This was written originally for some students in San Diego who were reeling from the shock of a father killing his two boys which were there friends.  This effected the lives of a community.  Norway is reeling from the senseless killing of many of their youth in a tragedy that has effected the nation, and shocked the world.  This is for the youth of Norway, no matter what age.  May you take hold of our outstreached hands and be strong in this time, as the human spirit proves that love from God will overcome all evil.

Reflections

By Eric Visconti

I see them there,
As I come around,
They are smiling to me,
Always contagious,
Very outgoing,
Your burdens lift,
When in their presence,
I feel it every time,
It hits me again,
Later in the day,
Outside in the laughter,
In the crowd I hear them,
I see them from behind,
Approaching with joy,
I want to be there,
Just to laugh with them,
Their images disappear,
Along with their lives,
Taken from them suddenly,
Stolen from our hearts,
They were killed,
With homework undone,
With hearts untouched,
Other lives to be won,
Love to be unleashed,
Felt in other arms,
Their children will never be,
All of this taken from me,
With a shot to my heart,
Yet my mind is reeling,
For why do I see them?
Is the pain too much for me?
Was this more than I could see?
Can I not accept they are gone?
I can’t keep seeing them,
My sanity begs for mercy,
Through the veil of my tears,
Yet why are they smiling,
When I see them now?
Could it be they are well?
Happy in Heaven’s fold,
In a paradise of no pain,
No memory of wrongs done,
If God is really out there,
Then they are with Him,
If they are truly with Him,
Then what am I seeing?
Why would God allow that,
If He truly loves me?
Perhaps it is a sign,
Knowing what is real,
And they are in paradise,
Is a vision I am given,
To allow me to heal,
I know they are not here,
They cannot truly be,
Perhaps it is reflections,
Accounting for what I see,
As an image bends on water,
I cannot see them clearly,
But I can see enough,
Since I can see beauty,
I cannot explain,
Why tragedy strikes,
From freedom of will,
Which he placed in existence,
So that the likes of us,
Have the power to transform,
The power to change lives,
Or bring them to an end,
If he placed such a thing,
As free will in my hand,
I will help others with it,
Those grieving around me,
To show them what I see,
So that they have truth,
Knowing life is still precious,
Our friends our in our hearts,
And as we hold each others hands,
Nothing can destroy love.

Remembrance - for the victims of the Aurora, CO shootings at "The Dark Knight Rises" premiere

Though they were taken,
From within our lives,
They reside forever,
Within our hearts,
For we will not allow,
A senseless event,
To destroy their beauty,
Or a moment from hell,
To destroy their meaning,
We will always carry,
Their lights in our hearts,
Reflecting their light,
Within our eyes,
Reflecting their joy,
Within our smiles,
Not allowing defeat,
From evil's silence,
For the song of life,
Will never end,
As the way we live,
Reflects their love,
In remembrance.

The Light

I recently found this photo taken some years ago in front of a Polish church just after an Easter service.  My wife took the photograph as the sky was completely clouded, and did not see what appears in the photo.  Judge what you would like about the light effect, but I have my own conclusions.  Light comes from God onto each of us, but can not be seen with the eyes until that light manifests through the gifts and skills of each individual person.  As more people are inspired to seek their gifts and add them to the richness of life by blessing others, I hope to wake to a brighter world every day.

Darkness exists,

So that light may shine,

Creating contrasts,

As differences create choices,

And choices must be made,

For we all have free will,

Though circumstance will happen,

Beyond the control of any,

Beauty shines through darkness,

Based on all that we choose to do,

For light shines from a source,

As it does from the sun,

We can choose to live in light,

Or seek shelter from its rays,

We can use the light and warmth,

For the growth of fruit and flowers,

Or just let the sun go down,

As we focus on other things,

Yet the most powerful light of all,

Shines from Heaven above,

Straight from the heart of God,

Flowing over every soul,

Yet souls do have the choice,

To see or not to see,

As true sight only comes,

Through the eyes of the heart,

And each one of our souls,

Becomes as a great lens,

Shaping this light with color,

According to each of our gifts,

So as it shines through us,

When reaching out to others,

Some shine forth with speech,

Some shine by building homes,

Some with gifts of healing,

Some can’t be described with words,

Yet the way one shines forth,

Is no greater than another,

For we all can do different things,

And different things we must,

Making life grow ever sweeter,

As the world brightens each day,

And so I pray my words,

May cause each to seek their gift,

So that every morning we wake,

We rise into a brighter world.

The Violinist

 This was inspired on a visit to the 900 year old town of Jelenia Gora, Poland, where a young woman was playing the violin.  The music fit perfectly as the people strolled by the old buildings upon the cobblestone street.  I was easily inspired to see people as how they were, in a time perhaps long before the second war, when people in general strived to be the best of who they were and knew that clarity of sight came through warmth of the heart.  I thanked her for her music saying exactly that, and hope perhaps my words will inspire others to hear her as she hopefully embarks on a career of music.

