Ocean Water

    The soft flow of your hair
The sweet smell of your skin -
    Ocean water

    The warm air of your breath
The pure taste of your kiss -
   Ocean water

    The light glow behind your stare
The tender touch of your embrace -
    Ocean water

    The silent mercy through your care
The delicate intent through your energy -
    Ocean water

    The bold passion if you dare
The emotional tide wavering your life
    Ocean water

How Things Were Then

When viewing pictures from my past,
Special events, places and family
I remember how things were

My childhood face appears in so many of those photos
With the memory of different thoughts and feelings
In the moment, true to me

Time held no meaning as the future
A place far from then is today
Not often wondered about

As this baby's face shown so happy,
I imagine then's love
As this child's face shown so estranged,
I remember then's loneliness
As this teen's face shown so insecure,
I remember then's feeling misunderstood

In adulthood, I feel a mix of these,
I imagine, remember and feel everything
Then's future are the happenings of today,
Optimistic of tomorrow's today

And when I'm an old lady,
How will I look at today, me in this moment?
Hello, good to see you again, as then
What a life in splendor, I remember-
How things were then.

My Name

   Induce my name
from another,
I feel I will not
   Produce my soul
of mother and father,
unique my lot
  I give destiny the role
new forgiving, chance is the game
creating for myself a dot
   Smaller one, than another
I reveal a truth with toll,
I stayed this spot
   For life's end brings no shame
for the showy brilliance then,
I will finally know my name, fear not

Phrases Retold

    Some phrases came
The legends of ol'
    Tales and sagas of heroes
From long ago
    Meaningful stories
When men wore their virtues
not to be sold
    The word of a gentleman
Held more worth than gold
    Certain phrases coined
For generations to remember
and that they be retold

First Lesson

   The moment I was born
Life's first lesson, granted unto me
   A simple essential required to live
From my first moment to the next received
   Help is given from an experienced hand
To bring the world a replenishment of the new, retrieved
   Never forgotten this first lesson
Through the power of belief
   Not even so much as a thought in my memory
Because once learned is instantly
   Part of everything that just happens naturally
While I sleep, I know this lesson will never leave
   For now it is and will for the rest of my life
Remain a part of me
   Life's first lesson granted unto me
With my eyes shut or wide open for me see
   I must in this first moment's opportunity
Seize my only chance to continue to be
   It is easy you see, all I need to do
Is BREATHE!

Finished Business

   It chills me to think
You may have unfinished business
Weighing even upon your death
   Just because one occasion missed
Held words to dangle, never to be said
   Uneasy my feeling is
A certain kind of dread, you may be consumed
By the thoughts filling up your head
   I find it most unbearable
A vision of your empty shell
All that has been left
   Without me to linger in your memory
Unsettling but for the peace in your heart
I must consider instead
   Hope grants us an opportunity to share
As much as, one more thing you need to say to me
Let it never find its end
   Eternal tranquility, forever shall be set
For everyone taking care of their business
Finished in all hearts can truly mend
   Comfort in your passing we have
And we will remember when
The love between us was undoubted
   None of it be spared even then
I kiss you on your forehead
Knees shaking as I bend
   Our prayers shall guide you
Your final journey is everlasting
Faithfully unto heaven you ascend

From the Eye of Men

From the eye
that which could not be seen
A harshness grew
and a cynic came
Twisting truth
by shifting blame

Confusion spread
through fear and doubt
A mistrust was lead
drawing man out
to leave his heart
And enter his head

Lasting too long awhile
troubling many men
in their heavy dread
Becoming unbearable
in the hearts of witnesses
Who shared their feelings and ideas

Until finally it was said
from the eye
Which cannot be seen
of the mind choose to see
From the heart instead
Relieve your thoughts their dread

A Beautiful Dream

A Beautiful Dream

I went on a trip, a journey on sea and in the air. I was to meet a woman I had been corresponding with through social media online. She was a lovely person, an artist, a writer and a sculptor, a peer. She and I had much in common between our artistic fancies and our spiritual outlook. I had only seen pictures of this woman, Allison, and I wasn't sure if I would recognize her in person. She was around 43 years with a small round face, darker hair and dark eyes. A pretty woman whose experiences showed in her face, hard yet soft, older yet youthful. I was excited to meet her.

