Return to Yoga

Return to Yoga

scared to step on to the mat

it has been such awhile

each day putting something else

in front of my practice

sitting in quiet

waiting to begin

softly letting my body

relax into the mat

I feel so safe

just being here

the lights are dimmed low

candlelight shining all around

I know I belong here

I have returned home

here on my mat

I ask myself why

I had put my yoga aside?

I stand on my mat

setting my personal intention

to return to my yoga

oh how this feels right

Ninety minutes passes quickly

of stretching and poses

music so beautiful

I have come home

 I had returned to

 where I needed to be

my spirit is aligned

my body healthier because

I have given the time and effort

to yoga once more

returning to yoga

returning to self

for yoga is doing

one step at a time

mindfully

carefully

intentionally

with 

grace

Just Listen

Just Listen

you will surely hear

life's messages

if only you will

take the time

to do so

quietness of your

mind chatter

intention

slowing yourself down

enough just to listen

there are messages

all around you

be still

if only you will

hear them

be aware of life sounds

coming your way each day

they are there for you

if only you will 

listen

Open Mic Night

Open Mic Night

sitting here waiting

for my turn to read

apprehensive

yet calm

of what will soon be

words from strangers

beautifully spoken tonight

opening their hearts

to a room 

full of poets

stillness and quiet

listening with intent

soon applause fills the room

in support of what

was just

heard and received

my heart beats faster

soon it will be me

speaking through that mic

in the front of the room

sharing the words of my heart

nervous to walk down the aisle

I am here looking out

to a room full of people

so many faces

each with their own expressions

I stopped counting at fifty

oh my

here I go . . .

I heard my words spilling out

through the mic

I felt myself becoming flushed

I wondered if they could hear 

my heart beating loudly

it got easier and easier

with each passing line

I look up on occasion

seeing those eyes of

acceptance

I finish my reading

folding my paper in half

a glance from my friend Jack

nodding with a smile

walking back to my seat

a safe place surely for me

"you did it girl"

I thought to myself

I feel so elated

and proud of just me

my heart slowing down

I can breathe once again

hearing the poems of others

probably ~ maybe

feeling just like me

a night to remember

one I will never forget

Chrysler Museum

reading for the first time

my poems

and

me

Sistership

Sistership

support

love

kindred spirits

love

gathering

love
sharing together
love

special friendships

love

stolen moments

love
being like minded
love

retreats together

love

encouragement

love
 special words in the mail
love

blissfulness 

love

tribe 

love
giggles and smiles
love
a lasting wave goodbye
love

the gift of sistership

can't live without
love

Nourishment

Nourishment

it comes in different ways

a card in the mail

a good book to read

a hug from a friend

a beautiful poem

friendships

gatherings

long afternoon naps

a yoga class

a bowl of yummy oatmeal

words that ring true

resting in a hammock

a flower blooming

long walks

for nourishing the soul

a cup of hot tea

spending time with your love

walking hand in hand

reading inspiring words

being taught a life lesson

peace and love

blissfulness

happiness in spirit

meditation

all nourishment to me

This girl she

This girl she

Is ... 

seeking

happy

loving

gentle

artistic

and free

content to just be

aging with grace

a writer

a poet

expressing with words

all that is inside

still a little girl

content to just be

wondering about life

questions in her mind

wanting to know more

all of the time

loves her friends

passionately

content to just be

this girl she
is
full of wonder
full of grace
still healing
from life's cruel hurts
always climbing
reaching
content to just be


(poetry prompt inspired from Liz Lamoreux's Poem It Out E-course)

Holding on to

Holding on to

bitterness

what was in the past

old friendships

that are in need of  

being let go

parents that have been gone

for quite some time

the hurts and desires

the dreams that have passed

to  bad memories

the words that certainly hurt

 grudges of

someone or something

in your precious past

never a healthy thing to do

for the soul needs

to rest

holding on to

happiness

love

peace and contentment

all these good things

that can bring

 peace

and

wellness

to your heart

that is just holding on to

Artist Date

Artist Date

I come to this museum

seeking time alone

time to be with my 

artistic self

no one else but me

time to look at paintings

breathe all of it in

time to take some

photos

capturing a memory

never wanting to forget

the images that I have seen

beauty is all around me

portraits

sketches

statues of marble

amazing artifacts

and

 landscape paintings

I feel a sense of wonder

at all the artists here

breathing in their

 vibrations

as I am standing here

I stop to sketch a memory

or write this little poem 

while walking through

the galleries

of this awesome place I am in

pulling out my watercolors

just trying a little vignette 

standing in front of Renoir and Monet

my heart is spilled wide open

renewal in my heart

and mind

quietness alone

I walk the halls of this

beautiful place

not wanting 

anything more

artist date with me, 

myself and I

so cleansing

so peaceful

I walk away renewed

thankful for having 

this gift in time

on a 

Sunday afternoon

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Restlessness

Restlessness

where does it come from?

how do we deal with it?

wrestling with

unwanted feelings

restlessness

listen to the thoughts

that come from within

aligning your 

heart thoughts

right along with your

mind

this is a time for action

a time for movement

life changes 

are coming your way

restlessness

this can be scary

it can be exciting too!

