Vernal Equinox

So the Wheel turns
We find Spring upon us
Popping up beneath us
Marinading our senses
With sunshine,
With flowers,
With bright pink, soft yellow, pure white....
My life is filled with green
My hands long to feel the Earth.
This new season
Bursts forth with the carol of the bird.
I fling open my window
To adore!

Sweet Breath

Arise, sweet breath, this morning
And sing songs of health
The roses bloom a spoken word
My love displays its wealth.

Arise, sweet breath, this morning
Let laughter haunt the halls
My chest will swell with gratitude
With candor and love for all.

Arise, sweet breath, this morning
Distinguished visitors await
With splendid feasts and art resounding
Our sweet breath creates and must create.
_____________________________________________

Thoughts of a Cloud

Oh, what thoughts! Thou, Cloud,
Whispering a través el cielo,
Scooting on the wind.
Does't thou shiver with chills?
Or art thou warm, wrapp'd in fluffy white sweater,
Sunshine on thy back,
Filled with delighted laughter,
Spinning, floating wherever you float,
Surrendered to the caresses of the breeze.

Tell me how drastically this Earth spreads
From your panoramic view--
Do we all look the same?
Like we come from the same Parent?
Rolling hills of different colors,
Silver, snaking rivers
Busy highways with speeding vehicles--
So much to see!
Do you see my upturned face?

Words

Stiff in the softness of my bed,
Words billowing across my consciousness--
Delicate words, short words, elaborate words, sexy words, hard words.
I wish I knew more words!

What would I do
If words bowed at my command?
I'd charm princes,
Study at any university of my choosing,
Solve awkward familial troubles and
Sooth all misunderstanding.

Speak perfect Central American Spanish
And beautiful French
That'd make my own heart
Melt like butter.
Draw exquisitely soft
Chinese calligraphic characters,
Slow stroke, swift curl,

Oh words! Spill your love upon me!
Lend yourselves not to lies and deceit!
Leave voiceless those who would bring harm,
For no voice is no power.

Show me your meaning!

It's impossible to tell you mine.

In God's Hands

When you go into the valley,
Keep yourself in God's hands,
For though you gaze around,
Desperate and hopeless,
Vertical, tree-covered hillsides
Covering your view,
Seeming impassible,

From the heavens,
All clouds can see
The Way,..............

As they float along,...............

In God's hands.

This Art

This art renews me,

Twirls me like a waltz,

Stretches tall my body and mind,

Ignoring petty faults.

This art captivates me,

Keeps me up at night,

Surges through my tingling limbs,

Flings me toward the light.

--Until I disappear, disappear...

Saturday Morning Market on the Town Square

Luminous sun, cool autumn air,

Truckfuls of pumpkins--

As many different colors and shapes as there are trees

And people--

Spilling out the back,

Onto haystacks,

In ornamental towers.

Fresh coffee--Free,

Fair Trade and Central American,

Like the wife of the vendor at the adjacent table.

Amish jams and honey,

Homebaked whole grain breads,

Handmade soaps,

Middle Tennessee's finest local produce.

Multiple loops around the square,

Laughing, chatting with each other and strangers--

"Bok choy is in season."

"Look at all the bumps on this pumpkin!"

"What a cute dog!"

"How old is your baby?"

Young boy slowly
Pours out sweetness from his violin.

Old Civil War tunes--

Aura Lee, Home Sweet Home--
Swirl around the courthouse,
Whose walls still contain Yankee and Confederate bullets,

Stunning onlookers into awed silence,

Taking us deep into history of the Old South.

My heart follows his bow

Back and forth,

Back and forth, 

Looooonnng vibrato.

I look up through maple trees.

When I think of what I love about the South,

I see smiling, friendly faces

At the Saturday Market

On the Square.