DREAM-FISHING

DREAM-FISHING

Endless summer afternoons
we spent at the river's edge,
fishing poles in hand
and wearing straw hats,
so patient we were back then.
We'd watch and wait for hours
for the biggest fish to strike,
just summertime kids,
freckle-faced and tan,
kids with nothing more
important to do
than to catch those fish
and make big plans.

While on those lazy afternoons
down at the river's edge,
almost all we ever thought about
was just how big those fish would be,
at the end of the day,
as the sun began to sink,
we'd head home with
the fish we caught
knowing that the river held
more fish than us kids
could ever catch.
There'd still be fish
there in the morning
when we'd go
back there again,
down at the river's edge,
fishing for our dreams
and making even bigger plans,
along with some fishing
we'd do along the way.



(c) barbara kausteklis 2011/2012

For CPC Thematic Attic/"Summer Time is Water Time."
http://www.friendburst.com/blog/89319/thematic-attic-thursdaysummer-time-water/

I can't even begin to believe that it's June 1st
and that summer is right around the corner.

Thanks always for all visits and comments.

~barb~

WITHIN THE FRAGRANCE OF PEACEFUL (with photo)

WITHIN THE FRAGRANCE OF PEACEFUL

Within the stillness
of this moment
toward the end
of a very long day,
I stop here
for just a moment,
retracing the steps
that brought me here.
I come here to this place
where the fragrance of peaceful
bathes my sometimes weary heart
in sweet waves of serenity.

I come here
to evening’s garden
that brings closure to my day
in bands of sunset splendor
painted across the twilight sky.
And as I linger
for just a little while
among the precious blooms,
my spirit restored,
my senses soothed,
peace once more returns
to my ever so restless heart.
And within the stillness
of this moment,
as the moon rises
above the hills,
I inhale the peace
of the garden
with the setting
of the sun.

(c) barbara kausteklis 5-24-12

Written for CPC Thematic Attic/
"Thematic Attic Celebrates Garden Meditation."

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/89314/thematic-attic-thursday-celebrates-garden-meditation/

MOTHER'S LILACS OF SPRING (with photos)

 
MOTHER'S LILACS OF SPRING

Mother loved the lilacs
that bloomed every year
the pride and joy of her garden --
I remember them so very well.
They filled up
the once-empty corner
of our big back yard
and our hearts,
and their sweet fragrance
always meant to her
(and to me)
that the deep snows
of winter had melted away,
that life was returning,
that indeed it was spring.



But nothing in life
ever remains the same;
and eventually we moved away
from the lilacs of spring.
And every year since
those sweet spring days,
I've looked for the lilacs,
so few to be found.
But today I went looking again
for the lilacs of my youth,
the fragrance I'd never forget
and the wonderfully subtle colors
that always meant it was spring.
And I found them
in a most unlikely spot
and inhaled those memories,
planting them in my garden
as I recall my mother
and her lilacs of spring.



(c) barbara kausteklis 5-3-12

Written for "Thematic Attic/Mother's Favorite Flower."

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/87894/thematic-attic-thursday-celebrating-mothers-favorite-flower/

Thanks always for all visits and comments.

~barb~

FROM ME TO YOU (with photos)

FROM ME TO YOU

What can I give you
to say that I care?
Money or jewels
or other fancy things,
wrapped up in special boxes
and tied with pretty bows?
I’ve thought long and hard
about what it could be,
something that will last
more than just a day or two.
And now I know what they are
because you give me the same –
I carry them with me all the time,
and they get me through
even the most difficult days.

So I give you a smile
and a cheery hello;
and a hug to let you know
that everything’s going
to be okay no matter what;
and I give you a simple melody,
one that you can hum out loud
or simply sing within your heart.

For it’s those little things
that make my day,
the sweetest song
sung out of tune;
rainbows and flowers
colored outside the lines;
sparrows splashing in puddles
just after a spring rain;
a smile,
a wink,
the smallest hug.
These are the things
that you give to me,
that make me smile
and make me laugh
and make me cry
and soothe my soul
and make my heart sing.

And each of these words
is a hug from me,
from my heart to yours
across time and space.




(c) barbara kausteklis 4-26-12

Written for "Thematic Attic/Hug a Friend."

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/87461/thematic-attic-thursdayhug-friend/

SECOND CHANCES (with photo)

SECOND CHANCES

Each day as I awaken,
before my feet
even touch the floor,
I’m thankful for the day ahead
and another chance to ride
this crazy merry-go-round.

The first time around
I just didn’t notice,
or, rather,
didn’t really
take the time,
to see what was right
there in front of me,
daily gifts to see.

And then
something happened
that caused me
to stop in my tracks;
and I watched in awe
and amazement
how others handled
almost insurmountable pain
and circumstances
with such amazing grace.
No longer could I sit back
and watch my life go by,
taking each day for granted
when others had paid
such a huge and terrible price
for the second chances
they had at life.

And what they went through
forever changed my life.
The small things
taken for granted
became the big things to me.
Priorities shifted
in my life
as their second chances
became my second chance
to look around
and to really see
and appreciate each day
and what I have,
to focus
on what’s important
and to eliminate
what’s not.
And for that lesson
and for what it did
in my life,
I am forever
grateful.

(c) barbara kausteklis 3-22-12

Written for "Thematic Attic/Second Chances."

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/84867/cpc-thematic-attic-thursdaysecond-chance/

Thanks always for finding my pieces 
and for all visits and precious comments.

~barb~