I feel like I should be at work today after one day off I had a lazy day yesterday, dozing and watching the series Babylon 5 on dvd all day long. The most significant thing I did yesterday was get up before dawn. I got dressed then drove over to Lake Tamarack to be there when the sun came up. Serenely beautiful it was. On the drive out I thought I would be the only one up and out at the lake at that time. Nope. there was one more there As I walked the edge of the ice he went fishing. How appropriate is it to be some where for spiritual reasons, to see and talk with a fisherman on the morning of the celebrated birthday of the original fisher of men. He just finished his Masters degree in Sociology. His thesis the spirituality of veterans returning from war.He is a social worker for veterans now.

..

Christmas dawns

upon the lake.

..

Serenity and beauty,

The morning light

Sends to sleep

The quiet night

..

Murmurs of song , and

Dream

Flow through buried sluice at

Thy beds foot

,,

White jewels gently float

To rest upon thy mantle,

Cracked ,

Thy dreams disturbed,

Only by the tap

Of my staff upon

Thy bedding laid,

For

Winter slumber.

,,

Serinity and beauty

At morning light

..

ccd

Dec. 2010

The first day of winter is but a day away, and yet it is cold. Snow lays upon the land. Lakes are frozen. Creatures of Spring, Summer, and Fall sleep, or have left for warmer climates. I see and love the beauty of winter, yet I long for the warmth of summer.

A Winter Lake Sleeps

..

Under clear skies

I stand upon

Thy frozen

Mantel

..

Rich is the crystal

Jewel laying against

Thy pale skin

..

Cruel is thy

Beauty's touch

..

Cold is the breath

That caresses

My face

..

Frozen is the

Invisible that

Grips my hand

..

The silence of thy

Dreams are

A sonata

In mine

..

Sleep and bring

Music

To my soul

..

ccd

Dec. 2010

Winter in all her glory has come upon the land. This past Sunday I measured the snow at 11 inches deep. Tuesday morning it was at 15 inches. Wednesday night it reached a height of 16 1/2 inches. This was in my front yard. Friday the sun presented its self to the countryside. Then it rained Friday night through Saturday and some this morning. Now the covering is down to about 3 inches deep. Did I say I almost hate shoveling? At least it was a light puffy snow making the shoveling easier to take. Lake Tamarack is frozen over today I stood upon the ice at shores edge. The ice was only soft at the very edge. A foot out I could not crack the ice. some will soon be ice fishing. (not me) That foot out from the shore was far enough for me to trust. The weather forcasters are predicting another storm.. We shall see what it brings.

Beneath Frozen Mantel

..

Winter's breath has

Kissed your home

Grey curtains

Dim the days' light

..

No artist pencil

Sketches the truth

In grey and white

..

Beneath a frozen mantel

The laughter of child

At play, nor,

New songs of Sparrow

Bathe in your

Waters

..

With no breeze to roil

Your slumber,

In blissful quiet,

Sleep and dream of

Seasons past

..

Above clouds

Of winter cold,

The sun still shines

..

ccd Dec. 2010

To begin with Europe got hit hard this past week with snow and cold. I hope my lady friend and her family in Denmark are doing well. Last weeks snow for us was just a tease. It is here now in full force. I was up at 3 am to put the dog out. At that time there was just a slight dusting on the sidewalk. At 7 am the story changed. and so did the outdoors.. I had at least 8 inches of snow on the ground. I started shoveling at 20 am. Oh what fun....... It is a light snow so shoveling is not bad. I went back out later with a ruler. I measured 11 inches of snow in the front yard. Now were having fun..... I took a drive out to the lake. roads were decent. Last weeks poem is more suitable for this week. I did not spend as much time by the lake today. This new poem took longer to write. I hope you can see what I saw and heard.

December Morning

..

Awaken to white

Upon

A December morning

..

Carrying Winter's

Chill in silence,

White mantel

Cloaks

Dreams for summer

Days

..

Kissing lake's

Water,

Snow flakes,

Ride running waves

In silence.

Giving up their voice

Tumbling

Upon the shore

..

Blessing the beauty

Of

Winter slumber

..

ccd

Dec. 2010

What can I say? Thanksgiving just passed. For my life, all its ups and downs I am thankful.

Snow has finally fallen on this homestead. The cold Is here to stay for a while.

I await tomorrows gifts.

First Snow

..

This year

Grown old in time

Marked by man

What once in

Recent past crowned

In green, now

A white bonnet finishes

Winter's dress upon

The land.

..

In quiet solitude

I walk between sleeping

Giants

Soiled footprints I leave

On Winters blanket

Of purity

..

Strands of webbing

Cast this summer past

Snare my

Thoughts and dreams

Of natures

Beauty

..

ccd Nov. 2010

SIGH, It has been one of ...yes I will say it....those days. No sleep last night. I was kinda worried. It seems this blue moon weekend affected the well pump. Ayup it went PBHTTTTTTT.Saturday night. So up at 4 waiting for Home Depot to open. then a bit of grocery shopping. Only to find out the tool I needed to borrow could not be found. So more running and gradually my Blood Pressure was climbing. The pump is in and working I am very tired. I will hit the bed early. I did manage to make a trip to Tamarack. A world of beauty for the tired eyes.

Novembers end is

But a week away

Blessed has been the

Weather beneath

Blue moon

..

