Leaves Of Winters Past

LEAVES OF WINTERS PAST A Literary Quintet

Tennyson Penn

LEAVES OF WINTERS PAST Copyright © 2009 by Tennyson Penn Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Rhyming with ABCs

3

A Day in the Life of a Cajun Cat

19

Beyond the Pane

27

Thoughts for a Rainy Day

57

Every Quatrain Paints a Picture

69

One Rhyming with ABCs

“A” is for apple, Red or a green. Before you eat one, Make sure it is clean.

“B” is for baby, Shiny and new. Blink your eyes twice, She’s going on two.

3

“C” is for cat, A sweet pet indeed, Purrs and take naps, No matter what breed.

“D” is for dog, Loyal and true, Always seems happy To spend time with you.

4

“E” is for egg, Scrambled or fried, Tasty with bacon Or toast on the side.

“F” is for flower, Rose or a lily, Grows in the spring When air is not chilly.

5

“G” is for goose, A bird that is white. Its neck is quite long, Its beak strong and bright.

“H” is for home, The place I like best. When I am there, I take time to rest.

6

“I” is for ice, Cold in my mouth, More on the ground Up north than down south.

“J” is for juice, Orange or grape. A glass each morning Keeps me in shape.

7

“K” is for kite, Light in the sky, Wind on its tail Makes it fly high.

“L” is for lion, Beast with a mane. Hear how he roars In sunshine and rain.

8

“M” is for mother, A woman I love. She must have been sent From God up above.

“N” is for nest, Bed in a tree, Where bluebirds are fed Until they’re set free.

9

“O” is for owl, Hoots and is wise, Has fluffy, brown feathers And big, yellow eyes.

“P” is for parrot, A bird that can talk. He chatters for hours When you he does mock.

10

“Q” is for quilt, Spread on my bed, Patches all colors, My favorite is red.

“R” is for rabbit, Soft with long ears, Brought me a basket On Easter for years.

11

“S” is for sky, Cloudy or blue, Starry at night, The moon in full view.

“T” is for tree, Its summer leaves green. In winter it sheds. Its limbs become lean.

12

“U” is for uncle. My aunt is his wife. His kids are my cousins And will be for life.

“V” is for vine, Grows up my tree. Please don’t get near it. It’s poison ivy.

13

“W” is for wagon, Fire engine red. Sometimes I keep mine Inside the shed.

“X” is for X-ray The doctor gives me. This one’s a picture Of my injured knee.

14

“Y” is for yarn, Like thread on a spool, Used to knit sweaters, A needle its tool.

“Z” is for zebra, Stripes black and white, Looks like a horse When day becomes night.

15

So there you have it, A rhyme for each letter, With sounds that you need To help you read better.

The End

16

Two A Day in the Life of a Cajun Cat

There is a competitive hiss in the air on this breezy February morning in south Louisiana. A Cajun cat by the name of Cousteau awakens after a peaceful night’s rest. As he peers sleepy-eyed out the bedroom window, he catches a brief glimpse of sunlight peeking through a few patches of puffy, white clouds. With a lazy yawn, he thinks to himself, “just another day.” His owner is busy in the kitchen frying bacon and eggs on this chilly Tuesday. She is also baking a big batch of sweet-smelling croissants on this wintry morning. When she spots Cousteau and his sister, Clotilde, sprawled on the cypress wood floor, their pink noses sniffing in her direction, she bids the two cats a pleasant good morning. The savory scent of bacon sizzling in the frying pan, along with the delightful aroma of his mother’s pastries floating through the air, awakens the Cajun cat’s taste buds and whets his hearty appetite. Cousteau meows loudly and rubs against his owner’s legs, as he impatiently waits for his breakfast to be served. After a few minutes, she sets down two bowls of food ~ one for him and one for Clotilde. The Cajun cat is very hungry on this blustery day, and he rushes past his sister to get to the bowl that looks like it has the most food in it first. Clotilde steps aside and allows him to do so, for she is beginning to get used to her brother’s selfish ways and is learning to accept him the way he is. 19