take the time to listen

to the reasons why

restlessness

change is coming

Step Away

Step Away

step away from fear

and confusion

step away from strife

and discontentedness

step away from bad people

they will only bring you down

step away from hurts

let go of what you can't fix

step away from what you can't control

step away from toxic people

from harmful relationships

please step away

step away from things that confuse you

step away from unhealthy things

remember to care for yourself

whatever that needs to be

step away from those who use you

from things you can't understand

step away for your protection

step away

Coffee

Coffee

flavorful

aroma

waking me up

beauty

within a big ole cup

tasty

stimulant

art of the mug

fellowship

gatherer

companion

coffee

in a cup

trendy and hip

costly for sure

coffee

my friend

heaven in a cup

french roast

decaf

latte

triple whip

venti

extra shot

coffee language

strange to be heard

oh that coffee

yumminess

in a cup

my friend in the morning

when I need to wake up 

familiar

and comforting

ever faithful

writing friend

my coffee

in a cup

Dragonfly Summer

Dragonfly Summer

I saw you perched

there on the wire

delicate

beautiful

poised and magical

so vivid in your colors

your wings just like gauze
your eyes were so tiny
your body was so very small

your eyes stared at me

you didn't move a bit 

I came in closer

just wanting a look

totally aware you

might fly away

but you didn't

you stayed for me

little dragonfly friend

with my camera in my pocket

I reached in even closer

it is as if you knew

what I was trying to do

I captured this picture

of you little one
thank you for staying
and not flying away

dragonfly summer

gentle and relaxing

simplistic and wishful

you symbolize

change

now you got me to thinking

what changes are coming?

where am I going?

what will I leave behind?

dragonfly summer

what beauty to behold

all on a lazy

Sunday afternoon
a quick moment in time
I will never forget
thank you little dragonfly
for making me smile

Growth

Growth

we are never to old 

to grow

to learn something 

brand new

to cultivate an idea

or listen to an inner feeling

to grow in wisdom

knowledge and talents

growth is ever changing

no matter how old we become

never stop striving

to expand your horizons

spread your wings wide open

look to new experiences

you won't be disappointed

never stop learning to play

trust in the process

you will surely see

that growth is good for 

you and for me

try something you have

never tried before

grow and then grow 

a little bit more

step out of your comfort zone

look towards the sun

let your heart lead you

trust your intuition

grow by leaps and bounds

surely growth 

will come

just be open

 wait and see

Watercolors

Inspired from a card by watercolorist Chris Haltigan

Watercolors

I am drawn to their beauty

spontaneous and wild

fluidity of color

brushing onto the page

I watch and I wait

to see the colors flow

not always knowing

which way they will go

Brushes and paints

Tubes of colors and just water

beautiful, mystical

surprising and fun

watercolors teach me

how to be patient

learning to let go of 

my expectations

Playing with brushes

with my inner baby girl
always finding a 
creative surprise
there waiting for me

Watercolors and beauty

 is ever changing my

artistic walk
I've grown as 
an artist
trusting my instincts
playing like a child
intuitive and free
watercolors
you are loved
by me

The Gift of a Letter

The gift of a letter

handwritten

love notes

coming through

the mail

 now becoming

something

that used to be

computers

emails

smart phones

and texts

messages sent quickly

responses in a second

we have lost the art

of handwriting

sitting down to write

taking the time 

to write from our hearts

sending it with care

the fun of receiving

those written words

from a friend

or a family member

handwritten beauty

remembering

the joy

of a stamped

envelope coming 

our way

opening the mailbox

and seeing it there

why is it we have stopped

sending love through the mail?

giving the gift of our words

 to someone who really cares

sharing our hearts

sharing our thoughts

could it be that we

might try again once more?

to restore the beauty

of 

the gift of a letter

encourage someone

send one today

the gift of your letter

worth so much more

than you will know

it may truly be

the only gift that someone

might receive

Quietness

Quietness


Be still

Be quiet

Listen to all that is

around you

Pay attention to
the little sounds
crowded over by the
busyness of life
you will find them
there
waiting just for you


Stop the chatter in your mind 
breathe in 
slowly
meditatively
purposefully 
be still and know
listen to the quietness
it is a gift 
available just for the
taking


If only you will
hear what is way down
deep inside
take the messages
there within you
rest
in this quietness 
be content
and free


Quietness
is all around you
seek
you will find it
there

I seek

I seek

Comfort from disturbing thoughts

Peace in the midst of turmoil

Happiness in my world

Quietness in my mind

Love all around me

Friendships that last forever

More time with family

to laugh and just play

I seek more time for myself

so I am not rushing about

Time to rest and restore,

to quiet my heartstrings

deep inside of me

Creative time

and playing with me and
 my 

inner girlie

I seek time alone with God

to quiet my heart

Hear what He has to say

Guiding me

along the way

I seek

Comfort

Security

Peacefulness
Rest

Solitude

Happiness
Blissfulness

Finding my truest

ME