This is the America I know: A sea of white, black, red, yellow And brown faces, Strong minds and voices Raised to the sun,

At that magical time When the yellow moon Sets, And the pink mist Of dawn,

I remember your smile, your laugh,… you gave so freely. It’s hard that you are gone. I sigh and walk along the bay.

Remember the night we took your mother’s car and drove over the skyway bridge? The moon was a bright light to show the way.

Many thoughts in the mind, Some productive, some not. They glow like fires, Created by needs and

Oh billionaires! How you have lost your soul, lost the goal and kneel down

Grateful for: Sunrise of pink and gold Showing the way, Lighting the sky, To another blessed day.

Oh hummingbird Where are you now? Have you taken My courage with you? Oh hummingbird

Standing at a crossroad Between this life And the next, Heart in hand I knock on that

Embrace that which comes with ease: The twinkling of an eye, The drumbeat of a heart, The blooming of a flower,

On this New Year’s Eve Direction lost Drifting like blowing snow To and fro. A freeze comes

Not a word heard As the river flows Over rock, around Banks that lie Waiting for visitors.

Harsh reality smacks like a slap of cold wind. Sometimes I’m a tough sailor, at the helm,

In the noble purpose of my life, In the clear and quiet chamber Of my soul, In the open and warm cave Of my heart,

The red cardinal high in a tree, caught my attention with his melodious chirp on my daily walk.