Oh, how blind
We tend to be
If only we could see
Perhaps our hearts
Would open wide
Letting go of hate
Allowing love inside
© 2017 Susan J. Harris
A Country Night
A COUNTRY NIGHT
Stars glisten against a black velvet sky
A wind chime melody played by a gentle breeze
Nature’s entertainment
Cicadas sing from the old oak trees
Coyotes howl on a nearby hill
Bullfrogs offer their nocturnal serenade.
Sounds of creation fill the cool night air
A song that only nature can sing
An orchestra of music on a country night
The breeze stills
Silence covers the darkness
A calm so quiet you can hear an ant crawl.
It’s intermission!
© 2016 Susan J. Harris
A New Day
A NEW DAY*
The coral glow of morning spreads across the horizon
casting its reflection on the frozen pond.
A lone coyote races across the open field disappearing into a stand of trees
where it spends the day undetected by human eye.
The blanket of silence is broken by the awakening of nature.
Crusty, ice covered snow crunches beneath the feet of passing deer.
Geese honk, calling to one another as they fly overhead
while tiny snowbirds flit along the ground searching for their morning meal.
The sun breaks the horizon.
Its brilliance illuminates the neighboring hillside
casting distinct shadows in an abstract pattern.
Beauty! Pure beauty . . . abounds on every side.
A new day has arrived
Bringing with it fresh hope and new expectations.
Journey's Dream - 22" x 28" Acrylic Mixed Media on Canvas
*The poem, A NEW DAY, was published in: LOVE, LIFE AND PEACE - POETRY, PICTURES and MUSINGS by Thomas and Arrington, pg. 28, 2012. The painting, JOURNEY'S DREAM was also published along with the poem,
On the River
ON THE RIVER
The River flows
Over rocks
Past fallen trees
Sweeping the riverbank
Swirling eddies
Creating pools
Moving on
Unencumbered
Where does it come from?
Where does it go?
Hear it calling
Away from the turmoil
Offering refreshment
Promising tranquility
Oh! To be on the river
Peaceful and calm
Drifting free
Trust
TRUST
As moonlight seeps through Autumn trees
And leaves rustle in the cool night breeze
I think and ponder what needs to change
What part of me should I rearrange
Humbly yielding, I release my dreams
Letting go not as easy as it seems
What was, what is and what is to come
Who knows the answer's to that one
What I thought no longer exists
It's only with hope I take the risk
Trust is where my heart wants to be
Otherwise I am helplessly me
All I Need
09/06/2012 Sunset
All I Need
In the midst of trials, trouble and affliction
In seasons of loss and grief
You give me strength
You hold
You walk beside, shelter and protect me.
When I am faint, weak and weary,
You carry
When sadness and fear overtake me,
You rescue.
You are all I have
I am humbled by your love
You are all I need
SANDS OF TIME - The Poem
SANDS OF TIME
Strolling barefoot on the beach
Warm sand beneath my feet
Ocean spray against my face
Footprints in the sand, my only trace
Waves crashing on the sandy shore
Leaving me waiting
Listening for more
On the beach is where I thrive
All my senses intensely alive
Recording images in my mind
Memories that mark the sands of time
© 2013 Susan J. Harris
New Moon Morning
NEW MOON MORNING
Just minutes before the sun appeared over the horizon,
the new moon was rising in the eastern sky.
Just above the silhouette landscape,
the brilliant white crescent hung suspended against the silvery steel blue sky.
The pond below mirrored a perfect reflection In the morning stillness
Breathtaking! Indescribable simple beauty. Nature at its finest.
An October to Remember - Or Forget
AN OCTOBER TO REMEMBER - OR FORGET
Sad, lonely, confused
On the roller coaster of life
Slow climb, rocky trail
Steep, winding path
On the summit
Hope surges
Then the plunge
Spiraling downward
Unable to stop
Breath on hold
At the bottom,
Sigh of relief
Still here
Hope returns
Upside down
Inside out
Going in circles
Suspended in time
Plummeting again
Downward
Unanswered questions
Where's the end?
