The Invincible Holiday Spirit ~

Age-old songs, jingling bells
glitter and glow that 
outdo the stars ...
Herald the Holidays!
Now is the time for family gatherings 
for friendly chatter around a fireplace
for cheery letters to distant loved ones 
to stretch a kindly hand to lonely strangers 
to bring out the good dishes 
light the candles 
to celebrate Christmas dinners and Hanukkah feasts
for spiritual renewal and growth 
to sing peace and goodwill ~

We, however, cannot ignore 
"the dark side of the moon"
depressing headlines, impassible traffic jams 
frenetic partying, overworked credit cards
the parents who can't affords gifts 
the broken marriages 
the sick children!
The list goes on 
we know too many beyond comfort 
too many hurting, weary, hungry or dying!
yet the sight of a baby's unwritten face 
brings tears, hope for the future 
certain knowledge of a saving grace!

With Holiday spirits rising 
we exchange warm greetings 
Happy Hanukkah! Merry Christmas!

______________________________________________

(I am sorry I have not been around to visit 
  any of my blogger friends, I lost my enthusiasm 
  to blog or post a poem for a long time now!
Maybe the New Year may bring back enthusiasm to blog again
Time will tell ~ 

My sweet dog Jake had surgery this past Thurs. to remove 3 masses
We hope the biopsy results bring good news!
Jake is recovering quite well from the surgery
He is truly a trooper!)

Wishing all who see this post much love
and joy during the Holiday season 

Blessings to all of you!
I hope I get to pay a visit to your blogs, soon.) 

Margie

(Picture was taken of Jake a day before he had the surgery
  He so loves the snow!) 

Day We Met ~

It's a good trick . . . to talk to yourself . . . and remember not to listen . . . 

I told myself that day we met 
  "Now you be smart
he's one to fill the eyes and yet
   he's not the one to fill your heart."

"He's much too handsome and much too grand 
    too many girls will find him fair 
 and if you once let go his hand 
     he'll have too many waiting there." 

"Choose some more likely, lesser lad 
     whose smile's as bright but not so bold." 
I told myself these things. I'm glad 
     I never do as I am told!

_____________________________________
He is still as handsome today as the "Day we met" 
This photo was taken in Feb on our Cancun trip.


I am taking the rest of the summer off from blogging 
as I have so much to do and it's all wonderful.
Heading to Scotland at the end of July for a week :) 

Have a wonderful summer dear blogger friends 
Miss you all ... see you in September ... 
Take good care and be happy!

Margie 
xo 

The Years ~

I love to think of age, not as old 
  but as something soft and white 
  into which one cuddles, as youth departs 
  to sail through their life's twilight.

To sail seas not dreaded, scorned or feared 
  but in sail-boats that smoothly glide 
  with wide-spread sail to temper the gale 
  full-matured, not withered and dried.

Embittered not by past's vexing sea
Strong with wisdom's poise and pride 
Glad to welcome, yet, patiently wait 
  a rising, outgoing tide.

(I am taking a blogging break for a month or a little longer ...
  I have many projects planned, like painting all of my house 
  and planting a garden and I am very busy with my granddaughter.
  So, see all of you dear people in June ...
  I shall be by today to visit all of you that paid me a visit while I was in 
  Disneyland ... our trip was amazing!
  Wishing all of you much joy in your lives ...)
xoxo 

(Comments are closed on this post ... thank you!)

For Fun ~

A song _  did you hear it?
A cloud puff in the sky 
Winter is melting
The water is high!
So warm in the sunshine 
The gray catkins purr 
Green sap in the willows 
Is beginning to stir!

The tulips are popping 
The crocuses too 
My head is awhirl 
I've so much to do!
But I have spring fever 
It's driving me mad 
I'm ambitious but lazy 
Now isn't that sad? 

(photo is mine.) 

I am heading to Disneyland tomorrow 
with my granddaughter, her parents and my hubby.
I will not be online while I am away ...
So, till I return on May 9th ...

for now, dear  people 

we are off on a grand adventure. xo 

Give Me Your Gift of Time ~

For those of you who touch my life 

give me that something special thing 

that mirrors the depth of your style 

give me the presence of your being 

that lights up my life with your smile. 

Bestow upon me the greatest of gifts 

worth more than all money and gold 

bless me with moments of priceless friendship 

and magical moments untold 

endear me with your company, share of your life 

and give me your time to behold.

The gift of your time is the greatest of gifts 

that you can give unto your family and friends 

and nothing's more precious to me than those 

hours 

of concord on which my life depends! 

(photo is of my niece and I 
  we spent a lovely time together.) 

