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LOVE-LIGHT

 We try to keep up with

The season ~

We dart and dash ~

And rush away ~

We sing the carols

 

We've been taught ~

Yet we forget the words

They say ~

We try to hold on to

The meaning ~

Revere the Christ child

And his birth ~

But somehow we get

All caught up ~

In our material "worth".

 

When next you wish a

Merry Christmas to

Someone you hold dear ~

Or just pause to wish a

Stranger ~

Happy holidays

And good cheer ~

Take time to really mean it ~

From you head down to your

Toes ~

Take time to really feel it ~

For when you do ~

It shows!

What better way to

Find the meaning that

We seek?

What better place to start?

For the truest joy you'll

Feel at Christmas ~

Is the spark of love it lights  ~

in your own heart.

 

Tags: maryann corrigan, bryan casey, CPC

WRITTEN FOR DREAMWEAVER ~ HOLIDAYS

HOLIDAY FRAME

 

I'd like to fix my

holiday "frame of mind" ~

Center it ~ hang it perfectly ~

In a place ~ or a space ~  

Where all who walk by ~

Can comment and can see ~

That I try to do things right ~

Try to keep the peace ~

Not fight ~

Try not to buy everything

In sight ~

Have over the years

Learned to "see the light".

 

But my holiday "frame of mind"

Sometimes slips ~

It hangs a bit crooked ~

It turns and it dips ~

I don't like having to see

People ~

That I don’t really like at all ~

I don’t like having long talks

On the phone ~

When I've nothing to say

To people who call ~

I don’t like buying stupid

Gifts ~

Things that no one really needs ~

And I hate most of all

The commercial mall ~

That the buying frenzy feeds.

 

So I will just have to adjust

My frame ~

Tweak it here and there ~

Put a smile upon my face ~

Pretend ~ even when I don't ~

That I care….

I will honor the season ~

Hang cool and loose ~

Will not let anyone

Ignite my fuse ~

But if you hear a loud

Kabam ~

That interrupts your

Christmas plan ~

Don't fear it's only me

Coping the best I can ~

At times when my

Holiday "frame of mind"

slips completely

out of my hands.

 

Tags: maryann corrigan, bryan casey, CPC

SOME PERSPECTIVE

 

Have you ever wished that the world could

Just "stop" for a little while?

Just go into a "holding pattern" for a day, a week,

Maybe a little more?

It just seems to me ~ that we never get the time

To fully "live" our joys and (in contrast) fully

"Mourn" our sorrows.

 

No matter what is happening in our personal

Lives…the world intrudes over and over again ~

Oblivious of whatever emotion ~ we are struggling

(sometimes desperately) to hang onto…or trying

(unsuccessfully) to prolong for just a smidgen

(if compared to forever) of our own precious

time.

 

Lord knows that Christmas is a "wonderful time

Of year"…we are reminded over and over again

By Christmas carols and advertising and the

"Jolly Ho-Ho-Ho's" of sidewalk santas…so when

we get ourselves to the part where we actually

start "feeling the joy"…find ourselves excited

with anticipation…actually let ourselves believe

that "happiness is everywhere"…why then must we

be "shot down" by the reality…of a world…that just

never stops "turning"?

 

I was in the ER with someone last week…he fell down

Some stairs and tore his pinky finger to shreds on some

Old carpet nail-tracks…the blood ~ the pain ~ the

"Fight and flight" and must get to hospital ASAP—

shocked me right out of my "Christmas –Fa-la-la".

Two and a half hours later…I was dumbfounded at

How empty and sad I felt.  Watching people parading

Into and out of the emergency room just siphoned all

My emotions right out.

 

A woman wearing sweatpants with elastic that had

Given up—with a small baby in a carrier—talking to

The nurse and saying…"I don’t know why…but her

Nose is swollen and she won’t stop crying"…I thought

Of all those newspaper articles I'd read ~ where a father or

Boyfriend or baby sitter pummels a baby that won't stop

Crying…and I see the look on the nurses' face as she

Ushers in the mom…in the sweatpants that reveal far more

Of her rear than anyone wanted to see.  I sigh and look at

my wounded friend…holding his hand as the blood keeps

coming. I ask myself…is the ER not the ultimate equalizer?

Putting everyone on the same plateau?  The rich, the poor &

The fast dwindling middle-class? 

