Her Thoughts

Her thoughts – a tangled web weaving through her mind –

Climbing ladders, sliding along invisible rails, leading her to places

She didn’t know existed – exquisite places of great beauty.

She cloaks herself in gossamer raiments for the journey.

When She…

When She…

dreams – it’s as one breathes –  necessary for her survival

takes a breath – she breathes air so sweet it brings tears to her eyes

exhales – she breathes out flowers and sunbeams

reads – she lives in another world

walks – it’s with tenderness so as to do no harm

touches you – it’s with such warmth that you’ll forever be changed

cries – diamonds strike the floor like shattered glass

writes – her heart spills onto paper

laughs – it’s pure music – elixir for her spirit

But, when she loves – it’s with an intensity you’ll feel all the way to your soul…

Red Tomatoes on a Yellow Plate

Red tomatoes on a yellow plate

remind to see beauty in the ordinary –

drinking coffee out of a beautiful mug
luscious ripe berries begging to be picked
the smiling eyes of a friend
a mist shrouded river
the fresh green of new leaves
the belly laugh of a baby
cold water on a hot day

Everyday, remember to see –
beauty in the ordinary.

Son of my Son

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Son of my son-

I can’t wait to meet you.

You are already loved beyond measure-

You, a perfect being, one of a kind.

You are blessed with parents who are:

kind, loving, strong, and intelligent.

Your life is one of promise-

A gift to discover as your story unfolds-

As you grow to be a man.

I, your grandmother,  love you

unconditionally for ever and always.

(written as I waited for my first grandchild to be born) 4-9-13

Woodrow William Cantrell was born September 5, 2013

To my son on the occasion of his 30th birthday – July 26, 2010

Where do I begin?

The years have flown so swiftly past as I have watched you grow from a newborn into a toddler, so beautiful -you took my breath away. You then grew into a little boy so funny and curious – you kept me on my toes. You had a fabulous belly laugh that could make the world laugh with you. We made countless trips to the library to keep you supplied with books pertaining to your current interest. Then you became a middle schooler – unafraid of being intelligent in a world filled with those who were unwilling to do the same. As a high schooler, you were an avid mountain biker, long distance runner,  photographer,  budding writer and musician. You were a self-motivated learner. You knew your own mind and weren’t afraid to do what you wanted. You traveled by yourself on both short and long trips in cars and on motorcycles. You graduated from high school 6th in your class and did so without effort. College was a bit frustrating for you. You wanted to begin in the middle, but had to begin with things you said you had learned in high school. After much exploration, you finally changed your major to engineering. This is when everything began to fall into place for you. After you graduated, you went to work, getting a job without even applying for it. You finally decided that you couldn’t do exactly as you wanted without a masters degree. A masters degree that someone else would pay for and pay you for working while you finished. Graduating with your masters, TVA offered you a job in their River Forecast Center making considerably more money than you had previously made. As I always told you, God made you smart and your Dad and I made you good looking, however it’s more important for you to be a good person and a good citizen of the planet. You have accomplished all of this. You’re my best contribution to the world and I love you with all my heart.

On being an empath…

Some things I just know –

No one tells me,

I just know.

I know what others are thinking and feeling –

sometimes I know what they’re doing –

It’s there in my mind – uninvited.

It’s there for me to know and later

find is true.

Some born in my mind-

Others born of dreams –

elusive, yet present –

there for an audience of one.

Because I love haiku…

Haiku for Autumn Morn

Cool wind through tree tops
As leaves fall like rain on this
Perfect autumn morn.

 

Haiku for the Crescent Moon

Curvy crescent moon

Shrouded by shredded clouds to

Make it more lovely.

 

Haiku for the Hand Painted Skies

Everywhere I look –
Hand painted skies surround me
Filling me with awe.

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Haiku for the Soft Rain

Sweet, soft summer rain

Steadily dampens the earth –
She gently swallows.

Haiku to Heavenly Sky

Oh heavenly sky
Pacify me with beauty
Soothe my troubled soul.

Haiku for Mist

Dazzling blue sky
With downy clouds above
Mist shrouded river.

Haiku for the Fog

River must be cold –
It’s wearing a fog blanket.
Hope you get warm soon.

Haiku to the River

What mysteries lie
Beneath your surface serene?
You hide them so well.

Haiku for Peaches

Sweet summer peaches
Juice drips down to my elbows
Luscious summer bliss.

Haiku for Queen Anne (and her lace)

Lace adorns the roads
Moving gently in the breeze
Perfect for a queen.

To box turtles everywhere:

Helped a turtle cross the road
Headed I know not where, but
I don’t have to know.

Haiku for the Heron

Rising from the mist
Ephemeral heron is
Almost like a dream.

Haiku for the River

Her warm breath rises
From the cold water beneath-
We know that she lives.

Haiku for the River

The scent, the sound of
The river as it rises
Yes, it is alive.

Haiku for the Hosta

Mysterious bloom
Gently unfolds its petals-
No longer unknown.

Butterfly

Flying flower has
Been grounded- not sure why, but
Moved it to safety.

Soothe Me

Summertime night sounds
Soothe me at end of day with
Their sweet steady beat.

Haiku for Fireworks

Magic lives in the
Artistry and Chemistry
That we call fireworks. 💥

Crescent Moon

Crescent moon in dark
Sky with clouds of pink and gray
Takes my breath away.

Drinking with my Eyes

Drinking with my eyes
All the bounty of the earth-
Thankful for farmers.

Sick at Heart

One bad decision
Leaves an animal in a
Pile of blood and bones.

 

 

Hello world!

Nature is alive with all the entertainment I ever need. Sounds, sights, and smells surround me. Scents that can take me back to my childhood in my Grandmother’s garden, playing in the creek behind my house, and then there’s the smell of the river. Complex, yet simple, scents that nourish my soul. Sometimes I need, yes need, to be outside to let nature take me in and heal me.