The portly cat polishes off his meal in a hurry and then jumps up into the best seat in the house, a big easy chair right in front of the fireplace, to watch television. He doesn’t realize this isn’t just any ordinary day. No indeed. This is Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras in Louisiana. Cousteau watches a parade on TV with little interest. He sees some important-looking people riding by on floats. They smile and wave as they toss strings of beads and make-believe coins to hundreds of children and adults who line the busy streets screaming, “Throw me something, Mister!” The bright beads and ‘doubloons’ catch the Cajun cat’s eyes, as they fly through the air on the screen and into the hands of excited spectators. He senses an overwhelming feeling of anticipation in the festive atmosphere. The green-eyed cat's curiosity is mildly roused. Just seeing and hearing all of the fun on television makes Cousteau feel drowsy. The trinkets have a hypnotic effect and lull him into what turns out to be a most memorable morning nap. His droopy eyelids start to flicker and flutter as he becomes more and more sleepy and, within a few seconds, he drifts off into never, never land. Only moments after he begins to doze, the most incredible dream he has ever had in his life starts to unravel. It is dream that the Cajun cat, without a doubt, will remember for the rest of his days. He is there at the parade with his paws stretched high meowing, “Throw me something, Mister!” In the streets are hundreds of other cats begging for beads and doubloons. 20

The floats are filled with felines of quiet dignity, including a queen that looks stunning in her white Mardi Gras costume. A rhinestone-studded tiara sits atop her furry head. Her maids are likewise dressed in elegant attire. Cousteau has to admit the queen and her court look mighty impressive on this magical day. As the Cajun cat catches more and more colorful necklaces, he becomes so weighed down that he can barely move. He doesn’t want to put any beads on his tail or paws for fear he might lose them, so he continues to wrap one string after the next around his neck, which is beginning to ache under the weight of its heavy load. Cousteau continues to beg for beads and scurries to pick up those that no one has spotted on the street and sidewalk. Before long, he gets so caught up in the action that he pushes in front of other cats and inconsiderately brushes against several of their huddled bodies. In his quest to collect as many trinkets as he possibly can, he even steps on the toes of a few felines whose paws are stubbornly planted on beads and doubloons that have that have fallen to the ground. The Cajun cat’s already bright green eyes turn a shade greener with envy now, as he feels slightly upset that others have gotten to some of the shiny treasures before he has had his chance. He doesn’t know why he feels this way, though, because he is extremely uncomfortable under the weight of the beads he already has. ~ Cousteau can barely walk now.

21

When he notices a cream-colored Persian on one of the floats that reminds him of his sister, Cousteau thinks of Clotilde back at home missing out on all of the fun. He decides to wrap the prettiest string of pearls he has caught so far around his paw, especially for her. The very idea makes him feel all warm and tingly inside. Now the Cajun cat is overcome not only by his present feeling of generosity but also by the heavy load which, minute by minute, is becoming increasingly burdensome around his neck. He sits on the ground behind the parade route, wraps a few strands of beads around his throbbing head and frets for a while. Cousteau knows not what to do. Suddenly, he has an idea that surprises even him. And the more he thinks about it, the more intrigued he becomes with the prospect of actually carrying it out. Without further ado, he decides to put his plan into action. When he spots a low-lying platform at the back of one of the floats that has made a brief pit stop, he clumsily waddles towards it. With all the strength he can muster, in his cumbersome state, he lunges as high as he can and climbs on board. He is glad that he hasn’t wrapped any beads around his tail and only one strand around his paw, for he is sure they would weigh him down to the point that he wouldn’t be able to move, much less jump that high. Cousteau watches as the queen and her maids toss their beads to the common cats below. In similar fashion, he takes off his own necklaces, one by one, and throws them to the crowds that line the heavily congested streets.

22

He chooses his targets wisely because some of the cats, like him, have so many beads that their bodies seem to sag under the heavy weight. These competitive felines are not only highly spirited but also rather greedy, as they try to catch as many trinkets as they possibly can in their anxious jaws and outstretched paws. From the corner of his eye, he notices a few masked adult cats engage in tugs of war with young kittens whose tender paws are not yet strong enough to win the struggle. He watches with dismay as some of the big cats refuse to take their firmly embedded claws off beads that have fallen to the ground. In the distance, he is alarmed to see a skinny, black cat sparring with a fat, white one whose tightly clenched jaws stubbornly cling to a lackluster string of dusty pearls. The Cajun cat is ashamed when he recalls the way he behaved just moments ago. Cousteau carefully throws or hands his beads to the young cats and to the older ones who have none at all. It makes him feel good inside to see bright smiles on the faces of excited kittens when they catch the shiny treasures in their tiny paws. And some of the older cats, whose necks were previously bare, really seem to appreciate it when he purposely tosses a sparkling string or two in their direction. As he continues to take more and more beads off his neck and throw them to others, the Cajun cat begins to feel something he has never in all his years experienced ~ the joy of giving.

