Wednesday

The most beautiful flower

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read
Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.
Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent on dragging me down.

And if that weren't enough to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play.
He stood right before me with his head tilted down
And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"

In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light.
Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,
I faked a small smile and then shifted away.

But instead of retreating he sat next to my side
And placed the flower to his nose
And declared with overacted surprise,
"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too.
That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."

The weed before me was dying or dead.
Not vibrant of colors: orange, yellow or red.
But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need."

But instead of him placing the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed for the very first time
That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.

I heard my voice quiver; tears shone in the sun
As I thanked him for picking the very best one.
You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.

I sat there and wondered how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.

Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see
The problem was not with the world; the problem was me.

And for all of those times
I myself had been blind,
I vowed to see the beauty in life,
And appreciate every second that's mine.

And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose
And smiled as I watched that young boy,
Another weed in his hand,
About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.

Cheryl Costello-Forshey

Saturday

A red red rose

O' my Luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June;
O my luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly play'd in tune.--

As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will love thee still, my Dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.--

Till a' the seas gang dry, my Dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun:
I will love thee still, my Dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.--

And fare thee weel, my only Luve!
And fare thee weel, a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it were ten thousand mile!

~Robert Burns

True love

True love is a sacred flame
That burns eternally,
And none can dim its special glow
Or change its destiny.

True love speaks in tender tones
And hears with gentle ear,
True love gives with open heart
And true love conquers fear.

True love makes no harsh demands
It neither rules nor binds,
And true love holds with gentle hands
The hearts that it entwines.

~Helen Steiner Rice

Wild nights!

Wild nights--wild nights!
Were I with thee
Wild nights should be
Our luxury!

Futile the winds
To a heart in port--
Done with the compass,
Done with the chart!

Rowing in Eden--
Ah, the sea!
Might I moor, tonight,
In thee!

~Emily Elizabeth Dickinson

I will be here

If in the morning when you wake,
If the sun does not appear,
I will be here.
If in the dark we lose sight of love,
Hold my hand and have no fear,
I will be here.

I will be here,
When you feel like being quiet,
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen.
Through the winning, losing,
and trying we'll be together,
And I will be here.
If in the morning when you wake,
If the future is unclear,
I will be here.
As sure as seasons were made for change,
Our lifetimes were made for years,
I will be here.

I will be here,
And you can cry on my shoulder,
When the mirror tells us we're older.
I will hold you,
to watch you grow in beauty,
And tell you all the things you are to me.
We'll be together and I will be here.
I will be true to the promises I've made,
To you and to the one who gave you to me.
I will be here.

~Steven Curtis Chapman

Because she would ask me why I loved her!

If questioning would make us wise
No eyes would ever gaze in eyes;
If all our tale were told in speech
No mouths would wander each to each.

Were spirits free from mortal mesh
And love not bound in hearts of flesh
No aching breasts would yearn to meet
And find their ecstasy complete.

For who is there that lives and knows
The secret powers by which he grows?
Were knowledge all, what were our need
To thrill and faint and sweetly bleed?

Then seek not, sweet, the "If" and "Why"
I love you now until I die.
For I must love because I live
And life in me is what you give.

~Christopher Brennan (1870-1932)

One way love

A one way love can never thrive;
It needs reciprocation.
And so in order to survive
My love needs affirmation.

So throw your caution to the sky,
And let your heart command.
You'll find that it will not deny
A love which must expand.

Come now, to me, with open arms
And sweep me off my feet;
And then display for me your charms,
To make my love complete.

My one way love will terminate
Without your inspiration.
So, therefore, please reciprocate
With no more hesitation.

~Ara John Movsesian

She was a phantom of delight

She was a Phantom of delight
When first she gleamed upon my sight;
A lovely Apparition, sent
To be a moment's ornament;
Her eyes as stars of Twilight fair;
Like Twilight's, too, her dusky hair;
But all things else about her drawn
From May-time and the cheerful dawn;
A dancing Shape, an Image gay,
To haunt, to startle, and way-lay.

I saw her upon nearer view,
A Spirit, yet a Woman too!
Her household motions light and free,
And steps of virgin-liberty;
A countenance in which did meet
Sweet records, promises as sweet;
A Creature not too bright or good
For human nature's daily food;
For transient sorrows, simple wiles,
Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles.

And now I see with eye serene
The very pulse of the machine;
A Being breathing thoughtful breath,
A Traveller between life and death;
The reason firm, the temperate will,
Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill;
A perfect Woman, nobly planned,
To warn, to comfort, and command;
And yet a Spirit still, and bright
With something of angelic light.

