I'D LOVE TO LIVE IN A PEACEFUL WORLD

I’D LOVE TO LIVE IN A PEACEFUL WORLD

I’d love to live in a peaceful world,

Where love and care abound,

Where there is trust and compassion

The whole wide world around.

I’d love to live in a peaceful world

When children could run and play,

Where the fields were filled with flowers,

Not land mines every day.

I’d love to live in a peaceful world

Where no one took drugs,

Where we could safely walk the streets,

And have no fear of thugs.

I’d love to live in a peaceful world

Where people loved and cared,

Where children slept so peacefully

And Mothers were not scared.

I’d love to live in a peaceful world

Where Fathers did not go to war,

Where no-one was ever hungry

And calm waters washed our shore.

These are my wishes and my hopes

For our tired and sorry world,

May we all very soon see

Freedom’s peaceful flag unfurled.

© Linda J. Vaughan

LONGING

LONGING

There is a longing in my heart

To go back to the days of old

To feel the warmth of summer dreams

Before the days turned cold.

I long to hear the laughter

When days were calm and bright,

When little children filled my days

And I tucked them in at night.

Those days were very busy

And it seems like only yesterday

But in truth the years have flown

And they are on their way.

My shopping list was different

And there were always story books

I long for the winter kitchen days

When they became the cooks.

There is a longing in my heart

To watch their lives unfold,

Their hearts I’ll always carry

Although their hands I no longer hold.

I long to see the days on earth

When peace is known by all,

When friends reach out to each other,

And hold them lest they fall.

There is a longing in my heart

For equality in life

For all children to live happily

Without the toil and strife.

Bless the children of the world,

And may they live in peace

There is a longing in my heart

For joys that will not cease.

© Linda J. Vaughan

MY CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR YOU

MY CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR YOU

Once again its days of paper

And ribbons of every hue.

There are some things that I can’t wrap~

And these are my gifts for you.

Patience with a loved one

Who tells the same story again and again.

Just the calm to sit and listen

To take away some pain.

Tolerance with those whose opinions differ

And contradict our own.

The ability to accept these things~

To see how much we’ve grown.

Acceptance of days that are not the way we wish,

Understanding that some things cannot be.

Learning to live with these constraints,

Learning to find the real “me”

Love – so many ways I want this gift for you

The childlike love of flowers in a chubby hand.

The love of children, friends, family and

One special one who says “I understand.”

Peace – calm and easy carefree days

For you and for your world.

Days in the sun and for you to see

Freedoms glorious flag unfurled.

Friendship is a special gift

That binds two hearts as one.

The quiet harmonious times that come

To us when day is done.

So these gifts I bring to you~

I offer them with love.

They are wrapped in Heaven’s special care

Truly a gift from above.

Linda J. Vaughan

© December 2007

THE MURMURING SEA

THE MURMURING SEA

I walked today on a bleak seashore

And felt the blowing sand ~

My heart found release there

And I longed for the touch of a hand.

The salt sea spray touched my face

And was mixed with my salty tears,

The plaintive cry of the seabirds near,

Gave voice to my secret fears.

The waves rolled in and foam was blown

By the waves of a grey grey sea,

I walked and I cried and I thought

And I found some peace for me.

I took some time and it became clear

That this is how life must be 

None of us know when the day will dawn

When we must we face eternity.

I gave thanks for the lives of my special friends

And the joy they found in living

I recalled the donors who gave them life

Who's great gift was in the giving.

I turned, I smiled and I walked away

With a promise to do my best

To live my life to the fullest

No matter what the test.

I will walk by the river and watch the tides

And dance with the daffodils.

I will enjoy the beauty of all my life

And stand on the green green hills.

I'll endeavour to be compassionate

And caring and kind to all.

I know I have friends and family

Who will lift me should I fall.

I'll not sweat the small stuff, as yes indeed

It's all small stuff to me

I will write and laugh and love

And let my spirit fly free.

I'll care for my friends and family

And always an advocate be

I will remember the emotion I felt 

As I stood by the cold cold sea.

I'll not whinge and whine 

 And not be the "liver girl"

I'll rest and take care of myself

When my life gets in a whirl.

I will live my gifted life to the full

And ever thankful be,

I'll go back to the beach for comfort

In the arms of a murmuring sea.

©  Linda J. Vaughan 

 August 24th. 2012

MY MORNING

MY MORNING

I watched the dawn this morning

And felt some peace and calm,

I felt the velvet wings of morning

Shelter me from harm.

I listened to the quiet this morning

And found some sweet release,

I heard the birds’ first songs

And I felt the world at peace.

I watched the sunrise this morning

And saw an artist’s hand,

I saw the paint upon the canvas

And the way that it is planned.

I saw the dew upon the rose this morning

And walked on dew kissed grass,

I knew these early morning delights

Would very quickly pass.

I offered up my thanks this morning

From a heart that knows some fears,

I experienced the miracle of morning

And quietly wiped away my tears.

I watched the dawn this morning

And saw so many things

I gathered strength this morning

For whatever my day brings.

© Linda J. Vaughan

SUNSHINE AND SHADOWS

© Esther Westerveld

SUNSHINE AND SHADOWS

A winter sun was shining

I'd come here to find release

Sitting alone in the quiet

I hoped to find some peace.