The place I was traveling to, I had never seen before in real life. It was a lovely place that reminded me of an old Italian or German village. Huge homes dotted across the hills and wide open areas of land, trees and sky. I was to stay at an estate up on one of these hills and my hostess was a very gracious woman. She stood over six feet tall, thin frame and long light brown hair. She was in her mid to late 30's and was very welcoming. Her mansion was designed to look like a cottage which was made from wood beams and natural materials from the forest. It had many bedrooms, bathrooms, a big kitchen and a large open space for gatherings. The land surrounding this home was filled with grassy hills and lots of acreage. Large trees were placed, or left, on the property to provide just enough privacy within the house, a view of the sky during the day and of the stars at night.

The space for gatherings had a high vaulted retractable ceiling with large wooden beams, stone walls a Spanish tiled floor. A long rectangular stone fire~pit almost ran the length of the structure. All of her guests met up here as they came and went about their day. At times it was empty and other times filled to capacity with beautiful women, men and children from all over the world. It was a peaceful, yet energetic space where people felt safe and happy. Where people shared stories and psychedelics. I felt a joy there, a happiness and a freedom I had never felt before.

My hostess informed me that when it came time for me to sleep, I could walk around the house until I found a place I'd like to stay the night. I could choose any room, or any bedroom to sleep in as long as it was available. There were many rooms to choose from. Some were grand bedrooms with high ceilings and king size four poster beds with fancy wooden furniture and walk in closets. Some of the rooms were smaller, less decorative, simple and with only a matress and small dresser. There were many children's rooms too with little beds and cute animal decor, some had cribs with plush blankies and stuffed animals. Girls rooms, boys rooms, toys and a playful sweet energy I adored. So, I chose a little girl's room to sleep in. I met this child earlier in the evening during a gathering. She was friendly and talkative and a joy to be around. She was around six years of age and learning to read. She was very good at reading actually, and very smart. I got along with her as I remembered my inner child and we played a game of checkers. I was happy to have found her room and she was happy to have a sleepover with me and one other little girl around three years of age.

I slept well and dreamt vividly during the night. I woke refreshed and a little hungry. I wandered through the house, it was quiet and the windows were open letting in a light breeze of morning air. Not hot, not cold, just cool. My hostess approached me and offered a male guide to lead me into town to meet the woman I was there for. I agreed. He was a nice man, mid 50's, with a warm smile and dark curled hair. Others wanting to go into town joined us in the van and we set off. The town was built within the hilly landscape, again reminding me of an old village from Italy or Germany. Narrow cobble streets ran into town lined on both sides with little markets, various shops, eateries and cafes. I spotted a little corner cafe and asked that I be dropped off there. I went inside, ordered an herbal tea and eggs and toast for breakfast. I sat outside on the covered veranda the cafe offered and enjoyed the view, as I watched people walk by.

It was warm and sunny with a cozy breeze and the air smelled of water, I felt there must be a large body of water near by. People were smiling and laughing as they walked through the narrow street. Shopping, eating and playing. I looked to my right and noticed four women walking up the street in my dirction. Three black women and one white woman ranging in ages between twenty and sixty years. They were beautiful women, glowing and wearing spaghetti strap, floral, flowing long dresses. Colorful and bright, these women carried an energy that was so attractive to my senses and to my spirit. As they came closer I saw that each of them wore a shiny, colorful, glittery butterfly painted on her chest, Incredible! Each butterfly was different in the choice of colors and sizes, and each so unique They walked single file through the village, greeting every face that looked upon them with big smiles and acknowledging nods. As they walked by, right in front of me, the details of their glowing faces and colorful butterflies were spellbinding. The fourth woman in this group was the eldest, the matriarch, and she had the biggest, most colorful butterfly of the four of them.

I had to know who they were and what they did. I asked my guide and he told me that they are spiritual healers and guides for the town. The people called them "The Butterflies." They work with many people and were enlightened. I was so excited to learn this. I asked my guide how one could become a part of the "butterflies" and he said that only a select few could join them. Either the matriarch of the group had to choose you or someone in the group had to leave, or even die. I understood that I wasn't ready to go through the extensive process of being chosen so I just admired them and the work they were doing.

