FLOWERS AND  STRIPES

So different, so strange
Our views and opinions 
Our wants and desires
Our steadfast positions. 

The same and yet different
We meet in the middle
A puzzle is solved
A remarkable riddle. 

You prefer flowers
I prefer stripes
You reach for the scissors
I look for a knife. 

You thrive in the  daylight
I recharge at night
We both create shadows
Beneath the moonlight.

You rise with the sun
I sleep until noon
You’re out and about
I’m in my cocoon. 

Spicy and hot?
No, salty and sweet
You order seafood
My preference is meat.

Hard to believe
Like two birds of a feather
We’ll always be
Right here together.


_____________________

Google Images. Redbubble.

DRAWN TO THE FLAME

Your hands are dirty
You touched the stove
Drawn to the flame
The heat, the glow. 

The darker, the better
You couldn’t let go
You went too far
So far below. 

Deeper and deeper
There is no return 
Drawn to the madness
You longed for the burn. 

The deafening thunder
The surge thru your veins
The height of emotion
The power, the pain. 

The craving, desire 
The passion, the rush
You can never go back
To the way that it was.

_______________________

Google Images. Mirmir Net

ERASED

Bleeding out
A slow cold death
The sheets are wet
You up and left. 

Watched you go
Hard to believe
Never dreamt 
You’d go, you’d leave.

Options, choices
Someone new
Someone that
You barely knew.

Caught your eye
Turned you head
Who’s now sleeping
In your bed?

Left me here
By myself
No second thoughts
Of how I felt.

Ghosted, cold
Ignored, erased
Forgotten, left
Without a trace. 

______________________

Google Images.. Movie Web.

CONFUSED

Feeling confused
Sad and afraid
Oh what a mess
A mess that I’ve made.

Where should I go?
Don’t know where to live
I’ve got to decide
Something’s gotta give. 

Want to go north
But, it’s so cold
I need the sunshine
Cause I’m getting old. 

Out of the country
An option for sure
I’ve been over there 
On many a tour.

The price is right
Lifestyle appeal
I’d love to go
That’s how I feel.

More for your money
Their culture, beliefs
Are just what  I want 
Is just what  I need.

The government here
Is out of control
Don’t want a dictator 
Whose desire is more gold. 

______________________

Google mages. Freepik.

BREAKFAST

I felt like a queen
When breakfast was served
Eggs, bacon and sausage
More than I deserved.

The china, the crystal
The fruit and the wine
The berries, the cherries
So lovely, divine.

Every bite, every morsel
As though from above
Prepared and served aptly
With kindness and love.

The  omelettes, potatoes 
Cooked slow to perfection 
The garnish, the plating
The chefs own selections.

The rolls and the bread
Right out of the oven
The blueberry tarts
Orange, apple and pumpkin.

An incredible feast
Of culinary delights 
All of my favorites
I enjoyed every bite.

A curtsy, a bow
A gesture so sweet
A humble expression
To give thanks, yes indeed.

Never before
This moment in time
Have I felt so elated
When invited to dine. 

__________________

Google Images. Crafted Travel.

SPIDERS

Spiders in my bed
That just won’t let me be
Frantic, I can’t sleep
What’s become of me?

Can’t forget the past
Nothing I can do
Haunted by the memories
Plagued with thoughts of you.  

Such heartfelt misery 
The cold residual 
Lingers in my brain
Fills up my head, my skull. 

Not worthy of my time
A senseless use of space
Still can hear your voice
Still can see your face. 

The lies you told to me
All the false pretense
The promises, the plans
Your agenda so intense.

Need a neuron block
Innovative and advanced
Help me to forget
A meaningless romance. 

____________________

Google Images. iStock.

THEY’RE PORTUGESE

Tiles of clay
Upon the roofs
One by one
And two by two. 

Master crafters
Climb so high
Birds of prey
Just pass them by.

