Category Archives: soul
Do You Know a Soul?
Do you know a soul
Who sucks the life from you,
Whose selfish temperament
Drains all the strength you have?
Do you know a soul
Compassionate and strong
And generous with all
An Angel sent from God?
Do you know a soul
Whose angry eyes are dark
Who only wants to harm
All creatures in his way?
Do you know a soul
Whose heart is good but lost
Can’t find his way from dark
To see the lighted path?
Do you know a soul
Who needs your precious words?
The truth is plain to see
Each spirit needs your prayer.
Do you know a soul
Who needs your helping hand?
Give freely if you can
We all come from the One!
The Rose
Fragrant rose stands alone
Protected by her thorns
Facing winds, pests, disease
Surrounded by her peers
By herself in a group
She meets her fate head on
Knowing that all blooms fade
Her time is limited
Bud to bloom, path is set
Each petal will unfold
Sharing joy, beauty’s gift
Revealing what’s inside
We’re unique, talented
Our mission is to use
What we have, who we are
To help our fellow man
Human Condition
Struggle through the birth canal
The baby fights for life
Tiny lungs that gasp for air
A slap across the butt
Pattern set for human life
It’s cruel and cold sometimes
Fraught with tests and challenges
To teach life’s lessons best
Question not when things are good
Enjoy the respite time
Love will keep your spirit whole
Resilient, strong, inspired
Time to leave will come with death
For most another fight
Struggle through the veil to light
Cross over, job well done!
Another Chance
New Year,will it bring
Another chance to dance and sing?
Chapter ended, next one starting
Baby steps give hope eternal
Like a flower petals open
Showing more of God’s intention
Roses’ beauty pricked with thorns
Yin and yang, self sometimes torn
Fear not to reach beyond
Take risks and stretch, to grow
Sad truth is if stuck in muck
Your heart will never know.
Star Upon The Tree
I set the star upon the tree
A special place on top
Reminder of past Christmases
I spent with my life’s love
Did I appreciate those days
While running to and fro
Or did I miss the best of times
Wrapped up in Christmas rush?
The baking, cooking, trim the tree,
Will all of it be done
Before the family arrives
For dinner Christmas eve
We’d stay up late to build the toys
Exhausted, went to bed
Excited boys would wake by five
To see what Santa left
I cannot travel back in time
To capture what was lost
My photos of past holidays
Forever warm my heart
That special star upon the tree
Burns brighter from above
His spirit lives forever more
In everlasting love
Listening
Listening to deepest yearnings
Voices whisper deep within
Listening to spirit guiding
Letting heart lead not my head
Discovering there’s more to see
Making choices new to me
Turning pages, writing chapters
Living my own history
No one else can walk my journey
Only I can take the path
Listening to spirit calling
Feeding soul with sight and sound
No one else can write my story
Not a one will take the blame
If I fail to have the courage
Paying heed to ego’s fears
Listening to deepest yearnings
Hear the calling from my heart
Listening to spirit guiding
I set sail for parts unknown
Fight for Control
Angry seas launch my eggshell craft
Floating, but a second, before
Gravity’s tentacles tighten
Crash! Into the trough
Green water overhead
Where air had been
Scared, I fight for control
To survive
My fragile vessel, scarred
From numerous storms
Victim of circumstance
Once again
Exhausted from the struggle
I finally learn that I cannot
Control Nature’s fury
But must weather
I trim the sails, hand on tiller
Adjust the course to surf
Not be buried
By the uncontrollable
Along the Shore
Crashing waves, I remember
Many walks along the shore
Hand in hand we strolled through life
Facing storms and sunny days
A double rainbow lights the sky
I see your gentle spirit
Telling me your love transcends
Sea and sand along the shore
Brilliant hues against dark sky
Errant waters lap my toes
Feeling close but far away
I walk with you along the shore
Sail on, my Captain
Sixteen years ago I wrote the following lighthearted poem in honor of my husband Roger and two friends, Roger and Mike, who raced our sailboat in the 1998 National Catalina Race held in Westbrook, Connecticut. They took first for the tall rig division in all three races. Yes, readers, the sailboat’s name was Sloopy, the inspiration for the fictional 36 foot sloop that Liz and Garret live aboard in Murder in Mystic, Murder in Newport and Two Headed Snake of Key West. Our Sloopy was fast and my husband could make a mighty Margarita.
I am sharing this with you in memory of my husband, who passed away on July 1, 2014. Sail on, my captain.
The pressure was on
To win a glass cup
Each silently prayed
He wouldn’t screw up
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The guy thing, you know
Machismo, at best
The challenge would come
They’d be put to the test
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The good Lord was laughing
As they hoisted the main.
These three would need blessings,
And more, it was plain
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Wine made from water
Was easy for sure,
But Roger, Mike, Roger
Three races endure?
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The task was immense
But these were nice guys
He raised His arms up
And Sloopy did rise.
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She raced to the finish
Three bullets to boot
Miracles do happen.
There’s proof in the loot.
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The lesson each learned,
To celebrate life
Believe in oneself
Be good to your wife.
Surviving Loss
Stand tall to do it all
Accepting help with grace
The sense of loss will fade
The healing’s not a race
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Reach out to those in need
Give all that you can spare
Your heart will fill with love
While showing that you care
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Be good to you! Sing! Dance!
In time the joy returns
Your world will right itself
As everyone learns
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Enjoy each day with thanks
A gift is what it’s called
From up above it comes
Stand tall to do it all
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Marilyn Dalla Valle 