Protected from the morning sun

The buttery blossom unfurled

Lovely petals kissed

With the gentlest blush

The keys are calling to me,

Beckoning me with turquoise waves.

Ripples and splashes upon the shore,

Multi-colored shells tumble in the wake.

I am longing for a day I can drift away,

Float above the reefs and watch little fish.

Then sit on the shore in the evening breeze,

Appreciate the heat on my shoulders,

As the sun slips down below the horizon.

Dreaming of a getaway months away,

I’m ready for it to be here today.

Come, walk in the garden with me.

Let’s follow the trail of bark

and see where it leads.

Row upon row of blossoming flowers,

heady with fragrance, filling our heads.

Twirl me in the center,

under the gazebo frame,

lined with vines and petals.

Laugh with me hand in hand

under the shade of the banyan tree.

Sit with me beside the pond,

watching the swans floating along the banks.

Wouldn’t it be lovely

to stroll along

in a garden full of life?

When I’m an old lady, I want to be spunky;

Ready to handle you, you old punky.

Going on grand adventures, exploring places,

Loving you in the in between spaces.

Gleeful and happy, full of good cheer,

All the more so because you are near.

Watch your grandkids play the day away,

In our front yard when they come to stay.

Wear a floppy hat and think I’m all that!

And not worry too much over a little fat.

When I’m old, I hope to find my stride,

And remember that life is worth the ride.

We couldn’t find the right boxes;

They’re somewhere in the disaster

That we call the bottomless pit, er, garage.

Finally, I relented and gave up,

Wrapped the silver ornaments

And stored them into a different box.

I know I’ll never find them again.

But it’s a small win, so I’ll take it.

Now the last of Christmas is finally away.

Which means Spring has sprung early….

I really love putting out my bunnies.

Even if the day of love has not yet passed.

Besides it’s already in the 80s today,

And strawberries are ripening on the vine.

Yes, yes, it’s time for springtime.

Waves lapping against the bridge;

Blue skies dotted with clouds;

The alarm sounds and gates fall;

Slowly the creaky grates rise

All for a tiny sailboat with a tall mast.

Put the car in park, lower the windows

And open the sunroof fully

Letting the salt air in while waiting.

Peer through dark sunglasses

Over the smooth glistening water.

Perhaps a dolphin or two will swim by.

Gulls and pelicans dip for snacks,

While we wait a little while longer.

Finally the groan of the lowering bridge,

And a jiggle of the span below.

It’s time to finally cross over

To the island and beach just beyond.

---

One of these weekends, I’ll get back home to enjoy this. It’s been too long and I miss feeling the soft sand between my toes and seeing the sparkling clear water. Just me, the sunrise, surrounded by coastal beauty.

Crusty, crunchy, flakes go flying.

The tender buttery layers give way,

But the crisp outer shell snaps away.

A smooth chocolaty center tickles the tongue;

Appreciate the hours it requires to make

Each of the fifty five layers it takes

To make the delightful pain au chocolat.

Pale stripped bones reach to the sky,

Bleached by the sun and starved for rain.

Winters’ cold blasted, pushing towards death,

But life still pumps in its inner most core.

Will spring revive, renew, and nourish,

Allowing for buds of green and pink to return,

Will the fragrance of life fill its arms once more?

Burning the midnight oil, their heads begin to bob,

Another late night install, but it’s their job.

Toiling and deploying, testing and such,

Why does a simple fix cost so much?

It keeps people employed and busy too,

One day, this is something automation will do.

Some of us can’t wait to focus on other pursuits;

While the rest will have to learn to wear new suits.