I watched as the shadows lengthened

And the afternoon grew late,

I heard the birds on their way to roost

I heard a creaking gate.

I saw the shadows being cast

My heart was heavy and still

I stayed a little longer 

In the late afternoon chill.

My steps were heavy 

And my heart was sore

As I left this quiet building

And gently closed the door.

I headed home to where I knew

A welcome I would find.

Warmth and comfort there for me

Someone being kind.

I realized as I walked my path

That peace comes from within my heart

I did not need to go seeking it

It was there at the very start.

©  Linda J. Vaughan

12th. July 2011

SUNDAY MORNING PEACE

SUNDAY MORNING PEACE

It is Sunday morning in my world

And my heart is full of peace,

The day is just beginning

And it's wonders never cease.

I see a watery sun in a pale blue sky

And there is a gentle breeze,

Winter roses are still blooming

Even on days like these.

Bread is cooking in my kitchen

And warm sweet smells fill the air,

My heart is full of thanks today

For family and friends everywhere.

I have the whole day before me

To do what I feel is best

It will be a calm and peaceful day

I will not be put to the test.

Tender thoughts are winging

To those whose path is steep,

Who carry on regardless

And often stop to weep.

I think of you all so often

And whisper up a prayer

That you will be given strength

And wrapped in tender care.

Random thoughts are now buzzing

In this busy head of mine

About the things that I should do -

The washing's on the line.

The bread and soup are cooking

And I feel at ease

With the direction of my journey

On Sundays such as these.

Wherever you are on your journey

I wish you peace and calm

May angels hover over you 

And keep you safe from harm.

I wish you peace and gladness

And a song within your heart

May this day be just a beginning

Of a very special start.

A time when comes awareness

And a gratitude for life 

In spite of all the dangers

The trouble and the strife.

May love and laughter fill your home

And tenderness be your friend.

May courage help you face

Whatever is around the bend.

© Linda J.Vaughan

12th. June 2011

LISTEN TO THE SILENCE

HAVE YOU LISTENED TO THE SILENCE ?

  

 Have you listened to the silence

When day is nearly done?

Do you remember little quiet times

When your day's race is won?

Our days are full of noise and bustle

And at times become a riot,

So when day is done - at least for me

It's nice to listen to the quiet.

It's nice to sit and rest a while

And hear the things we oft forget ~

The velvet silence of the darkness

Where day and night have met.

  

A time of contemplation,

A time when we can restore.

A time when we can prepare ourselves

To go on as we did before.

  

A time to listen to the longings of our heart.

A time to gather strength and peace

A time to count our blessings.

And give thanks for joys that do not cease.

  

So sit and listen to the silence ~

Enjoy the quiet that evening brings.

Find comfort in the special time ~

Find peace in so many things.

 © Linda J. Vaughan

WAVES OF TRANQUILITY

WAVES OF TRANQUILITY

Waves of tranquility

Please wash over me

Hold me close

So that I may see

The peace and the calm

That you bring to my days,

Changing my life

In such special ways.

Waves of tranquillity

Let me drift on your tide,

Knowing at last

I am safe on your side.

Give me your peace

As I rest where I land

 With trickling water

And grains of rough sand.

Waves of tranquillity

Anchor me fast

Shelter me safely

Until the storm is past.

Let me see clear skies;

Feel days without pain,

Let the comfort you give me

Always remain.

Waves of tranquillity

Let me travel with you,

Until the safe harbour

Comes into view.

Waves of tranquillity

A haven for me,

Carry me safe

Over life’s troubled sea.

© Linda J. Vaughan

May 2011

I AM THE VOICE OF A WOMAN

i AM THE VOICE OF A WOMAN

I am the voice of a woman

With a very caring heart,

The troubles in this world

Are tearing me apart.

I want to stand up and be counted

To storm and never cease

Until the world for our children

Becomes a place of peace.,

Alone my voice is quiet

And my tears fall on hard ground,

But if we join together 

Then strength in numbers is found.

We can challenge the Politician,

The Professor and the Police,

We can join hands around the world

And we can pray for peace.

We can fight for freedom,

For justice for our brother,

By taking some action

We can care for one another.

We can try to change the laws

So that our hearts can rest,

We shall stand tall and strong

If we are put to the test.

Let’s hope that by linking hands

In love around the world,

Freedom’s sweet flag

Will one day be unfurled.

© Linda J. Vaughan

May 2011

The Pages of Avalon

HOME AT LAST

HOME AT LAST.

Walking through the woods

At last on my way home

The winter wind is blowing

The sea is white with foam.

The fog at last is lifting

It's been hanging around for days

The earth is wet and musty

The horizon clearing through the haze.

Thoughts in my head are racing

Of warmth and tender care

Hot chocolate by the fireside

A warm bed and love to share.

Tendrils of my damp hair 

Blow cold across my face

I walk a little faster 

I need to be out of this place.

Soon the gate is visible

The vines silhouetted by the wall,

I really must be careful

Lest I trip and fall.

My heart is beating wildly

As the door is opened wide

Suddenly before me is the man

Who fills my heart with pride

The warmth of the room envelopes me

As he holds me in his arms

Once more I am captivated 

By his strong and manly charms.

I am glad this man is home at last

And will be travelling no more

The warmth of the home brings peace

And I gently close the door.

© Linda J. Vaughan

June 2008