Food-play

Sultry little subtleties
in the way the you catch my eye.
An eyebrow raised provocatively,
and a softly whispered sigh.

From across the textured tablecloth,
you gingerly grab a hot roll.
Then with honey butter and a knife,
you spread the roll just so.

With that special twinkle in your eye
and an eager, outstretched hand,
you offer up a sweet morsel of bread,
to my mouths promised land.

The bread and butter melt;
upon my tongue, such ecstasy.
I love this sultry food foreplay,
and that magical way you look at me.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inspired by:

The Thursday Think Tank - Prompt #8

Sultry - hot and humid; very hot and dry; torrid; sexually enthralling; sensual excesses

Moonlit Beaches

The moon is amber beauty
softly lighting up the night.
The ocean waves they ripple
as I marvel at the sight.

No more than just a week ago
my feet touched western shore;
ashes in the bay of Frisco,
a loved one I shall see no more.

A family gathered moment,
of dads final wish fulfilled.
In the western bay of his birth
just as he had dreamed and willed.

And now my feet sink in a beach,
on the opposite side of the states;
on a family vacation in Myrtle Beach
with a vast view of Heavens gates.

A dream to fulfill for my little boy,
a vacation of family so hoped for.
My dream for him, a memory,
and maybe something more.

Things aren't always perfect,
and knowing that is the key.
Then we can truly be grateful for
the beautiful blessings we see.

At times like this I appreciate
the vastness of existence.
We are so small in the universe,
yet we fight with much persistence.

We live our life and take it all
with strength, passion and pride.
We may be small yet we try to stand tall,
for we only get this one ride.

My heart is blessed with these two moments,
different as night and day.
But sweet and somber, happy or sad,
I wouldn't have it any other way.

Lotus Flowers and Cherry Blossoms

Lotus flowers and cherry blossums.
A mother of nature with her baby possoms.
Vine covered limbs making dragons to see.
Character clouds looking down at me.

Bridge covered rivers on country roads.
Lily pads floating and hopping toads.
Ranbows of color across the sky.
Heavenly sunsets that make one sigh.

Hummingbirds hoovering precariously.
Spider webs weaved with such delicacy.
Waterfalls flowing down mountain sides.
Birds hunting fish with swooping dives.

Dandelion seeds blowing all about.
Hungry birds nesting with open mouthed pouts.
Everything growing and doing and being,
while the orchestra of nature so softly is singing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inspired by @dell0717
"Lotus Flowers & Cherry Blossums"

Linked to dVerse Poets Pub Week 13

The Gift of Spreading Joy

Spread a little joy,

dream a little dream.
Dance like no one's watching,
sing like you're seventeen.

Love with all your heart,
every chance you get.
Spread beautiful nuggets of joy,
gifts that they won't forget.

A simple smile . . . a warm hug.
New socks with no more holes.
A card when they're feeling ill.
New shoes with brand new soles.

A gallon of gas . . . a ride in the rain,
a chance to warm cold bones.
A second chance much needed,
helping those losing their homes.

Spreading joy is a beautiful thing
that starts out small like a seed;
but water it and watch it grow
with every blessed good deed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inspired by the beautiful heart of Marie also known as @spreadingJOY on twitter . . .

A little about Marie from her blog:
"I have a desire to make a difference. A HUGE Difference. Right now, financially, that is not possible so I'm concentrating on what I have and I'm giving that. I have time, I have a voice and I have a gift of gab. Well, maybe not a "gift" but I do enjoy talking. I'm just here to help people realize they can make a difference without breaking the bank! The coolest thing - when you give anything, YOU get so much more back than even the recipient gets. You should try it! Take the 30 day challenge and give 1 thing a day for 30 days and you'll see how wonderful you feel everyday!"

Follow Marie's blog:

http://spreadingjoycorp.blogspot.com/

The Pink Award: One Lovely Blog Award . . .

I am honored to have received the Pink Award from Carrie of Hope Whispers .  I truly am grateful to have been blessed with having our paths cross, Carrie. Thank you so much for this award, all your kind words and all the support you have been giving me with my poetry endeavors. Thank you!

And I quote from Carries Hope Whispers "In the Pink" Blog Entry:

"The Poetry of Alaurilee: your poetry is so full of hope and dear to the heart I knew I had come across a precious jewel when I found your blog."

Accepting the Pink Award does not end here. There are a few wonderful rules to accepting the award

and they are as follows:

1. Thank and link back to the person that gave you the award.

2. Share 7 things about your self.

3. Pass the award to 9 fellow bloggers that inspire you.

4. Let them know about the award. :-)

And without further adieu:

7 Things About Me:

1.  I love hugs!! I bet you all never guessed that by my blog graphic eh?

2.  I was raised in New Mexico. Lived in the Southwest until I moved to the base of the beautiful Smokey Mountains in my early 30's to start a new life. I feel like Tennessee is home to my heart, I am in Heaven here.

3.  I'm happily married for the second time for almost 3 years to a man who healed my heart and allowed be to breath again.

