Great Adventure

I make a list and write
Everything I want to take.
Of course, it's more than enough
I'll change my mind, when I awake.

Some clothes to wear, food to eat,
A coat, if it's chilly, something warm for my feet.

Personal products, and underwear,
Shirts and jeans and socks and shoes.
Whatever should I take?

And how will I choose?

Trying to get ready to leave in two days
Somehow I'll get through this packing maze.

And off I'll go, on a Great Adventure.
Off to see sights I have not seen before.
Traveling by car, on the highways and byways,
One thing, dear me, I must implore:

Don't let me get so caught up in packing.
That I lose sight of the things that I see.
The places, the history, the natural beauty...
The goodness of the world that's surrounding me.

Pets...

Furry bodies,

Precious faces.

I always found them

In the strangest places.

Shivering in fright,

With looks so pleading..

A warm place to live

Was all they were needing.

No money to pay,

For their room and board,

Unconditional love

Is its own reward.

Funny and curious,

Adventurous and bright,

Why do they always

Want to play at night?

Always content to be

Curled up in my lap,

Safe and sound

And taking a nap.

“Who wants a cookie?

Wag your tail if you do.”

To others, I’m a nurse,

But I’m “mom” to you!

Heroes

The alarm was sounded. Without hesitation, they went into action

Habits, ingrained through real life trauma and practice drills, took over

Thoughts were of the needs of others, always

Code 3 to the scene: lights and sirens onward to meet the tragedy

Horrified by the sights that greeted them, but not missing a step

Pulling turnouts up, grabbing equipment, heading without hesitation

To greet the grim scene, head on, fearlessly

Passing fleeing civilians: coughing, dazed, bleeding, crying

Up the down staircase, rushing past those who were seeking safety

Into the darkness and uncertainty, pushing forward, searching

Calling out to victims, survivors, the frightened, cowering humanity

Awakened forever from any sense of complacency

Black smoke, burning jet fuel, screams, crashing walls and cinders

Nothing stopped their upward trek, seeking those who needed their help

Reaching, touching horrified humanity, screaming in fright and pain

“I’m here, I’ll help you!” A joyous sound in the midst of a nightmare

Flashlights illuminating unbelievable destruction and painful death

Heroes, searching desperately for survivors in the midst of the rubble.

Thunderous sounds of crashing architecture, dropping like thrown powder

On top of itself, dropping, dropping, dropping until it reached

Ground Zero.

Still in Ode Mode: My Favorite Place

Oh, how I love your softness!

Tis thee I wish I could wed….

But who ever heard of marrying

Your very own queen-size bed?

Every night, you comfort me,

When I lay me down to rest.

Cots may come, and bunks may go,

But it’s you I love the best!

Not too soft, and not too hard,

Your mattress is just perfect!

I go to bed so very weary,

And wake up feeling terrific!

You know how much I love you,

There’s little about which to complain,

But why, oh why, Sweet Bed O’Mine,

Do you make me get up in the rain?

Why don’t you just let me stay,

And get some serious sleep?

Why do you make me go out in the storm,

When, your company, I’d rather keep?

Love letters tucked under my pillow,

Soft blankets are covering me,

Why, oh why do you send me away,

When it is here, I’d rather be!

No matter where I wander,

No matter where I roam….

There’s no place like my own bed,

In my very own Home Sweet Home!

The Comforters....

They are everywhere, in every land,

Their numbers are legion.

Living in every city, in every town,

In every village and every region.

They do good works so quietly,

Not wasting their time on praise,

Good thoughts, kind gestures, a touch

Fill many moments of their days.

They are The Comforters of this world,

Helping others with their giving,

Bringing comfort to those who need it,

And giving Life back to the living.

The Comforters know, in their hearts,

That the deed is in the doing,

No need to publicize or share,

Good deeds are not for viewing.

The joy is in the giving to others,

The peace is in knowing who you are,

And The Comforters shine brightly,

Like each quiet and brilliant star.

For every kind and caring gesture,

To every heart that is battered and torn,

The Comforter can only hope,

That a new Comforter has been born.

And, if that dream comes to fruition,

And each inner Comforter is released,

This world will be a much different one,

Full of quiet, and comforting, peace.