Sun Kissed Days

Sun Kissed Days

Sunday, December 29, 2019

Juden


Tolerance,
compassion,
inclusion. 
Don't be fooled
by the words uttered,
by the words articulated.
We are slaughtered in the streets,
blood stains on the pavements,
in the synagogues,
in our neighborhoods. 
Tolerance,
compassion,
inclusion,
don't be fooled by the chatter.
Hatred is sprouting,
growing,
flowing,
igniting like wildfire.
My father threatened to sit shiva
when I left.
I made him into Tevye. 
Grandma warned me
that one day my love 
would call me a dirty Jew.
She said it would come on a day
when life was grey,
and hard words are exchanged.
Words that wound.
Words that leave scars.
My father was a boy,
with hazel eyes
and black wavy hair.
He laid on the ground and drank
from puddles,
while frogs watched him 
and rifles were pointing close by.
He was just a boy...
I made him into Tevye .
I wore a cross in my heart,
he looked away.
He did not sit Shiva when I left.
He did not rip his clothes in mourning.
Instead, he just loved me. 
Memory resided on his skin,
in his eyes,
in his voice.
It was handed down in my veins,
in my blood.
In dreams that I dreamt
as a child.
I am bathing in the breath
of all that was
and all that remains.
Amid all the noise,
I stand,
a yellow star on my chest.


Friday, August 9, 2019

College Bound Out Of The Nest





We walk at the edge,
on the road
of hopes and dreams,
the past holding the present
hand in hand.
The now reaching,
stretching to tomorrow.
Threads woven into a rich tapestry
of small moments magnified,
wisdom and simplicity,
our story,
our life.
Your wide eyes dancing as an infant,
your mischievous laughter as a toddler,
your defining steps as a man.
Loud noises quiet down in my head,
my sadness softens
from the expectations and desires
of all your tomorrows.
Tides and time go on,
they wait for no one. 
All I wish is for you to
soak it all in and
chase your dreams,
climb to meet them 
and create your vision.   
As you walk your path
you will never be alone.
Know that you are loved,
know that you are cherished. 


Sunday, July 21, 2019

Wild Love



I have wild love for the universe,
the blades of grass under my feet,
the owl whose glance I meet.
I have wild love for the light that dances
through my window
and enters a place beyond the darkness
of my closed eyelids.
A place that touches my soul
and makes my heart beat faster.
I have wild love for the thirst
that is the rhythm in which I live in this world,
my wings like the hawk’s,
sweeping,
spreading,
stretching,
always seeking more.
A student of the earth,
a traveler in this universe,
my heart open,
expanding my circle,
expanding my breath,
pursuing a place of peace.

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Blame



The blow was thunderous,
landing on the right side 
of my head ferociously.
His fist heavy,
his aim direct,
my head swaying
like a seesaw on
a stormy day. 
A tremor,
a quake,
spreading,
shifting the balance of life.
The right hemisphere
in a fog,
in oblivion of
words drifting,
poetry fading,
fading,
lost.
Baby weeping,
walls shaking,
tears falling,
television sounds in the distance.
Did I blame myself,
for raising my voice?
When he assaulted boundaries drawn?
My eyes raging,
my eyes bulging, 
wounded.
Baby weeping,
walls shaking,
tears falling,
television sounds in the distance.
Did I blame myself for his anger?
His abandonment?
His isolation?
I fell from the clouds 
into unfamiliar darkness.
Baby weeping,
walls shaking,
tears falling,
television sounds in the distance.
Did I blame myself?
I did.