Cotton brushed turquoise

Beneath Novembers sun

Crimson sunsets and

Royal blue cloaks

Second moon

..

Some will ask

How do you see

These things

..

I shall answer

Upon mirrored lake

I gaze

Not with eyes

But

With heart and Soul

..

ccd November 2010

Ahh November, something tells me were not in summer any more Toto. The weather is surprisingly fair for the end of the 2nd week of November. Cool but not cold. Wet but not soaking.I visited Lake Tamarack The trees stripped bare by rain and wind Sway as one to an unheard primordial chant. It was beautiful. I finally after 2 weeks have no pain from the shingles. A new poem is hanging off the tip of my brain, not quite ready for words. So, here is an unpublished oldie

..

Skate the Skies of November

..

Smoke of home grown fires

Tease the nose

Memories of winters past

My cloak of warmth

..

From trees balding crown to

Cattails cold dry husks

Laughter is carried

In my heart

..

No course is set for my

Thoughts

Side slip, duck and turn

Skim the evenings frosting

Dew

..

Racing the wind

I

Skate the skies

of November

..

ccd rev. 2010

The end of the first week of the eleventh month has passed. Wet and cold, with a touch of snow between Friday and Saturday. The pain from my shingles is less and less every day. I am most grateful for that. The arthritis in my knees and hips before replacement was nothing like this. Today is clear bright and sunny with a bit of a breeze. The cold of winter it foretells. Todays poem is new written this evening.

November Sun

..

Clear morning

The moon sleeps

..

Across empty field

Chorus of crows

Greet the morning sun

..

Summer's finery cast away

Leafless trees

In exultation stand

.

November's sun

Late to rise

Early to bed

..

Sun's warmth

Is but a dream

Drifting with

Smoke from the hearth

..

ccd November 2010

October 31 All Hallows Eve. by now the kids are finished with their trick or treating October is finished Summer is is a faint memory with unspoken worries of the cold to come. We a humans have developed a concept of time to give order to our lives. Out of this order we live our lives in a circle. Some think life is linear. I do not I could go on for more in depth explanation of my belief. To keep it simple look at the seasons...each flows into the other over and over.Fall is here. The trees are almost bare by now. The day light is shorter. Today it rains. There is a sadness in the air that accompanies a long sleep, as if something will be missed while sleeping through the long cold.

October Rain

..

Summer dust with falls rust

Washed

From tree limb and

Parched throat

..

Happy or sad

Rivulets of tears

Following last warmth of

Fall's sun to

Winters bed

..

Elusive song on errant

Leaf's back

Dance and float

Over mornings frost

..

Beneath leafy blanket

Soft laughter of summer

Memories whispered

Setting dreams for

Winters sleep

..

ccd 2010

Halloween a week a way.

The weather is in a constant state of flux.

The grumblings of winter have begun.

The poem I post tonight is one from last year.

I am in no frame of mind to compose a new one.

I am on day 6 of a bout with Shingles. I will confirm

that it is most painful. It is worse than a double hernia

repair. The pain is running along my right lower rib

cage. I am most grateful it did not show up on my head

If it had it could very easily have taken my my eyesight.

If I get more bouts of it, it will only show up on my right side.

For pain control I am taking vicoden and that is why there is

no original poem this week.

Octobers Moon

..

A dark night, single light

Beneath Octobers' white

Frozen moon

Dark shadows flee Winters'

Awakening breath

..

Fallen leaf on the march

Through the night

Those not pinned to darkened grass

By cold settled dew

..

No night songs given voice

A silent urgency, shouted clear

It comes from the north

..

Stealing warmth of

Bone marrow and sinew

With scorn and trepidations

Winters' cold

We come to accept

..

ccd October 2009

another week of this year is past. Fall is definitely here. Days and nights are much cooler, some places have had frost. The trees are about 50 percent with foliage. Different parts of the county have more or less on the trees. I talked with Ashley tonight. It sounds like their fall is about a week and 1/2 behind us. And her traing week is boring I was kind of surprised I came up with a poem this week. With the yucky weather the first of the week I had no idea of what was to be written. Lady fortune smiled upon me on Friday so I started the poem then and polished it today.

The Flowers of Fall

..

Freedom gained

A tatterd swatch decends

In

Golden dance

..

Lending another voice

To the chorus

Whispering at my feet,

Memories of

This summer past

..

Soprano and tenor

Bound to aria

Unwritten

..

Golden days pushing

Indigo nights

Moon lit shadows

Chasing night owls

Flight

..

Racing grey clouds

Before its final rest

In proper place on

Fall's quilt

..

Leaf and blade

Kiss

In flirtatious run

..

ccd

2010

Like dust on a dresser.....I'm back. It is a beautiful Sunday. I have been up cleaning most of the morning. Now I am trying to decide what to do. Do I cut the grass or go get the carpet cleaner? I am leaning towards the grass cutting. I was going to clean the carpets this day, however. once I started cleaning ...I lost track of time. I prefer the outdoors to being inside all day. I also plan to visit my favorite lake today, so I can not do both the carpets and the grass. at this time I have no poem. What I do have are 2 phrases nagging to be heard.... reflections in the window, and phantoms of the heart. All I need now are the rest of the words to tie them together. It is now 12 noon. so I pause here to cut grass. and blank the mind to let the words flow.

