Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Table and Chairs

May I invite you

To spend some time with me?

Under the summer sky, so blue

Sitting at a table in a manner carefree,

We would wine and dine and share

Secrets, fears, innermost desires

Of our hearts, we would lay bare;

Leaving each other to douse our fires.

Let’s sit at a table, and each other face

Let our eyes meet, let  tears flow

Pour out our hearts and let us embrace

Each other, basking in friendship’s glow. 

table by lake (2)           Dining by the lakefloral table (2)           Wedding banquetchair (2)          Waiting at the table-Madame Tussaud’s museum, San FranciscoDSC04230 (2)            Man on the bench, New York City

Cee’s Which Way Photo Challenge: 2015 Week #5

In a quandary am I

Which way should I take?

I have no reason why

For anyone’s sake

I should compromise

On my heart’s true calling

Listening to well-meant advice

Is often quite appalling.

I’ll take every which way

Full of challenges all new

Write my own destiny, I pray

To my conscience, stay true.


hot air balloonserenity2FullSizeRender (12)FullSizeRender (11)

The Daily Post-Teacher’s Pet

I know this post was supposed to talk about one favorite teacher, but when you have been a student for over 30 years, it is difficult to name one. So this is dedicated to all my teachers-

tahoe

A teacher, they say

Affects eternity-

He never may

Know his capacity

To influence his pupils

Extends to the sky-

Inspiring fresh tendrils

To reach up so high,

A teacher’s vocation

Is the noblest of all,

To be an inspiration

Is the highest of call.

My teachers have taught me

To stand for what’s right

To never lose my integrity

In my work, take pride.

Parallel reality

couple picture

http://www.psych.nyu.edu/couples/

Another life if I could live

In a universe, alternate

Maybe more I could give

Of myself, to my mate

Maybe I could love with abandon

Free from all restraints

With every muscle, sinew and tendon

Without any constraints.

Where our love would be

Untouched by anger, ego, pride

Open books we both could be

With no shameful secrets to hide. 

In this parallel universe

Our souls, torn away could heal

Forever, for better or worse

Together, our souls could seal.

In another life, we could face

The world as a single entity

In the universe, the only place

For us to exist would be as unity.

***

O’ how I have longed to

Live in this different state

Just realized what we could do

To change our current fate.

Slowly, steadily, gradually

We’ll erase all trace

Of our old life, actually

With the parallel world replace.

Dispel the negative baggage

Of ego, anger and pride

Suppress emotions savage

Forever, deep inside.

Let love flood the gate

Of our life together

Leave endless gifts on our plate

And make our lives better. 

Cee’s Odd Ball Photo Challenge: 2015 Week #5

Quirky things and oddities

Are interesting commodities

Humorous they may be

They may inspire creativity

Oddballs you cannot ignore

If you look, you will find more,

When you can, capture them in your lens

They will appeal to your aesthetic sense. 
DSC03697Floral pony, Conservatory at Bellagio, Las VegasDSC04211Siamese twins- Glass sculpture, Museum of Art and Design, New York City

DSC04422Flying dinosaurs, statue outside Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia

God’s flora

God made flowers probably

At the height of His creativity

For our viewing pleasure

He gave us this treasure.

Then He designated Spring

All things floral Spring had to bring;

Now we wait for Spring’s arrival

Going through winter survival. 

floral (2)foxglove (2)mums (2)rose (2)cabbageflower2

Could have, should have, would have

tahoe


“Could have”, “should have”, “would have” are

Mischief-makers in my life, these three

Whatever I do, they never are far

Bringing me regret and misery.

They keep me chained to my past

Cloud my reason and objectivity

Prevent me from recovering fast

From errors made unknowingly.

Events that in the past transpired

They have disappeared forever

Learning from the past I aspire

To make my present and future better.

“Should do”, “can do”, “will do”

Should replace the monsters old

This shall be my mantra new-

Improvements for me the future shall hold.

Travel theme: Doorways

Linking to : http://wheresmybackpack.com/2015/01/30/travel-theme-doorways/

The doorways to my mind

Are clever books of any kind,

Are destinations far and near

That take me to new frontiers,

Are conversations that stimulate

Creative juices, to innovate;

Are music notes softly played

Their essence lasting after they fade

I hope these doorways will eventually

Enlighten me spiritually and intellectually. 

DSC04237DSC03326DSC03346DSC03992DSC03244

WPC photo challenge: Depth

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Depth.”

Deep in the crevices of my heart

That is where my demons reside

Threatening to tear me apart..

But in those depths also hide

Rivers of love and compassion

Battling these demons of mine,

Keeping them in dormant fashion

They maintain a balance fine.

gorge adirondacksDeep gorge in the Adirondacks mountainswatkinsDeep gorges again, at Watkins-Glen State ParkunderseaDepth of the sea seen from a submarine, Hawaiipainting or sculptureSculpture or painting?- At Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton, NJbasilica cisternBasilica Cistern, Istanbul, Turkey

Tangled web of ambition

DSC04210

Tangled web that I wove

When to the extremes I drove

To make the world dance to my tune-

That web is going to chain me soon…

Fueled by unbridled ambition

Trying to get every dream to fruition

Never stopping to look or care

Those around me could not dare

To show me a mirror of my actions

Never did I pause to judge their reactions.

Trampling feelings and emotions

I hurtled ahead with fiery passion

Single-minded in my approach,

Oblivious to the silent reproach

From my friends, who were leaving

My life, without my perceiving.

Alone I now myself find

Human contact left behind

Surrounded by worldly possessions

Accumulated in quick succession..

In my tangled web I lie

Regretting the days and months gone by.

How I wish I had paid heed

To my friends’ and family’s need

Realized the power of burning ambition

That annihilates kindness and compassion.

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Textures

On my past’s texture

I design my future

Contours that deserve elevation

Are those of moments of elation

While moments of sadness

Are contours that I depress.
FullSizeRender (10)FullSizeRender (9)These images are of carved pillars at a Hindu temple in New Jersey

A Photo a Week Challenge: Flare

Solar flares at play

Along the sun-kissed highway

Bathing the afternoon sea

In warmth and tranquility.

Linking with: https://nadiamerrillphotography.wordpress.com/2015/01/28/a-photo-a-week-challenge-flare/
DSC04064 Along the Pacific coast at Golden Gate State Park, San Francisco