Our Valentine Tree

Our Valentine Tree

We fell in love on Valentine’s Day.

The minute you laughed I knew.

I was destined to be yours, my love,

And I would be blessed with you.

We planted our special tree that year.

We cleared away the snow.

You insisted our love would always be strong

And you wanted the whole world to know.

You’re in my thoughts again, my love,

I imagine you under our tree.

Remember all the pledges we made,

And the passion between you and me?

The years passed by rather fast,

Then our kids were grown and gone.

We were there in our empty house,

Still together but each all alone.

My heart grew hard and I forgot our tree,

I insisted it blocked my view.

I was determined to chop it down,

Without even telling you.

It was early morning on Valentine’s Eve,

When I approached our special tree.

I was shocked and pleased with what I saw,

Then ashamed of the heart in me.

Instead of the tree being stark and bare,

Pink and red covered the tree.

Valentines and notes from all our years,

Proclaimed your love for me.

My love had been erratic.

There was little that I could boast.

But you were there as you always were,

Just when I needed you most.

My dreams and heart were renewed, my love,

By the valentines that covered our tree.

There was only one thing I could say,

“I’m glad you married me!”

I miss all you gave, my love,

And the tenderness you showed to me.

I want our love to be clear each year,

 As I hang valentines on our tree.

I'll Choose to Burn the Ice Away

I’ll Choose to Burn the Ice Away

Why is it so hard to love you?

My cold heart snuffs the flames.

I want to respond with tenderness and love,

And call you sweeter names.

Why do I let the storm win out?

My blood rushes to my ears.

I want to demonstrate my love for you,

And gently wash away your tears.

Why do I disregard the condition of my heart?

My priorities have always come first.

I want to show you how important you are,

And satisfy love’s growing thirst.

Why do I wait to prove my love is true?

My motivation to love has been weak.

Yet I’m still the man you chose to wed,

I can give you the romance you seek.

I’m tired of the excuses I make.

My love lies dormant inside.

I’ll choose to lead my heart back home,

And forget my foolish pride.

I will choose to think good things of you.

Sparks of romance will turn to flames.

I’ll be thoughtful and you’ll feel loved.

Our love will never be the same.

I’ll wake in the morning with thoughts of you.

My warmth will seek you out.

And all the questions I once had,

Love will erase each and every doubt.

If you, too, choose to stir the embers,

The flames will reach the sky.

For love that learns to burn again,

Grows sweeter as time goes by.

Love Changed Me

Love Changed Me

I was running fast and free,

Trying to keep you far away.

Somehow I lost my point of view.

On our first date I wanted to kiss you.

Because love inspired me.

You said you had a cold but I said it was okay.

I could wait for yet another day.

You wanted to text during finals of my senior year.

I could not risk failing so I refused.

But love taught me.

By the lake in the heat of summer I proposed.

It was too soon and I needed to be patient.

I don’t remember who it was

That declared I was not good enough.

But love improved me.

Your leg is draped across my legs.

Last night tender words were said.

You took up space I reserved for me.

But I enjoyed sharing my bed.

Love captured me.

Your smile was the last thing I remember

From our wild and perfect night,

During our wedding some things went wrong,

But all the things that mattered went right.

Because love filled me.

There are those who thought our love shoudn’t be.

Time will erase all their doubts, if I love you tenderly.

Love changed me.

My Son, Listen to My Words of Wisdom (Part 2)

My Son, Listen to My Words of Wisdom (Part 2)

My son, the time for choosing friends is ripe,

First, you can tell a tiger by its stripes.

A friend can fool you when he growls or talks.

You can discover more by the path he walks.

Others will know you by the friends you choose.

If you don’t pick winners, someday you’ll lose.

If a friend observes danger but pretends he’s blind,

You would be wise if another friend you’d find.

A friend will always tell what is true,

Even when the truth might hurt you.

A friend is there to watch your back,

And he will reason with you if wisdom you lack.

A friend will help when there’s nothing to gain.

A friend will listen and share your pain.

He’ll be there always even unto death.

But a fair weather friend has wasted your breath.

If he doesn’t want you to be better, he’s not a true friend.