~William Wordsworth

Shall I compare thee

Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day?
Thou are more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And Summer's lease hath all too short a date:
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd:


But thy eternal Summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st:
So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.


~William Shakespeare

Love is

Love is
being happy for the other person
when they are happy
being sad for the other person
when they are sad
being together in good times
and being together in bad times
Love is the source of strength

Love is
being honest with yourself
at all times
being honest with the other person
at all times
telling, listening, respecting the truth
and never pretending
Love is the source of reality

Love is
an understanding that is so complete
that you feel as if you are a part
of the other person
accepting the other person
just the way they are
and not trying to change them
to be something else
Love is the source of unity

Love is
the freedom to pursue your own desires
while sharing your experiences
with the other person
the growth of one individual alongside of
and together with the growth
of another individual
Love is the source of success

Love is
the excitement of planning things together
the excitement of doing things together
Love is the source of the future

Love is
the fury of the storm
the calm of the rainbow
Love is the source of passion

Love is
giving and taking in a daily situation
being patient with each
other's needs and desires
Love is the source of sharing

Love is
knowing that the other person
will always be with you regardless
of what happens
missing the other person
when they are away
but remaining near in heart at all times
Love is the source of security

Love is the
source of life


~Susan Polis Schutz

Friday

Freedom

I knew it when I saw you
For the very first time
I was in for trouble
Of the very best kind

I see the way you look at me
Behind your marble screen
Piercing through my confidence
With the eyes of a forgotten Queen

Trust me when I say I know you
I've been with you for years
I've danced in your joy
I've howled in your tears

I was there when you were in love
I've seen you win and lose
I've watched you walk alone in torment
I've seen the abuse

I wish I could protect you
Keep you safe and dry
If the darkness tried to fall on you
I'd hold open the sky

You don't need me to save you
You're as tough as I've ever seen
You're strong enough to tak'em all on
You are beautiful, powerful and free

The mighty sun in all its glory
And the brightness with which it shines
Is forced to sit in jealousy
Of the light within your eyes

You are lovely to me
I submit, I forfeit, I cease
In you I found my heart again
My love, my soul, my peace

Even if I never know you
As a lover or a wife
You will always be the angel
He sent to save my life

Your gaze has broken through
The wall I built in pain
That kept me from feeling
What little hope remained

Loving you has torn away
The bindings and the chains
I am grateful Lovely One
For the freedom love attained

Missing you

Have you ever bothered to realize
how much you mean to me?
I care so much for you inside
and miss you so deeply.

My mind is always curious about
the way things might have been.
As days go by and time goes by,
I look back once again.

All the time I held you in my arms,
I had the whole world right there.
There you were, comforting me with
all of your charms.

Every little kiss from you
was like a dream come true.
This love that I have inside my heart,
it all belonged to you!

It's funny, all those little things
I never thought I'd miss,
Like all those conversations we had,
or the first time we kissed.

I guess that what I'm trying to say,
is I miss and love you more each day!
It hurts me not to see you,
or not to know if you're ok.

I want you to understand
that I loved you from the start.
And I want you to know,
no matter how many miles
we may be apart,
you'll always hold a special place
in my heart.

A soft heart

A soft heart
Is not easily chipped or cracked
Pressure on a soft heart
Leaves an imprint...
An indelible mark that lasts forever.

A hard heart
Is cold to the touch
It cracks and breaks
There is no imprint
There are only broken pieces.

Lord, thank you
For a soft heart
Thank you for the pain
of the imprint
he left on my heart.

Thank you that this heart
Will learn to love again.

Loves small flaw

It will catch up to you
whether you want it to or not,
Make your heart swell
and tie it up in a knot.

You wont know what it is
but you'll feel it inside.
Your feelings for this person
well up inside.

Then no matter how far
and no matter how near...
Each word or phrase she says,
You'll always hold them dear.

Today

Never fear what might or may happen
Or dwell on what has gone by.
Live each moment in the present
Or you’ll forever be asking why.

Yesterday has come and has left us
Tomorrow may not ever be.
Live life for each second you have it
And remember you’ll always have me.

Forget the past with its heartaches
And the dreams of what may be ahead.
Those things are controlled by the Almighty
Think of our life and our love instead.

I will not lead you down this road of life
Nor will I follow behind in your step.
But take my hand and travel beside me
To where the secretes of love are kept.

