Dragonfly

 

I was afraid of dragonflies

I ran when they came near

The other kids would scoff as I cried

And cringed with unspeakable fear

As life and years moved on and on

In its inimitable timely way

I tried to behave like a sensible adult

But those fears just seemed to stay

Then one day completely by chance

I was so amazed to learn

They symbolize freedom and change

That gives life a brand new turn

Their iridescence speaks of power and charm

They are revered throughout the world

Unmasking the vastness of the Universe

Instilling all to live life when it is unfurled

 

Now I look at dragonflies in a different light

As through the gardens they glide

I’ve laid my yesteryear fears to rest

And show them respect with pride

And although it took some years

There is one thing I cannot deny

The spirit and symbolism pay tribute

To the great dragonfly

©Jane March 2013

The Dictator

I watch the news and shed many tears

As I see the little children’s fears

A tyrant chooses an army and genocide

Saying it’s only to kill intruders from the outside

But every day the people die

Just staying alive is all they try

They hide from bombs and an army gun

And the babies cry and the children run

Atrocities like this should never be

These people’s choice is just to flee

They do not deserve such pain and grief

They stand alone for justice and their belief

The people only want peace and a chance to live

But democracy is not what he chooses to give

They've lost their homes, their loved ones and their life

And there is nowhere to hide from all this strife

The pain and misery this oppressor does serve

Shows he is just a dictator with ferocious nerve

He thinks his power will win this despicable show

But independence fights and freedom does grow

One day his fierce path of murder will finally cease

When freedom comes and brings sweet release

And the world will demand his violent life to forfeit  

For he chose terror over the lives of the innocent

© Jane December 3, 2012

For My Children

For My Children

Each one born under a different sign

Each special and unique

Our family grew with each new face

As we watched our circle of love increase

The very first day our fingers touched and I felt each strong response

I knew that time would never change the thoughts my heart ensconced

I always knew we were intertwined and had a special start

That distance and space could never really keep us all apart

My children, my kids, my dearest friends - you are all of these to me

You’ve always been a source of joy and pride - that everyone can see

And every day you show your love, you strengthen my life’s goal

You are bright lights that blaze and keep me true to my soul

Thank you for being my kids

From one very lucky Mum

Jane  © August. 2012

Kite Flying

Kite Flying

Chasing the wind up over the hill

Back down in the glen it whirls around still

The clouds morphing thru in awesome detail

The constant yank of the strings without fail

Brilliant puffy ships sailing so slowly across the sky

Gentle breezes sweeping over my face with each try

I feel those whispers from the Universe taking place

And I know without doubt that I’m standing in grace

I remember it well -  though it was a long time ago

The kids were so young and impatient to go

Yet I always knew that to run with the wind while flying a kite

Makes peace with the world and everything right

©Jane – July 2012

A Year Ago Today

A year Ago Today

A year today she left us

Yet I see her every day

In passing words and fleeting smiles

And memories that always stay

A quick glance at a passing face

That looks so much like her

My heart stands still and so does time

I hear her voice so clear and sure

Some mornings we commiserate

Like we used to do daily on the phone

Agreeing to disagree on a few things

Sharing our love for each other alone

I feel her around me so often

Like she’s checking in on me

With her arms around my shoulder

Just like it used to be

She holds a special place in my heart

She left us way too soon

I know that our connection will never part

We’re like the melody in a tune

They say that as long as memories survive

That our loved ones have never gone

And so I know that Ash walks with me

She always keeps her presence strong

I miss you Ash

Grandma Jane - May 25, 2012

Fate

Fate

It seems like only yesterday when you were by my side

Our lives so entwined – love keeping us sublime

I keep thinking that I will walk into a place nearby

And you will be there, like we were suspended in time

I know that won’t happen – not here – not now

It’s just a hint and a reminder of what will be

But on another plane and place in time

We will unite and our journey will set us free

Our souls will embrace before we know it

We are meant to be together – that is a certainty

It truly is amazing that the fates know us

That’s why we got along so perfectly

Oh, there were times when we drove each other crazy

But more times we were locked in loves embrace

It was meant to be from the moment our eyes met

I close my eyes and still see that look upon your face

I remember that day when all events collided

Our paths crossed when fate determined it was time

And we knew we had once again found our soul mates

Just as in the past, our future lives will surely intertwine

Fate brought us together

A union that would never part

We are inextricably united

We knew it from the very start

©Jane        March 2012

(this month was our 50^th Anniversary)