The Call of Spring ~

He calls to me _ I know it now 
  that bird with cheery song 
to let my duties wait awhile   
  and come _ the day is long.
He's telling me it's springtime 
  there are violets in the wood.
I feel I can't refuse to go 
  I don't see how I could!

Out where the shadowy vistas are 
  aglow with sunshine Gold 
the forest flowers are carpeting 
  the spongy _ leafy mold.
Oh! _ I must see it all again
  and hear the brooklets sing!
I cannot still this heart of mine 
  for it is answering spring!

(Photo is from springtime last year
 this is my neighbor's yard.)

I Should Not Mind ~

I think I should not mind to die 
If there beside me where I lie 
I could take memory of days 
I have so deeply loved _ the ways 
Of childhood and youth that throng 
Could I but take these things along _
The sudden rapture of the blessed 
Holding my first-born to my breast 
Or, could I take those happy hours _
When children fresh-bathed, sweet as flowers 
Ready for bed, would look at me _
Expecting wisdom, trustfully 
Heaven must be with wonder sown 
To match the riches I have known _

(My son and I ... he is one of my greatest joys
  and has brought so many riches to my life.) 

To An Oak ~

I can't write as Kilmer, you see 
Yet, I adore you, lovely tree _
Your graceful curtsies in the breeze 
As you converse with other trees _
The season's altering of your dress 
Your firm and sober steadiness _
While anchored on your lonely hill 
I admire you there so still _

You seem contented there and too 
Romance just seems to come to you _
I wander 'round just here and there 
You never travel anywhere _
You never leave your habitat 
Yet, you have seen things I have not _

I so often wish I knew 
How life there is liked by you _
If it is like it seems to be 
Even though I may be free _
I'm so often not content 
        Ah, restless me _
I sometimes wish I were a tree!

("Trees" by Joyce Kilmer is the  inspiration
  for this poem.)

Celebrate ~

Savor the warmth _ bless the sunshine 
Smile upon the falling rain
Grow like a rose _ sprout like a bud 
Gather the strength you must obtain 
Reach for the sky _ welcome the dawn 
Sing out a song of praise each day!
Taste morning dew _ get high on life 
Stand up and bloom without delay 
Spread your fragrance _ show your flowers 
Be a bouquet for all to see!
Embrace the world _ know of its charm 
Live and let live and let it be!

Thank the springtime _ kiss the summer 
Paint all the colors that you see 
Dance with thunder _ waltz with showers!
Sway to the rhythm of the breeze 
Welcome the fall _ autumn's display 
Rejoice in beauty everywhere 
Nurture your love _ harvest your time 
Gather your joy and plant it there!
Relish winter _ enjoy the change 
Relax and take a needed rest 
Laugh and reflect _ stay satisfied 
Look back and know you gave your best!

(Photo is of my beautiful daughter at the tender 
  age of 30 months ... celebrating life to the max ... 
  she now has her lovely daughter Rose 
  who now carries on the tradition of the celebration of life!) 

Sunset Rendezvous ~

I top the hill and meet the glory 
of the sinking sun _
that marks the ending of the day
and shows his race is run _
The sunset flings a crimson curtain 
above the smoky darkness of the hills _
and that flaming beacon on the far horizon 
my restless spirit stills _
Then an aeronautic wind floats from the northward
as he sinks in an obscure sea _
all is gone except the twilight 
the purple trimmed hills and me.

When from that magnificent realm 
King Sun has fallen _
and has lain down on his pallet of gold 
the murmur of rills to the woodland is calling _
fairies their bedtime stories unfold 
and the soldiers of dreamland come over the hill _
with bugle and drum sweet dreams to thrill
hanging the heavy curtains of night _
upon an evening twilight.

Then tucked into bed my day-dreams sleep 
as the wind blows loudly down the steep _
there's nothing but darkness on earth's great lea 
for all is gone except night voices _
my enraptured soul and me!

Mountain Time ~

The long hours come and pass away 
A hundred years are as a day _
In mountain solitudes like these 
Where stand the ancient lonely trees _
That have survived so many men
As kingdoms fall and rise again.

The thunder of an avalanche 
A squirrel chattering on a branch _
The canyon wren with plaintive call
The rain and whispering winds are all _
That break the silence of this place
Where I have lingered for a space.

To be a small, unnoticed part 
Near to a mountain's unspoiled heart _
And now I must return once more 
To houses where each has a door _
And windows one must lock 
And minutes dripping from a clock!
************************************
"Chasing angels or fleeing demons, go to the mountains." 
 -Jeffrey Rasley 

(photo was taken by my husband.)

