Happiness puts a smile on your face    

and helps  you to run and race. 

If you lift your hands up high

 and close your eyes 

then you will find

 a beautiful rainbow in the sky.

 With thoughts and memories side by side.

 Pick one that you truly love

 and feel the happiness flood, flood, flood

 right through your body, right though your veins.,

 Rain interrupts the silence.

 Memories fall around you.

 Nice thoughts.

 Good thoughts.

 Happy thoughts.

 You jump and call out “HAPPINESS!!”

 Then you feel courage.

 Then you feel faith.

            Then you know you can do anything.

 If I am blue I think of you,

 so kind and comforting.

 You pat me gently on my back

 and tell me to be me.

 What thought will you choose today

Wake up
to early morning colors
shy, buttery sunlight
dusting off the trees
just like it does
every sunrise

Go and sit
among the sunflowers

Back into the house
eggs frying on the stove
yawning people oblivious
to this moment of perfect
algebra and biology papers
scattered on the table
empty plates shoved away

Go and sit
among the sunflowers

Chopping green onions
into finely sliced ruffles
accidently nick myself
put on a band-aid
shred rich magenta beets
they stain the cutting board
a light pink that
matches the drop of blood from my finger
mingles with the leftover sundust

Go and sit
among the sunflowers

Pretend I am one of them
turn my face up to the sun
stretch my arms skyward
their leaves
my leaves

Pick vibrant red bell peppers
add them to the basket

My baby girl
means the world to me.

Her eyes of harvest gold
penetrate my soul,
igniting a part of me I never knew existed.
Her doggie lips lift in an adorable smile showing off teeth white as rice.
A single crooked tooth 
produces a jovial effect.
That dog can get me to do anything.
She can slip out of trouble
as easily as wet glass slides through fingers.
Her sweet, innocent nature is compelling.
Love flows between us so strongly 
no dam could ever hold it back.
I wake up every morning
yearning for her loving kisses.

She is my North Star
in a world of darkness.