Phanoms of the Heart

..

At waters edge of

Mirrored lake I stand

Walking staff in hand

..

Framed in gold emerald and ruby

I have no need to look above

The reflection is in the glass

..

My fathers face, my mothers heart

Sisters voice carried to me in

bird song

..

One by one, in white

The names of those I have met

Across the sky they flow

..

Small or large

I know the name written in the cloud

From edge of glass to edge of glass

I watch them pass

..

I have no need

to look above

..

With my staff upon the mirror

I gladly sign my name

..

The reflections in the glass,

Phantoms of the heart

..

ccd Oct. 2010

September is past, boy it went fast. That's it for the poem this week.... just kidding. But I'm sure you know I was just fibbing. Sept. was a mild month and yet it went by fast. It came to me memories today that my quarterly taxes are due by the end of the month.. YUCK. Ashley is situated in Wyoming. Kim has become a beautiful free spirit. Love them both I kinda wish Socks could learn to use the toilet and not the carpet. I had to light the furnace today. If you hear a sucking sound that is the gas vacuuming the dollars from my wallet. I say it is to early to be this damp and cold. There was a sunset so beautiful this past Wednesday, the sky looked like it was on fire. That is the inspiration for my poem this week

September Sunset

..

Sleep thee well Summer day's

At September's end

T'was but a kiss of day and night

No shadow, no light

The passion was there for all to see

The sky, painted fire

A rose, not grown to give a scent

The artist's easel fails the kiss's truth

October's nightfall,

Cooling breath

Damping embers of

September heat

..

ccd Oct. 2010

Sunday again.

It has been a dececent week. weather has been seasonal. Cloudy, sunny, cloudy, wtih a little rain. It was a windy Friday and Saturday. Pulling leaves from trees pushing them around. It is the time of change in nature. Trees are turning, grass is slowing in growth. Fall is definitely here, a lovely fall it is.

Ashley got a part time job. Kim is wonderful running a few erands a week. A big appology to my sister for not calling this week and wishing a happy Fall begining.

My grass is cut for the rest of the year I will have to mulch leaves soon.

Todays poem is about one leaf. On warm days I open both doors to my store. This allows the breeze to bring in fresh air and whatever else it will. Enjoy

The Visitor

..

Escaping tentacles from

September's morning mist

Tripping over last spider thread

Stitched across harvested field

..

Lost to storm is

The wayward leaf

Turned amber

In Summer's heat

..

Unbidden, through my door

The messenger glides

Greetings whispered in

Raspy voice

..

Unwanted tidings of

Summers end

Winter sleep

To soon begins

..

ccd Sept. 2010

Finally talked to Ashley tonight. She has been applying for employment all week. I have faith she will find something soon. September is 2/3 done. Kids are back in school. The weather is cooling too fast, too soon. Summer play all but done. It is time for one of my favorite poems written in 2008 at summers end.

..

Tree Swing

..

In summers fading heat

Pushed by breezes of

Restless dreams

From sculptured tree

Whose spirit rests

A swing still hangs

..

A seat of love

To hold one safe

In loneliness a splinter forms

An aged back weakens,

Cracks in time

..

Tattered ropes of

Life gone by

In voice of groans and creaks

Heard only when

Strong winds roam

..

Tree's spirit in fitful slumber,

Remembers joy in

Happy screams

One more memory

To sweeten dreams

Is all it asks

..

A swing still hangs

From sculptured tree

Whose spirit rests,

Waiting

...

ccd Revised from 2008

..

The week started yucky. Monday I learned my friend Eric's daughter succumbed to her cancer. 3 years old and living an entire life of love, and pain, and yet not understanding what was happening. That is probably the one blessing that counts in her last 8 months. I do not know the pain of her mother and father. I do feel pain for them. With my 2 daughters I know what they will never experience with Lydia. I agree with Kim, there should be no need for coffins that small. I like to think the clouds and rain were the angels crying, for our loss and for the joy of Lydia reaching heaven unspoiled by the world of man. The end of the week was much better. This past Thursday the old world met the present. 7 sailing ships came to Erie. The beauty of wood and sail. It was in ships like these that populated our country when it was young.

Beside life's path

To the ocean

Of souls

Flows a river

Fed by tears

..

Down through time

The river runs

..

In the twilight

At waters edge

We stand to face

Our soul

..

Salted tears

Long past shed

Mixing with grains of

Timeless sand

..

Gentle swells ebb

And flow

Wounds and scars

Of memories past

Caressed, and soothed

..

Joined by life, body

And soul

Become one

All pain

Washed away

..

ccd

Sept 2010

September is here and the weather changes In a 2 day period we had close to a 30 degree temperature change. Fall is not here yet but we have been warned it is on its way. My customers are already making denial comments about what is coming. I tend to remind them that Spring is just around the corner. It may be 2 long blocks away but it is there.Lets see if I can write a poem

..

Summer's End

..

A day of tears given

To clear August dust

Broken clouds sail

The sky

..

Harvest moon

Too soon will

Come calling on

Fruited trees and

Farmers' fields to

Give up their bounty

..

