by Sharon K. Shubert

BY THE WATERS.... A blue heron stands at the water's edge, so still I almost didn't notice him at first. Dragonflies flit about his head, perhaps to taunt him, but he doesn't move. We sit down under a grove of trees, silently watching. A squirrel comes down an oak tree headfirst, stopping every few inches to stare at the humans invading his territory. Deciding we aren't stealing his acorns, he scampers on by within inches, then begins chattering to himself. CRAAACCCKKK, he nibbles on something crunchy while sitting on a tree stump. CAW CAW CAW!!! 3 big black crows arrive suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere. They settle on tree branches just over our heads. CAW CAW CAW.....then in the distance we hear the return call. More crows arrive. I lie back in the grass and stare up at the trees. They're filled with marvelous black crows. Behind them the sky is a bright, cloudless blue. We dare to breathe; afraid to disturb what is unfolding around us. We feel somewhat invisible as nature draws nearer and nearer, unimpressed by our presence. A butterfly lands silently on my breast, just sitting there fluttering her beautiful orange wings so slowly. I watch in awe. It's been a long time since I've seen a butterfly this close. She seems to be mezmerized by me too. I am inspired to the point of tears being in this space, this place, this wonderment of God's creations. And I am humbled to be a part of the scene by the waters............ NATURAL ELEMENTS Natural elements come together to create more beauty than I can ever truly depict with aRt. I love the sway of the trees, the intricate lines in a leaf, the brand new bud of a lovely flower, hundreds of tiny grains of sand on the beach, an abandoned bird's nest on the ground, pine cones scattered by the squirrels, locust's shells perched perfectly on tree bark, a cricket's immutable songs in the night....... I love the wash of a gentle rain, the musty smell of a forest ground, leaves colors in the fall, birds gathering on the ground searching for an evening meal, shells left behind in the tide.....I love the artistic gnarling twists of a tree trunk, acorns perfect in form, dark soil of a garden, butterflies flitting about from bloom to bloom, bumble bees buzzing around the crepe myrtle. I watch, I listen, then I create something beautiful to try and honor the beauty of the natural elements. How inspiring! A FEW TRINKETS All I have left of you are a few mementoes- trinkets of gold and silver, worn letters bearing your script, scattered pieces of your life, a lace hankerchief you carried in your purse. Though these things bring back many cherished memories, when I peruse the contents, I would gladly toss them to the wind- to have you back in my life. EVENING SHADOWS Evening shadows dance, crickets sing their immutable songs. I sit quietly in gathering dusk, collecting my thoughts, Surmising what should have been, Grieving for where life's road has taken formidable turns. The unexpected events that never fail to alter, The unexplained chaos rushing in. Through it all I've learned life lessons, Though not an eager student. I yearn for what could, or should have been... BROKEN How can we fix the brokenness? Hearts cannot be mended so easily it seems.... I've cried so many tears- They won't come so often anymore. My spirit is not of it's former self- broken from the heartache, the pain that days of misery instilled. How can we overcome what lies in the past, Those things that can never be erased? I question and ponder all that is, All that was and all that will be, From the brokenness........ DAWN OF ANOTHER DAY The sun dawn's through the trees, early morning memories of you are the first to awaken my sleepy mind.... you in all your glory, laughing with that sense of humor that warmed my heart.... you entered the room and warmed it in moments-simply with your presence...... you filled my heart and soul with so much love I could never truly express in mere words....... the sun dawn's on another day of missing you........... LOVE YOURSELF ENOUGH Love yourself today, Take the time to see, Your heart and soul within, And who you want to be. Keep your dreams alive, Focus on your goals, Love yourself enough, To walk the narrow road. Don't ever let someone Make you feel defeat, Don't measure your self-worth, By another's selfish means. Love yourself today, Learn from your daily walk. Take time to listen, More than you talk. Walk away from negative people, From hate you don't deserve, Pick yourself up and keep going, When life throws the biggest curves. Love yourself enough, Stand your ground for your beliefs. Don't compromise your values, Because someone disagrees. Love yourself today, Take time to see. The special person you are, And all that you can be! A PLEA Will anyone listen If I cry a plea for help? The darkness comes. My mouth is dry, Tears won't fall, Will anyone listen? My emotions numb. Will anyone's heart warm to me? My fading voice dying in need. I cannot see- the light is dim. Is anyone listening? GENTLE SOUL Beware my gentle soul- Let nothing of this world's cruelness, Trouble and inflict. For you are a rarity; My cornerstone in the storms. You are my sanity- Holding at bay, The madness, the sadness the uncontrollable urges to scream. In you I find my reason, the season of disillusion has passed. Beware my gentle soul, Let not your heart be troubled, Revel in your beauty-the grace, the aura of your strength. I am yours forever.....My gentle soul....... DANCING IN MAMA'S KITCHEN I danced in Mama's kitchen, A red apron