Soldier

Seeing the stars up above
I pray for you, wherever you are.
May the snow flakes bring you kisses,
And the desert sun be followed by breezes.

Seeing the stars up above,
I think of you, wherever you are.
May you always find a safe place to sleep,
A warm meal and a coffee to sip.

Seeing the stars up above,
I pray for you, and send my love.
I think of you day and night,
And in my heart I hold you tight!

White Dove

Till the darkest hour came, I did not appreciate dawn.
Till I had no place to go, did not appreciate home.
Till I could held you in my arms no more,
I could not appreciate you for who you are.

The tides came and went, but you stayed.
Many people came in, and left the other day.
The seasons changed, to them I bet farewell,
But you lingered on, even when my hopes fell.

Life evolves, the colors of things change.
The ones I love, left, the things I sense.
Must open the cage and let the white dove fly
Let it go, with all my hopes, up to the sky.

KB, November 2008.

The Burdens of Yesterday

When is early in the morning and you still carry the burdens of yesterday,
When your mind is trying to focus on now but instead goes back and forth,
When your heart is overflowing with love but still makes stops for the pain,
You know you are torn and still re-leaving the remains of the day before.

When you feel yourself tired and weary and struggling to get up,
When the bills are due and there is no other option but to keep going,
When loneliness sneaks in and is your only counselor for that,
You know there is something to review in whatever you are doing.

When your eyelids get heavy and coffee does not do much anymore,
When you don’t open up because everyone has its own burdens,
When for a tear to come up is even harder than before,
You know you are letting yourself go, and your heart hardens.

But if you find a quiet place to just sit still once in a while,
If you go back to things you really enjoy, and overcome,
And if you take time to listen to what is so fragile,
You might wake to a new morning, and see yesterday gone.

KB, November 2008.

Ashes

Cold charcoal on the ground
Ready to burn and become
A new matter, turning around
With heat and succumb.

The ashes seem quiet but still
With bright red burn inside
The wind blows and feels
The warmth that subside.

The transformation occurs,
The need to change, evolve,
Even when is hard and hurts,
It takes courage, even love.

Ashes spread by the wind
Take new forms and shapes
After the fire that grinds,
New life finds its way.

The Patrol Men

The poignant pain of the human beings
Their worse behavior and fears
Come from all corners of town, spilling
On the lap of a patrol man and his peers.

They go riding from street to street,
All the dark corners imbedded in their brains.
Sometimes they’ll need wings on their feet
To pursue the lost and justice give to the slained.

Catching a speeder is a friendless job,
Most forget the risk for accidents and death.
It might all seem in the road a distant blob,
Until one is fighting for his last breath.

Not always the lost souls are caught,
Not always the system follows thru.
But if there is one less murder or fraud,
It was worth the work, and praise is due.

All the sweat and tears, the struggle and blood,
And still keeping balance and inner strength;
In a world lacking honor and brotherhood,
May we pray for the weak and the patrol men.

KBS, October, 2008.

Unforeseen

The trail was narrow, and it disappeared into the forest;
Where it led, it could not be seen.
Could one dare to try it, and take the first step,
When one can’t see the end, only the beginning?

Between the adventure and the way things are,
Can the tight bud venture out and blossom?
The dreams can be unleashed, free and bare,
Or enclosed and hidden, almost forgotten.

Signs of a season changing slowly appear,
Nature vibrates in transformation.
To take not the trail would be queer,
Yet many stumble with hesitation.

The rays of light are filtered by the trees,
Their soft warmth on the skin is invigorating!
One dares to take a step, feels the breeze,
And then it happens – the unforeseen!

KBS, October 2008.

To the dark I was drawn

To the darkness of my fears I was drawn, and almost drown.
Gasping for air I emerged, and cried for help.
Everyone that I love was there, but no one heard a sound.
I turned around and faced my fears, with what I was dealt.

The little light that was reflected my many little pieces
I had trouble seeing and putting them together
Until I’m still and the rush of things to do ceases,
There is no way to all pieces gather.

Trying to reach beyond myself and pushing forward
I lost track of who I am and the things that matter.
Now I can’t hide what I so much want to guard
I am forced to face myself even if I am scared.

Now I stand still, dropping all pretenses;
My reflections suddenly become a portrait,
And I see myself with all my senses,
And to my heart a path is finally laid.

KBS, October 2008.

Path Taken

The path ahead is waiting to be taken
But not many will;
Some will go for the one more beaten,
Most remain still.

Sunlight is filtered by heavy clouds,
Far we can’t see;
Some will stumble and turn around,
Others persevere.

I look back and to those I bid goodbye,
They don’t;
I look ahead and my tears I’ll dry,
But they won’t.

Once again I step up and trample,
Albeit the fear;
Dark shadows I see and tremble,
They creep near.

Just one more step and it will be dawn,
Sun will shine;
I’ll pick up myself if I fall down,
Hope will rise.

KBS, October 2008.

Hanging Hopes

Hanging Hopes


Ending the season of summer
Many warm nights winding down
Occasionally having you near
Trying again to come around
Involving my feelings again
Over and down the hill we go
Never ending, never staying
Leaving me ‘till another hello,
Exploiting again my feelings
Senseless comings and goes,
Suspended hopes kept hanging.

KBS, September 2008.

Purple Hat

Today I want to kick the bucket and dare;
I am going to get a purple hat to wear!
I will not worry about the dust and dishes,
If my hair is good or if I lost some inches.

Today I will have time for my children,
To the park and the lake I’ll take them.
We’ll bike all around and laugh together,
We’ll take our shoes off, it won’t matter!

