Love Letter No 55 - Sick Love

*Dear A,
This is the season when the stomach churns,
the limbs ache, the head is feverish, and
the heart is sore. This sickness is not viral, it is
not pandemic or bacterial, it is not
catching or infectious.
The source is within every person. Only in
extreme cases does it become active. Normal
interaction is prescribed. But when unavailable
the symptoms are immediate in addition to both
chronic and acute. It is 'sick love'.
Some may diagnose love sick, but I prefer that former
name, for when you are in it sick modifies the love, not the
opposite. Sick is the feeling of anguish controlling all
movement, and weighing each moment. Sick tirelessly
attacks, yet love remains. And that is why, sick is
the temporary portion and love the permanent condition.
For this, all health care, no matter the source, can only
wait for love's healing.

With deep and tender affection,

L
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*The picture has a link to the product shown.

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to bless expectations

"permission requested to take a step back"
"Now? you want to step back now?"
"permission requested to take a step back, now please"
"Don't you want to move forward? Isn't that the direction required? Why the step back?"
"Expectations"
"Expectations?"
"Yes, expectations are overwhelming at the moment, must step back."

And so the internal struggle continues, on the heels of expectation is the arrival of wants and wishes, meeting these every time from every source brings the need for acceptance and pleasing others into direct conflict with internal safety.

And yet, we live on the edge, with expectations, so, may expectations be blessed with freedom, hope, perpetual choice and the insight of self preservation.

Love Letter No 54 - Moving Love

Dear D,
I can only share from me, what I hear, see, touch, feel, experiences abound. I have fell silent to all, yet within the shouting will not cease. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! I was so far way and now so far beyond all previous imaginations.
And still you are with me.

Moving love has catapulted the heart through space and time. The laughter, the energy, the wholeness of it all gives life. The wind blows where it will, we are move,
and then, you move me again.

With deep and tender affection,

L
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in all things, arise

wash me with the sea
rinse me with the river
heal me with springs
season me with rains
strengthen me with sun rays
enrich me with winds
temper me with icy snow
awaken me with mountain brooks
invigorate me with breezy air
this world, life giving and enhancing
challenging me, in all things,
arise

"deep within there is a feast,
and there is no tomorrow"
~Brodie

to bless a kiss

When connection, purpose, action
merge upon primal miracle,
human fondness reveals glorious
expression through the
touch of lips, may moments
of blessing be perpetuated
within your neural system, betraying
the want in exchange for deep
pure satisfaction of proviso.

The master musician passes
onus to virtuoso,
mother to fledgling,
father to child,
sage to elder,
dearest friend to dearest friend,
the kiss of childhood and youth,
the family reunion kisses for cousins -
aunts - uncles - grandparents - parents -
nieces - nephews - brothers - sisters -
- anyone sucked into the eye of that loving
hurricane of warmth.
All returning on the two way path
of human kindness.

For sickness, wealth, education, health, marriage,
a night's rest, birth, growth of all sorts,
for the passion of life shared in love,
there is the kiss.

May the blessing of a kiss
adorn each daybreak and twilight,
every noon and midnight of life;
transfixed moments of connection
for all the joy received and given.

May final kisses when spirit lingers,
as "last breath out" yields peace,
spring forth with tender loving care.
May blessing follow you to final
kiss's appointment, bringing the discovery
that love's infinite kiss is a
welcoming homecoming.

conversation

everything happened
images, words, conversation
tangle, sway, elation
everything happened
mind emotion invested
total attention arrested
life exchange congested
everything happened
dancing late in the night
agreement in minds just right
fears and concerns took flight
mutually loving the sight
everything happened
again again again

Love Letter No 53 - Ultimate Love

Dear E,
No rough edges, the velvet voice, whispered breath on the skin, every touch divine. Once identity bound together, the ultimate arrived. Not the will of flesh, though every caress and touch lent inspiration, not the taking of thought of the depth and richness of connection. One spirit rejoicing, joined from two, bringing heaven's praise. Ours is an ultimate loving connection.

For me I am a man undone - ultimate love.

With deep and tender affection,
L


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friend

my friend is helpful
always constant by my side
my shins kicked and bruised


Note: this is not my shin, a pic I dug up on the web to go with the post

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The cupcakes run fast
as they can, but still can't catch
the gingerbread man

to bless hurry

Feeling possessed to get to the next
thing, looking over the shoulder the heart
cries "bless me, (but do it quickly)," this
headlong-liness is not clearing
the schedule for a time of repose,
far from it, the plunge from event to
function, has become the end.
And if you aren't into cramming in more , not
enjoyment, just more and more, well, you're
cheating someone, at the minimum yourself.
Can you hear this hurry beg
a blessing as the car door slams?

