The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.

- Anne Frank

**********************

ON THOSE DAYS

Most days find me
with a smile on my face,
a spring in my step,
and a song in my heart.
But on those days
when my spirits are down,
my internal sunshine
obscured from my view,
the melodies I hear
within my heart
discordant,
or enough
out of tune,
to make my day
somewhat askew;
on those days
(which are,
thankfully, few)
I've learned,
and know
exactly what to do,
what I must do, in fact,
to get my attitude
back on track.

So I get to the work
of working on me,
throwing open
the windows
and pulling back the shades
allowing the sunlight
to enter in again.

And I turn on the music,
sweet pastoral sounds,
rolling hills and flowers,
I imagine them now.

And opening the door,
I take giant steps outside,
inhaling the fresh air
and looking around
at the wonders of Nature
so very close to me --
the garden, the birds,
the mountains, the sky;
I can't help but notice,
I can't help but see
when I open the door
and step outside
revived once more.

And when all this is done
and things are just right
I begin to hear
the silence once more,
feeling the peace
that settles my emotions again
smoothing the frayed edges
of my heart and my soul,
soothing the rough spots
of the self that is me.


(c) bak 2-17-11
barbara kausteklis

Written for Legacy Writers II "Mad Tea Party."

While it is a big weekend with limited internet access and computer time,

I do look forward to catching up as I can.

It has been very rainy and chilly here

north of San Francisco.  By 

the time of our daughter's wedding this afternoon

it will warm up and the sun will shine regardless.  Wishing you a beautiful weekend.

~Barb~

Tags: BarbaraK Poetry Photography TeaParty Nature Legacy

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CRYSTALLINE RENEWED

Crystalline treasures
of morning's dew,
each blade of grass
in the sunlight renewed;
and faceted prisms
of day and night,
glistening in the sun
and moonbeams bright;
encapsulated reflections
as I reach out for them,
my soul stirred,
my heart skipping a beat
as I watch them spin,
transfixed
and transformed
as turning within
I reach deep inside
that magical place
that nourishes
and sustains
and renews
my thoughts
once again.

(c) bak 2-17-11
barbara kausteklis

Written for CPC Thematic Attic/Crystals of Love.

The following link will take you there:

http://www.myspace.com/mom_holtz/blog/542106404

Wishing you a most peaceful day.
Thanks so much for your visits and comments.

Tags: BarbaraK Poetry Photography CPC

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SPIRIT AWAKENING

Winter melting
into the warm glow
of springtime sun,
my senses are awakened
once again by a new song,
welcoming the delicate
pinks and whites,
the petaled branches
bursting with new life
in fragrant splendor
that lifts my soul.
I join in a song
of springtime
as winter closes
its icy doors and
opens its windows
to the freshness
and cleansing breezes
of springtime renewed.

(c) bak 2-15-11
barbara kausteklis

Written for CPC Wonderful Wednesday/
"Creative Garden."

The following link will take you to "Wonderful Wednesday."
Demme is hosting . . . .

http://www.myspace.com/mom_holtz/blog/542093319

Thanks so much for your visits and comments.



~Barb~

Tags: BarbaraK Poetry Photography CPC Spring Nature

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BFF #86 Inspiration

THE UNIVERSE





FROM HERE TO BEYOND

Within and beyond
time and space
and endless possibilities,
imagination venturing
to the edge of the day
and beyond the horizon
and into the night,
through the darkness
to what lies beyond
the planets,
the stars,
to the heavens
beyond those places
within my mind,
beyond what
I can imagine
until I close my eyes
and dream of
a universe so vast
and still so very
fascinating to me
and full of possibilities
from here to beyond,
with so much room
for dreaming,
my imagination set free.

(c) bak 2-14-11
barbara kausteklis

Written for BFF #86/The Universe
(Blogging for Fun).

Thanks always for your visits and comments.

Wishing you a peaceful day ahead.

~Barb~

Tags: BarbaraK Poetry BFF

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LOVE'S MEASURE

Looking inside my heart today
to find the words to express
how I feel on this
and every other day.
I believe I have found them;
I've searched long enough
for the words to say
what I feel about this day.
It's not the candy,
the flowers,
the cards,
not that at all;
it's not the gifts
that touch my heart
for they're not
a measure of love to me.
It's not just that
one day in the year
to celebrate what love is
with cute little verses
and candied hearts.
But the words spoken
among good friends,
words that come
from deep inside,
words with meaning --
those are the ones
that touch my heart
and expressions
of love to me.
It's a pat on the back,
a smile,
a handshake,
a look in the eye,
connections made.
And every day
a brand new chance
to speak those words
I may have forgotten to say
and not to save them
for one special day
but say them often,
love letters to all,
small gifts from my heart.