Afternoon Tea ~

Sleet spins down in an endless way
slivers of cold, a bleak-filled day
Wood burns with a crackling spark 
curtains drawn against the dark.

Tea by the fire _ fresh-baked bread 
marmalade - honey _ jam to spread 
orange cake with a sugar-rum glaze 
muffins _ buttery scones on a tray.

English porcelain _ antique spoons 
leaf-shaped cookies _ macaroons 
the fire burns to a soft warm glow 
sleet spins quietly into snow.

(Tea, anyone?  ... all are welcome!)

(photo is from Google.) 

To This Day ~

Goodbye, sweet day _ O, Day of Days!
You've made my heart glad and you've made the world fairer: - 
The shadows fall faster _ the sky is rarer, 
And low in the west lies a golden haze . . . 
When in the years I shall know less of gladness, 
The thought of you, day, shall drive away sadness:
Oh, that I might keep you  -  the endless of days!

(Photo was taken in Moab, Utah.
 spent last weekend there with my husband.
 the days were beautiful as were the nights.) 

You Were!

You were my alpha _ source of life 
My nourishment and comfort _
Your gentle touch and soothing voice 
Assured me of a presence.

You fed and nurtured _ reassured 
Compelled my very senses _
The stimulus that made me grow 
Was You above all others.

You made my being come alive
Like water on a flower _
I drank your love and baby bloomed 
In gardens that you watered.

You were the tender loving cup 
That made my own runneth over
You were and are my fountainhead 
Forever _ dearest Mother!

(my mother died in 1998 ...
 she is always in my heart and on my mind
 and a source of daily inspiration!) 

Rough Winds, Be Kind ~

Rough winds, blow lightly _
over this mound 
here lies our dearest _
in hallowed ground.

Springs rains, fall gently _
gently to bless
snows, fall as softly _
as a caress.

Let her be covered_
lightly as foam 
warmly as love _
for love is her home!

(for my dear friend, that recently passed on.) 

Blueprints ~

Here on the bridge to Dreamland _
Life _ just as we have always pictured it 
A home with a room for all, not too grand _
Family and friends about, who value simple realities 
Loyalty _ sincerity _ old-fashioned devotion _
Treasures upon which depression has had no effect 
Those who love us for ourselves _
Not for the accidents of possession and accumulation.

    A cottage, or a large estate _
    Spanish, French or out-of-date
    Rose vines? _ Yes _ and fragrant, too _
    More important _ You and YOU!
    There to share it all with me _ 
     Five or ten or fifty-three 
     Voices, laughter, movement, life _
     And an end to useless strife  
     Time to catch the sun's last beams _
     As I cross the Bridge to Dreams.

(my home is my castle ... 
photo was taken on a very wintry and snowy day.)

Lest I Forget ~

Let me feel this heart break open to sound 
to music playing everywhere, in everything 
from birdsong to baby's cry to laughter 
to the bursting of seed pods, suck of the bee _

the footfall of deer eating my garden 
reeds sipping water on the banks of sheltered ponds
waves slipping over the bar drinking sand 
the rustle and scrape of you dressing in the morning _

Let me see cloud feathers turn pink, the moon's wink 
trees blazing in Autumn, the gray of distant rain 
out over a freshly ploughed field, dirt kicked by wind 
pain in a young man's eyes when misunderstood _

see the way a smile carries everything higher 
tears catching light, the tiniest of flowers radiant 
your hand holding mine when life is too heavy or wonderful 
and words have shed their meaning _

Let me know the secrets, the doubts, the hidden 
inside of burrows, the nightlife of foxes 
grace in the wing, a sweet chord
blended to a voice echoing the ache of life, the joy _

reveal the pattern of desires, the weave and woof 
of change, growth of a cell, the give and take of love 
lest I forget 
the very source of my never-ending thirst for life, for love _

Grief ~

Grief has tucked herself away 
inside a pillowcase of tears 
she sits alone
amidst the sorrow 
of a hundred days and nights 
that pass as shadowed memories
in an empty space.

No laughing voices 
warm the air 
cold winter 
never has a spring 
when death comes stalking 
with a frozen face!

(I am heading out tomorrow for my friend's funeral.
  see you all next week, take care and be well.) 

My Love ~

You are the echo 
of my heart 
the rhythm 
beating in my soul 
from morning's magic 
to the evening's glow _

My thoughts 
are shades 
of you in verse _

Without your love 
my blood 
would harden 
in my veins 
and cease to flow 
the echo in my heart 
would turn 
to stone _

(I am always so thankful for my wonderful 
  husband as he is always here for me in the good times 
  and bad times ... I am especially grateful for him today 
  as I received news of a dear friend of mine passing away.) 