around my waist. I swirled and twirled in make-believe, With flour on my face. I was a ballerina, Wearing white satin shoes, Dancing on my tippy-toes, Like ballerinas do..... We were baking bread that day, I made quite a mess, Kneading with my little hands, I had to take a rest. So I danced in Mama's kitchen, Sweet aromas - baking bread. Swirling make-believe dancer, In my flowery dress of red. WINTER NOSTALGIA I get so nostalgic this time of year. I yearn for all the things that remind me of home. The lonely whine of the cold wind outside makes me want to curl up by a cozy fire. Brewing coffee fills my country kitchen with the aroma I woke up to as a child. I can almost hear the clatter of the cups and saucers. On a lazy weekend day, I may knead homemade bread. Feeling the warm dough in my hands, I think back to the first time, as a little girl, I tried my hand at it. My grandmother stood beside me in her clean, worn housedress, damp tendrils of gray hair framing her face. She gently coached me through the entire ritual. I don't even remember how my first batch of bread tasted that day. Lingering in my mind is the love I felt. I had never felt so close to my grand- mother as I did then. Front porch swings need to be brought back. Families used to sit out on the front porch in the evenings. Whip- poor-wills called out as children darted around the yard catching fire- flies. The clink of ice in tall glasses echoed in the night as cold lemonade quenched our thirst. And there was always the constant groaning rhythm of the swing. We didn't need a special reason to get together as a family. One carload would arrive, then by pure coincidence another, and we'd have everyone together. We'd take each opportunity like that and gather around the piano and sing every old-time hymn we knew. The whole neigh- borhood was filled with our harmony! I glanced through some of the musty, old hymnals recently and found that my grand- mother had written our names above the page numbers of our favorite songs. Now with home and families in different cities and states, our group has somewhat diminished. How I long for just one more night 'round the old piano! Nostalgia is good for the soul. It takes you back to who are--where you began and still leaves room for who you are to become. OH BROTHER OF MINE Oh, brother of mine, Seems we became lost in time. Faces fading in memories' eyes. Oh brother of mine. I tried to knock on your door, Many years ago.....before. Now the age has come, Time beats the drum, Oh brother of mine. Are you the same soul I knew? So many colors and hues? Is there sadness on your face, No one can erase? Oh brother of mine. I never left this place, Still abiding in this sister's space. People crowding my mind, Let's go back in time. Oh brother of mine. We'll run in the night, Chasing those fiery flies, Laughter will come, Time beats the drum. Oh brother of mine. You are at my heart's door, Just as always before. Reach out to me, Set your soul free, Oh brother of mine. INDIAN SUMMER He came to me in indian summer, Hot, hazy, lazy day..... I couldn't help but smile at his persistence, Tempting me, Peaking my interest, Indian summer day. Taking my hand, With a look in his eyes, I was a little surprised, To finally find one so kind. Indian summer day. Smiles and laughter, Joined together as one. Closeness ever after, We found in our bond, On that indian summer day.... WITHOUT A FRIEND I saw a man today, Walking all alone. His face was wrinkled from his long years. Hair, uncombed and gray. He had the look of someone unloved. Of someone nobody took notice of. I watched this man shuffle aimlessly away, And I wondered how many people like this, Are in the world today? Tears began to fill my eyes, Then slid down my cheeks, To my surprise. I couldn't bear to think again, Of the lonely, old man.... Without a friend.

RAIN The smell of rain...... Thunderheads building On the horizon, Lightening flashed madly, Warnings to take cover. I found your arms Waiting as always, Like a warm blanket Wrapping me in protection. Laughter muffled As the thunder rolled. Sweet aroma in your hair, Seduced me. Enticed me. Comforted me. Ahhhh, the smell of rain...... WHISTLE OF THE WIND I hear the whistle of the wind, Sounds like it's calling my name. I stop what I'm doing to listen, Rain runs down the windowpane. A thought of you surfaces, From the recesses of my mind. I let the memories come rushing in, For a time.... Reliving special moments, A smile plays on my lips. A laugh escapes me with surprise, To think of you like this! The whistle of the wind, Or was it you calling my name? I stop what I'm doing to listen, As rain runs down the windowpane. MY HEART SPOKE TO ME THAT DAY My heart spoke to me that day, Though I was broken, From lovers of the past- Swearing no other would invade. My heart spoke to me that day. Unspoken promises I saw in your eyes. A gentle aura surrounded you in some way. My heart spoke to me that day. Persistent nudges, Constant thoughts in my mind. No peace would come if I let you go away. My heart spoke to me that day. Finally relenting, Pushing doubt from my mind. I succumbed to your love..... My heart spoke to me that day. (To Ken.....my wonderful husband) COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS (Written for the 1st anniversary of 9-11-2001) Count your blessings Name them one by one. And thank God for all He has done. Hold your loved ones close, Each and every day, Count them as blessings, Thank God and pray. Count your blessings, Name them one by one, Focus on the good in life; For all