RIVER BANKS

RIVER BANKS

I took a walk this afternoon

Down where the river flows

I watched the grey waters

And saw where the wild weed grows.

I viewed the swollen river

And the ducks as they glided by

I sat on the bank by the reeds

And I heard the river sigh.

The sky was heavy laden

No sun to warm the air,

I heard the river murmur

As she passed without a care.

A pewter sky above me 

Wet grass beneath my feet,

My heart was filled with emotion

As I quietly took a seat.

I was sheltered by a gum tree

Whose age I could not tell

Magestic eucalypt beauty

I know it oh so well.

The air was heavy with fragrance

Of gum leaves damp and wet

I was dressed for winter

And her solitude I met.

Children playing on the swings

Cyclists on their way

All taking pleasure 

On this cold cold winter day.

For me it was more than this

I took time set apart

Gave in to the thoughts that come

From a very grateful heart.

I thought about my life

And the way the days have been

And how very blessed I am 

And what it all could mean.

I have so much in my life

For which to offer thanks

It all became so very clear

As I sat on the river banks.

My heart was overflowing

Much like the river on it's way

With thankful thoughts and happy

On this winter Saturday.

I have been given many gifts

And because of them I live

I am very grateful 

And I have lots to give.

I am blessed in many ways

With family and with friends,

I have those who love me

And will 'til my journey ends.

So this day beside the river

Brought happy and sweet tears

A time of quiet solitude

And a time to ease my fears.

The afternoon was quickly gone

And the darkness soon came near

A misty rain was falling

As I wiped away a tear.

I remembered those I love

And quietly whispered my thanks,

I turned and headed for home

Away from the river banks.

© Linda J. Vaughan

June 23rd. 2012

AUTUMN IN ADELAIDE

AUTUMN

Autumn brings with her

An end to summer days,

A lengthening of the shadows ~

A misty morning haze.

Cooler evenings – falling leaves

And chill is in the air.

Stop and look around you

At colour changing everywhere.

The mornings are much darker

And days are shorter too.

Autumn blows her cooler breath

And kisses the ground with dew.

She spreads her golden carpet

Of leaves of red and gold.

Trees are stark in their nakedness ~

She really is quite bold.

It is a time of reflection for me

Of beauty rich and rare.

A very special and precious time

When autumn in is in the air.

© Linda J. Vaughan

TODAY

TODAY

Today is picture perfect

The sky is a gentle blue

Just the special type of day

To spend some hours with you.

Let's sit beside the river

And watch the ripples as they flow

Onward and forward they travel

To where we cannot know.

Let's find some shade from the sun

And feel the gentle breeze,

Treasured memories are gathered

On Autumn days like these.

Let's whisper deepest secret thoughts

Discussion without fears,

Let's laugh and talk and ponder

Let's wipe away the tears.

Autumn leaves we can gather

And release them on the flow

Just like our innermost thoughts

Who knows where they will go.

Will they bounce up the crest

Or be taken down below

Will our shared thoughts be deep ~

Only we can ever know.

Let's drag sticks through the water

And find some leafy glade,

A special time of friendship

We'll be glad that we have stayed.

We will remember the sunshine

The shade and the trees,

We will remember today

And the making of memories.

So when the shadows lengthen

And there is a coolness in the air,

The pain of ending this rendezvous

Will be much too much to bear.

But as days go hastening on

And the seasons change once more,

We can always revisit this day

By stepping through memory's door.

©  Linda J. Vaughan

March 7th. 2012

Written with love for someone very special.

IMAGINATION

IMAGINATION

Imagination does not just belong

In the minds of children young.

There are those of us who like to see

And to feel that we belong.

A friend was the artist here

And I the writer true.

We spent some time together

And painted this picture for you.

We crossed a bridge from a town

And felt the breezes soft and sweet.

Clear blue skies were here 

We felt it such a treat.

A roadside stall with fruit galore

Oranges and Apples mellow.

And honey sweet plums

All purple and yellow.

An Artist’s easel all set up 

In the shade of a welcoming tree.

A stream running by with water clear ~

This is the picture we see.

Pebbles here all rounded and worn

And larger ones near the edge.

Some of them have a hint of moss

And act just like a little ledge.

We can smell the blossoms 

And hear the bird’s sweet singing.

Storm clouds gather here 

And the tiny birds are winging.

We discuss the rain to come

At the ending of the day.

The washing and the refreshing –

It’s mother natures way.

Together we walk back 

And leave the picture true.

We reflect and wonder ~

The way that Artists do.

We come back to the real world

More peaceful and serene.

Refreshed and restored

By the things that we have seen.

We have shared a symphony 

Of music of the mind

And I am certain that it is

The best music you can find.

© Linda J. Vaughan

November 4 2001