Sunlight and Shadows

Finding poetry in star dust, sunbeams, and passing clouds

Category: Tales

  • Christmas Story

    Christmas is a lodge decked out in light

    Twinkling on trees and wreaths so bright

    Sit around the hearth fire at night

    Christmas is a table set for four

    Full of food, candles, festive décor

    Gather round for holiday once more

    Christmas is a hike through a winter wood

    Tall trees have ice and storms withstood

    Join in the laughter, all is good

    Christmas is a porch view of the lake

    Plein air painting, memories to make

    Relax, breathe deep, and take a break

    Christmas is a late night with family

    Create a colorful Nativity

    Come remember, be part of the story

    ,

  • Christmas Light

    Gather round the cozy fire

    Mantle wreathed in points of light

    Hearth, Nativity, and gifts

    Treasure Christmas – what a sight

    Laughter echoes all around

    Christmas carols, sing along

    Notes of hope and joy and love

    Treasure Christmas – every song

    Build a house of gingerbread

    Sprinkles, icing, sticky cheer

    Dinner cooking, all come round

    Treasure Christmas – home is here

    Twinkling lights glitter outside

    Drifting snowflakes fill the air

    Friends and family celebrate

    Treasure Christmas – all we share

    ,

  • Petals

    Dried flowers are talking

    With rich rose hues still

    They marked an achievement

    Or a student’s skill

    Dried flowers are talking

    Their bright spring buds fell

    Standing by the bedside

    For one to get well

    Dried flowers are talking

    In wilted bouquets

    Petal-scattered aisles

    Of happy wedding days

    Dried flowers are talking

    Laid at the grave

    To close this life’s journey

    Sweet memories to save

    ,

  • Buttercup

    Sunshine gold feathers fanning delicately

    Cloud-like poofs of great pillowy down

    Vibrant eyes reflecting the green world

    Rosy comb pinnacled in a crystalized crown

    Sun breaking, hens stir on the 2×4 roosts

    Eagerly tumble out when the door starts to rise

    Chirrup over bits of corn, calling unseen chicks

    Fuss over egg laying like each was a prize

    Afternoons spent exploring the green thatchy lawn

    Dust baths in the barn dirt, bugs in the garden

    Snuggling and purring in my lap being petted

    Sneaking into the mudroom when the door is left open

    First on the roost at dusk, evening call

    Cluck and squawk and settle together for nightfall

    That was Buttercup, my dear golden hen

    ,

  • Shoreline

    Cobwebs and petals suspended in time

    Caught in the rocks where the water can’t reach

    Waiting for something – someone to pass by

    New footprints in old, once more on the beach

    Footsteps of people traversing through time

    Following memories out on the pier

    A past child wading to sail wooden boats

    Feel that child’s hopefulness, helplessness, fear

    The past’s chilling winds blow strong off the bay

    Hold on, let it pass, do not be knocked down

    The clouds blow away, the sunshine breaks through

    Face toward the warmth and let healing be found

    The lighthouse stands strong, so timeless and sure

    Changeless no matter the darkness or rain

    Guiding the travelers to present from past

    Look up now to find the direction again

    ,

  • Whimsical Weather

    Raindrops splash in purple puddles

    Wind in pointed pinwheels rattles

    Thunder speaks in rumbling riddles

    Sky is cracked where lightning whittles

    Frosty dirt and dry leaves crackle

    Windblown cattails’ seedpods tickle

    Woodpeckers on bare trees chuckle

    Burrowed critters wait the sequel

    Snowflakes craft a crystal cover

    Icicles on tree limbs shiver

    Drifts of snow pile up and over

    Blinding white goes on forever

    Butterflies on flowers flutter

    Squirrels crack nuts with a clatter

    Wings of bees and insects glitter

    Birds trill out their tunes by letter

    Every season, every day

    What a bountiful bouquet

    ,