HEALING TEARS

HEALING TEARS

  

Bitter the tears that will not fall

Although our hearts are broken,

Our senses are numb and we regret

The words we left unspoken.

Painful the tears that sting and burn

As we choke to hold them back.

Difficult the days as we struggle on

And we seek the courage we lack.

Sweet are the tears that wash our eyes

And bring an easing of the pain,

They give to us a strength

Like sunshine after rain.

Sweet are the tears that freely flow

Bringing much needed relief,

They are part of the learning,

The coping and acceptance of grief.

Healing the tears that finally come

When we think we can take no more,

They allow us to take tentative steps

And walk to the future’s door.

©   Linda J. Vaughan

June 2005

WALK WITH ME

WALK WITH ME

Come with me and walk a while

Down a sweet and shaded lane

Let's spend time together 

Like sunshine after rain.

Let's take in all the beauty

Of this pretty shaded bower,

We will hear the sweetest bird song

And smell the fragrance of the flower.

We will sit a while and ponder 

As good friends often do,

About the times we've spent together

And the plans we hold brand new.

We'll talk about the children grown

And about their baby days

About the times they ran so freely 

And their knees held many a graze.

Let's talk about the pain we've felt ~

The struggles we've been through

We will talk about the joy we felt

When life began anew.

We'll share the times when we felt lost

And fear became our friend

How that the sun was shining

Just around the bend.

The comfort that our friendship brought

When days were cold and grey

How that we lifted each other up 

And helped along the way.

There will be laughter here

And also tears of sadness,

But over all of that will be 

The blessed tears of gladness.

We will gently sit in silence 

And let Nature do her part

In bringing joy and comfort 

To a tender, fragile heart.

Walk with me in nature

Gather strength right to the end

We shall cherish hours together 

And share the joy my friend.

© Linda J. Vaughan

September 21st. 2013

OUT OF STEP

OUT OF STEP 

A sleepless night, the threat of rain,

Listening to music to pass the hours,

A busy mind, uncertainty and fear,

Hearing now the autumn showers.

A special service at dawn with memories,

Of days long gone when pain was real

Waiting and thinking and longing

For mornings faint glow to steal.

I am out of step with my world today

And tears stream down my face,

Confused and anxious are my thoughts

My heart begins to race.

Dressed and ready to face my day

With coffee at my hand

Support from one who cares for me

And leads me by the hand.

I am told to recall how well I am

And that I've been given a second chance,

I realize that I must look forward

With ne'er a backward glance.

I wake each day with a thankful heart

And whatever will be will be,

These wobbly days are confusing,.

I lose sight of the real me.

I know I must be positive - "it is what it is"

And I must patiently wait,

I'm not good at waiting 

And I am never late.

It is out of my hands and I must see

The joy in every day 

Seize with both hands the life that is mine

And not let things get in the way.

Another strong coffee and a stern reproach

From the core of my very being,

And I am back in step with my life again,

And clearer is my seeing.

The tears I have shed this morning

Have been there for a long while

It's good that they are out at last

And I can face my world with a smile.

It's true that to see the rainbow 

We must surely have the rain,

And that for flowers to grow

The showers must come again.

I am blessed in my life to have support

And encouragement from those who care,

To help me back on track,  face my life

And to encourage me to dare.

© Linda J. Vaughan

April 25th 2013

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

THE GARDEN GATE

THE GARDEN GATE

The gate is always open

Come through it with me

Let's find a special place

Where we can really be free.

Let's put aside our troubles

And the fear of beginning to trust

Take my hand and come with me

On a journey which is a must.

Through that gate of friendship

We will find such very special things

The joy of love and laughter

And a heart that really sings.

We will find warmth and comfort

And arms that hold us near

Shelter from the storms of life

And we will hold no fear.

This is a special garden

And acceptance will be found,

Abundant tears we will shed

From hearts strong and sound.

Tender smiles from eyes of blue

A dimple on a cheek

A tendril of hair gently brushed aside

Such kindness we will seek.


We'll watch the mists of evening gather
And be wrapped in their care
We will see the birds settle ~
Silence everywhere.
The gentle brook will babble
As it goes on it's merry way
A special place to visit
A place we'll want to stay.

The garden is our very own

And tended with love and care

Flowers of friendship blossoming ~

Fragrance everywhere.

We will watch the seasons come and go

Take courage and strength from it all

A special place of joy and hope

Behind the garden wall.

© Linda J. Vaughan

16th. April 2012

HEALING TEARS

HEALING TEARS

Bitter the tears that will not fall

Although our hearts are broken,

Our senses are numb and we regret

The words we left unspoken.

Painful the tears that sting and burn

As we choke to hold them back.

Difficult the days as we struggle on

And we seek the courage we lack.

Sweet are the tears that wash our eyes

And bring an easing of the pain,

They give to us a strength

Like sunshine after rain.

Sweet are the tears that freely flow

Bringing much needed relief,

They are part of the learning, 

The coping and acceptance of grief.

Healing the tears that finally come

When we think we can take no more,

They allow us to take tentative steps 

And walk to the future’s door.

©   Linda J. Vaughan

MONDAY MORNING

MONDAY

So here we are – it’s Monday

Another week is dawning,

I wonder what the news will hold,

What joy or what dread warning?

I wonder what this week will hold

For those I love and me.

But I know there will be comfort

Under friendship’s sheltering tree.

I guess there will be laughter,

Tears and memories in this week

And I know that I shall also find

The courage that I seek.

There will be friends and company,

Food and shelter and some rest.

Work to do and challenges to be met

And things to put me to the test.

When this week is over 

And its lessons have been learned

I hope that I have found the peace

For which I’ve often yearned.

Soon it will be Monday again

And another week will start

Another week of memories

Stored within my heart.

© Linda J. Vaughan

May 2011