Can I stop?
Return to the top?
Stay awhile,
Enjoy the view?
No!
Not just yet
Maybe next time
Time
TIME
Time, elusive
Present, yet invisible
Across hurdles
Through distractions
Opportunity for change
Offering hope
Ability to dream
Drifting by on waves unseen
Sometimes crawling
Often fleeting
Moving forward
Ever-changing
Can’t capture it
Only treasure it
Moment by moment
Bit by bit
Sleep
Elusive
Hiding in the stillness
I wait for it
Silence interrupted
Sleep slips away
Out of reach
Again, I wait
Longing for it
If only a brief encounter
Come sleep
Take me to dream land
Surround me with gentle rest
Draw me in
Cover me with peace
Refresh my soul
A Poem about Creativity
CREATIVITY
Emotions run deep
Darkness surrounds
Light breaks through
I feel
A passing smile
A gentle word
Glimmers of light
I see
Color explodes
Light appears
Creativity awakens
I paint
Words float by
Form a thought
Rhyming, or not
I compose
Ideas emerge
Thoughts come
Words tumble out
I write
A painting
A poem
A story
Creativity fulfilled
Continuing On
CONTINUING ON
Constantly walking
On the path of life
Knowing not where it leads
Continuing on
Moving forward
Moving upward
Over jagged rocks
Through deep, dark crevices
Down in the valley
On the mountain top
Through the darkness
into the Light
Fear jumps out
Grabbing hold
Fear is conquered
Continuing on
© 2011 Susan J. Harris
Forward and Upward
We are constantly walking
Walking on this path called life
We know not where it leads
But we continue on
Moving forward
Moving upward
Over rocks
Through crevices
In the valley
On the mountain top
Through the dark
Into the Light
Fear jumps out
It is conquered
We move on
Forward and upward
© 2011 Susan J. Harris
Just You
JUST YOU
I sit quietly
I wait
I listen
Where will You take me?
You are amazing
Full of surprises
Watching over me
Leading the way
The places I go
The people I meet
The things I see and hear
They are all Your doing
Nothing by chance
No coincidences
No accidents
Just You, in my life - moving
© 2011 Susan J. Harris
Come Love
COME, LOVE
I listen
I dream
Hope carries me
Fear creeps in
Not welcome
I shut the door
No time for fear
Fear tries to overpower
Love is stronger, it grows,
Gaining strength and power.
Love dispels fear
Come, Love
Fill me
Push away the fear
Saturate with your presence
Bring your friend, comfort
You are welcome
Stay forever
Be my constant companions
© 2011 Susan J. Harris
Direction
DIRECTION
Which way am I headed?
Do I want to go?
Am I willing?
Will time prove friendly,
Or be an enemy?
I prefer friendly,
Carrying me on a journey of joy.
A realm of excitement
Where new meets old...
Colliding...
Creating something different.
Full of color and texture.
Enticing the senses.
Drawing me in.
© 2011 Susan J. Harris
It's Time
IT'S TIME
I see the sun rising
I hear the sound of the wind
A new day is dawning
I'm drawing closer to Him
Without His love
There is nothing at all
Except hope and a promise
To again hear His call
He hears the cry of my heart
And says, “Do not fear,
I give you eyes to see
And ears to hear"
He takes my nothingness
In His loving hands
He assures me He's close
Enabling me to stand
In the stillness of silence
His presence is there
His still, small voice
As soft as the air
He is tender and gentle
Like a cool spring day
He beckons for me
To come and play
Let’s laugh and let's sing
Forsaking the tears
Let’s twirl and dance
Releasing all fears
It’s time to move on
And embrace what’s at hand
It’s time to let go
And rejoice in the land
© 2007 Susan J. Harris