To Do or To Be
To be is often crowed out by to do.
To do the dishes, to do the washing, to do the lawn.
To do is so loud, so active, so high energy,
that to be is often forgotten.
Life becomes meaningless acts of to do without to be.
To be quiet, to be with self,
to be with Spirit, to be with God.
To be gives great meaning to life.
To be is the connection with a greater Spirit.
To be gives hope, serenity and joy.
Poetry & Art by Patricia Walter 1999 ©… Read the rest
We Are All Little Kids At Heart
We are all little kids at heart.
We look like adults, we act like adults,
but deep inside, there’s still a little kid.
We are so easily hurt, even though we know better!
We are so jealous, even though we know better!
We are so quick to anger, even though we know better!
It’s hard to act grown up when the little kid inside is
so tender, so vulnerable, so easily hurt.
We have no Dad to run to, no Mom to hug us.
It’s OK to have the joy of a kid,… Read the rest
To My Mom
I’ll always remember the time we spent together.
The fun times, the serious times
the cherished times, too.
The early years are a blur
but childhood memories remain strong in my mind.
Sharing lunch on the glider during a hot summer day
opening pretty wrapped presents on Christmas morning.
Our shopping trips downtown were a treat.
The bus rides, the pretty department stores,
lunch with a bowl of rice pudding for dessert.
Struggling to carry the shopping bags home
then sharing the wealth of store bought treasures.
I remember the picnics, the trips to go swimming
playing … Read the rest
A Body Ignored
Sometimes the body screams for attention
often we do not hear.
The mind is too busy with things to do
while emotions are raging inside.
Mind, body and emotions
the essence of our human existence.
We think the mind is strongest of all
but we may only be fooling ourselves.
The body is home for heart and soul
with power as strong as the mind.
They body needs attention
time to rest and relax
time to be gently pampered.
Time without emotions pounding away.
A caring mind will honor the body
free it from pressure
and treat … Read the rest
I am Worthy and I am Loved
People often tell me how nice I am.
That I am considerate and kind
both warm and wonderful.
But somewhere deep inside
comes a nagging voice.
I’m really not nice
I don’t deserve good things
I am not perfect at all.
Whose voice do I hear
whispering such untruths?
It is really mine or some ghost form the past?
Bad echoes from a Mom, a Dad
or a sister or brother?
The voice tells untruths, it seems like mine
yet it has a ring of familiarity to it.
Perhaps it’s from a time, … Read the rest
Sometimes We Feel Alone
Sometimes we feel alone in the world
losing a loved one, enduring a hardship,
experiencing an illness in the family.
Roadblocks in our normally smooth lives.
But God and Nature surround us
easing our burdens and healing our hearts.
Time and patience become our friends.
They hold our hands
and quietly begin to fill our hearts
with love and joy once again.
Poetry & Art by Patricia Walter 1998 ©
… Read the rest
Solitude
Solitude is not a sad state of mind
but a glorious gift from God.
Not lonely or detached
but connected and joyful.
A time to reflect, a visit with self
A time to listen, a time with God
advice from a warm, loving Friend.
A time to give Thanks for glorious gifts.
Yourself, your Spirit, unique in the world
will celebrate with joy each day.
Solitude is surely not lonely or sad
but a wonderful state of mind.
Poetry & Art by Patricia Walter 1998 ©
… Read the rest
It’s OK to be me
both the good and the bad
I’m unique in the eyes of the world.
No longer a child living with parents
I’m free from the ties that blind.
They meant no harm
doing their best
not realizing the hurt
slowly filling the heart.
Don’t run, be quiet
you’re to be seen, not heard
the familiar commands from Dad.
Behind it all, there was really love
just blinded by the old hard ways.
No prison bars exist
no cold cell surrounds
only roadblocks set in the mind.
They are melting away
as I begin to learn… Read the rest
Dad’s Thermos
The worn plastic cup, once shiny and red
was a lifelong companion to thermos and Dad.
Filled to the brim, it’s cradled and held
promising joy to both body and soul.
The coffee, the aroma, all pleasures to behold
provide a break from the work of the day.
Cherished pleasures to be sure, that thermos provides
never far from Dad’s shop and his side.
Long trips, hard jobs, the striped thermos was there
an old, silent partner for years.
Filled reverently each morning with kindness and care
the old thermos was certainly loved.
The old yellow cork, not … Read the rest
A Child’s Joy
Were does the joy in a child come from,
so free and full at play?
The giggles, the smiles
the little squeals of joy
the abandon an adult seldom feels.
Why do we lose this great gift from God
no longer in touch with our hearts?
Our problems so great
building walls thick and tall
blocking the bright lights of joy.
A child feels safe, so free and loved
no boundaries exist in their mind.
They touch, they see, they feel
all things are a wonder to them.
Poetry & Art by Patricia Walter 1998 ©… Read the rest
Success
Inner contentment and happiness
are measures of success
not buildings erected as monuments
or fame so soon forgotten
to live each day with joy and peace
the gift of true success
Poetry & Art by Patricia Walter 1999 ©… Read the rest
When Your World Breaks
When your world breaks
You can’t see thru the mist
You can’t hear what is said
You can’t think thru the fog
You are left in a time
that no longer exists
You touch – but don’t feel
You talk – but are not heard
You think – but are confused
Sadness overcomes
Joy is lost
Hope far away
Love just a memory
Only faith remains
building a bridge to find a new world
to feel whole
to love again
Poetry and Graphic by Patricia Walter 2016©… Read the rest