I wont promise the road will be easy
Danger could be anywhere.
Together we can face any obstacle
Because of our love we need never fear

Symbols of love

Love...
Sweet sounds from the music of the heart
Composed of flowers and flattery
Played by instruments--each has its own part
Sung with passion and delicacy

Love...
Faded pages with meaning beyond comprehension
Written with strength and fervency
Read by many with constant devotion
Stored on shelves of diversity

Love...
Strokes of vivid colors and happiness
Drawn by the instinct of desire
Painted with tenacious tenderness
Displayed in galleries of grandeur

My wish

I wish that I could cause the sun
To warm the world with love
Remove the clouds a moment
To reveal the stars above

I wish that I could wipe that tear
From the corner of your eye
Bring happiness for your sorrow
Bring a smile for your sigh

I wish that I could better things
Put hope within your heart
Make today the best you've had
Right from its' very start

I wish that I were able
To make your dream come true
I wish I could - I wish I could
Do all these things for you

If

If I could have just one more day,
To spend my time with you.
I'd love to sit and talk awhile,
Instead of feeling blue.

It's just so hard when we're apart,
The days just seem so long.
For my longing and your touch,
It leaps off the page of a song.

If I could turn up the hands of time,
I'd be standing in front of you.
I'd reach out to feel your touch,
I know you'd love that too.

If you see me in your dreams,
You know that I am there.
To show you all my love from me,
And show how much I care.

So if you're sitting there wondering,
Of what it is I do.
I'm wrapping my love up in a box,
And sending it off to you.

Simply love

The love that we share
Is a dream come true
A love to cherish
For me and you.

As our love grows
Like a flower from a bud
You are in my heart
You are in my blood.

You flow through my body
Along every vein
Soaking deep within
Like the summer rain.

As we walk through life
Hand and hearts entwined
To the place of our dreams
Our souls are lined.

Lined with lots of love
And sprinkles of lust
Friendship and fun
And total trust.

We will move forward
From this day on
With love in our hearts
We will be one.

Dreams can come true

Our friendship can never be broken
But you mean so very much more
Of all the girls I've ever met
You're the one I truly adore
But believe it or not your happiness
Is fore most on my mind
I know what you were looking for
When you planned a trip of this kind
And as the Lord and you both know
My love for you won't change
And if it were in my powers
The desired ending you want I'd arrange
I wish you all the happiness
This world can offer you
The Lord knows you deserve it
With all the wonders you do
And if things happen to go your way
I pray they will last forever
And if asked if my feelings have changed
My answer will be simple - never
I vowed I'd wait a life time
And I swear that's what I'll do
And the reason is even easier
Cause my darling I'm in love with you
I can't and won't ever change
You'll forever be in my heart
I pray to God you get all you want
Maybe this is a brand new start
Just keep looking for the rainbow
At the end is the beginning of our dream
It's where butterflies go to get their love
It's where they meet and form a team
Always remember how close I really am
I live inside your heart
And what ever may finally happen
My love for you won't part

Your love

Each night before I go to bed
I thank the stars above
Because I have you in my life
And giving me your love

You're more to me than just a friend
You're someone on whom I can depend
I cherish every word you say
It helps me through this lonely day

You've given me much more than hope
You've given me your love
I know that you were sent to me
From someone up above

And in the morning I still know
That in my heart you'll be
Side by side our love will grow
Through all eternity

I am missing you

Have you ever bothered to realize
how much you mean to me?
I care so much for you inside
and miss you so deeply.

My mind is always curious about
the way things might have been.
As days go by and time goes by,
I look back once again.

All the time I held you in my arms,
I had the whole world right there.
There you were, comforting me with
all of your charms.

Every little kiss from you
was like a dream come true.
This love that I have inside my heart,
it all belonged to you!

It's funny, all those little things
I never thought I'd miss,
Like all those conversations we had,
or the first time we kissed.

I guess that what I'm trying to say,
is I miss and love you more each day!
It hurts me not to see you,
or not to know if you're ok.

I want you to understand
that I loved you from the start.
And I want you to know,
no matter how many miles
we may be apart,
you'll always hold a special place
in my heart.

When you said,I love you

When you said, "I love you,"
I went over the moon.
My heart sang its glory,
The stars sang in tune.
As when with a word
God brought forth light,
So with these words
You ended my night.

So with these words
You made something new:
A bond of devotion
Between me and you.

How powerful words
To shape who we are!
We ponder in silence;
Our words cross a bar.

Your words crossed a threshold
And entered the past,
Yet they have created
A world that will last