A blessing for the hurry of millions
of vehicles on the road, a blessing for
those inside them, rushing forth with three,
four, six and more destinations awaiting
arrivals, arrivals that don't last,
swiftly turning into new departures.

Aahhhh, to bless hurry, how irascible
that predicament, ever wanting the blessing,
yet, blast off says, "Catch me if you can!"

May the hurry within be blessed and may
that blessing turn the heart aside for a moment
of paused reflection. Blessed in the hurry.

in the news

held within dark skin
more convincing is required
Miranda echoes
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Jill and Kevin's Wedding Entrance

If you haven't Seen this check it out!
An awesome expression of the joy of the wedding ceremony.

Love Letter No 52 - Attention Love

Dear A,
You are so sweet of late. I wonder, have I done something right? Reaching out to me in this special way, it shows. The willingness to expose yourself for the sake of lasting love speaks volumes.

Simply stated, the laughter is there, the hugs and smiles, full attention is a two way street. So that attention yields fruit we share. And in the sharing this love is fed. Oh how we've grown. And there's a way to go, but for now there is deep satisfaction in the glow we share while pulling in the same direction.

This balancing act just got easier.

With deep and tender affection,

L
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True the kissing now is done and over.

True the kissing now is done and over.
The moment froze, the hum inside my head
to share this kiss with you, my sweet lover,
and ponder what we've too soon left unsaid.
Isolation brings time to cold cold dread,
of all the days to come where kisses cease.
For you have gained your own immortal peace.

-----
someone suggested that haiku was easier so i thought
a comparison study to the post previous to be in order.

Now the kissing

Kissing finale,*
The silence of the moment,
humming in my head.

*inspired by "Now the kissing is over" , a Rumi quote.
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to bless memory

Memories past, current and those to be - can and
should be cultivated, treasured, revered for
the prizes they are, and secondly for the
value they bring to life. The harvest of memory
brings intrinsic wealth to every age,
for there is much recorded there.

Memory is the "every person" of life, there
may be pain, panic, remorse, shame, there
may be joy, laughter, satisfaction,
memory crowns individualism and honors every
joining that has been shaken off or
embraced throughout life.

I named memory a healing grace when I heard
my own father say, "Smelling that recipe, brings
back sixty years of memories."

May memory's providential nature bring
every gift its just reward and offer healing
for the difficulties, for there is nothing as it truly is except
the memory of it says so.
So, as days lengthen and sunset
draws near, may memory be the annuity that pays
the greatest dividends of life's
hope, dream and passion.

Hourglass

the hourglass, the sand within

slips silently from end to end
measuring the space between
deeds of life, what they mean

the hourglass, the narrowed waist
tightened squeeze, signs of haste
dropping of the moment's release
through every breath that's free

the hourglass, sands self contain
implies a touch beyond the brain
to turn life to it's other end
allow the flow to start again

the hourglass, a simple measure
of time, love, healing treasure
quiet sands forever gliding
almost released, almost guiding

Love Letter No. 51 - Almost Love

Dear A,
Is it enough, that we looked over the precipice
and stared into eternity together? That our hands
touched electric, stirring over every nerve
of sweltering need? That thinking of you takes
my breath even now, that calling out to you twists
off shards of soul, that we had so much more than
almost, that it froze me the last time I saw
your face?

Almost is the word, but not because arrival
didn't happen, it was the truest experience
of the heart. No, almost is the word because
in pulling away the pain was infinite, the only
fear is having to repeat the tragedy of dissolution.
And should that 'boy' fail in manly duty, his disgrace
will be completed by the machismo aroused
within this broken psyche. I kindly advise that your
womanly graces best be stowed deep within
the fortress of your heart, for the blunt dynamo
of this love will subdue every defense, the will
once thought steeled against this resolute intention
will "almost" work, yet, it is more certain to fail
than the flight of Icarus.

Almost, you wait too long, almost, I return.

With deep and tender affection,

L
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to bless a poem

Instinctual rhythms flowing
forth, heart's exposure, mind's
dance, body's temerity, all
writhe in angst of
revelation, leaving clues
for the future. The
journey veiled by dreams of
hopes renewed and inspired.

May metamorphosis stand in
the gap with these words revealing
vicarious effort of poet's gift.
And may the poem, whimsical,
playful, darkly foreboding, prophetic, or
any of thousands of understandings
it brings, be vigilant to turn
hearts at every reading, conferring fellowship
with kindred of the universe.