Like a drowning swimmer, he’ll pull you down at the end.

Someone who always flatters you has a concealed goal.

He’s shallow and self-serving and playing a role.

Beware if he’s not loyal all the way through.

He’ll sell you out and then desert you.

A friend is there all life to share.

So choose wisely, son, a true friend is rare.

My son, as for girls, your future is bright.

You’ll find contentment if you treat one right.

A girl needs thoughts of love to fill her day.

If she has love she has less reason to stray.

A girl’s world is different from the one you know.

Relationships and emotions help her bloom and grow.

Look in her eyes each and every day.

Her feelings are important. Listen to what she has to say.

Don’t be afraid to show a little romance.

Hold her in the moonlight and laugh and dance.

Your thoughts will remain positive, son,

If you count your blessings one by one.

Tell her she’s beautiful and just what you need,

Then it’s like dancing and you’ll have to lead.

Don’t look for things she might do wrong.

Mention what she does right. Then move along.

There will be days when your cup is half full.

Choose to be positive and life won’t get dull.

Surprise her with flowers, whether picked or bought.

Keep your romance smoldering and the flames hot.

Kiss her each night before you sleep.

A kiss will remind her your love is deep.

Whisper sweet words as you hold her near.

And the wisest of all, son, always be sincere.

Honey Bee

Honey Bee

He slowly approached the bee hives,

Observing the endless streams of flight.

The honey bees deserved his attention,

But he wondered, What is she doing tonight?

He put on his hat and accompanying veil,

To provide protection from stings to his face.

He lit up his smoker and then eased it down.

Would I be welcome if I stopped by her place?

Prying open a lid he sent in a few puffs of smoke.

The bees calmed down and moved away,

While he checked each frame for the queen.

What could I bring to brighten her day?

The queen was perfect, undamaged and full.

In the summer this hive would be strong.

There would be supers of golden honey.

 He’d get sweet rewards if nothing went wrong.

As he carefully reassembled the frames,

One worker flew out and stung his wrist,

Was that a portent of things to come?

Would he be crossed from her list?

As he worked through the remaining  hives,

He was distracted by a disturbing thought.

If he was determined, would love find a way?

Because she was well worth any battles fought.

In his beat-up car he sped wearily to her house,

Hoping he could see her without being seen.

On her porch he would leave a bottle of honey,

With a note saying, TO MY QUEEN.

Plans concerning love can sometimes go awry.

Honeyed words often remain frozen on lovers’ lips,

And love not claimed can be lost for all time,

Sailing swiftly away like a phantom ship.

In front of her house he parked his car,

And placed the honey up on her porch.

Before he could leave she raced outside.

He wasn’t the only one carrying a torch.

She was perfect, just right for his queen.

Ripe and willing, she was waiting for her king.

Their future was golden and offered sweet rewards.

Though they had little, they had everything.

Melt My Heart of Stone

Melt My Heart of Stone!

When my daughter was only three,

She was as independent as can be,

On the playground she could hear me calling,

“Wait for me!  I don’t want you falling.”

But she would race toward the slide,

Even at that tender age she had pride,

“Me do it!” she would stubbornly insist,

She refused my help and would resist,

Hardheaded and independent, (just like her father).

So why should I try to help?  Why even bother?

As the years passed by, I didn’t get any wiser,

I didn’t save love and I didn’t become a miser,

I didn’t seek truth from wise men near and far,

I relied on myself to follow a distant star,

“Me do it!” I shouted to the heavens above,

“Why do I need help to learn the ways of love?”

Fair maidens passed often in the depths of night,

But their hearts were broken, sad was their plight,

I was too independent so I remained alone,

Hard-headed but sad, my heart turned to stone,

Who could open her heart and give me a chance?

Who could love enough to spark new romance?

I learned to accept help from any source I can,

I became less difficult; I became a calmer man,

With years of experience I became smarter too,

I decided not to rely on me; I wanted to depend on you,

Working and playing together as a team,

We could turn my world into a better dream,

Man was not meant to be alone,

“Help me please; melt my heart of stone!”