23

For, while he found it thrilling to catch and keep as many beads as he could for himself, it was his body that felt full rather than his heart. Now his heart feels so full and his body so light that he can hardly stand the pleasure. It is with this warm feeling of giving that Cousteau awakens from his amazing dream and unforgettable journey. He purrs loud and proud and feels like a brand new cat on this eyeopening day. And when his owner treats Clotilde and him to two bowls of seafood gumbo that evening, in a manner befitting a gentleman, he not only patiently waits to be served but also stands back and allows his sister to have the biggest helping. For the Cajun cat has learned a valuable lesson on this Mardi Gras day. He now understands the true meaning of the old saying, “Tis better to give than to receive.”

The End

24

Three Beyond the Pane

Tree of Pride Oh little tree with dignity Alone up on a hill. Your tiny leaves make shiny sleeves To take away the chill. Although you’re small, your pride is tall. Your might, it will endure. Despite your size, you symbolize A spirit quite secure.

27

The Echo of You Wedged in pages Worn with creases. Over the wires In bits and pieces. Through the years, It never ceases. The echo of you, With time, increases.

28

Greater Than That Peering through the drape Of my synthetic cell, How I long to escape This barricaded hell. Like a bruised, little bird Too confused to fly, I’m trapped, in a word, So confined am I. A captive, collared lion Alone in its pen, I’m pacin’ and dyin’ In a manmade den. For an eagle was not meant To be locked in a cage, Its life to be spent Like a picture on a page. And when a mighty lion, In truth, is but a cat, It will spend its time tryin’ To be greater than that.

29

Global Warming A world of peace is what we need To make our planet whole. Each nation’s land to understand Should be our common goal. Please God above, send down Your love. Our spirits are so blue. Erase the hate; it’s not too late To make this dream come true. Oh Lord above, please shine Your love On each and every soul. No time to wait; don’t hesitate. Help make our planet whole.

30

Shades of Hope Snowflakes floating aimlessly. Boats bobbing without sails. Raindrops drifting idly. Brides shifting behind veils. Clouds with bright rays fading. Shrouds swaying in mid-air. Shades of hope cascading. Faith wavers everywhere.

31

White Lies High White lies high on snowy hills, An Easter bunny’s tail, On frosty panes and windowsills, A billowing, bright sail. Some things you taught me don’t ring true, And even though you’re gone, Contradictions, white lies too, Still linger on and on. Like fish fly high and birds swim deep. Icebergs fry in deserts steep. Rosebuds drift and snowflakes bloom. Storms uplift while smiles mean gloom. White lies high on snowy hills, An Easter bunny’s tail, On swirling waves, a gown with frills, A silky, milky veil. While certain rhymes might not be true, All tall tales, yes indeed, These opposites, called white lies too, Are fun to sing and read.

32

2

Like night cats bark, dog days meow. Now is then and then is now. Rain is sunny, clouds sky blue, Frowns quite funny, white lies too. White lies high on snowy hills, A billowing, bright sail, On frozen ponds and feathered quills, An Easter bunny’s tail. Some rhymes you taught me weren’t quite true, But now that you are gone, These writing tools, while white lies too, Will linger on and on.

33

A Good Bach Strauss enjoys the finer things in life, Like lounging on a lush settee, Dabbling in delectable cuisine And listening to classical music. Sometimes he sings along with Pavarotti, But his voice gets a bit husky. So he sits back, kicks up his paws And settles for a good Bach.

34

Crosswind Two ships at sea, you and me, Independent, born to be free. Not a couple, a pair called we, But unique entities, he and she. Looking at life through four different eyes, Instead of making a compromise. Afraid of binding, confining ties, Without commitments, there are no why’s. Cruising together for part of the day, But fleeing alone, at dusk, we stray. On separate shores, we bow to pray. In solitude, at night, we stay. Plotting a course, divided in two, We forge ahead, in search of a clue. Spirits drifting, battered and blue. Caught in a crosswind, me and you.

