The Santa Substitute

This was a true story as a few days ago I would not have
been able to bring the joy of Santa to these kids without an open
heart opening the door to a solution!

As a Santa substitute,

I serve the North Pole,

Traveling to places,

Where Santa cannot be,

As diligence requires him,

To prepare for Christmas night.

On such a service,

I prepared to visit school,

Compensation of the heart,

Being my true reward,

I prepared my uniform,

For my duty of honor.

Surprise confounded me,

As upon the night prior,

I discovered my hairpiece,

Essential for the character,

To be missing from my outfit.

With no help in sight.

No store could help me,

On the morning to follow,

As my school visit preceded,

Their opening to service,

And so to the Heavens,

I cried out for help.

The answer did come,

As I called for information,

A Party City store,

To see when they would open,

And a live voice answered,

With a heart that would listen.

Sandy did hear me,

On my call that morning,

And opened the doors,

To assist Santa’s helper,

Bringing me an answer,

That none other could give,

So the children could be blessed.

And upon this fine day,

I share this tale of faith,

That Christmas love may lead us,

To any such opportunity,

To honor and serve love,

In reaching out to hearts.

Stairway

As birds in flight,

We spiral upwards,

With wings spread,

We soar to the sky.

The sun is our skylight,

A bright shining portal,

To warmth of love beyond,

The unpredictable sky.

We work to fly together,

Closer to each other,

Our beating hearts a beacon,

Through darkness of night.

Each must be willing,

For this magic to happen,

For the miracle of bonding,

Is becoming more as one.

Moments must be shared,

Through touch and laughter,

Through words and music,

For the bonding to occur.

Yet once love bonds,

It can never be broken,

Neither death nor distance,

Can silence the voice of love.

And as we bond together,

We join closer daily to God,

As a stairway on a journey,

Drawing closer to His heart.

On top of that stairway,

Shining down on to us,

The love of all we’ve known,

Glows daily through our souls.

On special days we draw together,

Yet may each day be made special,

Seeing true as truth portrayed,

We will never be apart.

Perpetual Instance

Light pours forth,

From the nearest star,

Lighting our journey,

Through endless night,

We voyage together,

Souls in flight.

A perpetual instance,

Life seems forever,

While walking the Earth,

From a temporal view,

For the heart sees true.

And if God is forever,

Then days are not numbered,

For when looking into time,

He sees all ages,

When we see but one,

He views all the pages.

The Trinity they say is true,

With one God as three,

And it surely can be so,

We are each samples,

Being wisdom soul and heart,

I am just a simple example.

All energy is endless,

Bound just by the mind,

Which is closed to perspective,

Without the heart,

That gives all true vision,

Just give it a start.

Never in Heaven

It struck me that one thing we can do on Earth, which we will never do in Heaven, is left someone up.  We will never have that pleasure there as no one will be down again.  How many wonderful things there are which we can do now, if we count each day a blessing to use!

You cannot lift someone up,

Where no one will ever be down,

Experiencing wonderful joy,

Of bringing such strength,

To bring someone through,

The darkness.

We will no longer be learning,

Where all things are known,

Surrounded by beauty in truth,

In wisdom walking through wonders,

Fantasy fulfillment of joy,

In light.

Helping the sick will be history,

As history becomes fulfilled,

With all sickness and pain departing,

Perfect health and happiness imparting,

From the hand of the Heart of Life,

In God.

Expectation’s excitement,

Becomes fulfilled in fullness,

For all good things that could be,

Live forever where they should,

With accomplishment accomplished,

In fullness.

Here on Earth is opportunity,

To add to the treasure of forever,

For Paradise is more than we can see,

Imagination beyond the reach of joy,

For there is much we can do here,

Though never in Heaven.

The Vacuum of Breath

Trapped within the light,

In this world of air,

We face what we see,

Knowing not what is there.

We are blinded by pain,

And troubles we face,

Heads lowered in shame,

Our fights are not faced.

We feel with our hands,

What we think is real,

And inside our hearts,

We face the true deal.

When our eyes our shut,

The world opens wide,

To see with our hearts,

Nothing can hide.

The spirit is found,

The spirit is there,

So real unseen,

Just like the world’s air.

So what we can know,

And what we can see,

Can open all doors,

Of what is to be.

Do not fail the truth,

Do not fail the test,

Limiting your lives,

To the vacuum of breath.

Live with your heart,

And live with your soul,

And embrace the love,

Which makes all lives whole.

Trapped amidst light,

In this world of air,

We face what we see,

Knowing not what is there.

We are blinded by pain,

And troubles we face,

Heads lowered in shame,

Our fights are not faced.

We feel with our hands,

What we think is real,

And inside our hearts,

We face the true deal.

When our eyes our shut,

The world opens wide,

To see with our hearts,

Nothing can hide.