She Doesn't See Me

With her large beautiful eyes,

She sees everything,

But she doesn’t see me,

She’s silently on the prowl,

Hoping this is her lucky night,

But she doesn’t see me,

She’s dressed for attracting attention,

She flashes a lot of skin,

I’m blinded by the glare,

But she doesn’t see me,

Batting her eyelashes at buff young men,

She’s lost her winning edge,

And that she cannot see,

But someone wants to dance,

And that someone happens to be me,

She thinks she’s desirable and a hot commodity,

And she says I’m too wrinkled and worn,

I’m on the record but no longer wanted,

My feelings are ripped and torn,

Left as unclaimed property,

And shoved to the side,

She’s forgotten that I love her,

Even while I’m crying inside.

Her Eyes, Her Smile, Her Hair

She was the one I dreamed of,

But the one I couldn’t have,

I kept my feelings tucked inside,

Each time I came near her,

A part of my heart died,

I loved everything about her,

Her eyes, her smile, her hair,

In the dark when I was alone,

She was my lady fair,

Oft when we were together,

She would give a friendly hug,

My heart would flip excitedly,

But all I could do was shrug,

She belonged to another,

She was as faithful as could be,

Yet somehow I always knew,

He didn’t love her as much as me,

He treated her very badly,

She was his personal slave,

He tired of her eventually,

And drove her to her grave,

The love I had she never knew,

For he was always between,

But in another life in another time,

I would have claimed her as my queen,

There is little warmth left in my heart,

Each day it drops a degree,

Without her presence in my life,

There is nothing left for me,

I cannot endure without sleep again,

Yet my dreams beg for another chance,

Is there someone who could love me back,

And fuel the fires of romance,

This world is too harsh to face alone,

I want my heart to flare,

I want to love someone as she is,

Her eyes, her smile, her hair,

In the night I want to hold her close,

And feel her heart start to race,

We’ll share sweet love with new hope,

Together the world we’ll face,

The rest of my life will be about love,

No longer will I stand aside,

I want to share love with someone new,

And stir my fires inside.

When Love Starves

We fell head over heels,

The first moment we met,

The world buzzed with happiness for us,

As we watched sunrise and sunset,

We had no worries of tomorrow,

We were too full of today,

Life continued to happen,

When reality walked in to stay,

Long planned and wanted,

Children arrived and began to grow,

Soccer games and mini vans,

Became the life we learned to know,

Busy we were, from dawn to dusk,

We had no fear of growing apart,

We expected our love to last forever,

But neither of us knew our hearts,

Problems arose over the course of time,

We argued and fought, forgot to be kind,

We dug trenches and built walls,

Instead of lovers we were enemies in our minds,

Patterns of life that should have been fun,

Were swallowed up by silence’s gulf,

It doesn’t matter which one to blame,

It was decided that enough was enough,

We tumbled from the pedestals we were on,

Much too high as we fell from the sky,

There was no way we could stay there,

No longer did we care to try,

The beautiful things I knew about you,

In all the turmoil I forgot,

And the words and acts of love,

No longer from you were sought,

We could have tried harder,

Worked through our problems by choice,

Instead we continued out of control,

Until we broke our vows by divorce,

Each of us played a part,

We didn’t give love a chance,

Our love died by not being fed,

And life shut down our luke-warm romance.

Take My Hand and We'll Fly Today

We were falling from the sky,

That’s where we met, you and I,

Faster, faster, headfirst I went,

Without hesitating, until love was spent,

With you close by I didn’t care,

As we continued hurtling through the air,

Love was more than a scary ride,

We opened up with our hearts spread wide,

At first I was afraid and did not understand,

When you slowed and gently took my hand,

But your eyes found mine and then I knew,

You had fallen for me, too,

Terminal velocity, we loved at the same speed,

Sometimes I’d follow and sometimes I’d lead,

Our love was real but much too brief,

While the world rushed at us and caused us grief,

I could do nothing with the love I’d stored,

When you moved away and pulled the cord,

Farther and farther we drifted apart,

You left me alone with a broken heart,

Our love lasted while in the sky,

When we touched earth, love couldn’t fly,

Love met little resistance while in the air,

And I dared to think that you cared,

My heartbeat accelerated and I fell for you,

Yet I still wonder if you had fallen for me, too,

You might still be trying to control your fall,

But I’m urging you to heed love’s call,

Don’t let fear’s resistance keep you away,

Take my hand and we’ll fly today.

