The radio belted out “Joy to the World!” You were a teenage boy, but on this Christmas morning in ‘75, excitement buzzed! Your dad watched and listened, relaxed in his corner chair, but your mom played Santa, just as jolly! The first time we met. Do you remember?
You and your dad hiked Half Dome that year, then…the many trips we booked… those rocky inclines had my sleeves shaking! Hiking to Italy Pass, 12,000 feet at the top! We did it! Trekking through the Trinity Alps, Thousand Island Lake in the Sierra. And Mount Shasta! I kept you warm when the air was ice.
What a team we made, and I couldn’t believe how beautiful the world could be…
Then with the years your adolescence faded like my blue dye, but I stayed loyal. Why wouldn’t I? You are my brother, even still, all grown up with a family of your own.
Lucky is what I feel because ages ago, I thought I’d be buried beneath piles of clothes at the bottom of a bag to be given away. But mostly, I feel privileged for my significance. I recall her vividly. She left this world too young, too soon.
You see, when we hang out, your memories transport you to that morning when her laughter was music, her smile was sunlight, her energy as vibrant as “Joy to the World.” You travel to the special place in your mind when your mom was still in your life.
With every new miracle of life answers aren’t scripted in the stars, but I knew since your very first breath my life would become yours.
Through innocent eyes and curious touch each new discovery you shared, your smile grew bigger than the sun, your heart’s elation declared.
You stowed dreams in the clouds, imaginings rose higher than the heavens. Cuddling you in that first euphoric light made me fall in love with you in seconds.
Life has blossomed into delight and wonder in every part of its glowing greatness, and with each ounce of my being, my enduring love for you is ageless.
After clicking on the above link, you’ll see my poem on the right sidebar on the very top, “The World is Broken.”
Voting will cease on Wednesday, March 1st, and soon after we will reveal the winner. Please note, you need to register and/or login to vote. The winning publication will be featured on Spillwords.com sidebar during the entire month of March.
I am truly honored to receive this nominationand to be among so many talented authors!
If you haven’t read my poem, “The World is Broken,” you can read ithere .
Now, the last thing I want to ask anyone to do is to create another account and password! I’m sure the mental cabinet you stash away your millions of accounts and passwords tilts as much as your TBR!!! But, it doesn’t hurt to ask, right?
So, would you be so kind as to vote for me before March 1st? I would greatly appreciate your support! But there is no pressure to create an account and I understand that dilemma. 🤗
Most importantly,Thank you for stopping by, for voting if you do, and for simply reading and considering!
I hope you will…You can show your love by clicking on the heart to “like” the poem, or to leave a comment, you’ll need to create an account and log in. I offer my heartfelt thanks in advance if you choose one of these options. ❤️
Thank you so much to Dagmara K. and her team for this wonderful opportunity of becoming a part of Spillwords Press.
Perhaps he was a Western Screech Owl that I heard outside our bedroom window in the early darkness before the sun fashioned its glorious arrival. I cannot say with conviction, but it is certain he proclaimed his presence with his high-pitched toots.
And what I’d like to know…
was he aware that just before he sang his series of notes our alarm would, in a matter of minutes, sound off in its circle’s ringtone?
And did he realize at this time when most homes on the street have not awakened, we make our preferred dark roast from old faithful Mr. Coffee, then sit together in harmony for soft conversation?
That this routine, though understated for some, would not be the same,
would not provide the equivalent comforting experience if one of us was not present?
Today is an exciting day for couples to celebrate their love for each other. I also show my love not only for my husband, but for my family and friends who hold a special place in my heart. You see, today isn’t joyful for everyone. Some people grieve the passing of their spouse or partner. Some hearts hurt from a breakup. Some people have chosen to be single, so today may not hold a huge significance for them. Some live on the streets. Some live with daunting diagnoses. So, let’s be mindful of the different scenarios that play out on this day. If today is a joyful day for your heart, I implore you to take a moment to think of those who struggle in some manner…
Give Love
Candy hearts that say Be Mine Red roses bestowing forever Fancy dinners for two in love A special night to remember
But what about the lonely – The broken hearts and souls? What about the hopeless Where life has taken its toll?
On this day where hearts abound Give love where you find sorrow Let compassion be your guide to fashion a better tomorrow
And now for a mixture of love poems from the past…
Forever Love (an Acrostic)
Faint is how you make me feel and not Only when our lips connect, but when I Remember our first embrace and how my Emotions twirled inside of me; dizzy and Voiceless I was and those moments still exist Even though decades have come and gone Reflections of those first days are magical Learning the true meaning of bliss, an Out of the ordinary feeling, knowing you are my Valentine, lover and friend for the rest of our life and for Eternity~
Glue
I stumble over his broken pieces, their jagged edges reach for me. I want to be their healing glue.
His mind is weary, I understand the layers of his soul. I want to be his shoulder.
His heart aches trying to make sense of it all… but I won’t let him fall… I am his remedy.
The World is Broken
The world is broken, we are aware,
but being alive on this crisp autumn morning, what a blessing to behold
and he says,
“The good news for today is I love you, Your heart, Your mind, Your soul.”
The world may be broken,
but I am not.