Earlier to bed, later to rise

September's sun

Drinks the cool breeze

Carrying omens of

Season change

..

ccd 2010

Today is the last Sunday in August. Sept. 23 this year is the fall equinox. The last calendar date for summer. This coming week is the end of summer vacations. The county fair had it final day Saturday. Summer activity is winding down. Kids are heading back to school. Weather wise, for this area, it has been the best actual summer we have had is 4 or 5 years. Some hot and humid days, some rainy days, mostly sunny days. This week there has be a subtle change in nature. The moon was also full this week. It came up late and stayed well into the morning light. The moon and changing weather is the subject of my poem today.

August Moon

..

Robins nest empty

Again

Summers heat

Tempered by mornings

Dew

..

Indigo nights through

Pearl essence day

Late to rise

Slow to lay itself

To sleep

..

August moon

Dragging summer

To

Its end

..

ccd 2010

I was told this is good, but also short.

So is summers end.

What a week. A good week. A crazy week. Another crappy week in the world. Yet, I am feeling unaffected by the outside world. I ran into Evelyn at Wally world today We talked about family, ageing and heath. I got her to laugh. I told some customers a joke or two at work. It is my nature to make people laugh. I love it. And then there is the Lady Judith. A lady that truly needs laughter I am happy to oblige. How can I do this? What makes me tick? It has taken me a life time to find peace and unquestioning faith. Every person I have come in contact with, even for a short minute or two, is implanted in who I have become. I will go on being me. I can not change the nature of man I can make one or two laugh with dorky (Ashley's words) jokes and stories. So for today

..

I Still Believe

..

The buildings

In reverence stand

Through time

..

The books

Worn bindings

Tattered pages

In reverence read

..

Betrayal, vice, disease,

Famine, war, death

Cold fires that

Chill the bone

Of man

..

Trust

The feast of hope

The wine of

Faith

..

The heart of

A parched soul

Drinks at

Springs eternal

First thaw

..

ccd

revision from 2008

Another Sunday laid to rest. A typical Pennsylvania summer day, if any are typical. Cool cloudy morning. rainy mid day, sunny humid afternoon leading into another cloudy night. The entire week has had an underlying charge to it. Something is on the burner simmering. It has been in the morning song of the birds and the evening chorus of the night creatures. The trees whispered to each other in the down pour this noon. I can only wonder at what mystery this way comes. I have not much to say this day. The poem I am posting nowlacks only the date and the name. It sits on my counter at work I started this poem a month ago. Ashley is about to step into the next great adventure of her life. Daily I pass 2 cemeteries on the way to work. I see the old stones. I began to wonder of what use is the stone? A month and 1/2 ago I decided to visit the grave of her great aunt Frances and give a report of Ashley's progress. Afterwards I took a walk around the cemetery looking at dates. One name struck my curiosity. only a name and a date. The others had other words ....Father, husband, mother, wife, brother, sister, daughter.son. In memory of... Beloved.... , and yet this one next to the family stone stood out. .....I guess I had a little to say after all.

..

A Summer Walk

..

On cloudy day

I took a walk

A friend to visit

..

On hallowed ground

Quietly resting

Beneath weathered stone

Stories lay

No longer told

..

On cut stone

Name and dates

Rough edges

A life story once

Sung

..

I stand today

Before one such stone

A name, a date

Hundred plus years past

In life

You walked your path

..

Who now living

Celebrates your life.

Who remembers your worth?

..

Be not troubled in

Eternal slumber

With your dreams

..

Your name its self

Proof you lived

A path of life you walked

That led to this

Endless sleep.

..

Here I place your

Name and date

Once again

You will be thought of

In the minds of

Living man.

Benjamin Truman Weaver

Civil war

1865

..

ccd

summer 2010

It is Sunday again, and a beautiful day it is. While the sky is clear and sunny, my mind was a little cloudy today. I had to do some grocery shopping today. I decided to take a drive. I took a good 25 mile trip out to Lake Pymatuming. I reached a point on the road my mind cleared so I turned around headed back. I did my shopping then returned home. Today Ashley informed me she is heading west the last week of this month The house will be to quiet again. I will survive It is time for her to spread her wings one last time. It is what I sacrificed for. Both girls are worth my sacrifices. So what came out of this drive? I am not certain if it can be called a poem or a soliloquy. This path I travel,

In decades past

I started to follow

...

Shrouded in mist

Each day started

Mysteries hidden

..

Gifts to live

Wrapped in

Footsteps taken

...

By evenings rest

Mist and mystery

Forgotten

In setting sun

..

Would I cower

Without mornings mist?

I see where my

Feet were meant

To tread.

..

Sweet song of

The wind

Stirs the dust

Of memories past

..

Three is the number,

Companions

Walked my path.

..

Each a rose

Of elegance

and grace

..

In briar bush

By garden gate

Another grows

..

Dare I risk thorn

And pain?

Here I will pause

Rest and wait

..

What will be

On the morning's

Sunrise?

..

ccd 2010

The heat of the past 2 weeks has slacked off . The temperatures are cool at night great for sleeping. The humidity factor has fallen allowing for a more comfortable day time. I am still working on a poem it may be a little sad when it is complete. I slept in late. I did get up early enough to cut grass and have some free time after. After dinner I walked around Tamarack again, my place of spiritual contemplation. I wrote my name in the water. since my new poem is not finished I will post from April of '09

Lake Tamarack

..

Lust is in the mind

Romance in the heart

Love is in the soul

..

