by Sharon K. Shubert

The following are "snippets" of my thoughts....observations, memories, and such.

The beans simmer on the back burner, filling the house with that comfort food aroma. A large bowl of yeasty smelling dough rises on the kitchen counter, covered with a clean blue and white towel. I sneak a peek underneath and poke it gently with my finger. Leaves are falling, acorns are dropping, squirrels are playing chase around the trunks of the large old oak trees that take stance in the small yard. I wander out of the house and plant myself in the old wooden front porch swing and start to hum a little song that's been going 'round in my head all day. A 40-YEAR-OLD memory; days long gone. A snippet of thoughts from yesteryear..... So much time has passed; the days turned into months, then years. Winter turned to spring and the flowers bloomed. Summer passed with fourth of July celebrations, sipping cold lemonade on the front porch.....Where were you when the trees turned from green to gold and the north wind began to blow? I built a fire and read the poetry you always loved. ...they mowed the field behind the house yesterday. I felt sad as the yellow flowers disappeared. ......walking along the beach, waves lapping at my feet....the wind blew a bright red Cardinal's feather right across my path. As I bent to pick it up, sounds of sea gulls echoed over the waves.....I spotted a unusually colored seashell and quickly grabbed it up to add to my collection, bringing with it a handful of glitzy grainy sand.......it would be so nice to share time with you on days like this....... ........I don't remember a time when I didn't enjoy the wonderful arrival of autumn. Seems I've always reveled in the beauty that marks this time of year; the rejuvenating cool breezes, the slow rainy days, the stands of trees painted by God in hues of reds, yellows, orange. All too soon, the magic will fade into the dullness of winter and the color will disappear...... ........it seems you are on my mind even more than usual when the holidays arrive. I can almost see you standing here with chocolate on your little face, holding your trick-or-treat bag. Let's go back there for a day and relive the sweet moments, the love, the wonder of the holidays. Let's go back to candy corn, chocolate kisses and red hot candies collected in your bag. Let's go back and read Dr. Seuss stories at bedtime.......take me back. .......winter has arrived in all it's natural glory....this morning the wind blows fiercely and the birds have disappeared........snow dances in the air....flurries swirling, twirling in a white haze....I am alone in my thoughts, warm and cozy while just outside the grasses have turned icy green... the beauty of the trees never ceases to amaze me........ .....sitting at the water's edge, waves lapping at our feet....we laughed at the antics of the blue heron who entertained us merely with his presence. .....I thought of you once more, as the aroma of roses filled the air. A sudden sadness filled my heart and soul and I longed to hold your hand, sitting on the front porch watching the rain....... ....as if on cue, a mockingbird appears each time I step outside my door and begins to sing his melodious songs......ahhh the entertainment of nature..... Whenever I think of you, It isn't always with a heavy sadness. Some memories are joyful, and playing them back in my mind brings back the feelings I had smothered with the grief of losing you.

EVENING The aroma of Scotch cake baking drifts through the house, filling the air with chocolately sweetness. A slight, cool breeze flows through the open windows. A flock of black crows make their usual visit to forage for an evening snack. Their distinct calls interject loudly,crudely, into an otherwise quiet calm. Finishing up some cleaning, I walk outdoors to shake throw rugs out, and notice just how beautiful the skies appear. Bright orange and yellow streaks are fading before my eyes into grays, as darkness replaces the light. A lone bird, perhaps a mockingbird, glides by in silhouette, hurrying home to nestle down in slumber for a few hours. I replace the throw rugs, retrieve my fresh cup of coffee and return to the patio. Perched quietly on the thin branch of a crepe myrtle bush, a small sparrow stares at me…..as if to say goodnight…..then he ducks under the leaves and disappears. For Fred.... I saw you from a distance and thought how familiar you looked, yet somehow I couldn't place you. A quick glance while passing; your eyes shone but I didn't know the older version. It was only later in the evening when realization struck....I was saddened by the toll the years and life's road had taken on you...realizing the vast amount of time that has quickly passed. Seems only yesterday when you were boisterous and strong. Seems only yesterday when you had the world at your fingertips. Seems only yesterday when I knew you. The rain washes earth's dust away; trickling water runs into cracked black soil. My breath fogs the window, as I sit daydreaming, watching the skies. Suddenly I feel so alone, And wish you were here watching the rain........ Summer heat; humid, sultry days, I long for the cool breezes of fall, When the leaves are painted brightly, And the locusts disappear. I walked along the shoreline at dusk, water lapping over my feet, a song in my heart.....watching the evening dance of the sea gulls. ....the smell of the rain and coffee wafts through the air as we sat on the porch cutting out paper dolls.... .....games of Hide 'n Seek and Chase at dusk....bubblebath and towels that smell of the outdoor air......I drifted off to sleep while watching fireflies blinking in a jar on my dresser... If I had it to do all over again, I would take the chance.... the chance to change what went wrong, the chance to live a happier life, the chance to omit the mistakes..... Yesterday I planted the yellow flowers that brought you joy. The birds sang in the tree overhead and I smiled as the buttery blossoms opened.

Read Sharon's Poetry here.

Read Sharon's Kid's Poetry here.

Read Sharon's "Haiku" here.

Read Sharon's Short Stories here.




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