Inhale, the arms float up, Exhale, the arms float down, Namaste, at the heart. Inhale, the body bends, Hands at top of mat,

Memories of my childhood Visit more and more Each day, As ghosts of past relatives Cast their shadows,

Walking on the beach of long ago, the constant roll of the gulf, it’s sound, like a lullaby.

The birds flock to the bird feeder, some with black, capped heads and others with

Squirrels with bushy orange tails leap about the deck. Crickets hum, confused that it’s not dark yet. The caw of a blue jay

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

Yellow finches Line the bird feeder Against Spring’ s canopy Of green and purple tapestry. Back and forth they go

Great scientific minds Working for cures Of terminal diseases, The clock ticks... What is the cure

Just a small part of me wants strife to go away, to return to a kinder time. Am I just losing courage? Life is draining me,

Come with me To the mountain top, Where the crest touches The sky And the air so pure,

Hello Sunrise, with your red ball of fire, peeking over the horizon, leaving the clouds pink,

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

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

The flesh withers as we age But our inner spirit Remains the same. And when the body dies The spirit breaks free

Pale blue moon Of August, Peeking behind The clouds, Luminous,