Love

Love comes in many guises and is shown in many ways

It keeps our lives together throughout the nights and days

The first time we open our eyes, we open up our heart

And love surrounds our every breath right from the very start

When wandering vision brings us to yearnings we can’t disguise

Then mutual heartbeats begin and we see it in their eyes

All the words and songs and symbols repeat each pulsing thought

Our dreams surround the vision for the love that we have sought

Then the hearts that we are born with continue to expand and grow

Encompassing each & every addition as we move through the life we know

We are so lucky to be born with our hearts truly strong and pure

For we know that with all love, life will always and ever endure

©Jane

Feb 8. 2012

Valentine’s Day

Another Valentine’s Day

My heart is so sad

You’re not with me to share

Sometimes I just feel bad

I collapse in the chair

And just close my eyes

When Mel starts to sing

What a wonderful surprise

You know he’s my favorite

That has always been clear

Then he sang “Love Walked In”

And I knew you were here

Thank you my darling

For reaching out to touch

For just letting me know

Means so very much

Happy Valentine’s my husband

Our love is so sweet

Til our paths cross again

And once more we meet

I Love You

 ©Jane Feb 14.2012

GETTING TO KNOW SOPHIE

Christmas came to my house early

How lucky can I be

With a cuddly ball of white

A ball of happiness for me

She was born on September 15th

So tiny and just too sweet

With a marvelous disposition and character

I feel like my life is complete

Her Mom’s a Shih Tzu and Dad’s a Chihuahua

And her name I decided would be

Sophie, Queen of Denial

Her Royal Majesty

Her first days were shy and staying very close

Her primary place to curl up and sleep

Was tucked inside my zipped up sweater

Snuggled up close to hear my heart beat

With each passing week she gains

In personality and weight

She knows her name and comes when called

And retrieves a toy - if I throw it straight

Each day brings new things to discover

And she fills my days with pleasure

And as we learn more about each other

We have found a special life to treasure

© Jane

December. 2011

Itsy

Itsy

(In memory of my little green and yellow budgie)

For more than 7 years she was a force to be acknowledged

She let the world know she was here

Flying around the house or perching on her play station

Just waiting to shriek “what are you doing” in your ear

Sometimes she just wanted to be cuddled

Sitting in a trancelike state for minutes at a time

Letting me stroke and open up her feathers

Admiring her colours so sublime

Other days she drove me to distraction

With her ear piercing screams and noisy rants

I’d finally cover her cage and tell her to take a break

Then she’d quiet down - waiting for another chance

  

Shes’d spend time shredding papers and making caves to hide in

Rearranging her cage in a very obsessive way

I would think that she’d escaped her quarters

But when I called she would pop up chattering away

She seemed to have a thing for little bells

Always beating them into some sort of submission

I always thought she was clearing the air

And just getting rid of her aggression

Now she’s gone and things are not the same without her

I sorely miss my noisy little “Itsy Girl” every day

She helped me get through some soul searching moments

And together we held the world at bay

I know the Universe enfolds us in its plans

And my sweet Itsy is most assuredly there

Flying with the freedom she deserves

Because she came to me with trust that we did share

© Jane   December 13, 2011

Dragons at My Door

Dragons at My Door

I dreamed last night of dragons

All standing in a row

They just appeared at my front door

And had no place to go

It brought to mind my childhood dreams

Of Puff and various others

So in they came and relaxed and sang

Of heroes and events and their mothers

They knew me just like I knew them

In those mighty years of yore

And they gave wings to all my dreams

Just like they had before

We talked of times of happiness

And a lonely dreamy day

When imaginations of a child

Would keep the world at bay

They remembered all the little songs

We sang from morn til night

Then we all joined in and pretty soon

We were laughing in pure delight

We dined on dainty sandwiches

Of peanut butter and jam

Then each one curled up to sleep

Just like a little lamb

It truly was so much great fun

It made my spirits soar

I’m so happy that they found me

And now we plan to visit more

© Jane  Aug 12, 2011

Dancing – Showtime

They hopped, they bopped, they pirouetted

With all the shimmers and the shakes

The smiles – the frowns – the getting started

With fancy footwork and special breaks

My heart kept dancing with the music

I watched their faces glowing all the while

They’re so intent with steps rehearsed

And showing pride with each big smile

They practiced all their special routines

And wore their costumes with delight

We were so excited for their debut

And cheered them on throughout the night

Then pride of families young and old

Rang throughout the special hall

And when t’was time for curtseys and bows

The crowd whistled and cheered for them all.

What a glorious pleasure it was to watch them

See their amazing presence and grace

I remember their smiles of satisfaction

And the memories of each one in her place

Now the years have past and they’re all grown

No special times to get a second chance

But I recall those great show time recitals

When all the children did their dance

© Jane July 2011

Summer Heat

Summer heat comes blazing in the door

It licks the flames of nature’s growth and more

It melts the blacktop to a glossy skin

And brings a manic confusion of blistering wind

With acrid burn of once pale skin and squinty eye

I plead for that break to come in the sky

…. for cool winds …

… for cooler water ….

For air to breathe

Ahhhh – I wait with bated breath for signs of fall

For just a wee bit of respite from it all

…..