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Nine Years



On this day nine years ago, I began to blog at a sun kissed life. It was a journey that led me to a strong connection with an online blogging community, a poets community and friendships that have grown and lasted to this day. The blog afforded me the opportunity to share my passion with others, to be vulnerable and to grow. I excavated the past and I allowed it to float to the surface. I walked unhinged and honored the grief of the loss of both my parents. It was a journey of a mother of two boys, one a man and one a child and finally a journey of becoming a grandmother to a delicious little boy named Aiden, that most of you know through my poetry.
Nine years of self reflection, connection, dreams that I had forgotten to dream for myself. This year my book, Second Chances entered the world. The book is a reminder that it’s never too late to dream. The book is a reminder that there are second chances and we can change our narratives. We can show up for our grief, we can be brave through our shame, we can change and become a better version of ourselves. The book is not a pat on the back for a job well done, it is exactly the opposite. It is about thanking everyone that has been a part of my life, my tribe of friends that show up with their love and support. It’s about family and those friends that we choose as family because of the connection and love that we share. Love is everything. Kindness is everything. I shall always remember that.

Sunday, June 9, 2019

A New Day



A new morning,
a new dawn.
At daylight 
I rose with the sun.
My light
illuminated the way
to acceptance.
I own the past,
I embrace how vulenrable,
fragile and glorious it is.
I stand as a warrior,
shame lifted,
guilt vanished,
inner peace settled into
all the porous spaces.

Sunday, June 2, 2019

A Whisper





A sigh,
a whisper,
in solitude 
I remember.
My blood flows
like the rivers of his birthplace.
They too,
carry your memory as I do
In the windswept tress,
in the forgotten leaves,
small grains
of all the yesterdays 
left behind.
In the sigh,
in the whisper,
I remember,
but will you?



I want to thank all of you that have extended support and love by reading my book, Second Chances. All proceeds benefit charity. I am thrilled to have received pics from you! Thank you for tagging yourselves with the book. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 
The painting in this post is of Emily Carr. I fell in love with her work while I was in Canada.


Friday, May 24, 2019

Giveaway Second Chances














Friends!
Please tag yourself with Second Chances. There will be a giveaway at the end of the month for two lucky winners! You can put your picture on Facebook or Instagram or send it to me in a private message ! Two $25 Amazon gift cards to two lucky winners!

Monday, May 20, 2019

Interview With Poets United

Hi There!

Please go check my interview with Sherry Marr and be sure to leave a comment so I know that you stopped by! Thank you for your continued support!

Monday, May 6, 2019

Book Release

Second Chances: Poetry from a Sun-Kissed Life

ISBN-13: 978-1732577299
ISBN-10: 1732577293
 
 
Dear Friends,
My book is out!
I am thrilled!
All my hard work in these pages
 
 Friends wanted to remind you that all proceeds from my book are going to charity. The first charity is WriteGirl it is a Los Angeles-based creative writing and mentoring organization that spotlights the power of a girl and her pen. I feel it affords girls freedom that is much needed in their community. The other charity is Hope Outreach which we have been involved with for years. For the hundreds of families in the HOPE Outreach Center service area that live with daily stress of facing hunger or homelessness, the staff from the charity may be able to help. The charity organization, which is based in Davie, has some limited support services for low income families and the working poor in Broward County, as noted below.
Those residents that are struggling to provide adequate food for their families can turn to HOPE Outreach Center’s Pantry. This service offers them a lifeline. It does so through the distribution of non-perishable foods and vouchers that have been donated.
 
It means the world to me to have your support. Thank you!
 

 

 
Buy new
$16.00
FREE Delivery by Wednesday for Prime members
if you order within 10 hrs 24 mins. Details
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Second Chances Book Reveal




So excited to share my book reveal!
May 7
All proceeds will be donated to charity.
I want to thank my publisher.
I want to thank all of you!

Sunday, March 17, 2019

Living The Questions

The birds cheerfully sing,
their joy is undeniable.
They hold the answers of the universe,
while I am living the questions.
Their conversations with the world,
allow me to surrender to the unknown.
My crown is tarnished,
while theirs glimmers in the piercing 
morning light.



I am happy to announce that my poetry book, Second Chances, will be published by Golden Dragonfly Press. The release date is, Tuesday May 7. All proceeds will be donated to charity.
I have missed being in this space and sharing with this community. I have been busy juggling life, and being present in the life of those that need me. I always reflect back on my journey here, and how this community has always lifted me. I am also forever grateful to my friends that shared with me how  my words have resonated with them and have made them feel less alone. Thank you!