Midnight Dreams

Jumped on the wind and hitched a ride
Miles of meadows that I took in stride
Gliding past rivers and mountains galore
Floating up high as I explore

Soaring in the clouds while scanning below
I noticed a strange but unique road show
My point of view was distorted at first
So I dove and raced to quench my thirst

Landed softly and crept along
Secretly hoping that I wasn’t wrong
Sneaking among those without being seen
She caught me in her glance serene

Dizzy at first, I was stunned by my host
Crystal eyes, half woman half ghost
She opened her tent and led me inside
Removed all reason for me to hide

She sat far off but stared intently
And then touched my arm ever so gently
Speechless I was for the very first time
Feeling almost guilty of a shameful crime

She rubbed my neck and I started to faint
An incredible feeling with no complaint
The room started spinning and then went dark
I woke up later from the light of a spark

I saw her fade with a wink and a smile
Dressed in silk with class and style
She whispered good bye and then disappeared
Gone for good, is what I feared

But every night when I am tired
I race to bed no matter how wired
In my dreams I’m looking to see
The mystical woman waiting for me

Golden Wink

Hidden beneath the shell that owns her
Lies a gift inside that she can't transfer
The auburn tiger with a touch of fox
Draped inside her golden locks

Mandolin wind and a serene smile
Sting me with your unique style
Every day that I glance your way
Perform my part in this passion play

A prop I am in this show of shows
Where I am headed, no one knows
Stirs my drink with a slice of lime
Let’s sleep away till breakfast time

For now I’ll settle for that fluttering wink
The special one that makes you think
Slowly sipping my Cabernet
Dancing along in this furtive ballet

The Dance

Every morning I wake with the same old scene
Looking at this world through a velvet screen
Snow angels in bed and slide my feet to the floor
Wipe away seeds of monotony galore

Pour hot java and view life on the net
But never the day do I have regret
Cause each one I face is rich with chance
That receding finish line called romance

Too many years mired in the muck
Eden disappears and says what the fuck?
Took a long time to be the right fellow
To ride the wave and embrace the mellow

But now chucked away like a pair of holy shorts
Followed the path straight to the courts
Did it the right way in spite of the bitch
My heart and soul kept me more than rich

So for those of you who are about to choose
And they all say you have nothing to lose
Take your time and think it through
Forget the pretense and always be true

Family

I’m not sure when I started to think about my life being more than just the next party. I don’t know when I first learned that my parents were wise and experienced and not boring and un-cool. But I’ve always known in one form or another, the importance of family.

For as long as I can remember, I was surrounded by a big family. Between our cousins and friends, the house was never empty. Never…ever. To this day, I still get up at 5 o’clock in the morning because when I was young that was the only time I could watch what I wanted on TV. Of course my only choices were Gumby and Davey and Goliath, but I was glad to have it.

Family, through all the holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries, there was family. Through all the fender benders, unscheduled tours of the country and the extremely rare, but innocently misguided damage, there was family.

Now I remember those years, when we watched the first TV families. There was the ultra patient parent that sent their child to his room for a compassionate “talking to” and the golden child, who learned their lesson and became the pillar of the community. It was the perfect home where the only purpose for a belt, was to hold up your pants. And then, there is our family.

Some of you may look at our family from the outside and wonder how we manage to stay so loyal to each other? I have no idea. We rarely see each other and I know there are other families that see each other more than we even call! These families eat dinner together on a regular basis, go on vacations together, and even buy houses on the same block. You know who you are. And then there is our family.

I remember being an energetic child, which frequently got me into trouble. After one such event, I remember galloping into the house with my “head in the clouds” as usual and was greeted by Mrs. Cunningham, Mrs. Cleaver and Mrs. Huxtable all rolled into one. To most people, my mom was a sweet and generous soul and would be there for anyone including a stranger in need. Unfortunately, when a neighbor calls the house and informs your mom that her son just destroyed their personal property, Mrs. Cleaver turns into Miss Demeanor.

Family. When friends drift away, there is family. When your personality has chased all acquaintances into the night, there is family.

I don’t know if all of us in the family grew up with the same sense of independence or whether it was the master plan from our parents, but it has been a positive influence in my life. I believe we are loving, warm, and generous people. I believe that if you need us for anything, we will be there. Need a loan? Just ask. Need a place to stay? Come on over. We will be there for you whenever you need us. Just don’t call after 8PM.

They are there for the holidays and the special days, and these days are special and photographically important because of our families. All the stories told at these events are what shape our personalities and define us as family.

Each of you have stories that are told time and time again while sitting around the table, with football on the TV and music surrounding the delicious scent of family. Our memories are full of these times of love, laughter, and happiness, but with all the commercialism, cynicisms and other isms, the only thing that keeps us from being pulled into the mechanical world of life is the warm embrace of family.

All of our family are here today physically and spiritually to celebrate this special day. Our brothers, sisters, parents, cousins, and friends have come here today to celebrate this new family.

These two beautiful people are bringing all those stories, traditions and love that they took from their family. So let’s celebrate this beautiful loving family of Frank and Pat Velez, because they carry with them everything that is special that they learned from their family.

Woodnick

On the steps of the north stands the lady of the wood
In the soft of the light in the meadow where she stood
Carrying with her the cradle of truth
Standing in the shadow of her beloved youth

I hid behind to watch her sleep
Stunned by the hush of her auburn weep
Breathless from her beauty and Donnyville smile
I craned to peek at the blend all the while

There have been many times when I thought way back
Reading of the book that painted it black
The leopard girl that stirred my drink
My Pinot sweet with her knowing wink

Thankfully You

What do you see when your eyes are closed
How do you feel with your heart exposed
Envelope my soul with your tender touch
Breathe for me,I love you so much

Think out loud and whisper discreetly
Radiant face with a smile so completely
Perpetually gracious, forever true
For every moment I thank you

You restored me from a distorted vision
Of a life headed on a course collision
I will never take it all for granted
My life that you have personally enchanted

So on this day of my special praise
I think very hard for just the right phrase
To wish you love with all my heart
The same as it was from the start

Chess Distress

Hopes in the mud, deception in the square
Too many little pieces, going nowhere
Opening moves, pressure from the side
Man with the crown, find a place to hide

Crazy little war, 32 implore
Millions of options, failure galore
L shape, diagonal, up and back
Trying to support my sneak attack

Start to doze off, on the black and white
Dreaming of moves in the middle of the night
Quaking, shaking and downright aching
The pieces laid out, just for the taking

The next morning comes, me without a clue
Staring at the board, eyes are all askew
Day after day, I stare at this spot
Chores on the list, I completely forgot