In the far corner sits a woman…she is joking with the man

She walked in with—wearing jogging pants that were way too

Long…maybe they were his?  When her name is called—she walks

With an exaggerated limp to the desk…makes me wonder

What is wrong with her and then my eye catches the stretcher

Being wheeled in.  A woman, perhaps Indian?  Motionless—

Through the doors she is pushed and then our name is called.

 

We wait again…the woman on the stretcher now in the

Bed next to us…only a thin curtain separates us.  The doctor is

Asking the family…how long has she had a fever?  The answer?

Two weeks.  How long has she been bleeding from below?

The answer…Three days.  I can’t see him…but I can hear the

frustration in the doctors' voice…admit her…he barks to the

nurse and then stomps off to the next bed.

 

The PA stitches up my friend and a nurse…with a heavy Haitian

Accent ~ reads us the "do's and don’ts of wound care.

We go home.

 

The phone rings…as we walk through the door…Cousin calling

To inform that other cousin, in Florida, in hospital-

Has had a "Quintuple Bypass"???  That's what it sounds like on the

Answer machine…a bypass five times…that's how blocked his

Arteries/veins were.  He is ok...he will live.  I breathe out and in.

 

The next day…Sunday…maybe I will do some Christmas shopping…

Buy a few things and bring up the tree…

Blueberry pancakes for breakfast…good coffee…Christmas carols

Playing…the phone rings again…I am afraid to answer it.

The machine picks up…Cousin Laura on the line…

"Something important to tell you"…hand shaking I pick up the

phone…"I'm so sorry" she says…"but they just found Paul dead".

Did I stop breathing?  I'm not sure…but I know I made a really

Loud sound and then my eyes ran…and then I said …"How"?

Laura tells me…"No news yet…will keep you posted and updated".

I thank her and hang up.

 

I sit here now…visions of sugarplums replaced by memories of Paul.

I babysat for him when he was a child…was at his wedding when he

Married the "woman of his dreams" –who a few years later left him for

Another…took his two daughters and ended his dreams of being a "happy

Family man".  I remembered his sparkling eyes, his funny laugh and his

Warm smile…why was he dead?  He was only 46? Maybe 47?  What had

Transpired since I had last seen him…to lead to this sad news?  I shuddered

And sat down.

 

I looked at the Christmas decorations…strewn all around ~ at the cards

On the table ~ waiting to be mailed ~ heard the carols playing…

and I curled up on the sofa…

"STOP…just stop…for a little while…please stop so that I can

process and catch up" ~ I begged.  I need the world to "pause" and give

me time to feel what I must feel…to connect to that part of me that is still

human and NOT on auto-pilot…I can’t think and the only alternative

left is to sleep.  Perhaps when I wake up…everything will fall back

into place and life will go on (as it always does) ~ As the present becomes

the past and the future slides into the hours of another day.

 

P.S. I understand why the elderly, the shut-ins and the ill spend the "better

Time of their days sleeping…it is the only way to "stop the world"…if only

For a little while.

 

P.P.S. To all those who are going through hardships, sadness and illness

During this holiday season…I understand…and empathize with all my

Heart…a nap will not solve the problems…but it gives one a "time-out"

To rest ~ to gain some perspective on the things we are dealing with ~ each

in our own circle of family and friends and to regroup and formulate a "battle plan"

to keep on going…and not succumb to the "numb" (that paralysis that strikes

us when so much news is bad)…

Even if the phone…never…stops ringing.  

Tags: maryann corrigan, bryan casey, CPC

WRITTEN FOR BFF # 76 (BEST FRIENDS' BLOG) @ Myspace

DID IT REALLY?

 

Wasn't it just

Yesterday?

That I watched

The leaves fall?

Or the day before ~

The kids jumped in ~

Happily crawled

Through the piles

Of leaves ~

Rainbow colored

And crisp?

Did I sleep too long?

How could I have

Missed…

The days growing

Colder ~

The nip in the air?

The change in

Outer apparel ~

That people now

Wear?

Big hats and boots

And mittens with fleece ~

Is it really winter?

When did it arrive?

Someone ?

Anyone?

Please?

 

I stepped out of

The store ~

And saw particles

Flying ~

I rubbed my eyes

And thought

My eyes must

Be lying ~

But YES!!!

It was snowing ~

Just a bit ~

Not a lot ~

Oh the wonderful feeling

snow brings ~

Id' forgot!

 

I felt giddy inside ~

A little weak

In the knees ~

As an errant flake

Tickled my nose ~

Making me sneeze.

