Rain Monkey

"Two men look out through the same bars One sees the mud, and one the stars."

"Please love me," I said, "Please, I want to be one of you."

The Forest embraced me and a blue spruce said, "Welcome!" Then as the years raced by I ran through the forest, climbed into its trees and felt the warmth of its love about me always. I was the forest and it was I. And when the grass grew tall, I was the cowboy who watched an almost naked Indian walking about in deep, deep mediation. Quietly weeping. Large tears rolled down his sunken cheeks onto the wild flowers that joyously reached up to him. He never saw me, never noted that my finger was cocked. Except one time, only once, when he looked right at me and smiled through his tears. I wondered about the blood on his forehead, but I was to frightened to ask. Then one day, I went far away from the forest
and more than a dozen years were gone
before I returned, but by now I had forgotten,
I had forgotten the Indian, the wild flowers, and giant tears.
:-Þ~~~Jack Palance

AT THE DOOR

Children are at the door. Shall I let them in? If I let them in, I can do no more the work I love; If I bid them go, I then can work no more For thinking that I should have let them in And worked no more. Duty is at the door. shall I let her in? If I let her in, my life must change its course; If I bid her go, my life will change itself For thinking that I should have let her in And followed her. Love is at the door. Shall I let him in? If I let him in, my heart's content may cease;
If I bid him go, I may weep bitter tears
For thinking that I should have let him in to wound me
With an arrow from his sheath.
:-Þ~~~Lillie Fuller Merriam

ALWAYS A PLACE

There is always a place for you at my table, You never need be invited. I'll share every crust as long as I'm able, And know you will be delighted. There is always a place for you by my fire, And though it may burn to embers, If warmth and good cheer are your desire The friend of your heart remembers! There is always a place for you by my side,
And should the years tear us apart,
I will face lonely moments more satisfied
With a place for you in my heart!
:-Þ~~~Anne Campbell

Home is where there's one to love us

Home's not merely four square walls, Though with pictures hung and gilded; Home is where Affection calls, Filled with shrines the Heart hath builded! Home!--go watch the faithful dove, Sailing 'neath the heaven above us; Home is where there's one to love! Home is where there's one to love us! Home's not merely roof and room-- It needs something to endear it; Home is where the heart can bloom, Where there's some kind lip to cheer it! What is home with none to meet,
None to welcome, none to greet us?
Home is sweet--and only sweet--
Where there's one we love to meet us!
:-Þ~~~Charles Swain

Some folks in looks take so much pride

They don't think much of what's inside; Well, as for me, I know my face Can ne'er be made a thing of grace And so I rather think I'll see
How I can fix the inside of me;
So folks'll say, "He looks like sin
But ain't he beautiful within!"
:-Þ~~~Author Unknown

"There are two equally dangerous extremes--to shut reason out, and to let nothing else in. :-Þ~~~Pascal

~Happy Birthday Lori ~