The Sound of Silence

The quiet colors of winter......

white...

gray...

brown...

speak to...

the sound of silence...

restful breathing....

sleep.....

peaceful slumber...

whispers of...

hope...

HDP

A Winter Day...

A Winter Day

by Lucy Maud Montgomery

I
The air is silent save where stirs
A bugling breeze among the firs;
The virgin world in white array
Waits for the bridegroom kiss of day;
All heaven blooms rarely in the east
Where skies are silvery and fleeced,
And o'er the orient hills made glad
The morning comes in wonder clad;
Oh, 'tis a time most fit to see
How beautiful the dawn can be!


II
Wide, sparkling fields snow-vestured lie
Beneath a blue, unshadowed sky;
A glistening splendor crowns the woods
And bosky, whistling solitudes;
In hemlock glen and reedy mere
The tang of frost is sharp and clear;
Life hath a jollity and zest,
A poignancy made manifest;
Laughter and courage have their way
At noontide of a winter's day.


III
Faint music rings in wold and dell,
The tinkling of a distant bell,
Where homestead lights with friendly glow
Glimmer across the drifted snow;
Beyond a valley dim and far
Lit by an occidental star,
Tall pines the marge of day beset
Like many a slender minaret,
Whence priest-like winds on crystal air
Summon the reverent world to prayer.

The Earth Sighed

It only lasted a few brief minutes

But, I saw, the earth sigh

As the rain poured down

Quenching her thirst

With sweet fresh water

Soothing water

Relief

Remnants of the storm remain

Thunder in the distance

Soon fading

As the dark clouds move away

Lightening the sky

HDP

Lovely Rachael

Lovely Rachael

Weathered by the seasons

Standing strong against the storms

You are planted firmly

In the garden of my yesteryear

You've seen the blue skies turn to gray

You've watched Spring turn to Summer, then to Fall

Ever ageless, ever timeless

You are still standing tall

- In loving memory of my Great Aunt Blanche -





Rachael belonged to my Aunt Blanche, my grandfather's "sister" who was "adopted" by my great grandparents during the  depression.  Aunt Blanche was a romantic figure, not in her appearance, but in her character.  She had an air of mystery about her that always intrigued me.  She was a single woman and never married.  That fact never seemed to bother her, but perhaps, it was a part of her she locked away and did not reveal.  Aunt Blanche had a strong devotion to my grandfather, which I admired and endeared me to her more.  She was full of life and fun; making everyday things like eating chocolate pudding a delight.  She always seemed to have a smile on her face and laughter in her heart.


When I look at Rachael today, who now graces my little shady patch of a garden, I think of my Aunt Blanche, her smile and her love of life.  

Dappling of Sunlight

It's a beautiful morning, cool for the first of July.  I took my cup of coffee with me out on the deck and couldn't help but wonder at the pretty dappling of light as the early morning sun shone through the trees.  It reminded me that each day is a new beginning; a fresh start.  Breathe in and savor the joy of the everyday.

Each morning is fresh and new
Reminding me, oh Lord
All the great things that You can do