No arrogance in thy beauty

No cruelty in thy heart

Thy comfort pulls at my soul

..

Yours is a woman's heart

Elegant iced beauty

Peaceful is your slumber

In winters white cloak

..

Rumors fly

Of youthful love

Flirtatious warmth

Awakening

In Springs sun

..

An open door to

Homes hearth

Wildflower perfume,

Harmony sung

By nature's cantors

Cling to summers breath

..

Cloaked in falls tapestry

Still waters reflect

Thy beauty to

The heavens

..

Through all seasons

Scattered diamonds

Silver and gold

Hidden riches revealed

In nights slumber

Beneath heavens lights

..

ccd

revised from 4-'09

25th of July. The end of a beautiful week. The start of a new one all in one day. The temperatures were warm and the humidity was high. Reminds me of the south. I love the feeling of a good sweat causing the clothes to stick. I was also reminded of why I do not like air conditiong. My muscles tightened after sitting in a restaurant for 40 minutes. The memories make me restless. I took another walk today, said hi to an old acquaintance, went shopping, got home with the sun coming out again and the humidity climbing. My poem for today is under construction. When it is done I hope it is good The theme has been bugging me for 3 weeks. so here is one from 2006

Ashley says I seem to be doing the ...Best of.... series

but it is ok, summer time is rerun time.

..

Shadows Dance

..

Carried by night's

Sun warmed breeze

Moon's orange lantern

Ghosts through

Blackened canopy

..

Pale flickering glow

Passing in silent whisper

To honor each trees' story

Told in shadow's dance

..

ccd 2006 revision

Slept to long today. Had shopping to do so I did not spend much time outside. I do not know if my writers block is gone or not. For those that know me well I have an innate ability to read people after talking with them for a few hours or on rare occasions within a very short time of minutes. (Does not make for good relationships) Saturday a lady came into the store with friends. I was able to talk with her for maybe 5 minutes. This is the poem I wrote in free time Saturday afternoon.

From Judith's Hands

..

On quilters easel

Needle and thread

Dance as one

..

Artists' spirit,

Not stitch and knot,

Is the beauty

Of blankets' form

..

Framed with laughter

And silken touch

A swatch of cloth...

Given heart

..

From Judith's hands

Her soul

Does speak

..

On quilters easel

Needle and thread

Dance as one

..

ccd 2010

WOO HOO! Sunday July 11, 2010 This past Friday I reached the ripe young age of 10.... that is if you do as I do and add the two numbers of my actual age together, such as 9+1 or 2+8 or 3+7 or 4+6 or 5+5. So I am a Teenager again! Has anyone seen my skateboard and sling shot? OOPS I forgot I never had the skateboard. Must be the memory of a teenager. Lets see as a teenager I get to dream of all things to come. This is my lead in to my poem. I wrote it in 2008

If you look to past blogs you will see where

I incorportated most of the poem with another

to create Path of Dreams.

..

Dreams

..

Dreams of boys

who chase the moon

..

Dreams of girls

who chase the boys

..

Dreams in spring

in lovers hearts

..

Dreams in ring

on brides finger

..

Dreams planted

in farmers furrow

..

Dreams of life

in mothers womb

..

Dreams from artificers breath

into molten glass

..

We grow to watch

oceans of dreams

ebb and flow

..

No one dreams of

sorrow

There is only the ache

for what if, yesteryear,

and tomorrow

..

ccd 2008

revised 2009

then again 2010

July 4th And the mind is blank. I went for a drive ended up visiting old friends resting on a hill in the sun. I walked around their place a bit meeting some of their companions. Went to the movies with Ashley came home ordered in pizza. overall an uneventful day My mind is quiet and unexpired so I have no poem for today While my mind is quiet it still feels cloudy, so, I give you this from another

If a fleeting thought

conjurs the whole,

how can I describe

reality in figures?

While empty moonlight

on the water

shows everything

the mirror of

no mind reflects

only

nothingness.

B.K. 1299-1375

OK, today was brain drain day It is a day I can not completely wake up. It is also the kind of day where the mind will not stop,and the body has no get up and go. Then 20 minutes later the body wants to go but the mind is back half asleep. I spent some time on the back porch with eyes closed soaking up nature I even had a robin on the railing talking to me. I tried to hard to understand so I could not understand. I decxided to go for a drive to clear everything. I probably should not have. 1st stop for gas. Ok. Take a drive out to Woodcock Lake. Look for some fresh scenery. None at the dam. None at the upper boat ramp. None at the causeway. So I will drive over to Lake Tamarack. Still no luck in clearing the head or waking the body. Return home, cook dinner, eat, wash dishes, watch some tv. 2 hours later, start laundry, put Socks outside for a bit. Ashley calls me to the kitchen... she asks.. did I put gas in the truck? ..... ayup... some how I forgot to replace the gas cap..... I should not have gone for the drive. Since my mind is clouded I have no poem of my own what I am posting is not necessarily poetry but a way of being to clear the mind I got cought on the sky

..Know your mind as the sky

Allow everything to pass on through

The clouds, the lightening, the wind

All of it, even the blue itself

See and hear what ever arises.

But do not grasp at anything

Do not even get cought on the sky

..

Zen Master

Ji Aoi Isshi

I Walk the Shore of A Lake

..