Me and My Honey

He said, “The sun is shining and I’ve got a notion,

We’ll lie on a blanket and slap on some lotion,

We’ll pretend we’re at some fabulous beach,

I’ll rub you in places you can’t reach,

Winter is over and I’m raring to go,

I built up my energy while shoveling snow,

I got tired of the cold and being kept in,

I’m ready for fresh air and I want to see skin,”

She said, “Keep your eyes in their sockets and please don’t push,

I’m ready for spring and I don’t want to rush,

Spring is beautiful and I’m afraid I’ll miss much,

I don’t want you to bother me so please don’t touch,

The breeze is sighing as it twists through the trees,

I want to enjoy this afternoon so no heavy breathing please,

You’re being silly to be acting like this,

I know you’ll never be satisfied with just one kiss,”

He said, “I’ve spent most of my life in the fields and woods,

Farming, fishing, and hunting, learning life is good,

And after a day in the office my energy is spent,

I think I’ll go downtown, I need to vent,”

She said, “You’re going inside because I ruined your fun?

I thought it would be enough to just share the sun,

You came out here because you wanted to be near me,

Look around, there’s so much nature to see,”

She said, “It’s time for dinner, I’ll make you some food,”

He said, “I’m not hungry, I’m just not in the mood,”

She said, “Then I’ll go with you, I don’t want to be alone,”

He said, “Call one of your friends, you’re always on the phone,”

She said, “That was uncalled for, it was downright mean,

I think you’re the meanest man I’ve ever seen,”

He said, “You’re not the angel I asked for from up above,

You don’t treat me well and you don’t show love,”

Ah, newlyweds, we had so much to learn,

We started with love and had pride at every turn,

Now me and my honey know how to relate,

As long as I stay here and she stays in her state,

We’ll talk once in awhile on the telephone,

Because I get tired of this house and being alone,

Me and my honey just couldn’t stay together,

We just weren’t two birds of a feather,

She says she still cares about me,

I miss her too, but we can’t agree,

About how to get along in each other’s company,

And life goes on, both of us living in misery,

I can’t live with her and I can’t live without,

Is that what real love is all about?

There must be something I can do,

But at this moment in time I haven’t got a clue.

After the Cooling Rain

Her temperature was rising,

As she remembered the night before,

His kisses had been scorching hot,

And melted her to the core,

Then rain clouds draped the earth,

And made her day seem grim,

A barrier that seemed impenetrable,

Keeping her from him,

But a cool breeze has been blowing,

After the summer rain,

She’s ready to seek the chill of night,

And heat things up again.

Love Needs Its Mystery

Poets have an inner eye and write what they see,

The images might be there but they don’t have to be,

Physical reality often means nothing to me,

For in the shadows a new world yawns,

Stretches, shakes, as a new day dawns,

A parallel world without wars or fears,

Founded on love where there’s no need for tears,

It’s there, existing, waiting for me it seems,

To stir my imagination whenever I dream,

In that world love is more than lust,

It’s a choice, an action, truth and trust,

Love in its fullness ready to share,

Bubbling over into my world and everywhere,

How can I open my world to let love pour in,

Why did love stop and can it happen again,

In the shadows the worlds could meet face to face,

Filling the darkness with love’s sweet embrace,

I’ll look to the other world to provide a spark,

When my world’s problems chase love from the dark,

And when science puts my love under a microscope,

Dissects it, inspects it, and neutralizes hope,

I’ll remind the world that love needs its mystery,

Where everything might be real but it doesn’t have to be.