May your poem be blessed.
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Footnote:
I hope each of you poets in the world will take this to heart and know your "creative art" blesses this world and the value of your life is without measure.

bridges

providential fountain
bridge to nowhere
yet, somewhere
we'd rather be

relationships or bridges
they all go places
what do we do once
we are on the other side

little light

did that last post sound whiney?
cause if it didn't i can definitely whine!
y'all have a great weekend
let your 'little light shine'

typing to figure

It is said that verbal people (women) talk to figure out what they wish to say - well here i am typing to figure out what i want to type! :)

i've dropped off a bit -
energies have been in other directions -
i have been doing a 1900 calorie diet
which is demanding -
and maintaining a food journal -
which you can see off my profile
i set it there so i could text eats to the blog
then i consolidate so i can email it to 'the dietician'
plus i was on vacation from July 3 thru 7 and they took me out of the loop
i always try to be doing something on July 4 - it was "our" anniversary - she passed in January before our 20th this year would have been the 23rd - (4th since she's been gone)
no i don't think about it all the time - but i do miss the close partner
so maybe a bit of "brain drain" will assist my stuckiness ...
i am weighing in at about 220 now - i was 240+ back on Thanksgiving of last year -
so between exercise and eating habit changes i am dropping a few pounds
i am gonna relax off the food blog soon - it is getting a bit intense ---
keeping up with every calorie is a challenge if you never tried it...
my goal is to stay under 1900 calories a day -
my metabolic rate is about 2400 so that puts me 500 a day under
meaning 3500 in a week - and we all know 3500 calories == a pound of fat...

i weighed in at 219 this morning - on June 9 I weighed 225 so that is 6 pounds in 4 weeks

also i bought a pair of jogging shoes that hurt my knee - i had to switch from jogging to biking
due to stabbing pain in my knee - that was about the time I started with the dietician.

so walking a bit and biking - i will also be working a fitness strength program at the wellness center

Love Letter No 50 - Nature Love

Dear D,
Like the deer bounding up the
mountainside, a heartbeat in swift
compulsion rises in excitement and
I see you beckoning me. I hear
tweets, real birds (not cell texts),
in the flora, echoes of a silent heart's evocation
shared as eyes meet. Then breaking
clear of the mountainside, the
ridge awaits, to the south the
valleys of lush deciduous
growth, to the north the hillside
covered in the exuberant passion
of summer's growth. We burst to the peak's
view of the world!

Fresh, pure, clear,
love inspired, nature affirmed. From
here we can see forever,
it's a beautiful sight!

With deep and tender affection,

L

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Check the link on the pic to see where I went hiking this past Monday. It was a 2 mile hike that went up 1700 feet! The peak is at 4800 above seal level :)

http://www.craigbickhardt.com/lyrics/lyric_this_old_house.html

Writer's Myspace Craig Bickhardt









This Old House

There are fifty liquor boxes in my hall
And a hundred empty nails on my wall
There's a sign out in my yard that reads "For Sale"
And if this old house could cry the tears would fall
There are bargain hungry vultures everywhere
Buying broken toys, old clothes, and Tupperware
The phone's been taken out, they've stopped the mail
And if this old house could talk I'd say a prayer

I've been strong and I've been sturdy
And I've weathered every storm
I've always kept your family safe and warm
Now you're packing up the laughter
And you're sweeping out the tears
If this old house were built on memories
I would stand a thousand years
This old house, this old house
If this old house were built on memories
I would stand a thousand years

Take another look before you lock my door
Where your shoes have worn the finish from my floor
Listen to my banging pipes and my creaking stair
Let your boy slide down my banister once more
I'll remember where you hid the extra key
Where the hammer and the band aids used to be
I will smell your morning coffee in the air
And I'll see you hanging tinsel on the tree

I've been strong and I've been sturdy
And I've weathered every storm
I've always kept your family safe and warm
Now you're packing up the laughter
And you're sweeping out the tears
If this old house were built on memories
I would stand a thousand years
This old house, this old house
If this old house were built on memories
I would stand a thousand years

---

Written by Craig Bickhardt and Thom Schuyler
©1986 Colgems-EMI Music Inc. (ASCAP)/ Bethlehem Music / Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc. (BMI) Lawyer’s Daughter Music

Love Letter No 49 - Firecracker Love

Dear S,
Wow! You are firecracker hot!
Explosive, flammable, scorching to touch.
This is an astonishing summer connection.
Let's put on our own private fireworks show
this 4th of July.
All is right with the world when you light my fuse!