My guide informed that another group was headed our way and possibly the woman I was to meet. She walked up to me as I sat drinking my tea and I felt that she was very familiar. I looked her face over and over at all the details and it hit me. "You're her! You're Allison, the woman I am supposed to meet here!" She acknowledged with a laugh and big smile. I noticed she was topless, as a few of the women in this town were and I admired her for her bravery, but I didn't wish to expose myself. She covered her breasts, then I stood and hugged her close. We walked through the town discussing art and writing and we talked about the "butterflies." We enjoyed the rest of the day together until it was time to head back to the estate for another gathering and a spread of food from the potluck. Allison joined us on our return. When we pulled up to the estate, people were entering the gathering space carrying their dishes of fantastic smells. Many more children were here this time and I was happy to see them. Little babies and toddlers made up the most of the group of the children this night.

Our hostess decided to open the roof of the space to let the forecasted rain in, but it didn't rain afterall, so she quickly rounded up some men and had an inverted dome built over the top of the space to catch water from the sprinklers pointed at the dome. Little openeings were cut into the material to give the effect of rain! It was amazing! She lit the fire in the pit and it stayed burning even with the water dripping down. It was a big fire that danced and glowed, flames rose to the edge of the ceiling. It was a beautiful sight. The people at this gathering were again of mixed nationalities and sexes and lots of children. Mostly women this time, mothers. I did not have my own children with me so I was glad there were so many. Some of the mothers went off on their own leaving me and a girl about 11 years of age to watch over the playing and sleeping babies. We were happy to do so.

Most of the babies and toddlers were girls, which also delighted me. I talked to them and they answered back, not the usual age of a talking child. These were infants, talking to me! I asked one of the little girl babies, maybe seven months old, if she needed her diaper changed. "Yes I do," she responded. So I changed her little diaper and asked if she felt better. "Yes I do," she replied. It was sweet and charming to be hanging out with such beautiful, smart babies. Another baby girl was a little smelly and I asked her too if she needed a diaper change. "No I don't," she said sternly. "Are you sure?" I asked. "No, I don't want to right now," she said. I thought this to be funny. Not as in a joke funny, but rather the difference in demeanor and attitude of the baby girls so similar in age.

As the night drew on and the babies became sleepy, the little girl and I put each one to bed one at a time until they were all snuggled up in their beds. After this was done the girl went off to bed and the gathering of people was breaking up, some in small groups, some left and some went off to bed. I began to look for a place to sleep and I came across Allison. She asked if I enjoyed my evening and my time here and I told her it was the best time I ever had and thanked her. I found my lovely hostess and thanked her too. The most beautiful place with the most beautiful people and I felt honored to have been included. I went to bed that night in another childs room with the matress close to floor. As I lay there looking up at the projected stars circling the room, I felt gratefull and happy to have been given this dream, this story of a reality...

Life is a Dream

Dreams are real
Parts of what is done
Bits of what are seen
Much of life spent dreaming
Dreams find life a reality

Yesterday's life is a memory
But the dreams cherish life
To remember what is done
And remember what is seen
Is to bring to life all of its dreams

Little Ditties 3

1. Void

Some of the pages are void
Of words or pictures
Holding a clean backdrop
For the words and pictures
On its opposing side

2. Place Between

The place between
a gap and space
A room within my heart
remains the area

Of the place between
a gap and space
where the room within my heart
Remains safe

3. Belief

Set down
the let down
you get down on

To free up the intent
See up again
And pick up that belief

Build a Castle

Neglect and misplacement of blocks
Brings walls to crumble around you
Until you care for each piece
And every location of every step
For study and understanding

Making it just right for yourself
An enlightenment and higher knowledge creates
As something better awaits
That others look up to as grand

Others build to destroy
Then build again, only to destroy
Again they move perfectly
From place to place as the blocks do

An experience to learn from
While leaving something behind
Until comfort and security brings
A grounding and a foundation
For the placement to look up to