that God has done. Make today count in all that you do. Give a hug, smile a smile, And love yourself too. Extend a hand to those in grief, Bow your head in prayer and BELIEVE, Hold someone's hand, That needs a friend. Stand proud and strong, It's LOVE that will win. Count your blessings, Tomorrow and today. Don't take them for granted, Or throw them away. Look all around you, And feel love within. Count your blessings, It's LOVE that will win. MOMENTS LIKE THIS It's moments like this, When I miss you the most, Reminding me of your absence. The sting of death invades my thoughts, My emotions though healed For the most part, Seem raw as the tears, Come suddenly, At moments like this...... (For my grandparents who passed away in 1990.) CHAOS I come to you in quiet desperation, With a plea, I'm on my knees. This world and all it's glory Is in chaos, Mindless fury. Can't we see? Days are surely numbered, Babes in quiet slumber, Need to sleep in peace. My quiet desperation, Belies the scream within, I smother, As I watch, I'm on my knees. MEMENTO I came across a treasure, A memento of some sort, You'd left behind on the journey. Vanishing from this life, To infinite light, You didn't seem to need it, Anymore. I sat alone with tears glowing- My eyes lost all vision, My mind's eye focused even so. And therein the forgotten moment, I came across this treasure. The momento left behind.... On your journey. THE SWAN Snow- white wings flutter, Shimmering in bright light. Her body glides gracefully- A beautiful sight. The water, smooth as glass, Crystal clear and cool- Oblivious to the world outside She reigns her stately pool. She spreads her angelic wings In misty morning’s dew. Then flies away without a sound, Beyond the sky of blue. OVER THE HORIZON Over the horizon somehow I see, A place for you of serenity. Where pain and sorrow cannot dwell, And joys of tomorrow somehow compel us to hope in the journey. The future we take for granted, Take us back to new beginnings. We must make a promise to ourselves; to relive the passions and not forget, Second chances are not regrets. Though others may cry and misunderstand, Our strength is tomorrow, In God’s hands. No focus on the sorrows, Of the earthly man. LIFE'S LESSONS At times I’ve taken the wrong road Ending up in unexpected turmoil. Dreams crushed in a million pieces, My heart crumpled and thrown to the ground. With tears aflow I searched for a way back, Back to the goodness; to the things that make sense. To the simple pleasures and measures of each day. Is there peace at the end of this journey? Are love and joy waiting there? Will I wrap myself in compassion, Will my light shine again? Carefully my footsteps are measured, Now that I’m wiser in my age. One step at a time down life’s crooked trail, So my soul can rest in peace. IN THIS PLACE Dusk on the lake. Streaks of orange glow as the sun slowly sinks behind the oaks. I hear choirs of baritone bullfrogs singing down by the small creek behind the house. Sitting quietly in the darkness, I listen to evening songs; songs of nature that inspire me. Songs of nature that call to me as the tide comes in bringing lapping waves to the shoreline. The birds are quiet, giving up their morning songs to bed down and listen to other melodies; the melodies of locusts, crickets, whip-poor-wills, coyotes, wolves and the tree owl. Quietly, I listen as the sun sets. I am blessed and inspired. I WANT I want to wake up on a cloudy day- listen to the rain falling, Feel the breeze upon my face have a song in my heart and rejoice in the glory of life. LITTLE BOY IN MY MEMORIES I am amazed at how quickly the time has passed. I think about the joy I felt to know you from the beginning. You, in all your glory, Nursing at my breast, As my eyes welled up with tears. Your litte face so content. The years rushed past us, didn't they? Childhood games You played with laughter, A smile was in my heart To hear your voice, To see the way you loved. To watch you sleep amid stuffed animals in quiet dreams. Now I wonder what brings you joy? You're no longer the boy I knew. Where is that smile I knew so well, Left behind in pictures? I am amazed at how quickly the time has passed. And still your mother thinks of you. My first born son. MY LOSS There was so much of my life I wanted to share with you. The days were insufficient, The hours had wings. Somehow my arms could not hold you tight enough. Slipping from my grasp, Tears aflow, You missed the end, With no comprehension Of the pain inflicted.... On my soul. SIMPLE MORNING PLEASURES Light filters in, Leaves moving the boundries, blurring the lines. I lie on my pillow, watching flowery curtains, flutter ever so slightly in morning's breeze. Moving closer to his sleepy warmth, My cheek rests on his back. And I thank God for another day, With love. AMAZING LOVE Fresh faces, Baby kisses, Soft head upon my breast. Hushed whispers, Rock-a-bye, I walk among the blessed. Sleepy yawns, Fair skin, My fingers stroke your brow. Amazing love, There within, I am a mother now. LOVEBIRDS IN THE SPRING Oh the aroma of crepe myrtle in the spring! Wafting through a midnight dream.... You are there, along with me. We sat under the dogwood tree, Holding hands, kisses lingering. The night was still, Blinking fireflies, Man in the moon, Lit up the skies. Star twinkled a distant hello, We stared up, Our faces aglow. Knowing love in the spring, Is a wonderful thing, And the lovebirds sing....

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(C)Copyright 2000-2011, Author, Sharon K. Shubert. All Rights Reserved.