With deep and tender affection,
L
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Photo 'i-appropriated' from "Threadless Tees.
Follow the link on the picture to see more Threadless Tees or
visit the web page at http://www.threadless.com/

to bless summer

hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks on the grill
poolside, park walks, camping on a hill
novels, poems, prose, all that's readable
salads, veggies, fruit and melons so edible
friends young or old, brand new and long past
summer is time to enjoy things that last

every vacation, or day trip that's made
shaved ice, snow cones, pink lemonade
time for the family, and if you haven't guessed
may moments of sunshine be thoroughly blessed

sweet ebullience

i may have a sweet feeling within,
and be carried along by exuberance,
yet, this cannot be construed as love,

for love is the active,
the take charge,
the reasoned intention
working through one to the other,
love is all I do that creates
sweet ebullience in you...

togetherness takes over

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Photo 'i-appropriated' from Jack.
Follow the link on the picture to see more of Jack's great photography; visit her web at "Slightly off center" .

Asparagus Pie Plate, from the family cookbook

Asparagus Pie Plate
Submitted by Jovanna Kennedy

asparagus
1/2c milk
2 eggs
grated white cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Layer drained asparagus in pie plate. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over asparagus.
Bake at 350deg for 15-20 mins.
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Did you ever wake up with asparagus on your mind?
Photo i-appropriated from Carrie Wood over at http://www.temptressyarn.com/

Love Letter No 48 - Smile Love

Dear L,

The light of your smile
is amazing. A sacramental gesture which
liberates energy, inspires devotion,
engages passion, directs compassion, and
bestows a plenitude of charmed affection.
The light of your smile illuminates
every dark place within.
I LOVE YOU.
L

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to bless "vacation"

May high time be a low tide with
head room for the journey,
carefreely undertaken.

May vacation be respite from all the harried
woundedness of everyday insurgence. As siege
after siege come against the bulwarks of routine,
may rest and relaxation rejuvenate the inner being
as they overcome the pitfalls we all opine.

May the difference in vacation and duty be small,
yet compellingly obvious.

As vacation transforms from vision to destination
may "It's time to relax", the mantra of letting go,
become a distant sound as the bird's sing,
the wind blows in the pines, the waves break
on the beach or the brook splashes and babbles
supplanting all inner voices in the symphony
of arrival within the place of rest.

And may you experience the full joy of "slan abhaile"
(safe home) as the curve of the journey becomes tangent
to the bright future conceived in refreshment
and borne by new dawn.

chase a dream

chase a dream, it matters, the bigger difference

chase a dream, simple to complex, act on mind's inference

chase a dream, vision's creativity, non-essentials' deference

chase a dream, live life's golden climax, destiny of inheritance

chase a dream, relentless passion, journey with endurance

chase a dream...

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Photo 'i-appropriated' from Jack.
Follow the link on the picture to see more of Jack's great photography; visit her web at "Slightly off center" .

never an overreach

deep surprise, discovered recently
entirety of life, even destiny,
bound in kinship's similarity,
drawing close, eventuality

change of schedule, meeting places,
activity realigned, seeking faces,
accommodation adjustment
for sharing quality time

touched, shared, encouraged to fly
friend's impact, sustaining life
finding ways to overcome deficit
one to build on, not to risk it

difference made here, inestimable
willing to do whatever it takes
priority encounter raises the stakes,
never an overreach

Love Letter No 47 - Infuse Love

Dear B,
A glance, a word, a touch, these all take us places. Places of the mind, body, soul, yes, these arrivals create hearts anxious to unite and be infused by union. I long to experience the color only you can bring out. That smile infuses my mind and bends the corners of my mouth upward. That touch infuses my skin, tingling me from head to toe. That glance infuses my eye with beauty discovered each time our gazes lock.

To struggle to work this out brings an infusion of hope. We get our fingerprints all over this love and each other. Let's infuse now!

With deep and tender affection,
L
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Photo 'i-appropriated' from Jack.
Follow the link on the picture to see more of Jack's great photography or visit her web at "Slightly off center" go directly to her post this past Wednesday here.

joining of hearts

instinctive the gaze to
touch primal yearnings
quickened, the pulse gives way
as rapturous waters
flow over the body
melted resolve holding sway

shhh, tis audible
love's heartbeat drones
melding of souls ensues
fine savor of essences
hanging heavy in air
all senses love's anguish imbues

complete resistance
becomes utter release
in silence the merging imparts
fulfillment of nature
divine love's deep heat
proves the joining of hearts

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this poem is in response to i will possess your heart over at Shadow's place.
Check it out!
Thanks Shadow, that was awesome.

to bless forms

Replacing an older cliche with a newer one;
"to everything there is a season" becomes "to
everything there is a form." For life consists
not in the abundance of possessions, but in
the multitude of boxes checked, addresses written
in rectangles, and signatures of printed names which have
been scratched out in the midst of the cutting, running,
driving, dodging and digging that composites
each day of our existence.