All I Can Think of Is You

You were ready for me this time,

I imagine you reclining there, waiting,

I wonder how I can enter this dream,

When you are already anticipating,

Your body cannot contain your fire,

It’s much more than I can comprehend,

And the passion I feel for you,

Scorches me deep within,

Oh, would this dream come to life,

And your body fall soft upon mine,

Could I ever dare to dream again,

And taste your lips of wine,

Long ago we were lovers true,

We stirred the embers when we kissed,

You played the fool for you spoke of love,

“Too soon,” I said, and crossed you off my list,

You arrived in my life too early,

Before I was ready for a mate,

And I denied I had fallen in love,

My heart found out too late,

Now in the day you belong to someone else,

But in my dreams you’re mine to hold,

I revel in the pleasures we once shared,

When we loved eagerly and were bold,

I see the interest burning in your eyes,

I know you still think of how it could be,

Late at night when I whisper the right words,

You blush and slip your arms around me,

I kiss your hair and rub your back,

And you lay your head upon my chest,

Then all the longing and need we feel,

Becomes a rhythm we share with zest,

But morning’s light shows empty bed,

Though memories of the night seem true,

For though I know you’re somewhere else,

All I can think of is you.

I'll Be Dancing

Like a baby tooth at six,

Clearly missing from a smile,

Floating away before her time,

From life my lover left for awhile,

I was not meant to be alone,

In time another did appear,

For a season to take her place,

But that one, too, did volunteer,

To drift away like an autumn leaf,

Disappearing without a trace,

But voids do not empty remain,

As matter rushes to fill the space,

Now I wander the heavens,

A lonely comet in its track,

Looking while I patiently wait,

To find the lover I sorely lack,

There’s a plan for such a fool as I,

I will scatter stardust along a trail,

To follow footprints across the sky,

And I’ll find my Venus without fail,

What my heart had lost before,

Was not meant for me to keep,

Because true love will not drift away,

It’s anchored and it’s deep,

Someday as you search the stars,

You’ll find me smiling there,

And I’ll be dancing with my love,

Up and down a crystal stair.

Take Her Heart and Lead

I remember well our first date,

Time inched along, I didn’t like to wait,

I can still picture her in frilly gown,

As I paused at the bottom of the stairs,

Waiting for her to come down,

To me she was simply beautiful,

I tried hard to remember she was my friend,

She twirled around, showing off her dress,

At first I was at a loss for words,

But I knew she was trying to impress,

“Tell me you like it,” she said with a smile,

What should I say about colors or style?

“Your dress is beautiful. It’s perfect for you”,

And I thought, “Anything would do,”

We had been friends for a long, long time,

I was always the one she talked to,

Whenever she had a new flavor of the week,

She didn’t seem interested in me,

But it was my advice she’d seek,

“You’re fickle,” I told her often,

Because none of her relationships would last,

She’d look at me oddly,

And insisted they went too fast,

But I believed then that she was waiting,

To fill an inner need,

She never told me she wanted a man,

Who would take her heart and lead,

Now in this moment I knew this might be my chance,

My heart had long thought she was perfect for romance,

Just outside her door I studied her face,

The moonlight displaying her beauty and grace,

A slight breeze played with wisps of her hair,

I could see all kinds of mystery there,

I opened my car’s door to let her in,

She seemed surprised,

But I could see she had a grin,

The evening seemed to fly right past,

As we laughed, talked, and dined,

When I suggested we also dance,

She accepted very fast,

She seemed puzzled as we waited on the dance floor,

She wasn’t sure what was in store,

I stood quietly for a moment,

Letting the music enter my feet, my hands, my body,

All as one,

We waltzed across the floor,

The fun had just begun,

The rhythms changed as couples danced,

Keeping to the time,

I noticed her breathing was just the same as mine,

Quick, quick, slow, slow,

We covered the floor with zest,

And she was laughing as we danced,

While pressed against my chest,

In the wee hours we went for coffee,

To talk as we’d never done,

And we were both surprised,

When the waitress said,

“Isn’t that a gorgeous sun?”

As I took her home she seemed concerned,

And I asked her what was wrong,

“I don’t want to lose your friendship,

But I’ve loved you all along,”

I was shocked but pleased,

And I confessed that she was the one,

Who set my heart aflame,

“We’ve been friends for a long time,

But I want you to have my name,”

That was the moment we became very best friends,

We shared troubles along with our fun,

She didn’t have to be anyone but herself,

She was my chosen one,

She wanted to be loved and cherished,

And that dream came true,

She was the one I adored,

My queen through and through,

And in turn I became her king,

That’s what love will do.