4.  A highlight of my life was being a powder-puff race car driver when I was 19 years old.  I raced a modified, circle, dirt track car and won 1st place for the season.  It's also the only time I've ever rolled a car. I highly recommend that if you are going to toll a car, make it in a race car with a fire suit and a 5 point harness.

5.  I have one son who is almost 18, a bonus son from my marriage who is 28, and 2 beautiful grandchildren who are 6 and 1. I love being Mamaw.

6.  I have 6 tattoo's. Got my 1st one in my early 30's. Like my poetry tells stories, so do my tattoo's.

7.  I love people and try to think the best of everyone. I truly believe their is good in everyone . . . no matter how deeply it is buried or hiding. Pain causes the good to hide . . . and hugs and love can make things better,



My Awards Go To:

1. Hope Whispers :
I love your blog title because it is so true. I'm blessed to have had you find me on blogger. You are a wonderful cheerleader and have opened new doors in poetry for me. Thank you for everything. Your love and hope whispers loudly.

2. A Bloggodess' Tale :
We met on twitter and along the way you read my poetry. You truly make me feel special and successful in touching hearts and souls with my poetry. You have been such an awesome supporter of my poetry and you're comments bring tears to my eyes. I'm glad to call you a friend.

3.  Heather-N-Company :
"Family and friends are the sunshine of life" and you are a sunshine in my life. I'm so glad we met on twitter! You are a sweet, kind, compassionate soul. You are a lover of ladybugs just like me! Thank you for sharing you're life and stories of you're family on your blog. It's a pleasure knowing you.

4.  Spreading Joy :
We stumbled upon each other on twitter and I am so glad! I feel a kindred spirit with you. I love that you are all about Spreading Joy! It's things like spreading joy and giving hugs that make huge differences in peoples lives. Continue spreading joy Marie, you do it so well. I'm fortunate to have met you in real life and been able to give you a great big hug! Love you!

5.  Mentally Inked :
Another twitter friend, I truly think you are awesome. You are such a sweet person and you are an inspiration with you're with Mamavation and encouraging people to drink more water.  I'd love to meet you some day! Keep up the good work! :)

6.  Little Animation :
 I stumbled upon you and you're fabulous animation on twitter. You were able to help me realize a portion of my dream by designing my brand logo for "Serving Hugs on a Platter and Tears in a Teacup".  I'm eternally grateful to have met you. To see some of Little Animations magic see her YouTube videos. Thank you for everything JC, If I ever get to Canada we have to meet! xoxo

7.  A Bittersweet Existence :
Dawana is another of my twitter friends. Your blog documents the life and times of an accidental housewife. You share an honest view of the trials, tribulations and joy of being a wife and a mother. You are an inspiration with your dedication to you're family and you're giveaways. Your recent interview of Shannon Tweed was awesome and showed how down to Earth she is as a mother.

8.  And Triplets Make Six :
John Cave Osborne is a wonderful father located here in East Tennessee at the base of the beautiful Smokey Mountains. John, you are an inspiration as a father to you're beautiful step-daughter and 3 beautiful triplets. You tell a beautiful story of parenthood from a fathers perspective in your book, Tales From the Trips.  I've had the pleasure of meeting you and think you are a wonderful soul. Yes, this award is Pink...but you're still a man's man! ")

9. Are You Breathing :
I also met you on twitter Wendy. As a mother and a surfer and a beautiful soul, you are such an inspiration to me. You have such a beautiful, simple, soul full outlook on life. You always have a kind word and a way of making things better. You see people on a spiritual level. I love you're outlook and hope to meet you some day.

The Scenic Route

A mental health parade of fun,
come on join me . . . everyone!
From the healthiest mind to the slightly crazy;
Come Tattooed Kate and the boy named Daisy.

Come along young, come also the old;
those who are timid and those who are bold.
No ones left out in our parade;
no barters for better or offers to trade.

We take our parade on the scenic route;
sometimes we get lost, without a doubt.
But we stick together, skin thick or thin
and we encourage each other with a welcoming grin.

Some of us say I'm doing just fine,
when I stay out of the way of my own mind.
Others, we often trip over our feet,
so we choose scenic routes and call them a treat.