35

Sleeveless Three heaping stacks beneath a tree That’s shed its only sleeves. It’s lonely now on every bough. All limbs have lost their leaves. When spring is here, green will appear, Each branch to dress in style. New shiny growth will clothe the oak And make the old girl smile.

36

Class Whether class describes a room at school Or a special style one’s own, It’s a word that, as a rule, Has a worldly, winning tone. For the term is one of pride, Whose bells ring loud and clear, And in places far and wide, Its echoes persevere.

37

Headlines Twin towers topple in terrorist attack. Columbia’s seven won’t be back. Stock market numbers veer sharply off track. Brave soldiers engage in war with Iraq. Inclement weather headed our way. Economy getting weaker each day. Al Qaeda conspiring, ripe for prey. Times like these, frightfully grey.

38

Mirrors to Dust It was when first she saw the fragile layer Of flakes freshly fallen Atop peppered leaves brown and brittle Still visible in spots intermittent ~ And too detecting, perched high upon An oak spindly and snow crested Three birds of amazing color, Two of blue frolicking And one of crimson red Nestled in a bed of straw unfettered Gently flapping wings unwavering…

That the old woman, with a sudden tremor, Turned inward and saw herself in the scene, Her sparse crop of white locks wispy, Hands, arms thin-skinned, gnarled, charred Mimicking the snow, leaves, branches respectively ~ And eyes like sapphire seas, playfully coy Yet reflective mirrors bright Of a heart fiery and unflappable still, Tucked inside a frame Faltering, fading, diminished now…

Weathered and tarnished With traces of dust on rust intermittent.

39

Mood Swings Manic and morose Are names apropos For tides high and low, Depending on the flow. But the sea I like best Is Shore Stability ‘Cuz its waves tend to crest With no polarity.

40

Winter The cold, barren ground Lay still beneath the coal, black sky. It seemed to beg for some warmth From the wintry night. The wind howled viciously Through towering treetops Sprinkling the shivering soil With peppered leaves and frosty air. Then ~ suddenly ~ a soft, white mist Descended from the heavens To provide a blanket of lace For the wistful earth.

41

Give and Take As that blessed day draws near To break bread with my maker, I pray I’ll be revered A giver more than taker. But, if I’m deemed a taker, That’s okay with me, For many things I’ve taken Have freely come from Thee.

42

Dane Dane was a dog Like no other. I’ve heard about him From my mother. She said he was handsome, Black as the night. I never met him, But his reflection shines bright.

43

Amber There once was a cat I’ve heard of a lot. Her name was Amber. I knew her not. But she must have been special For, though she is gone, In the hearts of her loved ones Her memory lives on.

 

44

Opposites If it’s truly a fact That opposites attract, Then the tortoise and hare Make a well-matched pair. While one is sedate, sluggish and slow, The other is always on the go. And, if speed is relatively perceived, A perfect balance can be achieved.

45

Reflections of Catherine I remember you, Nana, when I was a child. You were always special, the way that you smiled. I remember the piano and hearing you play And gazing out the window at the marshes and bay. I remember you, Nana, and your Boston cream pies And many a happy birthday surprise. I remember how you worried when I was ill. Your homemade soup helped more than a pill. I remember you, Nana, and all of your birds. And how could I forget your way with words? I wonder how many other little girls Had a grandmother who told them to brush their pearls. I’ll remember you, Nana, for the rest of my days, And now that you’ve sailed, I’m offering this praise To say thanks for all of the love that you gave. Your reflection is etched on each sparkling wave.

46

Battle of the Cats If cats of the world Waged a war all their own, I wonder what it would be like. Would Persians from Iran Blame Siamese of Siam, If Himalayans staged a strike?

47

Tamarinds Monkeys, like some people you know, Clown around and put on a show. Others are more distinguished, however. With whiskers of white, they’re wise and clever. These creatures are really quite astute. When crises arise, they get straight to the root. Those in zoos enjoy days without strife And have time to ponder the purpose of life.

48

The Clock in the Hallway Blankets and pillows thrown on the floor. A faceless shadow raced toward the door. A hand grabbed her body, swung her around. Inside the room, there wasn’t a sound. The clock in the hallway kept ticking away. The children outside continued to play. The birds in the trees created a song, As the day in May proceeded along. The sun’s golden rays showered o’er the town. No one today was wearing a frown. A laugh, a shout, a wave, a smile. Everyone combined to enhance the style. And a house on the street added to the picture. It perfectly blended with the rest of the mixture. A green, velvet lawn, a white picket fence, But the interior of the house didn’t make sense. For a forgotten spirit, inside, lay dead. Reality’s victim sprawled on the bed. No laugh, no shout, no smile, no sun. A new world for her had just begun. And the clock in the hallway kept ticking away. The children outside continued to play. The birds in the trees created a song, As the day in May proceeded along.