 

SNOW ~ GLORIOUS SNOW!

Putting on a delightful ~

Display of a show ~

Swirling around ~

Dancing ~

The Devil may care ~

I started dancing

Myself ~

Is that too much

To share?

Did a little jig

Got in my car ~

Drove away ~

Shook my head

In utter disbelief ~

That it

had snowed

Today!!!

 

 

 

Written for Harmony Pub ~ DREAMWEAVER WEDNESDAY ~

RELEAXATION THERAPY

SUNSHINE ME

 

Excitation ~

Relaxation ~

Must find just

The right equation ~

What I need to

Mellow out ~

After I've been

Kicked about ~

Some calm to tame

The stormy seas ~

To surf the tidal

Wave in me.

 

Pressure cooker

Smoking steam ~

Angry ~ nasty ~

Vicious ~ mean ~

Need to turn

The heat back down ~

Let me tell you

What I've found:

 

A nice long walk

All by myself ~

Fresh air ~ and space

They seem to help ~

A cup of coffee ~

With a friend ~

The evil demon

In me sends ~

Back to where "he"

Needs to be ~

Darkest closet

Deep inside of me ~

Safely hidden ~

Entry forbidden ~

Locked away

Without a key ~

Is where I keep

That manic ~

Uptight "other me".

 

Music soothes the

Savage beast ~

And yes ~ works

Wonders too ~

For me ~

Transporting me

To places ~

Where at times ~

I'd rather be ~

Just like the

Written word ~

When ink is

Spilled ~

The power has

To capture ~ kill ~

The negative ~

The stress ~

The pain ~

And bring me

To myself again ~

The mellow me

That I can be ~

Calm ~ rational ~

Serene ~ at peace ~

I use whatever

Means I must ~

To iron out the

Crease ~

The furrow in my

Forehead ~

The squinty eyes ~

The down turned

mouth ~

And when I'm

Good and done ~

The "uptight shadow

Me" is gone ~

Relaxed ~ Cool ~

Calm ~ Collected ~

The "sunshine me"

Has won.

.

Hi guys...

I
just wanted to say that (as always) this challenge makes one
think...everyone has different ways to "soothe their souls" and find
their peace...one I did not mention in the poem is  photography...when I
go off on my own with a camera in my hand...I am so distracted from
myself and so in tune with what my eyes and camera want to see...that
whatever was stressing me out seems to just "melt away" ...it is a
wonderful therapeutic tool for me...like "Calgon Bath Bubbles"...it just
wisks me ...away :-)

Tags: Harmony Pub

My favorite things?

 

The things I love

And treasure?

My family and my

Friends ~

Who bring me joy

Beyond all measure!

 

My wiener-dog named

Ollie ~

He keeps me laughing ~

With his silly antics and

Endearing quirks ~

He doesn’t mind my

Many moods ~

Still loves me even if

I act "the jerk".

 

Photography is

Also dear to me ~

Helps me remember all

That my eyes are

So blessed to see ~

Music ~ Oh how I love

To hear ~

A favorite tune

Ringing deep inside my

Emotional ears ~

Till it touches my heart ~

And makes me cry ~

Tears of joy ~ Music brings

to my watery eyes!

 

Quiet-time ~ when my

My day at work is done ~

When I need cater

No more ~

To anyone ~

Relax, let my

Guard down and

Simply breathe ~

I think this ~

Is my favorite ~

Of my favorite

"needs"…

With tea lights lit

And music playing ~

Feet up and Ollie

Cross my lap is laying ~

Oh the favorite thing

I love most of all ~

Is responding to my own

Beck and call ~

Loving each minute ~

Each hour that's mine ~

It makes life more

Than good ~

Makes it …simply divine!

P.S. A cups of Starbucks coffee added?

Upgrades this all to "utterly sublime"!!!

 

 

Tags: CPC

WRITTEN FOR CPC ~ MAGICAL MONDAYS WITh JT & MARY ~ THE MOON

SOMEWHERE OUT THERE

 

"Somewhere out there

beneath the pale moonlight ~

 The song says someone's

"Thinking of me and

 Loving me tonight?"

Wish oh wish that it was true ~

Do you think of me ~ sometimes?

The way I think of you?

Do you gaze upon the palest moon ~

Recall in your heart ~

Such a ~ long ago June?

When we lay beneath

the starry sky ~

Wanderlust beat in your heart ~

While tears filled up my eyes?