Scorching sun
Pouring rain 
They make repairs
They don’t complain.

They stop for lunch
A bowl of soup
A cigarette
At times will do.

Coffee strong
Sunlight bright 
Days go by
In warm sunlight.

 Lots of laughs
Cheers for friends
They gather together
Again and again.

A soccer game 
On Friday nights
An ice cold beer 
Makes  their whole night. 

A cooler filled
With shrimp and cod
They love their fish
Stone crabs and scrod. 

Hands are calloused
Hearts are soft
More work to come 
Their fingers crossed. 

Belief in God
Their cherished rule
Taught long ago
To use their tools.

Fathers, sons
Moms and girls
Portugal
A different world.

__________________

Google Images. Airtasker.

THE CHAPEL

In the quiet of the chapel
I heard the angels sing
In the ancient tower
The bells began to ring.

A presence felt, miraculously 
Filled my heart with love
Blessed by those in heaven 
Sent down from up above. 

Those who walked this sacred ground
Bringing joy  and grace to all
Their images indelible 
Enshrined upon these walls. 

Stones and mortar
Tiles of white and powder blue
Tell stories of such ancient times
A world we never knew.

Statues, candles …. burning bright
Still take my breath away
With reverence, joy and gratitude 
I bow my head and pray. 

The history, the chosen  paths
Now bring us to our knees
Within these halls….majestically 
Still stands …. a masterpiece.

________________________

Google Images. FaceBook.

A CREATURE OF HABIT

My life, a world of routines
A lot of repetition
A list of chores and meet ups
A wealth of home traditions. 

A food list, that’s adhered to
Off to the grocery store
Soon out of butter, milk and eggs
It’s time to shop for more.

Breakfast, mostly eggs and toast
Coffee, tea or juice
If I wake up …. before you do
You know, I’ll wait for you.

Check our phones for messages
Then turn on the TV
The channel set, it’s programmed
We watch NOW on NBC. 

We talk about the local news
The chaos in the world
Hard to believe they haven’t found
That missing little girl. 

Medical appointments
Dental, eyes, feet, hair and nails
Surely keeps us busy
Also, checking for the mail. 

A dinner date awaits us
At the cafe down the street
Today is our friend’s birthday
It’s going to be our treat. 

Pizza , cheese and pasta
Love Italian based cuisine 
The wine, a nice Chianti 
The olives …. black and green. 

Delicious sauce with meatballs 
Ravioli, sausage, pork
The waiter opens a bottle of wine
Carefully removing the cork. 

“Let it breathe”, he tells us kindly
You won’t have to wait too long
Have some homemade mozzarella 
They’ll be more when this is gone. 

Italian bread and rolls served warm
With garlic, herbs and cheese
Oil and balsamic vinaigrette 
Whatever else you need. 

Back home to my creature comforts
My chair, my blanket, a snooze
I’ll take a rest, just relax 
Wake up, then watch the news. 

________________________

Google Image. Vector Stock.

A BOY IN THE OCEAN

A lone swimmer
In an angry sea
A storm ahead 
A category three.

The current pulls
He’s thrashed about
He cries for help
He calls out loud. 

A fishing boat
A mile away
Heads for shore
His lucky day. 

A sailor perched
Upon the deck
Sees something there 
A tiny speck. 

Believes perhaps
Someone’s adrift
The captain steers
Gets close to it. 

The line is thrown
Into their net
Out of the sea
A boy is fetched.

Shivering, shaking
Turning blue
Unable to speak 
But, a word or two.

Thankful, aghast
His eyes tired and weak
A cup of hot tea
And, the boy falls asleep. 

Approaching the harbor
A crowd stands about
A mother is crying
Relieved, there’s no doubt.

He steps from the boat
Walks into her arms
Safe now, secure
He is sheltered from harm. 

The crew feeling humble
They’ll never forget
The boy in the ocean
A miraculous catch.

_____________________

Google Images. Freepik.