I walk the shore

Of a lake

Past fishermen

Casting line and bait

 

Watching bobbers, watching

Poles and lines....

Do they see what I see?

Do they hear what I hear?

 

With walking staff

In silence I pass

with inner smiles....

My shadow leads the way

 

Over rocky shore and

Tree root

My path is blocked

I wait....

Goose and goslings

feed and play

I lean on my staff

My shadow rests....

 

To wooded path

I can finally pass...

Hide and seek among
 the trees....

my shadow plays

 

Stopped by fallen tree

I must return,

Retrace my steps...

My shadow follows

 

I walk the shore of a

Lake

Past fishermen casting

Line and bait...

 

Do they see what I see?

Do they hear what I hear?

Fathers day, Awoken at 5:30 in the morning Dogt wanted out. Crawled back into bed, Finally up at 10, washed last nights dishes to cook breakfast. Went from eating to yard work. Cut grass, raked grass, Got the weed eater working Ashely did the edging and trimming. I moved some gravel that got rearranged this past winter. Grilled chicken for dinner....yummy. I took a walk to the back side of Tamarack. This is where the blog ends tonight. I have the start of a new poem. .. I walked the shore of a lake...... I hope to hae it posted Monday night

Sunday is a cloudy, drizzly damp day. Yesterday was a different story. my yard received a face lift. I guess both girls got tiered of looking at the wild overgrowth of bushes and weeds that I could not get to in the short hours after work. Kim and Ashley did a great job. Thank you. Since it is a yucky day, Ashley and I went to the movies. We saw the remake of Karate Kid. Finally a remake that stands alone and is as good at the original. The poem today I wrote in 2008.

Day of Rain

..

Grey shadowed day

Of summer rain

At morning break

Natures cantors bless

Mornings rise

..

A drop of rain

A drop of life,

Cleans my soul

A summers day of

Blessing rain

..

Sun sets on

Grey shadowed day

Natures cantors bless

Passing day

And

Coming night

..

ccd

Sunday June 6, Anniversary of D-Day in WW2. Last Sunday was Memorial day. Concord, Lexington, Arlington, Normandy, Verdun, Guadal Canal. Gettysburg. Pearl Harbor. Across the years, across this country, across the globe cemeteries came into being. Names long forgotten save for the writing on a tomb stone. Todays poem a little thanks to those that gave the most.

A Field of White Flowers

..

A lone dogwood stands in a field.

In'75 tilled,

The field of white flowers

First cleared for sowing

That year

..

T'was April 19th of '76

Eight seeds of white

First were planted

..

The fathers of my father

A bill of sale written for the land

Each name of ownership in red is written.

Hold sacred the seeds For the children of my children The words are told

..

Year upon year, heat or cold

Many are called to work this field

Each year of toil, curses and woe, watered with blood,

Brings sorrow songs of my mothers, mothers

..

For the children of my children

The field of white flowers

Continues to grow

..

In '61 Blue and Grey shadowed the land

For the children of my children

Storm and fire cast more seed

The field of white flowers

Harvest is grown

..

In '17 to help some friends

More land was bought and cleared

For the children of my children

The field of white flowers

Had to grow

..

This is the last they said

We hear your mother's song of tears

We know the cost in watering with

Blood of father and son

No more land tilled

No more seeds will be sowed

..

In '42 friends came asking

More seeds ordered

More land is bought and cleared

The bill is tallied, the sorrows grow

For the children of my children,and

The children of others I am told

..

In '51 it was called the Red Death

Winds from the East

Scattered more

The field of white flowers grew some more

..

In '58 we started the wall

For the children of others

The bill of sale tallied again

Another pound of seed

..

In '90 to the desert

We returned

..

Why do we plant the seeds we're asked

To do what is right for those that can't

The same as he,

Who climbed the dogwood that many years past.

"Forgive them Father"he cried.

..

4 Million plus seeds are planted now

For the children of my children

The garden grows

..

What price?

A pound of seed.

What rewards?

..

ccd 2009

Today is Monday Memorial day It has been a good 2 days off for me. I got the grass cut yesterday. today I got up did my exercises, then I loaded up my recumbent trike and headed for the Ernst trail. over all for the first time this year I did good mileage. I got in about between 6 and 7 miles The trail is a Beautiful pave trail for walking and biking. I was fortunate enough to have 2 deer cross the trail in front of me and a couple of chipmunks also. Trees and flora line both sides of the trailThe trail starts following French Creek for about a mile. A beauty it is.

...

River of Dreams

Beneath royal green

I sit

To gaze upon

A river of

Dreams

...

River stones

Sing their songs

Beneath waters silent

Flow

...

Diamond and gold

Flash a dance.

Promising riches

Untold

...

Dreams in bubbles

In silence pass

When they forrmed

Is anyones guess

...

Dream bubbles

Burst or glide

From sight

...

The song of the

River stones,

Sung for the

Dreams

...

ccd 2010

Memorial day weekend, so I am off to day and tomorrow (monday). Today I got some yardwork done. I will write the poem Monday night. I am in the mood to remember what it is like to have 2 days off in a row. Be at peace, let the stars sing their song to you at night, and the wind during the day.

Sometimes I hate lazy Sundays.I should nave cut the grass but I did not. should have moved some gravel but i did not all I did was go grocery shopping Ashley baked some chocolate cupcakes..