In an old town,

Upon a street of stone,

With people passing by,

I heard the music in the air,

Carrying birds upon the breeze,

Surrounding the buildings,

Lifting my heart into the sky,

The music played for me,

The reason I was there.

From a simple violin,

In a young woman’s hand,

It came into our world,

Not from the instrument,

But through it like a door,

From her heart and something more,

As time drew further away,

And timelessness ruled,

While she played.

It was just a street,

Where soliders once marched,

Where children now played,

As families walked on,

And friends would talk,

And visit stores,

A common sight,

Upon many shores,

Which faded from my eyes.

Under the clouds,

The people changed,

To what had once been,

All were dressed,

Within their best,

Not to show prestige,

Just pride in who they are,

With everything they do,

Their best for the best.

The music spoke,

Of memories,

Of who we all have been,

Warmth of heart shared,

For we share life and death,

We share pain and joy together,

For the heart lives not in silence,

Speaking truth within a song,

Which never truly ends.

And so I stepped,

Back through the mists,

And into my own time,

Not forgetting those before,

How that affects who I am,

Amidst the seas of time,

Thankful to the violinist,

So the music may stir memories,

In the song that we all share.

The Battlefront - For Suzy Harrold in Her Fight Against Cancer

The enemy is fear,

His greatest ally is doubt,

Using details and clues,

To make obscurity a weapon,

Causing pain and anxiety,

Over what may be,

For the doctor gave word,

And the surgery was done,

Removing what was found,

Sewing and insuring,

Taking stand against the problem,

As cancer stood its ground,

Yet the way to face this enemy,

Is by standing on what is,

For the cancer found her,

But she is full of life,

She is full of hope,

She is filled with love,

From the soul mate beside her,

Of forty years and more,

At home within the land,

Blessings given by God’s hand,

Especially in her children,

A daughter of wordless strength,

A new son strong beside her,

From a background so different,

Yet a part of her forever,

Reminding us of truth,

Our hearts drawn to a story,

For we are all in this together,

As God gave us each other,

To stand against the wind,

Giving of our help,

As if they were our own,

Standing by their side,

So they can breathe again.

The Gift of the Horsemen - Written for Horsemanship for the Handicapped in San Diego, CA

The Gift of the Horsemen

For Horsemanship for the Handicapped

San Diego, CA

2002-2012

This is a program that has touched hundreds of lives and families.  As it is closing, I wanted everyone possible to know how many lives were touched forever, and what it means to me.

Article:  Horsemanship Closes 

Video: Horsemanship for the Handicapped

Article: My Daughter at Horsemanship

 

It takes one heart,

To start a fire,

They began with few,

The idea of course,

Putting child on horse,

Was beautiful and new.

As the fire spread,

Burning heart to heart,

The volunteers did come,

To help the children,

Through various problems,

Their beauty is second to none.

With child upon horse,

Minds came into focus,

As two bodies moved as one,

I watched windows open,

To reach through to souls,

Miracles under the sun.

We came as parents,

Requesting their service,

As our child could not speak,

And upon that first horse,

She smiled the first time,

Awaking passion from sleep.

We came there as parents,

We came there as children,

There for a common cause,

Finding strength in each other,

Giving hope to the children,

In spite of all of our flaws.

Some could not walk,

But strength in their legs,

Returned with all their rides,

Some would not talk,

Until joy rose within,

A flame burning in their eyes.

The horses took part,

So gentle and kind,

As if knowing children there,

And the children responded,

Kissing their manes,

 Thankful for the care.

Like beautiful stories,

Which we all have heard,

Have endings as we know,

This story of hearts,

Creating miracles,

Has also come to a close.

Yet so many lives,

Touched and changed,

Forever have changed paths,

For the gift of the horsemen,

Will always endure,

For love forever lasts.

Stones of Fire

Stones of Fire

For Gay James

On her Eightieth Birthday

What is light?

Does it shine down,

From the sun?

Do we see light,

By our eyes?

Within the night,

Do we not feel light,

Through the heart?

From the source,

Light shines forth,

From the sun upon all,

Reflecting and refracting,

Bringing color and motion,

While the light of love,

Shines from the source,

Blindingly compassionate,

God shines on us all,

Refracting and reflecting,

From each of our hearts,

On to each other,

Keeping us young,

For we are all young,

From different times,

Uniting past and present,

As energy and wisdom,

And in her eyes,

I see this truth,

Faith abounding,

With love resounding,

For all who know her,

Are inspired to smile,

All encouraged by her,

Are inspired to continue,

For the path of life,

Is lighted and clear,

As souls like her,

Show others the way,

An example to me,

For the path of God,

Upon his mountain of truth,

Is lit by stones of fire.