 

Will you write me? I asked ~

My voice choking with fear?

Of course I will ~ You replied ~

You know that ~ My dear.

And now it's been so many ~

(too many) years ~

And I've cried them all out ~

All those moonstruck tears.

 

"When the night wind starts

 to sing a lonesome lullaby,

it helps to think we're sleeping  

underneath the same big sky."

 

The lyrics to that song sometimes

would lead me to believe ~

That somewhere out there

you were waiting ~

Someday you'd come back

to retrieve ~

The heart you left behind ~

The one that hoped

you could be mine ~

But no ~ that promise ~

It was broken ~

You never meant those words

carelessly spoken ~

Forever has run out of time ~

Your promise worth ~

not one thin dime!

 

I gaze now at the lonely moon ~

My sadness ~ it seems to reflect ~

Trying really ~ really hard ~

The memories of you ~

From my heart to eject ~

Knowing now ~ that we'll remain ~

always separate ~

Beneath that pale moon ~

Trying to close the book~

On that moon-lit night

long ago ~ in the month ~ of June ~

Forever ~ ended today ~

And may I say?

Not one second ~

Not one minute ~

Not one lifetime ~

too soon.

Tags: CPC

WRITTEN FOR CPC ~ SATURDAY SOJURN ~ WINTER

SURRENDER

 

It seems like only

Yesterday ~

October roses

Braved the storm ~

Holding desperately

To windblown petals ~

Dreaming of

Days back in June ~

So warm.

 

They held their own ~

Bright spots of color ~

Into Novembers'

Cold begin ~

They hung amongst

The barest branches ~

Struggling so to win ~

The battle of the

Seasons ~

Yet those roses they

Should know ~

When temperatures

Hit 30 degrees F ~

It's time for them

To go ~

Cold weather is no

Match for ~

Petals so soft and

Tender ~

No winter warriors

Are they ~

So they must

give it up ~

Time to surrender ~

Retreat and plan

Their comeback ~

When balmy breezes

Blow once more ~

They haven't any

Choice you know ~

They're frozen ~

Right down to

Their cores.

 

 

A MIRACLE AWAITS

 

Four quarters of

My heart combine ~

And try to make a whole ~

But there are days

The math won't work ~

Disconnected pieces

In my hands ~

I hold.

 

This season

Makes my eyes

Shine bright ~

With joy my heart

Would like to dance ~

But then I think

Of those I know

Whose hearts

Won't dance ~

They simply can’t.

 

A good friend

Battling cancer ~

One whose

Husband

Took a hike ~

I want to carol

Merrily ~

But these are

People ~

That I like ~

I care about them

And it hurts ~

Two quarters

Of my heart ~

It weakens the

Connections ~

Makes me so sad ~

I fall apart.

 

There are other

Friends I know ~

Who can’t afford

Christmas this year ~

Foreclosure on

Their house ~

 

Jobs lost ~

No Christmas

Spirit there.

 

So now three

quarters

Of my heart ~

Lie heavy in

My chest ~

I feel so sad

I want to cry ~

Can't bear to

Think about

The rest ~

So many children

Starving

In a world ~

Unbalanced

And corrupt ~

Nothing short

Of a ~

True miracle ~

Could all this

Sadness ~

Interrupt.

 

And then…

That quarter of

My heart ~

The one

that wants

to dance

with joy ~

Remembers soon

It will be

Christmas ~

The birthday

Of ~

God's baby boy.

 

THAT is the

Miracle of course ~

The love that's

Needed to endure ~

The sickness and

The sadness ~

When it comes

Knocking at

Our door ~

Love is the heart

Of Christmas ~

Makes possible

The rest ~

Three quarters

Of my heart

Remember ~

With Jesus' birth ~

We have been

Blessed.

 

So pray I will

For all those

Ill ~

Those troubled ~

Those in pain ~

Pray that their

Spirits

Will rise up ~

That with us

They'll remain ~

Pray that the

Love and joy ~

That marks

This season of

Good will ~

Will kindle in

Their hearts a

Spark ~

Some reasons

To be joyful

Still ~

Bring smiles

To worried faces ~

A tiny twinkle

back into their eyes ~

As quietly

They gaze upon

That star of

Wonder ~

In the sky ~

May it fill

Their hearts

With hope ~

And faith ~

And strength to

Give another try ~

Let Christmas joy

Dance in their hearts

And dry ~

The sad, sad tears

They cry.

 

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