I think spring fever has set in.

Spring Fever

..

Winter dreams laid to rest

Shadows fly

from light of sun

..

Nests are filled

new life begins

..

Budding flowers open

quenching their

thirst

..

Natures bards

by light of day

sing ballads

of life

..

Nights cantor

voices

add flavor

with spice

..

I loose my thoughts

in their

stories

..

ccd 2010

I could not wake up this morning, or this afternoon. do not know why but something hangs heavy on my mind I should have gotten up and gone cut the grass at the store. I did no shopping today either. I did get my grass cut here at home. Something on the wind calls to me. The Walter Brenan song "Ol Shep" has disappeared from you tube. I had it book marked.

I hope it is not an omen of a friends dearest companion.

...

Prayer to the Wind

...

To beauty and peace

in your song

My soul does cling

...

Beyond the sounds

of man

I hear your voice

...

Above the valley

the eagle

calls

...

Drinking from the brook

trees standing guard

whisper to

the spawning trout

...

In its home

rabbits heart, soft drum beat

at rest

...

I hear your peace

in voiceless quiet before

the setting sun

...

I pray to you

bathe

my troubled mind

to rest my soul

...

ccd 2010

Mothers Day I no longer hear her Voice. I no longer see her silver hair or hazel eyes. I know I never told enough I loved her then, I hold her and love her now. She taught me quiet love is, a love of iron, non-rusting, enduring through time and space. ... To What do we awaken this morning?

April showers bring May .....snow?

A damp cold and a bed sheet layer

of snow. Ain't mother nature beautiful lady? ...

ARGH....

I have been sitting here and nothing

comes to mind for a poem...SIGH When shadows come visiting

the mind goes blank

I've dug down deep to find one close

to the meaning of this day

...

Tree and water,

separate lives

...

Root of tree

Hidden from sight

in mother earth,

Buried deep

...

Water flows

free and wild

Hidden root seeks

to feed.

...

Traveling souls

from different realms.

...

Bound to mother

tree feeds.

...

Two become one

this will be

until

Both are gone

ccd 2006

Sunday again. I need to get outside more. It has been a sunny week and mostly dry.Rain is expected today I did manage to get my hair cut on Friday, and the grass cut today. the yard looks much much better. Before the leaves the flowers bloom the Dogwood has its flowers, the Lilac also. As for flowers, I have/had a yard full of the yellow dandelions. It is now 6:30 pm It looks like a heavy rain is coming

Rain

..

Lead grey, the

clouds boil

Rolling drums proclaim

the greetings

..

First drops

Wet dust

scents the air

Opens the soul

..

Tea is brewed

in natures pot

Lilac, Dogwood, Dandelion

Flavors the rain

..

No shelter needed

Tree and flower

in celebration

dance

..

Rhythm of

angel tears tapping

Refreshes body

and soul

..

ccd

Sunday the end of an uninteresting week.

Or is it the beginning of something totally

wonderful, Ashley did turn 28 this past week

Me I turned in circles which is nothing new.

It feels like a weekend to get lost in the songs

of Harry Chapin and Billy Joel

Spring morning

Upon a hill

Cool wet grass at my back

...

Cotton white tendrils

trace the sky

Memory remnants

of winters snow

...

Distant trees beckon

crow in flight

Geese call from unseen lake

Stray ant tickles

hair on back of hand

Scent of cut grass

floats on the morning breeze

...

From mountains pull

to oceans song

My body is open

to all that is

...

The soul touches

what the mind

does not understand

ccd 2010

Sunday night and again I have no idea of what to write I just found my desk top after a cleaning. Went to Erie today, stopped at Eric's on the way home both he and Paula are looking healthy. This means they have both lost considerable weight. Understandable with the cancer their daughter is fighting. Lydia is holding her own with the treatments, She has to do the chemotherapy through August. It is said God looks after fools and children I hope I am not keeping to much of his attention focused on me. Lydia needs his touch more.

She is a dream with in a dream. Her own path she has to

travel. To young I think for a burden to carry, and yet the

angles are there helping carry her load.

The strength of man is in his faith.

When Lydia reaches my age she will understand this poem.

Path of Dreams

..

In bare feet and tattered cloth

upon this path I stand

..

Dreams of spring in lovers hearts

Dreams of life in warriors heart

Dreams in ring on brides finger

Until I pass

No dream for treas in winters slumber

..

Dreams of life in mothers womb

With sleep brushed away

at mothers gentle caress

Rose, lilac, cinnamon, ginger

Mothers scent is the morning breeze

..

Dreams planted in farmers furrow

by dads callused hands

..

Dreams from artificers breath

breaks the dawn in molten glass

At morning light

cold night shadows flee

..

Leaning on staff

of oak tree bone

Knees bent, back is stooped

I stare in awe as shadows fly

..

Dreams of trees are seasons past

Thorny vine and shattered glass,

sharp rock, twisted root,

immovable boulder

to get where is stand upon my path,

I had to pass

Dreams of hope on the morrow

I face the path I have yet to travel

Smooth and soft it looks to be

And yet among blades of soft

grass, just a hint of

root, stone,and gravel

..

My feet,

bare, tired, and sore

scared and bruised

I know will carry me more.

..

Leaning on trees bone

sigh of breath, creek of knee

I take one step forward...

then one more

..