In this parade we give it our all;
there's no pop quiz and no roll call.
Call me crazy and I'll proudly say yes,
yet crazy or sane I'll give it my best.

~~~~~

Inspired by a twitter conversation I had with @MidnightMatters

@grnladybug (Me on twitter):
"Sometimes we chose the scenic route by tripping over ourselves from time to time."

@Midnight Matters:
"I am good as long as I stay out of my own way"

The Rainbow Mist of Life

Rainbow mists of color paint the sky;
dream a little dream . . .
and watch the clouds float by.

Troubles brew and stew with the wind;
the rains water pains . . .
then blow over once again.

Up above the clouds lies the sun;
signifying life . . .
peace and joy for everyone.

And though the snow may blow;
freezing clouds . . .
and rain upon your soul.

In the end the sun will shine;
breathing life . . .
into your open mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inspired by the Twitter Prompt below from: @GLucciano

"The sun still shines from behind the clouds...
(rain, wind, and snow is below)
Still above the clouds lies the sun...
Problems, laughter and pain remains in the clouds,
but behind them is joy, peace and life!!
The sun signifying life..
The clouds signifying what is embedded in the cloud of life"

A Ray of Hope

We sit in this waiting room once every month
and pray for the news to get better;
hoping they'll be signs of remission
from this chronic Crohn's scarlet letter.

Racked with pain and weakness as well,
this sweet man I love perseveres.
He keeps on moving each and every day;
smiling eyes at the world while hiding his tears.

Today we have a bright ray of hope,
for the first time in over a year.
A new med is working its magic we think;
this faint ray of 'maybe' brings us a tear.

So we leave this office together today,
holding hands with hopeful hearts;
and long for just one more day,
when the pain stops before it even starts.

Ashes in the Bay

Our dear sweet dad, its been almost a year,
since the day you passed away;
yet you're still alive in our hearts,
where you live with us every day.

The memories, they come and go;
some of them happy and some of them sad.
But no matter what we miss you,
and long for a bit more time to be had.

We come together in San Francisco,
in this place of your youth we gather.
One year later honoring your last wish,
bringing some of your ashes to scatter.

Memories linger from Nineteen Eighty-seven,
on a special trip we took just us four.
Our single Dad and us three kids,
to the California West Coast shore.

A trip to Fisherman's Wharf of course,
and a boat ride around Alcatraz as well.
We fed the birds from our young hands
and marveled at the oceans smell.

A trip beneath the Golden Gate,
where my dad told childhood stories.
He could swim across that bay,
where baby sharks to him were no worries.

He was tough and strong-a survivor,
and he wouldn't let much beat him down.
We knew he would always protect us,
we felt safe when he was around.

Childhood comes and goes, its true,
but the memories of youth remain.
And when you lose someone close to you,
the love lives on, comforting pain.

So today we join together again,
to scatter your ashes in this bay;
but its not to say 'good-bye' dear Dad,
because in our hearts you'll stay.

~~

In Loving Memory of my Dad
John M. Chase
7/18/1950 - 7/27/2009

San Francisco 7/2010

The Breath of Love Prevails

Love is the heartbeat of the Universe,
it breaths new life into being;
it heals hearts that are wronged
and opens eyes so they're seeing.

Love is the thing that we all search for;
knocking on doors here and there.
Its something we long for above all else,
the love of a heart that truly will care.

Love is blind yet sees so clearly,
it looks beyond skin to the soul deep within.
A love that is pure and honest
will touch you and make your heart grin.

Love isn't just for the lovers,
love is for all who live and breathe.
It waters those hearts that believe in you,
letting love flow through like a sieve.

Love can touch where nothing else can,
it gives so much more than a drug.
It reaches in and grabs hold of your heart
giving a great big bear hug.

Love will prevail when nothing else can,
it gives the great gift of hope;
and when nothing else heals a body so sick
love is the one thing that helps one cope.

The gift of love is that it truly keeps giving
even in life's tragic last breath;
its the one thing that always lives on,
for love is much stronger than death.

How to Touch a Heart

First things first you must open your heart,
be willing to give right from the start.

Start your day looking up into the sky,
open your heart without asking why.

Soak up the love of a ray of sunlight,
skip into your day with a child like delight.

Look into those faces that pass you by;
smile openly at them when you catch their eye.

Be willing to hug those who seem to reach out,
don't hesitate or give pause due to doubt.

Subtleties speak just as loud as we listen,
a teardrop behind a sad eye may glisten.

A simple smile to a friend or a stranger,
may give hope to a soul who's faith is in danger.

So please take a moment to learn how to touch,
and reach out to a heart because it may mean so much.



Prompted By: http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/2010/07/thursday-think-tank-prompt-5.html

Hugs on a Platter

Life doesn't come
with a shiny new book;
no user's manual of answers
to find with one look.

Life comes with doors
that open and shut;
and paths laid before us
to be followed or passed up.

There are things we can learn
and things we may teach;
hearts that may find us
and souls we may reach.

Guaranteed on this journey
are teacups of tears;
and pains that might hurt us
may age us by years.

But the beauty of life;
love, laughter and giving;
come from serving hugs on a platter
each and every day we're living.

Tripping Over Pieces of Me

I trip over my own tongue
I stumble over what I believe
I make people so confused
They don't know how to breathe

I say one thing and do another
I loose my mind like that
They all get wrapped up in my pain
Then I feel like such a rat

I hurt the ones I love the most
By trying too hard to make them happy
Then when conflicts start to arise
I lose my mind & get all sappy & snappy

I wear my heart on my sleeve
It gives so much and yet bleeds
And when it bleeds it spreads
Painful, hurtful, chaos seeds.

The words that are said seem so wrong
The ones I hear, the ones I say
They hurt too much & cause such pain
They make me want to run away

Save them from the pain of me
Save them from my confusion
Maybe the sanity I see in me
Is all just a wicked illusion.