And then it snows !!!!

© Jane - 2010

My Children

A lifetime of loving

Contentment of the souls

Hearts interacting

Through all the highs and lows

Sweet moments overwhelm me

The first smile - the first step

I close my eyes and see them

Ahhh - they were so adept

They loved a world of freedom

They loved each day of life

We counted the stars in the sky

And held hands without any strife

I long for those days

And know it is gone

And each time that we speak

They each have their own song

The joy that they felt

For each other's schemes

Made them strong in their hearts

As they nurtured their dreams

But time passes on

And paths don't intersect

Each tends to his own

With well placed respect

But when stars light the sky

And sweet memories return

May they each recall sweetness

And to sibling hearts yearn

©Jane 2011

Bluebell (AKA Chang)

Bluebell (AKA Chang)

Chang came into our lives one very special day

Because our neighbours needed a new place for him to stay

They watched him visit our family all the time

Sitting on our steps to enjoy the sunshine

But our youngest called him “Bluebell” right from the start

And watching them play brought smiles to my heart

A gorgeous Siamese who loved to spend his days

Chasing every little squirrel and all the blue jays

He would lay on the sidewalk cheek to cheek with our son

And listen to him talk and sing til he saw that he was done

And then Bluebell would pat the 4 year old gently on the cheek

To remind him that he wanted more and was waiting for him speak

The two would lay there side by side with so much to discuss

And then another song would be accepted without fuss

Our son and Bluebell were pals and spent much time together

And now my heart remembers what we thought would last forever

And tho’ 40 years have come and gone and changes have taken place

We all remember Chang and have those moments to embrace

 © Jane May 15, 2011

In Memory of My Granddaughter

Ashley Ellen Walden (Christensen)  3-15-1988 to 5-25-2011

I always thought she’d be there my whole life

That I’d get her crazy daily calls forever

Her loss brings way more than just strife

I’ve lost one very special treasure

She had her quirky moments of misery

But constantly strived to change her thoughts

She was always working to hone her sense of positivity

And made me smile with her list of ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’

I remember her at 7 lining up all her clothes

By colour or type – depending upon her mood

She was determined to only do it her way

Because she could see her way was oh so good

When she was still in school, we read together

And she would fall asleep to my speaking voice

Then, when I moved so far away, she’d call me

So I could read to her again – it was her choice

Her sense of humour always made me laugh

She preferred Maxine way more than ‘soppy’ stuff

She always tried to see my side of an issue

And treated me like my opinions were good enough

She loved her Grandpa with amazing strength

And missed him sorely when he was gone

She often spoke of feeling him around her

And now I know she is in his arms

She spoke of a life for Otto and her

A good one filled with memories galore

She knew that they could do this for sure

It was her goal and she did not ask for more

But somehow the Universe had bigger plans

And needed her journey to take a different trail

Even though I don’t pretend to understand

I know the Angels will guide her without fail

I Love you and miss you so much, Ashley

 Grandma

Grandma May 25, 2011      Ashley passed away today at 1:23 a.m. as a result of a motorcycle accident

Happiness Is

The colours of green

The sun shining bright

Clouds for gazing into

And a warm starry night

Endless sweet memories

Dreams of journeys new

The love of my family

To name just a few

When I think of these marvels

My life light just beams

I’m grateful for everything

And all that it means

So gratitude brings happiness

That is easy to see

It attracts love all around us

And returns it for free

©Jane May 5, 2011

Echoes of the Past

I smile for no reason

And remember your sweet kisses

Doesn’t matter what the season

It reminds me of what bliss is

It makes my heart sing

Whenever I think of you

It tugs on every string

And never makes me blue

I start and finish every day

With loving thoughts of you

And we meet each night in dreams

Where we share everything we do

I know my life is full

My gratitude is vast

For those years we spent together

Resounding echoes of the past

© Jane May 2011

My First Mother’s Day

Our plan for the day - A trip to the zoo

So while we ate lunch, Baby was having a snooze

Then a very loud scream erupted from her room

And we raced down the hall imagining all sorts of doom

As we threw open the door she let out a cry

And slid the length of the crib in the blink of an eye

She had nary a stitch from her head to her toes

And was covered in Vaseline in place of her clothes

She had tossed her blankies and sheet on the floor

And slathered her entire crib until there was no more

Her hair stood straight up and her lashes stuck together

And she was mad cuz’ trying to stand up was an impossible matter

At the foot of the crib a giant Vaseline jar was there

It was as clean as a whistle, the contents were bare

While questioning what our lack of parenting skills might be

We dismantled the crib and degreased both it and the baby

And although she was bathed more than usual that week

She still glistened and gleamed and looked very sleek

Alas we’ve no picture - our camera was broken

So we’ve no proof at all, and this memory’s our token

© Jane May 8, 2011 – Mother’s Day 47 years later