The spirit is found,

The spirit is there,

So real unseen,

Just like the world’s air.

So what we can know,

And what we can see,

Can open all doors,

Of what is to be.

Do not fail the truth,

Do not fail the test,

Limiting your lives,

To the vacuum of breath.

Live with your heart,

And live with your soul,

And embrace the love,

Which makes all lives whole.

The Waters of Fire

This river pours forth,
From the spring in my heart,
No end in the flow,
Returning to start,
In me the the passion renews,
Till all obstacles are subdued.

The pain is an engine,
Which leads me to joy,
The arrows against me,
My heart will employ,
Till battle in love be won,
The darkness of fear is undone.

From the heart,
To the head,
On the run,
Which is led,
And humans inspire,
Fueled by waters of fire.

We are tied as one,
By veins of our souls,
Beneath the great sun,
Many facets made whole,
Through the mystery of life,
We learn as man and wife.

Our children do play,
With the joy of a laugh,
As the winds of our ways,
Pull from innocence grasp,
Closing minds to the flow,
May they rise up to know.

From the heart,
To the head,
It is life,
Which is said,
And we do inspire,
Fueled by waters of fire.

We are wind in the trees,
Changing the Earth’s face,
From the heart we can see,
The truth that flows from grace,
We all pass here for a season,
To add truth to life’s reason.

This song does not end,
When night comes to pass,
For all energy changes,
And it is life that will last,
We can feel it proclaimed,
Through the blood in our veins.

From each birth,
Which soul sends,
Force of life,
Never ends,
And we stand inspired,
Fueled by waters of fire.

From the Earth,
To the stars,
Force of love,
Travels far,
And no one will tire,
Fueled by waters of fire.

The Replantable Seed

This image is from Pink Floyd's "Louder than Words" (video below) released 11/2014

The words I have written below a few moments ago share my conviction how

our actions can touch those around us, but can affect people of other generations

as hearts carry magic forward from life to life.  So as Pink Floyd stands

as an example of sharing in the journey of life across generations, let these words remind

you how we each carry the same power and more.

Our hearts live love,
And love to live again,
Each day through actions,
Each dream through words,
Words without syllables,
Just pure emotions.

We each have a love,
Love tied to a gift,
Something we do well,
A thing done for another,
Something like no other,
Ideas born to the stars.

Breaking through barriers,
These actions take force,
Transcending time and space,
So they may reach another face,
Someone we have never met,
One which we will one day know.

This magic is a music,
Flowing rhythm through time,
Generation to generation,
Sharing of the journey,
Imaginations yearning,
For the beauty we can know.

Let our tears become joy,
For all pain becomes a healing,
A paradox to send minds reeling,
As love transcends all power,
With simplicity profound,
The profound is made simple.

 Our hearts live love,
And love to live again,
Each day through actions,
Each dream through words,
Words without syllables,
Just pure emotions.

We each have a love,
Love tied to a gift,
Something we do well,
A thing done for another,
Something like no other,
Ideas born to the stars.

Breaking through barriers,
These actions take force,
Transcending time and space,
So they may reach another face,
Someone we have never met,
One which we will one day know.

This magic is a music,
Flowing rhythm through time,
Generation to generation,
Sharing of the journey,
Imaginations yearning,
For the beauty we can know.

Let our tears become joy,
For all pain becomes a healing,
A paradox to send minds reeling,
As love transcends all power,
With simplicity profound,
The profound is made simple.

The Light of the Eye

In the light of the eye,

Lies the mystery of the soul,

Volumes of word without voice,

Feelings without words,

Pictures without canvas,

Paint an image of the soul.

In the light of the eye,

Lies the beauty of a woman,

The butterfly dance of emotion,

Strength which never fails a family,

A heart that only will can fail,

Within a delicate vessel.

In the light of the eye,

Is found the truths of a man,

His confidence will burn forth,

With the strength of his faith,

As his heart lifts other lives,

Above value of his own.

In the light of the eye,

You can know the traveler of time,

A soul across the ages,

From whom nothing is hidden,

He knows the eyes are weak,

And sees forth with the heart.

In the light of the eye,

Find your faith in God,

Seeing the flame of souls,

Which no human can create,

A fire flowing from Heaven,

Speaking proof of the beyond.

In the light of the eye,

Know the meaning of life,

A song of truth without words,

As your loved ones see through you,

Find your place within the dance,

As your light shines forth.

Transcending Light

We are never alone,
Time passing through time,
As we mark the changes,
In this veil of illusion,
We mark the chapters,
Yet are they really there?
For there are no chapters,
In the song of life.

God sees us on Earth,
So alive in his love,
We choose to embrace,
The one true God,
Yet when leaving Earth,
We never leave His sight,
For He sees the past as now,
And then we are with Him,
We move from life on Earth,
To life realized in perfection,
And the song never ends.

