A sure sign that Spring is here in my area are gnome sightings in the gardens around town. My mom has many gnome friends. so this poem was written for her.

The Secret Life of Garden Gnomes

In my garden are happy faces

Peeking out from around the flowers

My gnomes are frozen in their places

It's here I while away the hours

They're still as statues when I'm around

Their red hats standing proud and tall

When I go in, and the sun  sinks down

Such noise behind the garden wall!

They play wild games, and they leap about

Their hats must be in disarray

They will giggle, snicker, joke and shout!

Cavorting until light of day

Such chaos in my garden at night

You would never believe it so

As dawn is breaking its first pink light

My gnomes stand silent in the glow

But this morning when I tiptoed out

To sit in my garden and think

As I cast my eyes quickly about

I thought I saw one sly gnome wink!

My Vernal Equinox celebration on Thursday was solitary, peaceful and sublime.  The river was flooded halfway up my driveway, swollen and careening along, obviously mission-bound.  I love that gurgling and swishing sound and the smell of churning mud. The nearly full moon rising behind the silhouetted trees revealed one small section of shimmering river. The background was indigo sky fading to darkness.  Occasionally I glimpsed a flash of silver in the illuminated area where a fish would leap exuberantly and land with a splash in the darkness beyond.

I sat on my porch with my djembe and drummed for hours.  I drummed to the rising moon and the rising river.  The cool breeze circled 'round and joined in, carrying my rhythms farther along, ethereal ripples, offerings to my gods and to the fae.  Chirping birds gathered in the surrounding trees.  A sparrow even landed on my porch railing and stayed for awhile, cocking his head at me. (Maybe it wasn't so solitary after all?)

It was a wondrous and magical experience.  And all too soon I was forced to go inside because I was barefoot as usual, and my toes were turning blue!

Today I will be celebrating Easter with my parents and cousins.  Easter dinner, lots of laughter, joking, children running around, the works!

I am thankful for all, for friends, family, solitude, joy, sorrow, whatever comes my way, knowing that the world will take care of me.  And I wish for all of you the same blessings and peace. And thank you all for your friendship :o)

Capricious Heart

Your cold, capricious heart

stays hidden by

illusions you create

Herein lies your power:

with words and warmth

and touch to captivate.

You take, and cruelly drain,

then fill again

Make innocence your slave

So sweetly bind

Then leave the yearning ones

to beg and crave,

feel gnawing in their souls,

cry acid tears that blind

Yes, the Unseelie can be shapeshifters and ever-so-charming! Beware...

they frolic in the forest

they gather in the glen

with merry squeals of laughter

race there and back again

they scurry beside the pond

and hide among the reeds

await last light's reflection

to begin mischievous deeds

on unsuspecting humans

they love to throw a cloak

of cobwebs and confusion

the fun of faerie folk!

if you are out late and about

upon the mountainside

be aware of who is there

and where your feet may glide

for if you can't remember

what you've done or where's your bed

and you have not been drinking

then you must be pixy-led!

 Have you ever searched through many lifetimes for someone ?  A memory so clear, a longing so deep...  

Alone On The Wind

You were my twilight companion

I awakened to your whispered chant

We traveled fleet of foot and skimming

over moon-drenched meadows

Joyously ascending skyward

on gossamer wings

But past is past and I've been cast away

And you've been gone for lifetimes

from my side

Can't you hear my lonely cry

A grievous wailing carried on the wind

I feel your heartbeat

in every beat of mine

My senses are filled with you

and you alone

Release me from your spell now

I am banished from your grace,

and you have simply vanished

far from home