Sitting alone at the bar,
half full bourbon glass
at finger tips reach...
this was his service of "mass"

Rosary in other hand,
too many years gone
from choirboy days,
yet, he remembered the song.

Throw back the brown liquid fire,
"forgive me Father
seeking redemption
for many sins erasure...

Made ruin, a young girl's life,
leaving her alone
gravid with my child
indifferent to her moan.

When the storm proceeds the calm,
Or normality came before fame.
Was there ever a time before?
The advent of this sodding game.

As night turned into day,
And winter morphed to spring.
The quiet of dusk falls away,
As the songbirds start to sing.

Whilst blue skies may soon be cloudy,
As departing sunshine, turns to rain.
Yet our darkness may be temporary,
For our joy can come again.

I've never had a problem being alone.
Enjoying my empty home,
the sound of my pen on paper
and the running ceiling fan.

Gently skimming the pages
of my newest book
to find the bookmark
When I read the most heart-breaking poem.

The kind that makes you put the book
face down in your lap
and sit in silence for minutes
as warm tears drip off your chin,

Only then,
did I realize,
I am oh, so
alone;

Our friendship is like a golden band, circular and never ending.
Never met a friend such as you, who loves me such as I love you.
We are like sisters bound together through our life.
Looking out for each other as they are one in a million.
You are someone I can trust out of a few.
My friend, you are like an angel that is here to guide me.
You have become like a treasure that you guard forever.
And you my friend is very special and that's official.

Arms painted white with flour. Apples bubbling bitter in a pan.
Mammy smiled, ‘want to help me?’
Of course I did. I loved to rub my hands through that silky mixture,
feel the crumbs thicken beneath my finger nails,
cold butter surrendering to my hot pressing thumbs.

Gran always woke up early to prepare
the heartiest meal to start out the day.
Grandpa, a farmer, ate with gusto and intent
before getting to the barn and his chores.

Grandma's kitchen was always scented
with the loveliest of heavenly smells
What I recall best was her freshly baked bread
fresh out of the antique oven, aroma wafting
enticing us to get up from our beds.

"Enough" has real meaning for me.
The gratitude I feel,
the depth of emotion,
the growth I experience.
It's all there.

"Enough" boosts my mood
in a positive way.
It gives me power.
It gives me strength.

I love "enough".
It's totality.
It's ubiquitous.
It's ready to make me a better person.

"Enough" is positivity.
It is vitality.
It is in my very core.
Without it,
I am nothing.

Perhaps in another life, I'll be a bird
Roaming the expanse of the sky,
The forewind rushing through my feathers

Perching on a branch to ruffle
or enjoying a cool, stone bird bath,
Singing a song to myself

-

I sometimes feel like a bird

Setting my own pace,
stopping to enjoy the green, green grass
when spring comes alive.

Watching a family walk by on the sidewalk
Gently waving, "hello, goodbye"

Breathing in the earthy smells of the woods
and exhaling life for the surrounding trees

My Mother had a gentle touch, a whispered word, her love had warmth, a feeling unheard.
My Mother worked hard every day and taught me exciting new things with her acts of sacrifice she knew was unique for me to learn.
My Mother is the most distinctive person in my life, she listens to my problems and cares for my hurts, and is so kind and loving with her unending patience.
She was my cherished friend and my forever inspiration.

A few uncommitted minutes
The chance to take a walk around,
A moment I'll not soon forget
In a small park just south of town.

One was on an old park bench
Another a stone's throw away,
As I took a closer look around
Many more on full display.

Small brightly colored stones
Neatly written on each one,
Words of hope and kindness
Some written just for fun.

Who placed these small stone gems?
Were they meant for only me?
Perhaps just placed at random
For everyone to find and see.