I hope today will be joyful for you from my heart to yours. Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️❤️
Variety is the Spice of Life by Sally Cronin is a poignant collection of poetry and short stories. Reading Sally’s entrancing writing is as calming and illuminating as sitting on a slab of granite in the wilderness, witnessing the sun slowly rise to begin another glorious day. The clever cover alone caught my eye – perfect for this blend of poems and prose. Then I turned the pages, and Sally had me at “Key words” which is a short piece packed with power of how words can make our hearts sing or how they can cause our hearts to shatter. Sally writes about life and all it embodies: nature, loss, relationships, and our furry animal friends. The scenes portrayed through her beautiful writing had me drying a tear, reminiscing, and smiling.
A few favorite poems that come to mind are “Expeditions” which inspires us to step out of our comfort zones. “Above the World” speaks of memories from Sally’s youth but evokes wonderful recollections for me of recent backpacking trips with my husband. “Face in the mirror” is accompanied by a lovely, delicate picture of Sally and her mother, which brought forth priceless memories of my mom who passed away over a decade ago. “Seasons” is thought-provoking and speaks not only of nature’s changing seasons, but how life transforms over the years – how hope can be discouraged by “chill winds, the evil that is done by humans.” “Drought” undeniably hit home but ends on a much-needed high note.
Sally’s stories with their realistic and charming characters are beyond engaging as well. I love them all, but the stories that shine are “The Neighborhood Watch,” highlighting the marmalade cat with an impressive left hook. “Miss Lloyd’s Robin” is about a delightful robin, the benefits of forgiveness, and newfound friendship. “The Home Help” touches on loss of hope, unexpected surprises, learning to trust, and renewed excitement for what lies on the horizon.
Variety is the Spice of Life prompts a precious memory or chuckle or a nugget of understanding, whether it’s a poem or story that resonates, brings enjoyment, or simply touches the heart. I love Sally’s writing and highly recommend this collection for lovers of engaging stories and sentimental verse.
Reading Jeff Flesch’s poems in Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow is like strolling along a beach, allowing the waves’ lullaby to soothe your mind from any burdens. He weaves human experiences with the wonder of nature – how we are all connected. The love and sorrow he conveys through his beautiful poetic verses are almost tangible. Jeff’s use of poetic language touches on a myriad of emotions, affecting all senses. And even in sorrow, I recognized that he views life through smiling eyes.
In “Oak Trees” Jeff shares a memory from his youth, “that their branches resemble the veins of my heart or lines of the part you played.” “Slow-Motion Moments” reminds me of my many walks through a forest and how the trees, the birds, and the flowers allow time to think “like an avalanche of thoughts pervade me.” When I am among nature, I revel in the solitude that allows me to breathe in the silence of that moment with deep appreciation. “Cosmic Arts” will take you on a magical ride to contemplate love, surrounding beauty, and the mystery of Heaven “as the sun comes up inside your heart.” “Needle and Thread” tells of a love so deep and relatable; I felt myself tumbling into the beauty of Jeff’s lines. “Did you know it was you lost in my prose? Alas, as the moments tick by, it is you I look for in the wind.”
And then, “Moments Grasped” is sadly the last poem to read, but the lines are enticing, “wafting in the breeze/it’s all I can do to breathe/into this moment and the next/realizing it’s all been/and will be for the best.” Nature Speaks is exactly what the title expresses and is easily enjoyed nestled into your favorite chair, sipping a cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of wine. Jeff’s writing is sublime, so when you reach the last page, you’ll feel a sense of melancholy. I highly recommend this lovely book for anyone who loves poetry that calms both the mind and soul.
Asunder, Baby by Steven Baird is a profound collection of prose and poetry. In his introduction, Baird conveys that short stories have never been easy for him to write. Yet, his words flow seamlessly, creating such vivid settings that I can’t fathom him having any difficulty at all. His stories and poems reveal loss, beauty, love, and despair with an intensity that digs deeply into the hearts of his readers. Baird’s originality and authenticity in portraying his characters and backdrops are the brilliance of this intellectual compilation.
I found myself dog-earing page after page. Many of the stories and poems turned into favorites, but a few I’d like to highlight are “Where we go dancing,” “Your father’s Delta 88,” “Cinnamon Suites,” “The last angel of the Lord,” and “Rhapsody.”
An example from “Where we go dancing”
“…I can dance the ears off a row of corn when I have a mind to. Why, that corn becomes ashamed of itself and wishes it could be half as worthy as old dry cabbage or a leaf of backfield tobacco then have to endure another minute of the spectaculation of my feet.”
And from “Your father’s Delta 88”
“…and watch the eddies pull quilt-shaped flowers along their creases, folding them, unfolding them, pressing their petals into wine.”
Asunder, Baby is the first book I’ve read from this author, but I look forward to reading more of his incredible storytelling and poetic verse. Highly recommended for those who love prose and poetry that have you pondering and deeply feeling at the same time.
Thanks for stopping by, andI hope you were enticed enough to click on the links for your copies of these three wonderful books! ❤️
Have you ever sensed the tingling of a feeling arriving without a label? It stirs through your reflections, your layers, and you find yourself walking around in a daze where reality offers no place of comfort. So, the sun sets for the moon, but what does this clarify? One thing is certain – within the constellations, among the celestial stars, this emotion finds balance, graciously treasuring the safety it has stumbled upon.
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 