FROM MY WINDOW

Another Pensive piece.

FROM MY WINDOW

Looking from my windows

I see beauty all around;

The colour of the autumn leaves,

The frost upon the ground.

The smiles upon the faces

Of my family when we meet,

A cheery wave from a neighbour

As I venture down the Street.

The children as they play and frolic

Their faces flushed by cold,

A neighbour whose steps are faltering

Because they are growing old.

A baby quietly sleeping

Safe and loved and warm.

A parent’s gentle caring

Keeping them from harm.

The tiny specks of green

As spring flowers break through,

Roses needing pruning –

Something else to do.

A cat asleep in a pot plant

Relishing the winter sun,

A pathway needing sweeping

When will that be done?

Dust upon a dresser,

A book upon a chair,

A desk in need of tidying

To show some sign of care.

I see so very much from my windows

And it should bring you no surprise,

That the windows I speak of

Are the windows of my soul – my eyes.

© Linda J. Vaughan

2at. June 2009

TIME SPENT REMINISCING

TIME SPENT REMINICING

Today I found a box of photographs

Stored with other treasured things,

I sat down to sort through them

And time was given wings.

Photographs of my family ~

A careful pensive look to see

If that was my Great Grandmother

Or could it be really me ?

My Father often told me 

That I resembled her - the walk, the talk the looks,

The love of words and writing

And very special books.

The dark hair and eyes

The dimples and determined jaw,

I spent a long time then moved on

Because there was so much more.

My Great Grandfather - a quiet gentle soul

A man who loved me dearly.

He shared his love of horses

I can see it all so clearly.

He drove a team of Cydesdales

And went out delivering bread.

I have so many memories of him

Stored within my head.

As a tiny tot he would take me with him

And I would sit next to him with pride.

The smile upon his face

Showed joy he could not hide.

He let me hold the reins a while

And those dear great creatures knew

That they had a novice driving them

And exactly what to do.

When he bedded them down for the night

I would sleep upon the straw

These magnificent animals would step over me

And quietly watch the door.

Three hours soon passed  - so many memories

In such a tiny treasure chest.

I shall come back another day 

To relive memories of the very best.

© Linda J. Vaughan

22nd. June 2009

I AM FROM THE MOUNTAINS

I am From

I am from the Mountains

Where the wind whistles down the vales,

I am from the Celtic Chieftains

Who walked the hills of Wales.

I am from the cliff top

Where waves beat on the shore,

I am from the salt sea mist

That has been for evermore.

I am from the wild herbs and flowers

And from the wild mountain thyme,

From the songs and the music

The poetry and rhyme.

I am the Granddaughter of a coal miner

Who saw little of the sun,

Who clawed his way through tunnels

To see a battle won.

I am from the Rhondda Valley

Where life was very tough,

Where rest was very scarce

And hands were scarred and rough.

I am from Deganwy

Where tin was mined for work,

Where people were never afraid

Of long days of toil and work.

I am from the greenest grass

That grows on greenest hills,

Where the mountain streams

Run down in winding rills.

I am from the waterside

Where strong men build giant ships,

I am the daughter of a Shipbuilder

With a smile upon his lips.

I am the only daughter

Of a working family,

That traveled 13,000 miles

For a better life you see.

I am from The Salvation Army

With the bonnet and War Cry,

And still I work for its cause

And often wonder why.

I am from the oak tree and the willow

That grow on the River Dee Banks

I am from the daffodil

And for this I give great thanks.

I am from Chester ~

A city with great walls,

From Liverpool with its University

And learning in great halls.

I am a wife and mother

An Australian by choice,

I gave birth to two daughters

And freedom gives them voice.

I am a peace protester

Who dared to take a stand,

When conscripted boys where sent

To fight in foreign lands.

I am a member of Amnesty

And politics plays a part

In all the things I think of

And cherish in my heart.

I am a work colleague and receptionist,

A companion and a friend,

This is the story of my life

And will be until its end.

© Linda J. Vaughan

November 2008

I AM ME

I AM - LINDA




I am part of a family
With daughters grown,
Now I am reaping
The seeds I have sown.


I see them stand tall
And in this life make their way,
Caring and Sharing
As day follows day.


I AM PROUD


I am part of a network
Of kind caring friends,
Who care and laugh with me
No matter what life sends.


We share laughter and secrets ~
Long talks on the phone.
And as each day changes
I know I'm not alone.


I AM GRATEFUL


I am finding life a struggle
As I strive to be well.
How long this will take
Only time I will tell.


I am fuzzy in thought
And tired to the core,
I would like my life back
As it was before.


I AM CONFUSED




I am enjoying the seasons ~
The cat at her play.
Beautiful sunrises
That herald each new day.


I am caring, compassionate
And try to be kind.
I am a dreamer, romantic
With words always buzzing around in my mind.


I AM HOPEFUL


When you read these words
I hope you can see
That above all,
I am Linda - I AM ME


© Linda J. Vaughan
www.thepagesofavalon.com
4th. May 2009

TROPICAL CYCLONE YASI

TROPICAL CYCLONE YASI

We watched your storm clouds gather

And heard the threats of rain,

Anxiously we waited in fear

Our hearts were filled with pain.

Your size had us amazed

And we watched in awe

And waited very anxiously

For you to knock upon our door.

You chose the night to visit us

And lash upon our shore

If wishes could have altered things

You would have been no more.

We watched your every move

Our hearts were filled with fear,

That you meant to damage us

Was very very clear.

We left our homes and belongings

And went to higher ground

While you rattled round our coast

With a deafening eerie sound.

Finally you vented your anger

And hit land at Mission Beach,

You took our needed phone lines

Our loved ones we could not reach.

Oh the anger that you expressed

As through our towns you flew

Taking roofs and lots of buildings

Just as we thought that you would do.

You tore our trees out of the ground

And threw them in the air,

You damaged our precious Rain Forests

As if you would ever care.

You lashed our shores with water

And brought the teeming rain,

Yes,  you have hurt us

And caused us all great pain.

We have crops damaged and ruined

And families with nowhere to go,

We are bowed and bruised

But broken - Never No.!

Homes and business are gone

And source of income too,

Yes we are still worried

And wonder what we can do.

No lives were lost - you did not win

You had us very scared,

You tossed us round like corks,

As if you ever cared?

Difficult days are ahead for us

But our Australian spirit will go on

Cyclone Yasi - yes you visited us

But you certainly did not win.

©  Linda J. Vaughan

February 3rd. 2011