I see our souls moving,
Colors in motion,
Passing within and above,
Each adding to another,
Each color growing,
Changing in beauty,
Never loosing character,
For we each touch another,
Life upon life,
Love upon love,
Shining God's light.

Altar of the Heart

Upon this desert I walk,

Where each man walks alone,

Amidst the towering waves,

Born of an endless storm,

Within an ocean of sand.

Each day I see your face,

Behind the images before me,

Striving for your temple in heart,

And when sanity is lost in darkness,

I am safe within your hand.

May my offerings honor your soul,

Though my pockets may be bare,

My tears are incense on your fire,

Where pain shines as jewels of hope,

Giving birth to joy to impart.

I cannot reach your physical temple,

Lost in time where I am out of place,

While joy’s tears bring stars upon my face,

For as a son you called me from the start,

From your love I will never depart.

Unceaslingly

So much noise,

Creates a silence,

As words of truth,

Cannot be heard.

So much to see,

Of numerous plenty,

Obscures from sight,

The needed and sought.

Here we are,

Arranged through changes,

As circumstance clouds,

Clarity of mind.

With thoughts on heart,

And feelings in the brain,

All is confusion,

No peace can we find.

Yet near the source,

The flowing spring,

One never thirsts,

Receiving clarity,

Peace,

Wisdom,

Joy,

Love,

Understanding,

Patience,

Kindness,

Strength,

Empathy,

Passion,

Forgiveness,

Endurance,

And Time.

For The Heart of All Things,

Is unceasingly with us,

Unceasingly loves us,

Our Lord and God,

So commune with Him,

Unceasingly.

A Letter by the Sea

What is love?

For the rising of passion,

A temporary wave,

Will sometimes reach shore.

The wave stirs sentiment,

Clouding the waters,

As life fights currents,

Away from the sand.

Hearts keep swimming,

As waves of circumstance,

Disturb image clarity,

From the sunlight of day.

In confusion some bite,

Some keep on swimming,

Others get their fill,

As some become prey.

And what of the seagulls,

Swimming in the breezes,

Do they make sense,

Of confusion below?

They fly fighting wind,

Fighting for food,

Fighting for the prize,

Of life we all know.

And what of myself,

Through my pains and joys,

What through the madness,

Of life do I see?

My perspective is broadened,

For all hearts feel love,

And even in confusion,

You are always there for me.

The Song of Wine

Seek a slender vessel,

Behold one among many,

Filled to the brim,

Each one is a story,

The fruit of life’s labor,

Each one in glory.

As a vessel pours forth,

The wine is not wasted,

For the fruit is in spirit,

The love of God tasted,

We are all of the vine,

Within the song of wine.

Each taste from a source,

Of flowers, fire, and wind,

From the Earth it’s begotten,

Lands both near and far,

Love grown in life’s light,

And rest beneath the stars.

As a vessel pours forth,

The wine is not wasted,

For the fruit is in spirit,

The love of God tasted,

We are all of the vine,

Within the song of wine.

Some sweeter flowered wines,

Of ruby lips and charm,

Shine warmth of grace in soul,

Others standing tall and robust,

In protecting the growing vine,

Shine soul virtuous and just.

As a vessel pours forth,

The wine is not wasted,

For the fruit is in spirit,

The love of God tasted,

We are all of the vine,

Within the song of wine.

Once a vessel is aged and full,

It can never be truly emptied,

Poured forth into life,

Life is perfected prolonged,

Filling Heaven’s bountiful sea,

Each note a part of the song.

As a vessel pours forth,

The wine is not wasted,

For the fruit is in spirit,

The love of God tasted,

We are all of the vine,

Within the song of wine.

On The Waters

The air is full of echoes,

Of yesterday’s song,

As I stand upon this pier,

These are the sounds I hear,

Before first seagull’s cry,

I angle my bow to the sea,

And let my sails to fly.

The bay is gently lapping,

Against wood pylons of time,

Holding my vessel to start,

My soul on journey of heart,

As men do not have wings,

Yet on these waters I soar,

Releasing my prayers to the sky,

Of pains and burden I bore.

My sails catch the breath of sky,

Upon the waters my heart will fly,

So much to see and more to do,

Love is my journey returning to you.

On my watch of silence,

My heart here finds such peace,

Beneath a silent star,

From lands now so far,

As the moon reflects on mirror,

Reflecting the light of my soul,

Sharing silent words on water,

I find myself made whole.

Setting young hand to the ropes,

I show my child to the sea,

My wife and heart beside,

Shared wonders building pride,

Here lies the open door,

And so other eyes see true,

I put wordless words to life,

So in seeking they find you.