(c) bak 2-14-11
barbara kausteklis


Wishing you a peaceful day

and

Happy Valentines Day!

Thanks always for your visits and comments

Tags: BarbaraK Poetry Love Valentine

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WRITERS' INSPIRATION:

An Acrostic Duo

When the sun has set upon this day,

Reflections nourishing my heart and soul,

Inspiration to pause a while,

Thankful for each and every one;

Expressions of the joy I feel,

Resting here at twilight's glow,

Singing a simple song of praise.

and

In the silence of the dawn

New beginnings once again;

Songs of the morning,

Praising the wonders of this day

Inspiring unfoldings as the dawn

Refreshes my soul

As night's darkness gives way

To the day once more,

I hear melodies sound as

On a morning such as this

New life has begun.

 (c) bak 2-13-11

barbara kausteklis

Written for Legacy Writers II "Sunny Sunday/Inspiration."

The following link will take you there:

https://myboomerplace.com/groups/view/id_495/title_Sunny-Sunday-with-...

Tags: BarbaraK Poetry Acrostic Photography Sunny

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FRAGMENTED

Most mornings
I am so very blessed
to awaken before
the sun comes up
and before the birds
begin to sing
their sweet songs
that put a smile
on my face
even before the
coffee kicks in.

But there are
those mornings
as the day begins
and night has said
its final good bye --
there are those days
at the crack of dawn
when I awaken
to a feeling I dread,
and as I look around
at the day that's looming
in front of me,
oblivious to the songs
of the birds in the tree
and the sunrise
trying to welcome me
to the beauty
and wonder
for me to see.

For on those mornings
as I look around,
I can't help but notice
what a fragmented state
I'm in . . . .
projects started
and not quite complete,
appointments scheduled,
my time not my own,
places to be
and things to do,
just not enough time
for me in the day
to do all those things
that I most want to do,
and all the things
that must get done
when I'd really rather
be just having fun.

So on those days
I simply have to remember
to remind myself
again and again,
"You can only do
what you can only do,"
and put the rest on a shelf
for another day,
when there will be more
time to get it all done."

And on those days
when the whole that is me
seems rather fragmented
and strewn about,
I sit myself down
and take a deep breath
and gather up
all the pieces
once again
and pin them together
as best as I can
and get on with the day
and not look back
and wake up
in the morning
to a brand new start.

(c) bak 2-13-11
barbara kausteklis

Written for CPC "A Simple Sunday"
featuring Maike Dorenburg's
"Here, There and Everywhere."

The following link will take you there:

http://www.myspace.com/mom_holtz/blog

Link to my MySpace blog of this . . . .

http://www.myspace.com/38677607/blog/542061416

Thanks always for your visits and precious comments.

~Barb~

Tags: BarbaraK Poetry CPC SimpleSunday

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WITHIN THE SILENCE

In the eloquent silence 

of the sunrise that 

greets my morning

and speaks to me

in ways that 

caress my heart 

and soothe my soul,

I come to this day

expecting nothing 

and receiving so very

much in return.

As the painted canvas

of the day unfolds before me,

the outlines filled in with

brushstrokes

bold and glorious,

subtle and gentle,

I watch in awe

and reach for a pen

and blank sheet of paper

in an attempt to capture 

even one moment 

of the precious gift 

unwrapped for me

as I begin my day.

(c) bak 2-12-11

barbara kausteklis

Written for Legacy Writers II

"Sunny Sunday/Inspiration."

The following link will take you there:

https://myboomerplace.com/groups/view/id_495/title_Sunny-Sunday-with-...

Tags: BarbaraK Poetry Photography Legacy Sunny

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WITHIN A REFLECTIVE MOMENT

I come once again 

to this place that I love,

and on an afternoon

before springtime 

has officially begun,

I can hardly contain

the emotions I feel

as for a bit of time

under this afternoon sun

my imagination soars

and I catch my breath

and become as one with them

in a reflective moment

held close to my heart.

(c) bak 2-12-11

barbara kausteklis

Tags: BarbaraK Photography Poetry Nature

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