49

Without You A midnight moon without a star. A tree that’s lost its limb. One tiny step that seems too far. A her without a him. A valentine without a heart. The lock without the key. A stubborn mule behind a cart. A you without a me. A broken soldier miles from home. Blue skies without the blue. Unspoken lines inside a poem. A me without a you. A brand new kite without a tail. The sun without the sky. A stranded ship that’s shed its sail. Adrift without you I.

50

Equality Angelic features, Innocent and sweet. Of God’s many creatures A cat can’t be beat. But animals are equal, All shades green to grey, With secrets that reveal And tall tails to convey.

51

Reunion A tortoise traveled a winding road To find a friend he’d made. His pal had built a new abode In a distant cave of shade. When the turtle saw his furry friend Forging a trail of sand, He waddled ’round the rocky bend And extended a helping hand.

52

A Message to Heaven Shine in peace, my beautiful boy. Glow and brighten an angel's day. Fly high in the sky, my pride and joy. God's light will show you the way. Fly high, high, go high in the sky. Glow high in the sky and stay. Fly high, high, soar high in the sky. The light will show you the way. Shine in peace, my sleepy-eyed boy, Fly high, bright star of mine. Glow high in the sky, my pride and joy. You're a light that forever will shine.

53

Beyond the Pane When my cat peers out the window, I wonder what she sees. Does she mirror shades of sorrow, As she stares at tearful trees? Or does she picture tiny flowers In shiny beads of rain And light right through the showers, Bright skies beyond the pane?

The End

54

Four Thoughts for a Rainy Day

A single drop of rain can make a big splash on an impressionable puddle.

God put creatures on earth to teach humans how to merely be.

Strength lies in numbers, especially in those that are whole.

Attitude is to altitude as soul is to depth.

57

Rather than complain about what’s wrong with what isn’t, celebrate what’s right with what is.

If your mind takes a leeward turn, windwardly shift its sails.

Glaze is to haze as shimmer is to glimmer.

Only when one’s mind is still can the echoes of his soul be heard.

58

Fog is to sunshine as excessive thinking is to awareness.

Don’t get so caught up in your thoughts that you lose sight of what inspired them in the first place.

If Steven is even, must Rod then be odd?

Finding beauty in life’s simplest treasures is as easy as opening your eyes to the possibility.

59

If it weren’t for an occasional shadow,, the sun’s light might not appear as bright.

When you look within, even the muddiest of waters become clear.

Mind is to soul as knowledge is to wisdom.

Freeing oneself from time is as liberating as is the very idea itself.

60

’Tis better to spend a moment accepting what is than to waste a lifetime wondering what might have been.

Just as your desk must be cleared from time to time so, too, must your mind routinely be freed of clutter.

If you spill a little “t” and graciously add an introductory blend, your attitude will happily steep itself into gratitude.

The most precious gems are those that not only can be touched but are also felt.

61

Rather than merely focusing on reaching the highest level, pay attention to all of the meaningful, little steps along the way. If you don’t, you will miss out on the very journey itself.

Even the ripest fruits of wisdom often cling to their vines until they are picked.

Like October leaves and March winds, your thoughts, moods and emotions change color and direction. The real you remains the same, however, regardless of the season or conditions.

Blossoms are to flowers as open-mindedness is to enlightenment.

62

When you look at something from a state of presence, even the smallest creation takes on a life all its own.

The roots of spirit spring everlasting.

As is the case in math, everything in life is relative ~ equal to, greater than or less than.

The ability to stay centered amid the masses is the greatest display of confidence, the truest testament of balance and the ultimate source of strength.

63

A curious sparrow can soar as high as an arrogant eagle, if it knows how to spread its inner wings.

Keeping things simple only becomes a burdensome task when we allow complications to seep into the mix.

Attempting to run from oneself is as futile as the setting sun trying to deny itself the promise of a new day.

When it comes to resistance, less is often best.

64

Go with the flow ~ be it fast, be it slow.