My sails catch the breath of sky,

Upon the waters my heart will fly,

So much to see and more to do,

Love is my journey returning to you.

I sail now in my dreams,

As eyes have aged with time,

My heart still sees light true,

As light flows straight from you,

Through the darkest storms,

Horizon you were and are,

No fears could I feel,

You are my Guiding Star.

This final trip it seems,

To other watching eyes,

Such family here with me,

Who know the truth to be,

No journey ever ends,

My sails blow full with love,

You are the wind of life,

The Great and Gentle Dove.

My sails catch the breath of sky,

Upon the waters my heart will fly,

So much to see and more to do,

Love is my journey returning to you.

Homeless Kings

 Dan, a friend and co-worker spoke of the warriers of

the Mongolian empire as "Homeless Kings".  As soon 

as he spoke that term, I saw a wonderfully different application!

Each is an heir,

To a kingdom unseen,

Brother and sisters,

Walking the Earth,

With magic of heart,

Energy flowing,

Authority of life,

The energy of love,

Which came at a price,

For the King sent his Son,

To begin the great flow,

With time being illusion,

And space the question,

What had a beginning,

Has no known end,

For energy is transformed,

Becoming beauty in reality,

Communication the key,

Sharing soul to soul,

Fire to fire,

Heart to heart,

Restoring hope,

When all was lost,

Restoring peace,

When all was pain,

Restoring reason,

Where insanity reigned,

For the King walks with us,

In each heart burning,

For His love yearning,

Giving definition to life,

As life defies defining,

And so we walk the Earth,

The Homeless Kings,

Knowing reality,

For all wishing to know,

Home is forever.

Whispers on the Breeze

My daughter started attending high school at Health Sciences High,

a school with such a wonderful culture of learning as to inspire her

to talk about concepts and ideas in a way we had never heard before. 

This Sunday they hosted a wonderful picnic by Mission Bay,

and all I heard from other families was more of the same.

As this is something applicable in many areas of life,

I had to write.

We had all gathered there,

From all walks of life,

We were under the trees,

Near cool ocean breeze,

For the children we came,

In a union of heart.

Human minds never tire,

For just words can inspire,

Where thought ignites thoughts,

With application instilled,

Purpose becomes fulfilled,

And they know they can fly.

It does not take much,

For the magic to begin,

While they reach out,

We must reach in.

Besides this bay of light,

Whispered hopes take flight,

Upon the breeze of all years,

Stories of opened doors,

Confirmed on young faces,

Filled with bright smiles,

Finding their places.

We had all lost our way,

Within the directive of society,

Faster flying much further,

Without being free,

Restoring purpose to heart,

Allowing young lives to be.

It does not take much,

For the magic to begin,

While they reach out,

We will reach in.

The future is uncertain,

Yet where strong stones are set,

There lies the foundation,

With strong minds inspired,

There lies the fortress,

Defending the beauty of tomorrow.

My family stands with me,

These families under the trees,

With our children before us,

And open skies above us,

In the dance that is life,

They spread wings and fly.

It does not take much,

For the magic to begin,

While they reach out,

We have reached in.

The Doorway

I was told a sad but true comment.  With an old person dies,

few come to the funeral as few friends are usually left.  This 

struck me hard until an image came forth which I must share.

It was a day of reckoning,

When silence carries words,

Beneath the trees I came,

To this place of rest the same,

Beside the sleeping blood,

To convey all I had heard.

Beside this resting heart,

I watched a closing book,

A young life reached an end,

Surrounded by black cloth friends,

While words of comfort caressed,

From pages of the one true book.

The doorway opened,

Beneath the sun,

Homecoming called,

A heart did come,

With chapter closing,

One has begun,

The story is never done.

To my left another story,

In shades of solitude,

She stood there in service,

In lonely aged gray,

All friends gone before them,

Only she was left today,

At her feet was soul’s reflection,

In her soulmate’s closed eyes.

I blinked upon this image,

And another flashed before,

I thought I saw a joyful crowd,

And closed to see it clearly,

Drowning out illusion dreary,

The friends surrounded open arms,

To welcome a young man home.

No one will be alone.

The doorway opened,

Beneath the sun,

Homecoming called,

A heart did come,

With chapter closing,

One has begun,

The story is never done.

God touched his light below,

Bathing widowed heart,

Bestowing grace and peace,

As the young man smiled and wept,

With faces long unseen,

And joy consumed in love,

As in the great reunion,

One turned and came to me.

He ran to me with joy,

Arms of love extended,

Then came to sudden stop,

With astonishment expression,

Before rejoining with the crowd,

As the light grew bright and loud,

And I found lying there,

Was awakened with a touch.

The doorway opens,

No story can end,

With song around us,

We are the words,

Love is the music,

Life’s battle run,

Victory is won.