Sunshine Sally

She shines like the Sun

She radiates rejuvenating rays

She is a kind kindred spirit

She is caring and careful

She is honest and honorable

She is a humble hero

She is a faithful friend

She is a loyal lover

She is compassionate and confident

She is completely kissable

She is truthful and trustworthy

She is totally terrific

She is tremendously talented

She is tender and thoughtful

She tunes into the tones

She settles into the sounds

She revels in the rhapsodies

She catapults into the chorus

She swings with the symphonies

She orbits into the orchestra

She communes with the choir

She sings soft songs

She melts into the melodies

She hangs with the harmonies

She relaxes into the refrains

She expands the ephiphanies

She excites the electrodes

She enlivens the ecosystems

She eradicates egoism

She exudes education

She ignites intuition

She inspires innovation

She illuminates individualism

She invokes intelligence

She infuses insights

She helps the hapless

She soothes the saddened

She softens the solemn

She supports the selfless

She alleviates anxiety

She dissipates depression

She uplifts the unknown

She laments the lost

She fosters the forlorn

She calculates the cost

She remembers the righteous

She wrings out the wrongs

She calls out the callous

She converts the cynical

She calms the chaos

She harmonizes humanity

She teaches the world to sing

  in perfect harmony

She holds it in her arms and

  keeps it company

She sees the world

  all standing hand in hand

She helps the world to finally see

  peace throughout the land [1]

That is the song she hears

That is the song she sings

That is the song she lives

That is the song she brings

All will dance together to her

  sweet song of serenity

All will meld their melodies magnificently

  with her as the maestro

Her masterpiece will move mountains

Her rapture will reverberate

Her joy will jubilate

The Sun will shine on a new day, 

  a new land, a new way

Sally will bring the future, 

  heal the present and release the past

Her legacy of love will ever last

MAL 4/4/23

Note [1]: These 4 lines were inspired by the song "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony" by the New Seekers (https://g.co/kgs/xKqWCg)

Morning Observation

The dew glistens and sparkles 
as the sun streaks across the grass. 
The trees are illuminated 
as if in a spotlight from the sky. 
Morning sounds of traffic and the birds 
compete to be heard,
as the squirrels scurry around, 
foraging for food.

The Sun lifts its head, 
warming my face 
as I walk quietly and slowly, 
inhaling the sights and sounds,
letting them sink into my skin,
nourish my soul,
calm my mind
and bring balance to my body. 

If we open our eyes and ears, 
we can find the beauty and joy in nature
amidst the bustle of the world. 

Two Sides

Flip a coin, choose a side
Black is black, White is white
Dark is dark, Light is light
Bright of day, Shade of night
Fade to Black, Rise to Light
Sun and Shadow play their game
Moon can pierce the darkest sky

Anger and Sadness, 
Love and Joy
Yin and Yang
we need them both
They coexist, 
Inseparable
If one were gone, 
the other would wither
Missing its partner,
one half left alone
carrying the burden all on its own

The eternal balance
is like a dance
back and forth
across space and time
Never ending, 
the cycle continues
The universe performs
its harmonic song

Untouched Beauty

In the center of the circle
hidden in the rolling hills
lies a luxurious wildflower patch
full of vibrant colors
that beckons me to come
and breathe the fragrant air
before it is carried away
in the autumn mist

The first sight of this patch
brought such joy and excitement
I walked over and stared
with enamoration
at the immensity of it

I picked a bunch of flowers
in remembrance of that moment
but they didn't last long
beyond the magic of the patch

They could not capture
The same sensation
as the field in full bloom
With bees buzzing around
and the manicured grass
under my feet
A stark contrast to the
untouched natural landscape
before my eyes

I stood in awe at the beauty
we cut away each day
to pave the way for progress

10/13/14

Seek Your Rainbow

If today it is raining on your parade
Just ask the sun to come out and play

There can be no rainbows without rain
There can be no joy without pain

There can be no laughter without a good cry
Without rain the world would be dry

There can be no rainbows without rain
There can be no loss without some gain

If you're feeling dreary and wonder why
Just look for a rainbow to appear in the sky

There can be no rainbows without rain
There can be no life without a stain

You may find no rainbow nor pot of gold
But take pleasure in seeking as the day unfolds

There can be no rainbows without rain
Always remember this simple refrain

Appreciate each moment given to you
All the sunny days and the rainy ones too

10/4/14
Inspired by the sun peeking out as I went outside to take a walk on a rainy day

Simple

LOVE is Life
PEACE is Profound
JOY is Juicy
HOPE is Heavenly
SIMPLE is Soulful

Stardancing

I dance beneath the stars which hang so free
The world rotates in joy beneath my feet
I spin and turn until I cannot see
With happy heart I cling to every beat

An experiment with iambic pentameter for a Poets of G+ workshop

My New Year's Wish

I Wish for All

A Year of Faith
in every dream
through every struggle
along your way

A Year of Hope
in every moment
amazingly rekindled
from all that were dashed

A Year of Love
filling every heart
healing all the pieces
that have ever been broken

