“The Gift”

The warming of skin

by Sun’s soft kiss

Fragrant petals of color divine
fills the nose and eyes
with hopes of calm
as a soft wind drifts by 
caressing the soul

Trees wave with leafy hands
giving invite to share in abundant joyClouds and birds open the show
as they dance in a sea of blue backdrop
Turning black for the evening soiree
featuring Moon, stars and other heavenly delights

Nature is a gift
to sustain our lives
soothe our spirit
and strengthen body and mind

-C. H. Eldridge

*To view more works by Charles, visit ANP’s Poetry section.

“The Old Barn”

The old barn
what a tale it could tell
the storms it’s weathered
to protect what it held

With board and nail
it grew towards the sky
a proud new monument
that looked down from high

Labor and time…
sweat, blood and tears
it served it’s purpose proudly
throughout the years

Like an old friend
it was trusted and true
and was always there
for your stuff and you

But now you’ve moved on
and your barn remains
the elements and gravity
have swept in to claim

It’s boards and nails
are now warped and rusty
the contents inside
are old and dusty
and the moss-covered foundation
is wet and musty

It leans to the left now
and shutters from the wind
will it stand another Winter
or collapse from within

I hope it will make it
but know it might fall
eventually in Nature
the end comes for all

The old barn
what a tale it could tell
the storms it’s weathered
to protect what it held.

– C. H. Eldridge

*To view more works by Charles, visit ANP’s Poetry section.

 

“The Dream”

Dreamt I was eagle
flying high in the sky,
soaring on two wings
and the thermals was I.

The feeling of freedom
as I looked down below,
the clouds were majestic
and the Sun was aglow.

The dream continued
but this time I was deer,
bounding and frolicking
in a meadow, all clear.

No man in sight
to disturb my good time,
the dewed grass was sweet,
unpolluted, divine.

Shape shifting commenced
and I became frog,
snatching up insects
as I sat on my log.

Two hops away
to a lily pad nearby,
sunning myself
til my skin turned dry.

Taken aback
this time I was tree,
reaching for the Sun
defying gravity.

Swaying back and forth
to the rhythm of Wind,
my roots gather water
for a drink from within.

Then I became rock
polished and still,
wanting to move
with all of my will.

Weathered and worn
by the passage of time,
elements have their way
as I wish sublime.

When I awoke
it became so clear,
that we are all connected
to the things we hold dear.

-C. H. Eldridge

*To view more works by Charles, visit ANP’s Poetry section.