Like apples on a tree, egotists too shall fall.

Now is all we have, not the future or the past, so embrace every moment, as if it were your last.

The End

65

Five Every Quatrain Paints a Picture

Analogy A pachyderm is to the scholar As an elephant is to one smaller. Regardless of its name or label, The beast is sturdy, staunch and stable.

Autumn Outside the city, The leaves are pretty, Fall trees all shades, Tall sleeved cascades.

69

A Bark after Dark He’s happy as a lark When he walks in the park And has the freedom to bark At fast cars after dark.

A Better World High on a hill of billowy delight, I envision a better world, A world where peace most matters, A place where dreams come true.

70

Bright Ideas Words that flow like mountain streams, Birds glowing bright as kites, And fountains filled with shiny dreams, All shimmering delights.

Center Stage A brilliant, sapphire sea Sprinkled with a host of boats, Dotted by one winged wonder Proudly setting the stage.

71

Chapel of Grace Sacred and pure, Serene and secure, A welcoming place, White chapel of grace.

A Classy Lass Her clear as glass eyes Are mirrors of class, And she’s met with sighs From people who pass.

72

Clearing A scenic sky, Trees lean and green, A stream nearby, Its sheer sheen keen.

The Colors of Blue Clear skies and deep seas, Bright birds in tall trees, Reflective eyes true, The colors of blue.

73

Crimson Pride A quaint hillside Where thistles of musk Reign crimson pride From daybreak ’til dusk.

Deep Sleep While sketching sheep Near pastures steep, Into a sleep, I lapsed quite deep.

74

Detention What seems to be the matter? I’m hearing idle chatter. “Get back to your seats right now,” I say, “Or stay after school another day!”

A Different Light Gazing at my little friend, I wonder if she thinks and feels as I do, Or if she sees the world In a different light.

75

Dotted Eyes Liquid arrows clear and black, Slits narrow or spheres round, Piercing pupils of my cat, Beads in mirrors that astound.

Eternity High and free, We strive to be. Sky and sea, Eternity.

76

Eyes to the Sky Balloons bold and bright Of orange and blue, A white dove in flight Adorns the fine view.

Feline Fine Frolicking like a kitten at play, His confining cage fades away. A giddy, lovesick teen in May, He’s feelin’ fine on a sunny day.

77

Food for Thought Dealing with nuts gets old sometimes, So I’m baking some bread instead. It helps me churn out rhymes That burn inside my head.

Forest Song Deep in the forest, Immersed in a tree, Three birds in a nest Converse wordlessly.

78

Freedom Whenever I see A creature that’s trapped, I’m glad to be free, My journey unmapped.

Freezer Burn A bowl fire and ice Of piping chili hot Melting slowly now Frozen, burning thoughts.

79

Frivolous Frills In her crisp Easter bonnet With lace and ribbons on it, She’s looking fine and frilly, While feeling rather silly.

Glowing Orange bush bright Smiles with delight. Her marmalade sights Thrive on sunlight.

80

Guiding Light Bright beacon on shore Lights up the bay. Beams glow from the moor To show him the way.

Happy He’s a brimming, orange blossom Who’s grinning like a possum ’Cuz his purr-fect habitat Makes him a happy cat.

81

Herons Proud and attentive, Alert and pensive, Poised for flight, Pilots of white.

Hope I wonder if there will be any good news today, Something to warm my heart, To let me know there is hope in this world And that life can be good for a little guy like me.

82

Imagination After a long day on remote In seas far away from shore, I dream I’m on a float High above the ocean floor.

The Independent Cat I don’t do tricks upon command. I get my kicks without a hand. And I won’t raise my paw, unless I’m inclined, ’Cuz it isn’t a flaw to have my own mind.

83

Lazy Day Slept, ate, purred. Stared at a bird. Gazed at the bay. Another lazy day.

The Less of More A tree-lined shore With pines galore, Whose less is more Rests in its core.

84

Light in Motion If you’ve ever seen a flower bloom Or heard the wind’s soft whir, Then you’ve sparked a fire within your womb And felt your spirit stir.

A Little Cat Nap Purring ball of fur Curled up on my lap. Still so she won’t stir. Nellie needs her nap.

85

Lost Sailboat drifting in the ocean, Whitecaps swishing in slow motion, Gull ignored can’t find her flock Soars o’er shore and pine boardwalk.