May the 1,000 plus forms found at irs.gov offer
more $$$ relief than %%% pain. And may there
always be a black ink pen available for job apps,
marriage license, resume', building permit, insurance
application, travel insurance, or camp application,
when need arises.

May required information, be it loan applications,
shot records, health exams, be always and
easily accessible.

And may the space between birth certificate and
death certificate be filled with delightful wonder over
the average 23 months that we all spend on the completion
of the ever mounting paperwork of the modern milieu.

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What is the most unusual form you ever had to fill out?
Or is there an interesting experience you had related to a form?

A friend of mine said he got a good laugh at a job interview because he wrote on the form in the box labeled "Any reason you cannot fulfill the requirements of this job?" "I can't fly!"

:)

run with the wind

I get nothing,
nothing solid -
no intention to
force something
that isn't there
- but somehow
that nothing
keeps hanging
around in the air,
the wind blows
through and
it stays because
not even the wind
can blow nothing
around ---
so i run
with the wind
through nothing




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Photo 'i-appropriated' from Jack.
follow the link on the picture to see more Jack's great photography or visit her web at "Slightly off center"

Love Letter No 46 - Etched Love

Dear O,
There is a tool love guides, touching the soul, etching the imprint of love's work.
How lovely the heart that has been so engraved. How amazing the soul that has been carved with the relief of love's mystic lines. And even more the glad enigma of two vessels fashioned to fit in oneness. This display is ours to show the world. Etched to form the mural on the tapestry the lava flow of love has created in, through and around us.

With deep and tender affection,
L
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Thanks to Shadow for being a consistent inspiration.

to bless nutrition

In all the busy ways of life may there
be gracious moments of finding
healthy potential. May food resources become
fuel for every good gift expressed
through an active nature.

May athletic fun be nourished
to fulfillment of sport. May recreation
be supplied with carbs of joyful
energy. May you dance and play with
the energy of food and drink
matching provision with need in
harmonious union.

"Never too much for the one with
the most or too little for the one with the
least" becomes reality when blessing
touches physical hunger. May your
body weight bring you
pleasure, with knowledge that it is
one part of "the unique you".

May the process of right nutrition
carry over to family and friends when
sharing meals. And may healthy choices
become fructuous habits allowing happy
and light processes of eating to
maintain your personal constitution.

Love Letter No 45 - Shadow Love

Dear D,
The feelings in my heart bubbled over. Your smile, your hand, gentle encouragement became the adorable key. Sensitivity to need proving its mettle. The nod, eyes burning with affinity, seminal laughter, all joining the mantra "I get you."

Anyone who saw those two, me and you, together was mistaken. They must have thought "how intimate", yet, we met in passing. Yes, love soared to heights sublime working fast and furious, if only for the fleeting exchange of a handshake and hug. And if not for fleeting moments would there ever be love at all?

O!, to live in the shadow of love!

With deep and tender affection,
L
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another sort of why

multitude of grace – in place
over their heads – ‘nuff said
don’t know what to do – do you
need to run – it’s no fun
foolishness – to impress
little things – that go bling
stir us up – and fill the cup
deserves a yes – question this
so go figure – it got bigger
not easy Jesus – could you leave us
distant ages – goes in stages
parents and kids – got their bids
obvious peace – not for release
a simple case – but way off base
the smallest nuance – the big dance
gawk and go wow – wonder somehow…
and “why”





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Photo 'i-appropriated' from Jack.
follow the link on the picture to see more Jack's great photography or visit her web at "Slightly off center"

empathy

so tender hearted, with mercy this moves
something un-started, how a heart sooths
intensity makes it, scary to boot
what it is yet, the heart can’t refute

frightening feelings, so intimidating
stirrings and reelings, plus all the waiting
underneath apprehension, what it’s made of
very best of intention, sharing this love

Saying yes...

"Saying yes to life creates space where every encounter is a gift."
~o'hOgain

to bless "findings"

the small things of life challenge;
a pen, a book, keys, a phone,
hiding during inattentive moments
demanding priority, making the small
important by degree of present need

May dependence on small things
never become an excuse to violate
relationships of the heart with angst,
insecurity, and rude hustle.

May the misplaced dislodge laughter,
discovering the unconscious way
life is lived, so carefree until loss
taps the shoulder to remind
internal humanity you've come home.