Fires burn
Buildings fall
Here we struggle
One and all

Some survive
Many will die
But which for whom?
Only God knows why

Free and strong
Standing our ground
Then we falter
Without a sound

Which one's next?
Who will pay?
The price of lives
we stand to save.

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Blessings of youth
make me invincible.
Jumping for joy
where danger lies.

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Pewter church on a hill.
Crystal flakes swirling round.
Mystic glow in the air.
Snow falling without sound.

Cottage out of a fairy tale.
Landscape stolen from the north.
Who could live in such a place?
Curiosity drives one forth.

Magic place.
Silent drum.
Thick aroma.
Leading me home.

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Small as a baby
fuzzy as a stuffed animal
the first time I saw him
he could fit into my arms.

Orphaned by the bush market
his mother killed for her fur
they are prized for everything
but their life.

So now I give what I can
a sanctuary to live out their lives
to these tiny orphans
who can never safely be free.

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I saw the reflection in the water before the tower that blended into the tall grasses. The broken piece of a moat that used to guard a majestic palace. Approaching the ruin I could imagine what this may have looked like a hundred years ago, when the rusty chains, now empty, held up the drawbridge to guard its inhabitants. I could see the royal family seated upon the thrones no longer separated by the walls that had long since crumbled to the ground. Who had lived here? What lands had they conquered? What enemies brought them to ruin? A story. Yes, a story all it's own. And I would paint that story, as the sun rose above the faded broken walls. I sat at the edge of the pond with my pastels and began to sketch a tall castle. It's drawbridge down over a moat welcoming me as it's guest.

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I stand above all others.
I eat the tops of trees.
Though the king may stand below me.
I am prey to thee.

Graceful I am not.
With long legs and knobby knees.
A spotted neck so long yet still,
my nose can't touch my feet.

But who am I to judge?
Nature made me what you see.
And though at times I may seem awkward,
a giraffe is what I'm proud to be.

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My dad taught me to fish, I thought it was boring. I didn't want to wait for one to come along and bite my line, I'd rather jump into the water and chase them myself. But after he got out of the hospital, I wanted to spend some time with him. And so since my dad loved fishing so much I went, just him, my brother, and I. Sitting at the end of the dock, our lines trailing in the water. But as I reached the point where I normally became very bored my dad started talking to me. Not so much conversation, but stories about my brother and I when we were little. The moments I didn't think meant much to him, and the embarrassing ones I wished he'd forgotten. And so we sat, 3 shadows against the sunset, our lines trailing in the water, at one with each other.

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That's not my friend.
It can't be.
A lifeless body,
falling from the sky.

That's not the boy
who made me laugh.
Surprised me on my birthday.
He wouldn't do that.

How could he?
How could he leave me here?
Alone and afraid.
What did I do?

Was it my fault?
Did I push him off the edge?
Am I to blame?

Look at me.
For a moment in time just look.
Tell me why.

Before you go.
Please.
Tell me why...

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It was a perfect day. Looking out the bay window of the honeymoon suite I could see the blue sea matching the sky. Yes, cuddling closer into my new husband's arms I knew. Yes, it was a perfect day. So long had I waited to be here, in this room. Hearing the gulls crying out to one another as they hunt for breakfast I thought of the night before. We'd arrived at this paradise and immediately dashed into the water. The last of my hairspray and makeup washed off in the surf but the memory of our fairytale wedding stayed as we dived for shells. Back in the room, exhausted but happy, we stayed up so late making love for the first time. As I attempted to rise from the bed, I felt my lover's arms tighten around my waist and looking into his eyes found the same glorious blue that graced the sea and sky outside my window.

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