The Masterful Sky A stately mountain is my soul, Its placid lake my eye. Still the master of the whole Is rightly so the sky.

86

Melt Down An Easter egg sky, Black licorice shore, Mid-April tide high Laps light at my door.

Memories As leaves fall like snowflakes In ripples to the ground, Suddenly my heart aches And memories abound.

87

Mental Block Flow disrupted, Frozen in time, Mind obstructed, Cycle sublime.

Mountain Laurel Purple petals lush, A perfect bush pristine. No need to hush or rush In this wooded nook serene.

88

Night Flight Running fast From her past, Fleeing she To the sea.

9/11 Symbolic projections On this a sad day, Twin towers’ reflections Are lost in the bay.

89

Parrot Parody He’s a proud macaw with just one flaw, The oddest claw you ever saw. When he tries to gnaw a stick or straw, His flesh-like paw looks downright raw.

Pastoral Utterances Beneath a forest hill Where air is chilly still, A jersey black and white Moos softly in sunlight.

90

A Picture of Kitty Light blue, gold, pink and white, Quite the mixture pretty. Pity this picture bold and bright Depicts a hissing kitty.

Play Time Two pampered pups just scampered up A winding stair to find their bear. Now the can do boys have a brand new toy To bite and chew the night right through.

91

Plea for Peace Harmony is what I love. War is what I hate. Please someone from up above Come steer this country’s fate.

Presence When your mind can’t grasp The future or the past, Seek the now and discover A unique place to hover.

92

Ready Cute as can be, Waiting patiently, Ears standing tall, Ready to play ball.

A Reflective Perspective Drowning in deception, Losing clear reception, A mere misconception, Or reflective perception?

93

The Right Direction Sometimes when I get lost in life’s colossal shuffle, I just want to slip into cyberspace and disappear. But then I change gears and face reality, A switch in the right direction.

Sage I am Sage, Wise and true, Coat of beige, Eyes of blue.

94

Serenity Nights are sultry, days serene In this tropical haven of peace, Where senses become keen And worldly troubles cease.

Shades for all Seasons From autumn to spring And all through the ages, Trees have gleaned meaning In seasonal stages.

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Sizzle to Soothe Crackling logs in embers of ash, Whistling kettles with tea freshly brewed, And glistening bubbles in a warm, sudsy bath, Things that sizzle, simmer, soothe.

Snowbird Lacy and light, Graceful in flight, Snowy and bright, Blossom of white.

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Solo A solo tern is sign foreboding Our southern gulf coast is fast eroding. Hold on to shore while there still is time, Or be swallowed up in thoughts sublime.

Spring to Fall Stepping stones Spanning the seasons, Warm, cool tones Contrast the reasons.

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Still Light A golden light Shines on the hill. The sun is bright, The air quite still.

Subtlety In modern designs And old-fashioned art, Light shades and soft lines Define the best part.

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Temptation of the Cat When she stumbled upon a little bird That somehow tumbled from its nest, Undoubtedly, her taste buds stirred, But she passed the temptation test.

Thoroughbred Groomed, watered and fed With brush, pail and bale, Thoroughly thoroughbred From head, hooves to tail.

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Time Line A place in time Beyond the mind Where light sublime Shines white, divine.

To Have and to Hold Fine fur soft as fleece, Shining eyes of gold, Purr-fectly at peace To have and to hold.

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Umbrellas While outer umbrellas Shield sun and the rain, Inner ones conceal Mainly pain and disdain.

Water Lily If interest at the bank Kept pace with just one flower, A lily pad would surely rank Amidst the buds of power.

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Wave of Obscurity On a distant ocean Hiding from the light Lies a foggy notion Waiting to take flight.

Weather or Not The weatherman warned it would rain today, But the sun beamed all day long. Tomorrow, he said, “Clear skies on the way.” Will my umbrella tell me he’s wrong?

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White and Blue Beautiful bird, alone in a cell. No suitable word to tell it well. Should a lock undo, she might be set free, Poor white cockatoo, as blue as can be.

The Wonder of Clouds When I gaze up at the sky, God’s art amazes me, Shifting waves of white Like snowflakes drifting free.

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Word Choice Swirling seas like similes, Sky high a metaphor, Comparative analogies, Creative, open doors.

The End

In Loving Memory of Catherine & Gerald Higgins

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