their early morning song

She remembers a time when she was younger…when she used to dance along.

So as the shadows begin to boogie with the birds now singing to enhance

for a moment she is young again…and she joins them in the dance……

And she smiles as she remembers how shadows don’t seem to care

If she moves like an old lady…or dances like Fred Astaire.

So they dance together…the shadows and her

both haphazard…undisciplined 

She….guided by her memories

the shadows…guided by the wind.

And when the dance is over

the shadows bow to her with dignity and grace…

and she walks away to begin her day

with a smile on my face. 

WHEN SHOULD WE GIVE THANKS

Have you ever wondered when we should give thanks

for all the gifts that we’ve been granted…

for all the blessings we’ve received

for a life that’s been enchanted?

I think twice a day would be sufficient

Yes…twice a day seems right

When we open our eyes each morning

and before we close them every night.

BIRD THAT SINGS IN THE DARK

There is a bird in the morning when the sky is painted black

Who every other bird I’m sure, must think a maniac...

While all her friends are sleeping...heads nestled neath their wings

this bird rises before the rest...and all she does...is sing.

She sings at the top of her lungs...before the sun’s first glow.

Does she know morning is approaching?  

It’s dark...how can she know?

But she fills the night with music...my morning walk with grace

and tho I’ve never seen her...I imagine there’s a smile on her face.

It’s such a lovely song she sings during the day/night interlude

and I admire her determination...her faith...her fortitude.

In this time of uncertainty and apprehension…

when it’s confidence we lack

We can draw inspiration from a bird 

who sings in the morning

when the sky is painted black.