Sunday, December 8, 2024

Always there


In summer, sunsets fill this view, 
But in December the clouds are colored 
By the sunrises behind me; 
Quiet reflections of a majesty 
Hidden in the trees: 
More subtle, but equally lovely, 
As if the summer door has closed 
But another wintry door has opened. 
If only we remember to notice 
 And choose to accept the change, 
The source of light and color is always there, 
Awaiting our attention.

Saturday, December 7, 2024

The jewel at the center


Every time I drive past these two trees,
 I am fascinated, 
Intrigued by the shapes they carve 
Into the sky above them, 
So finally, on a foggy day, 
I looked forward to seeing those shapes 
 In relief against the gray surround 
And kept my camera poised 
But by the time I reached them 
The fog had lifted, though not completely. 
I stopped anyway, and framed the shot, 
And hit the big white button on my phone, 
Only later to discover 
 The charming detail at their base: The red shed, 
 And the white diamonds in its door 
Like tiny gems at the heart of the image. 
Pay attention! Listen to what calls you, 
And make time to discover or uncover 
The jewels that await you 
At the core; at the nucleus of being.

Friday, December 6, 2024

Distracted by the colors


Heading to my computer to finish the script 
For this morning’s news broadcast,
 I’m distracted by the colors 
In the sky outside my window.
 The slate roof on the old shed 
Glows in the morning light 
And the plum, fig, and cherry trees 
Sketch a lacy mantilla across the rosy skies, 
Offering an encouragement 
 To set aside my to-do list, and just breathe…

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Whether to ignite or obscure


A patch of sun to brighten a foggy day 
Ignites a tiny section 
 Of the tree that looms ahead 
And leaves a tiny patch of light 
On the asphalt road below 
While at the same time bringing 
 A more subtle cast of light to our surroundings, 
In which every drop of fog 
Creates a sense of mystery, 
Obscuring what’s ahead. 
Each of us carries light within: 
The choice is always ours, 
Whether to ignite or to obscure 
With that power.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

The gift of flowers


A wee bit of color to brighten your day: 
Winter may be upon us, 
But there’s still friendship to warm the heart.

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Reflection


Just as there can be no reflection without light, 
There can be no enlightenment 
 Without reflection. 
It is only in considering 
Our choices and our actions 
That we grow into the beings 
We were born to become.

Monday, December 2, 2024

Protective coloration


You kind of have to squint to see it: 
The mountain’s snow-capped peaks 
Reflecting back the colors of the sky 
Are almost lost; so perfectly camouflaged. 
I’ve seen relationships like that — 
A person whose impact deserves to be huge,
 Becoming almost invisible 
 In the miasma of otherness; 
It’s only time and familiarity 
That helps us know the magnitude 
Of what is being hidden behind 
 That protective coloration…