A Year of Peace
deep in every soul
spoken in every language
heard far and wide

A Year of Joy
in every step
springing swiftly up
even when you should fall

A Year of Light
sparkling in every eye
so that kindred spirits
recognize their glow

A Year of Wishes
that are all fulfilled
when wished upon a star
or quietly in your heart

A Year of Blessings
each and every day
sprinkling softly through the air
landing safely in your hands

Angel Song

Angels are calling
with songs of love
Sweetly streaming
from heaven above

I see them surround me 
with comforting charm
I feel them wrap me
up in their arms

They are all around us
if we but glance
Helping to guide us
at every glance

Drawn to our love,
our joy and our peace
Their love always flows
and will never cease

They are creatures of Light 
shining brightly for all
There to catch us
if we should fall

Open your eyes
and look very clear
For chances are
an angel is near

Open your ears
and hear their call
For they can help
to save us all.

MAL 10/6/13

Yoga and Meditation Reflections and Poems

I have been continuing my twice daily yoga and meditation practices as well as my daily walking and I am feeling great. I attended a meditation workshop in California this past weekend. It inspired many poems which I am sharing together here. 

Love is Like The Sun

Love begins as a sunrise,
Fresh and bright as a new day.
Then as the sun, it climbs higher
And grows stronger with each passing moment.

Love gives us light in our lives,
And comfort from the cold.
Even when we are far from it,
Or cannot see it, we know it is there.

The sunset does not bring an end
        to the sun or to love,
Just a beautiful close to one
        chapter in our lives.
A new chapter will unfold with
        the next dawn,
Brighter and more joyful than the last.

                                            MAA 10/31/97

Love Under The Sun and Moon

Our love began with a sunrise,
Bringing a fresh, new day into our lives.
It almost ended with the sunset,
While we stood together as friends.

But the dawning of another day,
Proved that friendship and love
      do not die with the sun.
Instead they grow stronger
      with each sunrise,
And promise more with each sunset.

No matter how many times
We've seen the Sun's golden rays
Start to shine about the horizon,
Each time is more beautiful than the last.

Or when we think that
We have seen each shape and color
It projects upon the sky as it falls
      back to its grave,
We will see another more wonderful and bold.

Love changes and enhances
With each sunrise and sunset.
Its joys are endless and powerful,
Bringing wonder and happiness
      each morning and evening.

The sun is like a warm blanket
      on a cold morning.
We feel its comfort wrap around us,
And feel secure,
Knowing it will be there day by day.

Just as the sun rises and sets
       upon each day,
The moon illuminates the night.
It is mysterious and changing,
Never keeping the same shape for long.
It can be a giant fireball in the sky,
Or hide its light behind the earth.

The sun brings light and hope,
And the moon brings romance and mystery.
Each is beautiful in its own unique light;
They are both more wonderful and beautiful
When we are together beneath their glow.

Love gives us new eyes
To see all of their beauty at its fullness.
Love draws us closer to them,
No matter how far away
      they are in reality.
Somehow, they can cast a spell
      on those in love,
Drawing them into a world
      where time stands still,
Allowing them to share their love
      a moment longer.
                                           MAA 10/31/97 

Love is Like A Circle

Our love is like a circle of pure gold,
Which contains the sun, moon and stars as one.
Our journey of love has barely begun,
All its treasures we have yet to behold.
As we see the path of our hearts unfold, 
And gaze into the brightness of the sun,
And see the gifts that true friendship has won,
Joy and happiness will be uncontrolled. 
                                                   
                                                                  MAA 5/25/98

Written for my husband when we were first dating. I attempted a sonnet but it just didn't happen. Maybe someday I will write one like my favorite poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

My Sweet Girl

Gwendolyn so very dear,
I love it when you come so near;
Hugging me so very tight,
Loving me with all your might.

Sweet kisses daily do you give,
Providing reason for me to live.
Your precious smile lights up my day,
More than words could ever say.

When you yell "Mommy" as I return,
It is a prize I could never earn.
Each night that I softly sing you to sleep
Is a precious memory for me to keep.

I watch each day as you grow,
My pride for you more than you know.
Please take your time, don't grow too fast,
So we can make these moments last.

You are my mirror, my “mini me”,
As I imagine the woman you will grow to be.
Your spirit is wonderful, a sight to behold;
I joyously await to see it unfold.

Stay as special as you are today,
Don't change who you are in any way;
You are a treasure, a gem, a pearl;
You will always be my sweet little girl.

                                                                  MAL 7/6/13

Walk With Me

The clouds speak to me with white wisps across the sky;
The birds beckon as they fly.

The sun warms me as I walk amidst the trees;
Nature calls to me with every breeze.

My mind quiets as I listen to the sounds;

Sweet stillness echoes and resounds.

Little flowers flock amongst the grass;
Fluttering along the path as I pass.

The joy and beauty is there for all to see,

So won’t you come and walk along with me?

                                                                            MAL 6/30/13

The Beacon (My Spirit's Wish)

To Everyone within my sight,
Within my breath,
Within my light;
Bring Peace and Joy,
And Love and Light.

                                         MAL 2010