No one dreams of sorrow

There is only the ache

for what if, yesteryear,

and tomorrow

..

Another step

I leave a dream for the

trees

once more

ccd

Sunday evening and not a clue what to write It is one of those days I can not wake up. Masters golf tournament was this week takes me for a walk down memory lane I have never been to the Augusta National Golf course. It is open during the practice rounds to the general public for a minor fee. I lived in Augusta from 1969 up to 1991. A 29 minute drive across town I could have gone Nope not a fool. (I may act it...) That side of town is crazy this time of year. I do not know what it is like now. Spring in Augusta was beautiful Magnolias, roses, clear skies, A laid back attitude of welcome leading into summer. Summer days that stretch into tomorrow. Walking railroad ties to see where the rails go. Following creeks to find the source. I am still waking still looking still seeking. Since my mind is taking me down memory lane I found a poem I wrote some time back

The Wine of Our Youth

..

Corner shelf darkened closet

Dusty bottle stands alone

..

Cork pulled to ghostly memories

No drop to sip

Youths fragrant wine

In the heart

..

Thunderstorms and summer days

Winter dreams, frozen hearts

Scent of youth long flown from limb

..

Wines flavor

Life bottled

in the soul

ccd

I had to make a second post today

This is a picture of a tree long dead

and trimmed back. It sits between my

house and the neighbors house.

Years ago I wrote poem about the

swing that hangs from this tree.

I will probably post that at the end

of summer. This blog is for something else. Take note of the curving branch

over the house. The branch is

a good 10 feet above the roof of

my 2 story home.

Now the lower

is a close up of that branch.

No one climbed the tree and

placed it there. The picture is not

photo shopped.

So on this Easter Sunday Blessings to all

Read both blogs and enjoy the poem

Note to self: exercise....exercise ....exercise... three months of standing in front of a cash register is not exercise. Found out today how weak the arms are with some yard work. Sunday Easter day. A point between death and life winter and spring. If you spent the day outside and paid attention to all going on around you; you would have noticed a quiet day. The sounds of human activity subdued The grass is getting greener, trees are starting to open buds for leaves. Birds were singing but their voices were muted. The sun was shining and warm The wind was cool. Spring is here but still in its waking stage. When did spring start? Yesterday? Last night? Last month? or was it just yesteryear? When ever it was I saw it.

Spring Awakens

In Mountain valley

A pine does stand

cloaked in white

Roots burried deep

in mountain past

Orange burst

burns the night

Eagle leaps for

crystal skies

Feels the change

Feels the heat

In silent glide

it sees the diamond

in morning light

Pure of heart

it frees a call

from primal soul

The bond is broken

From pine tree needle

the diamond falls

First drop of water

starts it all

ccd

Easter day 2010

Sunday night another busy week passed.

the end of March is here. The last week flew by. I am starting the blog with a poem from another centuries past. It has 2 meanings for me. The first is apparent. The second

I will talk about.

If you break open

the cherry tree

There is not a single flower

The skies of spring

Bring forth the blossoms

Ikkyu

(1394-1491)

.....

Friendship, What does it mean?

How does it work?

Over the years we meet many people

most are just acquaintances. A few become

regular faces regular names. People we

enjoy spending time with.These we call

friend.

Every once in a while that one person

comes along. That one is special.

more than a friend. They become a

confidant, a mentor. With them you

learn more about yourself than you

thought you knew. If you are lucky

you can talk with them on a regular

basis. That special friend can read you like a book.

From the way you don't say something,

to the way you speak a phrase, and yet that

person never judges you. You learn, you teach

you learn. Each of you share the others happiness

and pain in each others family.

I am fortunate enough to have a very special friend

such as this. What is remarkable I have never

stood in front of this person face to face.

With today's technology I met this person on

the net. This person lives over 2ooo miles

away. An ocean voyage away.

Through this persons friendship I

started my writing. This person got

me to go into myself and bring it out.

Back to the poem at the top.

When you meet some one

you can open them up and find

nothing, sticking with one thing

that peaks your interest, if you

stick around long enough you can

see what comes forth.

Now as the years have passed

the talks are fewer and further

between. Time moves on so do

we. Even with today's technology

life brings its own circumstances

of interference. Today you said

you are leaving the net and all its

irritations. We did not say goodbye.

You will be reading my blog. I will be

writing my poetry. In time when you

need to talk I will be here. I never say

goodbye.

I Won't Say Goodbye

.....

To swiftly the years fly

Behind the fantasy of words

and games

We watched the net

flow and ebb in

its dance

....

A voice from the gallery

called

From back of the room

silently watching

a friend

a Soul

I did get to know

.....

Names you changed

for each game

each a song

...

Wild of heart

I came to know you

Strength of

ancestors from history

passed

....

My mind closed

to troubling times

Hours we spent

in soul searching talks

Messages given

Lessons learned

.....

Together

we drank

the wine

of truth and hope

.....

The path we walked

side by side

in

light and shadow

Pain of one shared by

the other

Burdens carried

by two

are

made lighter

....

Friend you brought me

peace

I

brought

you light

....

When our souls touched

you got part

of mine

I got part of yours

.....

Never soul mates

For sure

Soul Friends

....

Say goodbye?

Never.

Not possible

You are

but

a

Soul touch

away.