Candle’s Light

Candle’s Light

By Pauline Harris

(*)

The match was presented

To the wick of the candle

A bit nervous to approach the lighting itself,

the hand began to shake.

For memories of the fire were still fresh on the mind.

So slowly approaching

A deep breath taken

Consciously approach

Hand held tight to the match

Closing on the wick again

The touch is made

The candle takes the flame

Lighting the space nearby

The room brightens with light

Shadows appear on the wall

Showing mirrors of shapes from around the room

Gazing at the candle

And then at the wall

The shadow seems incomplete

For what is presented is

The shadow of the candle,

But there is no shadow of the flame

A mystery

No shadow for the flame

Light bears no shadow

Shine on dear Light

Shine on

A True Friend

A True Friend

by Pauline Harris

(*)

On rare occasions

Someone may

Show up in our life

We may think

They are just like

All the others

Except they aren’t

They have a special gift

This gift is true friendship

We can talk with them

About anything

And everything ‘No holds bar’

Without any judgment

Nor backstabbing

Always there

With a shoulder

And a caring heart

These friends

Are so rare

So caring

Not to be taken

Advantage of

Nor neglected

Tell them often

They are loved

And thank you

And try to be

The example

To others

They have

Shown to you

For when they

Transitioned

There is a void

Life will never be

The same without them

But we have their

Heartsmiles

To carry on,

Carry on

Teaching Love

^

In memory of Tuan.

Love and Light

Rest Well, my dear friend.

Looking Up

Looking Up

By Pauline Harris

(*)

Walking outside, expecting a briskness, a bitter coldness.

Instead I was pleasantly surprised.

Sure it was nippy, but not too cold to my skin.

I turned my attention to the clouds. They seemed eerie. A small glow began to peak out. Curious, I kept looking. The glow grew as the puffiness of the clouds became sparce.

Soon,

The moon

Did appear

Up there

Before my eyes

All clearly shining

Bright

What a delight

My heart beat

Rhythm dances

Proving to myself

I was still alive

And forever

In a state

Of wonderment

The Oncoming Storm

The Oncoming Storm

By Pauline Harris

(*)

Thunder,

Yes thunder

And I heard

That thunder roar

The winds

Were whispering earlier

I had thoughts

Of impending storms

My sinuses

Are all tense

With pressure

Headache present

Oh, but the thunder

I heard it clearly

A boom with a rumble

The thunder roared

Then the rain came

Clashing down

Pouring in buckets

Just maybe

The drought will lessen

Oh to know

I could hear

That thunder

Both comforting

And beyond words

Be still and listen

The thunder does roar

The Brushover

The Brushover

By Pauline Harris

(*)

Waves had slowed between us

Our quickstep has become a tap with a ball change

We no longer react to our joys,

Nor see the damages done by outside forces

And now the denial of my own self,

You took away parts of me

Just gave them away

And now you want more

Still denying any of our shared friendship

And my own sovereignty and dignity

And the friendships I have made

A rubberstamp approval is all you ask

For you to take more

And give me peace in name only

No guarantees

More losses

Maybe a renewal of wound care

I’m to accept all this renewal as part of our friendship

However I am left alone

My wounds will never heal

And now the addition of you using me for pleasure and financial gain

Lost and saddened

Such a fool I have been to trust you

I need a minute

Deciding to move on without you is my best option

I might be small

I am wounded

I do have something worthy of carrying on

I have my inner vision of true peace

And if peace comes without you

I believe in a future of peace

If that means more loss,

I am willing to commit

For lasting peace cannot come from denying my own sovereignty

and my own voice

My rights to freedom

I know now what you are

We will part paths here

We will carry on separately

For that is what is best now

Our own solo dances

This Little Light

This Little Light

by Pauline Harris

(*)

Silently I hold this light

This light shines so brightly

This light shows how love endures

This light expresses love purely

And simply as I hold the light here

This light is an expression

This light is a reminder

This light is a guide

This light blocks the darkness

This light is for everyone

This light shares joy

And in sorrow

For this light shows us all good

And love for each tomorrow

With gratitude, I share this light

Water Impacts

Water Impacts

By Pauline Harris

(*)

A drop

A puddle

A ripple

A wave

A stream, river, ocean

All water collected

All impactful where they be

All important for what they are

All contribute to life itself

Nourishing the world

With their very being

Changing the layout

Of the ground and rocks

Bringing forward new life

Sparking heartstrings

With each new drop