The Seasons ~

I understand the seasons, now 
I know their shades are varied 
moods and knowing savor 
each in turn _
The lightning, sudden 
frightening blots of brightness 
Let it come, for this is beauty 
deepest mood that complements 
the peaceful days _
Then let it pass, let winds 
blow soft and brush my cheeks 
with moistened lips 
for this is beauty, deepest calm 
that complements the stormy days _
Let each shade color me_
In turn, the red, the blue 
the purple days 
for I would know 
the shades of each 
yet be the color of the whole _

(photo is of a lake I visit often and close by.) 

Champagne ~

Champagne 
moonlight 
a terrace 
close beside the sea _
Champagne 
music 
strong arms 
encircling you to me _
Champagne 
bubbling 
roses 
in a vase _
Champagne 
dancing 
waltz my love
through nights and days _

(photo was taken on our recent trip to Cancun
 it was truly a romantic getaway!) 

Infinity ~

I yearned to find infinity 
   and seeking it, passed through 
the gates of reverence and love
    into life with you.

And now in the starlit bowers within 
    as you give yourself to me 
it is you that I gather into my arms 
    I hold infinity. 

Being Alone ~

Being alone 
is not being lonely,
it's a long walk 
on a wide beach 
where the only sound 
is a bird's cry,
the wind racing a blue sky 
and surf riding the shore.

Loneliness 
is being alone 
with a room full of people 
who don't care
when despair is a tear 
on a frozen cheek 
in a bright room.

Shared Secrets ~

The best things to remember 
are the pleasant fun things we've done together 
the times of shared soft laughter 
with no rhyme or reason for excitement 
and for which all their importance 
could easily have been forgotten 
only a moment later.

Quietly smiling memories 
are timid, half-hidden wildflowers 
never to be picked and displayed 
belonging to the knowing observer 
for a tenuous laughing moment.

Do you remember how we laughed pleasantly 
at the lavender- purple house we saw 
as we were driving along 
and the woman who gave us a Washington peach 
because she was so proud of her state
and the little store in Oregon 
where we had fun buying Japanese food items 
and the woman at the roadside stand 
who added a lagniappe of purple plums 
to the basket of fruit we purchased? 

We can speak to each other the code words 
of a delightful esoterica 
and no one else can possibly understand 
the hidden meaning in the smiles 
we happily exchange.

-----------------------------------------------------------
(I am heading to Cancun, Mexico, with my wonderful husband 
  on Wednesday morning, so I shall say 'bye' to all of you but 
  only for a short time as I will be back to visit you next week 
  on my return. 
  Must go pack now as this was all a big surprise and I just found out 
  about the trip, he truly is a wonderful husband!) 

Lonely Road ~

It isn't always accomplishment that counts

sometimes it is just the going on in the face of defeat

to those who go on!

The man or woman who never achieves 

yet never ceases

hoping, striving, dreaming!

Those who work and wait - for "Ships That Never Come In!" 

has their earnestness here started something 

that shall flower into reality somewhere beyond?

To the man who goes on 

when it seems to him 

that he just cannot carry his load

to the woman who smiles 

in the face of defeat 

at the end of the lonely road

these are the heroes 

I give you tonight 

they may fail, but they never say yield

"May hope be the angel"

who smiles in their eyes 

when they close them 

on earth's battlefield!

Treasured ~

You are the quietness 
poised on the pool 
before the first breeze wakes 
or ever a bird stirs or morning breaks _

Tethered by trials 
your body comforts 
imparting 
surpassing power to bless _

When my worlds fume 
and strain to fall apart 
I find their wholeness _ and my own 
within your heart _ 

These Things of the Earth ~

Lake mirrored cloud free sky, trout rise 
willow shade caressing lavender flags
a swallow's swoop to mud-dabbed nest _

Slapping wind full of spilled thunder 
midnight lightning startling the dark 
a moth battling the rain-specked window pane _

River voice chanting below flooded banks 
dawn light painting the water bronze and gold 
a cottontail scratching her ear in dewy grass _

These simple, ordinary, everyday 
miraculous things of the earth _
-------------------------------------------------------
(photo is of my niece and I ... taken on a trip to Nova Scotia ...
 in a place of true serenity and beauty.) 

A Dedication ~

In dawn's wakening smile 
in bright new promise of morning 
I have seen your eyes 

In music of mid-day 
in sweet soaring vibrancy of earthsongs 
I have heard your voice 

In evening's warm caress 
in sheltering closeness of sunset 
I have felt your touch 

All things beautiful in my world 
have breathed the magic 
the mystery, the miracle of you 

I have loved you this day!