Category: Memories

NaPoWriMo Apr 01

On By WinstonIn Choose Gratitude, family, Grateful, Memories, Personal1 Comment

My Mother’s Love

From heaven fell those gentle drops
to kiss each leaf and bloom,
A gentle, restful tapping on
The window of my room.

My mother laid a cool, damp cloth
Upon my fevered brow.
She took my hand, she stroked my hair
Made soothing noises now.

The fever burned much hotter now
Could scarcely see or hear,
Yet through it all still I could sense
My Mother’s touch so dear.

The rain fell on all through the night
As fever raged and burned
Yet when the morning finally came
A corner had been turned

And in the golden light of dawn
I saw my Mother smile
Then both exhausted from the night
We rested for a while.

Although she’s gone these many years
Each day still feel her love
Now when it rains each gentle drop
A touch from her above.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo Day 8

On By WinstonIn A Blessing, family, Friendship, homesickness, Love, Loving Life, Memories, my blessed life, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Relationships, The Choices We Make, ValuesLeave a comment

I moved away from my hometown 25 years ago. I left behind my family and almost everyone I knew. I made a new start and haven’t regretted that decision for a minute. But that doesn’t mean I don’t miss them. This weekend, my brother and his wife were in the area visiting her family so we had the chance to get together. It was like we’ve never been apart. That is a gift and a blessing. Happy Easter to those who celebrate it. Enjoy!

My Family Blessing

I have been blessed throughout my life,
With family I have found,
Both that which I was born into,
And those life brought around.

They’ve brought me through my darkest times,
Been there to celebrate,
They praise me when I’m doing well,
Coach when I’m not so great.

But mostly they are always there,
Though they aren’t seen for years,
For when we talk, we still will share,
Our laughter and our tears.

Sometimes we argue, disagree,
As people sometimes do,
Sometimes our tongues get sharper than,
They should, I know it’s true.

But then we talk and work it out,
Remember who we are,
Remember that without them all,
We’d not have come so far.

Though we may not forget some slight,
Forgiveness is our way,
Remember there’s more good than bad,
Whatever pride may say.

For that’s what family means to us,
And always will to me,
Forever one, forever loved,
And ever more will be.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 8

On By WinstonIn Loving Life, Memories, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, The Power of WordsLeave a comment

So instead of writing this verse, I was reading today. This turned out to be a good thing as it gave me the subject for today’s project. No it isn’t about procrastination… it’s about books.

On Books

A book you’ve loved is something that,

Will never fade away.

Though some details, time may obscure,

The sense of it will stay.

The way the author made you feel,

Made you give up your heart.

A certain scene or turn of phrase,

That marks your favourite part.

These are the gifts that writers give,

To those who spend their time.

Read as much with their hearts as eyes,

To seek that gift sublime.

It need not be great lit’rature,

Burdened with noble thought.

For romance, action, fantasy,

Are far more often bought.

So light the lamp and turn the page,

New dreams are waiting there.

To grasp you gently by the soul,

And take you anywhere.

I don’t expect that you will love,

Each single book you read.

For only you can choose the ones,

That fit your inner need.

If there’s a book which calls to you,

Yet critics say “It’s bad.”

Well go ahead and read it still,

Odds are you will be glad.

There’s no one else who can tell you,

Just what makes your heart sing.

So read whatever brings you joy,

And leave them do their thing.

Now if you will excuse me please,

A book is calling me.

I do not know where it will go,

Just that’s where I must be!

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 6

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, family, Friendship, Love, Loving Life, Memories, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, RelationshipsLeave a comment

To every person who has blessed me with the honorific “friend”, I love you and thank you for the moments we have shared be they many or few. Each of you has helped me become who I am. Time is the only gift that truly matters. Thank you all for this most precious gift you have given me.

Don’t Just Take Time, Give It

Don’t grieve for me when I am gone,

Laugh with me while I’m here.

And then when all is said and done,

Then shed a happy tear.

So call me now or come see me,

While we’ve yet time to spend.

Not leave unspoke the love we share,

My dear and precious friend.

Too many times, someone has said,

“I wish I’d been there more.”

It is too late when we are gone,

Let’s spend the time before.

Let’s laugh and sing or sit and talk,

Or just together be.

Your company a magic balm,

Which brings such peace to me.

So this I vow, I will reach out,

To friends I have not seen.

To chat and laugh and marvel at,

Just how long it has been.

If each of us takes up this vow,

To reach out to someone.

There’ll be less guilt and less regret,

When our brief time is done.

In Kindness, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 3

On By WinstonIn family, Friendship, Love, Memories, Personal, ValuesLeave a comment

My friend Kim passed away after a brief, horrific fight with cancer. She was a truly beautiful soul who was a blessing to all around her. Her light in this world will be greatly missed.

In her memory, I ask that you spend time with a loved one, family member or friend. And take the time to help someone. Kim was one of the most caring and generous people I’ve known and there could be no finer tribute to her.

Take The Time While We Can

It breaks my heart to see how quick,

Someone can slip away.

I did not see, I could not know,

That my friend could not stay.

Now suddenly there is a hole,

Shaped like them in my heart.

Though I did not see them often,

Their light was still a part.

Yet now that light has vanished and,

The world’s a darker place.

I could not say just what I’d give,

To once more see their face.

Had I but guessed, or somehow known,

More time I would have found.

To spend with them and fill my soul,

While they were yet around.

So listen well and understand,

Our loved ones wear no clock.

So spend the time, be with them now,

Before that final walk.

Winston

NaPoWriMo 2021 Day 25

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, Memories, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Personal Responsibility, Poetry, Psychology, Self Awareness, UncategorizedLeave a comment

For many years, I allowed my past (or at least my perception of it) to dictate how I saw myself. Over time, I’ve revised that narrative. I’m working on becoming a synthesis of who I believe I was and who I believe I can be. Today’s poem looks at the importance of acknowledging the past but living in the now and choosing who we want to be rather than who we were told we are.

The Past Need Not Define

I sing the songs of long ago,

Forgotten all these years.

And as I sing my mind drifts back,

My eyes fill up with tears.

Where did they go the days and years?

Were they as I recall?

Were they so carefree and sublime?

Have I rewritten all?

The mem’ry of a summer day,

So sweet my heart will ache.

A certain smell and then a trip,

Down mem’ry lane I take.

But are those mem’ries really real,

Or something we create?

Do we just cling to what we need,

No matter love or hate?

If it can justify the things,

Which we think us define.

Then we will find just what we need,

And take it as a sign.

I do not think it matters much,

How accurate and true.

Each person’s mem’ries are their own,

So yours are true for you.

But do not let your mem’ries make,

A trap, ensnare your soul.

Remember now is where you live,

Don’t stay down in that hole.

Take comfort where there’s comfort found,

Learn lessons that you find.

Make peace, find peace, within your past,

To free today, your mind.

Cheers, Winston