SWEET SUSTENANCE TO MY SOUL

PhotoArt by Sharonlee Goodhand

SWEET SUSTENANCE TO MY SOUL

Measured thought
upon thought,
sweet sustenance
to my soul,
peace-longing,
beauty-searching,
knowledge-thirsting,
serenity-seeking
and released
one
by
one,
immersing my emotions,
bathed within the stream,
soothing waves washing over
the translucence
of my soul,
finding their way
and lifted upon
a delicate breath,
floating beyond my todays
and into my tomorrows
and beyond.

And within these fragile moments,
elusive as they are,
this tattered heart
finds a place to rest
and to make
a brand new start,
soothed and refreshed
and finally released
from uninvited emotions
found hiding and residing
in dark corners of my mind,
uninvited and unwelcome,
now pushed aside
and out of the way,
by tranquil waters
that once again flow,
a healing balm
to my heart and my soul.

(c) barbara kausteklis 6-9-13

Written for Apollo Blessed Challenges Abound/SHAMBHALA

http://apolloblessed.ning.com/group/challenges-abound/forum/topics/shambhala

Thanks always for your visits and comments.

~barb~

SOMETHING IN THE AIR TONIGHT (with photo)

SOMETHING IN THE AIR TONIGHT

There’s something
in the air tonight,
can’t quite figure out
exactly what it is —
something that makes
my thoughts drift and wander
and encourages me
to think about things.

Part of me hopes
that the rain will come,
washing away
any residual sadness and fears.
And part of me hopes
that the sun shines bright
and chases away
all those clouds and tears.

I can’t make up
my mind at all
just how I want
this day to be.
So rain or shine,
I’ll be happy
and will welcome
whatever happens
to come my way,
whether rain’s pitter-patter
on the roof over my head
or sunbeams streaming
through the window
next to me,
rain or shine
will soothe
this heart of mine.

(c) barbara kausteklis 6-5-12

Written for Inspiration Nook/"Groovin' and Movin' With Bettie"

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/89762/groovin-movin-bettie/

Selected song titles used 
(from the list of them posted in the challenge):

IT WILL RAIN
PART OF ME
IN THE AIR TONIGHT

Thanks always for visits and comments.

~BARB~

COLOR-SPLASHED (with photos)

COLOR SPLASHED

There was a time,
not so very long ago,
when the colors
of the rainbow
were completely
hidden from sight;
I simply couldn't see
all the beauty in life;
blinded as I was
to what was right
in front of me.
Every day seemed
exactly the same
as it was the day before,
little joy to speak of;
the thrill had dissipated,
each day just bit more strife.

And then I finally decided
that I had had quite enough
and made a huge change,
reclaiming my time,
and my life,
and the me
who had somehow
gotten lost in the gray
of life's days.

And in a relative instant
I began once again to see
the colors of the rainbow
that had begun to elude me.
The gray of my days
burst into rainbowed colors
so vibrant and clear,
as though never having left me
as I had begun to fear.

And as I look out
upon this world
through these eyes
that had begun to overlook
what had been there all along,
I marvel at God's handiwork,
the colors of the rainbow,
the ever-changing blues
of sea and sky,
the vibrant greens
of grass and trees,
the golden sun,
the rich brown earth,
the reds and pinks
in the gardens I see.
And as this new day
begins to unfold,
I can only be thankful
for what I can now behold.




(c) barbara kausteklis 6-6-12

For CPC Wonderful Wednesday/
"Let's Make a Color Run."

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/90209/color-run-wonderful-wednesday-cpc/

WORDS ALONG THE WAY

WORDS ALONG THE WAY

I find it really hard
to even find the words
to say just how I feel
when it’s time
to say goodbye.
There are no words
adequate enough
to begin to express
how I’m feeling
or exactly why
I feel this way.

So I’ll simply write down
these inadequate words
and say it like this:
I’m so very glad
that our paths crossed
as they did,
a most happy accident
that must have been
meant to be.

Goodbye isn’t a word
that’s really in my heart,
not a word I ever use
even when far apart.
Things happen for reasons
I seldom understand,
so I’ve stopped
the second-guessing
and trying to figure
them out.

You’ve taught me
such a lot of things
in so many different ways.
And there’s no way
to repay the joy
you’ve brought
to my heart.
And in the future,
should our paths cross again,
I’ll remember these times
and the smiles they brought.
And as I wish you well
on the journey ahead
I know that you’ll find
smooth sailing along the way,
that the paths you travel
will lead exactly where
you want them to go.

(c) barbara kausteklis 6-4-12

I've been so very blessed by all who have
crossed my path on this incredible journey
and wish them well on the new paths
they're traveling as I continue to hope
that we'll cross paths once again.

~barb~

NO REGRETS (with photos)

NO REGRETS

Remembering sweet times
puts a smile on my face,
recalling those moments
in our own special place;
memories warming
my heart and my soul
like those times we listened
to that good old rock and roll
when safe in your arms
my heart felt so whole.

We share precious memories
we never will forget,
a life spent together
without any bit of regret.
And though time continues
to fly by ever so fast,
memories beginning
to fade into the past,
I recall how the stars aligned
on the day we met
and treasure each moment
strolling down memory lane
and all the times we have ahead
to spend together even yet.





(c) barbara kausteklis 6-2-12

Thanks for the sweet memories
and for sharing your lines with me:
Angel Love, Diane, and Mindy.

A Collab written for the "Saturday Share/
"Strolling down memory lane (required line).

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/89857/saturday-share-30/

Lines Selected in addition to my own:

Strolling down memory lane (Angel Love) - REQUIRED
When life was simple not having to change (Diane)
Recalling the moments at our special place (Angel Love)
As we listened to that good old rock and roll (Angel Love)
Safe in your arms how my heart felt so whole (Mindy)
Times spent together without regret (Angel Love)
How the stars all aligned on the day that we met (Mindy)
Fond thoughts cross my mind time and again (Angel Love)
Time flies by ever so fast (Angel Love)

SANDCASTLES -- a June Acrostic Pic/Poem

SANDCASTLES

Sun-drenched sands
And surf running high,
Never-ending fun from
Dawn 'till setting sun,
Catching the rays of June
And riding the waves,
Sandcastles and sunshine
Tickling my toes.
Let's have lots of fun
Enjoying surf and sun --
Summer's finally come.

(c) barbara kausteklis 6-1-12

Written for CPC "Friday Fling/
The Friday Fling Discusses June Acrostically."

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/89716/friday-fling-discusses-june-acrostically/

Thanks always for your visits and comments.

~barb~

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~