Then I will call all my family and friends,
I will tell them that I love them to the end!
I will certainly have more get-togethers at home,
Even if the sofa is spoiled and the laundry undone.

So my purple hat I need to quickly find,
Before I end up loosing my mind.
To get to a place where I really can be
All that my children expect from me!

Solitude

So vast the sky, so vast the sea,
Over the clouds, beyond the trees,
Looking far for the signs of your love,
Into the fading light that shines above.

The lack of answers is unsettling,
Undo the eagerness for your presence.
Down to the valley I go and recoil,
Ever seeking to calm my heart’s turmoil.

KBS, September 2008.

Journey in The Mist

Journey in the Mist

Through the mist of the morning I try to see;
Instead I feel lost, can’t find my way, and I weep.
I wonder during the waking hours, I wander during the night,
And I can’ find a place to lay my head, I can’t find the light.

There is a place, I know, where all of this will make sense,
Where all my thoughts will match with my senses.
In such place I will be able to hold everything together,
And the thoughts of mine I will be able to gather.

To get there I just need to keep on going, one step at a time,
Even if I am not sure of the direction in this heart of mine.
Each step is a victory, each day that I wake up to a celebration,
The journey is important too, not just the destination.

Karla B

Don't Cry

Don’t Cry

Don’t you cry, sweet heart of mine,
Put your head on my shoulder.
Tomorrow again the sun will shine,
And all your pain will be over.

The tears falling from your eyes
Draw little lines on your face.
It is now time to let them dry,
For a smile make some space.

The troubles seem unstoppable,
You may not foresee any end.
It is like an old sad fable
That always has somebody faint.

Close your eyes and let all go,
One by one let them go astray.
Have a little faith and hope
To guide you through the way.

KBS

Looking for Love

When I was an adolescent
My love was fragile, innocent.
I lived dreaming from crush to crush
Until I learned love you cannot rush.

When I turned twenty in love I fell
He was handsome but I could not tell
That beyond the looks and attention,
I was used to hide his sexual orientation.

All I knew about love then was pain,
But the disappointment I overcame.
I believed that things come when is time,
Even when I was lonely on a Saturday night.

Then one day I got red roses from overseas,
It was a delightful surprise, at least for me.
When love arrived it played no games,
And doubts I put to rest in a nice little frame.


KB

Flirting and Minding

Flirting and Minding

Flicking candle light

Fancy glass of wine

Flirting in the night

Feeling he is mine.

Finicking with rendition

Fingers moving softly

Flowing warm sensations

Flames burning quietly.

Morning rising slowly

Mingled thoughts and feelings

Meaning words lovingly

Mangled resistance falling.

More sweet embrace

Melting layers of protection

Must find and keep grace

Minding one's passion.

KBS

Dripping Rain

Dripping rain


Sometimes it rains too hard, and the water weights down on us.
With feathers too wet, is virtually impossible to fly.
We look up, only seeing gloomy skies, feeling wind gusts.
The frustration is enormous, we might want to cry.

We see the water dripping, running to nowhere.
Drips from the tree tops, falls from the clouds.
In sunnier, brighter places you wish you were.
Instead the rain drops fall on you, make you doubt.

Time passes, and after all the rain comes the rainbow.
Without perseverance and effort nothing is gained.
Now the drops of water reflect light, and glow.
The time has come to spread your wings, and fly again.


Karla B

What I Found

What I found

I looked up the sky, and I found the stars.
I looked to the horizon, and saw the mountains.
I looked down the bridge, and found the river.
I looked to my garden, and saw the flowers.
I looked up to the trees, and found the birds.
I looked to my side, and there were you.
KBS

Subtle Changes

Subtle Changes

Sweeping breeze on the rooftops
Moving the leaves around you
Going down to the sidewalk
Subtly changing the outside view.

The warm days are sunny
The cold days can be cloudy
But there is no such feeling
When your arms are around me.

To the left I look and see the past,
To the right I turn, envision and dream.
Life passes by us, steady and fast,
So I relish the days that we have seen.

Now the leaves surround us as the wind blows,
Not noticing the subtle changes in you and me.
I smile, when tender and tight your hand I hold,
Remembering all the prayers said on our knees.
KB

Take Flight!

Take Flight

Take flight, my soul, take flight,
Look up to the sky and go.
Don’t be restrained - fight!
Don’t take for an answer no.

Break the mold, break the chain,
Aspire more, dare to act!
Don’t whine, do not complain,
Be determined to go far.

Dare to find your unique skills
Not replicated by anyone.
Find them and you will
See mediocrity gone.

Strive for more, believe!
Move on, and learn to let go.
There’s so much to achieve,
Just try and free your soul!


Karla B

When My Blue Jay Flew Away

When My Blue Jay Flew Away

Every morning I wake up and see
The blue jay flying up to my tree.
His colors are beautiful, as his songs,
I see him so as it is to me he belongs.

Then I go by my chores, go by my day.
At home, school, and sometimes to play.
And when the day is done and I go to sleep
I look forward to hear my blue jay peep.

But today as I look up the window to the yard,
Something was wrong, the silence was hard.
Because my blue jay I could not hear,
Could not see him anywhere, far or near.

I do not know where my blue jay went,
If he is okay or whatever happened.
But my heart longs for him and I can feel
A little tear dropping on the window sill.
Karla B

Touch of Infinity

Touch of Infinity

The sound of the wind sweeping through the leaves
Makes me dream of things seemingly impossible to achieve.
One seeks time to just be – breath, just breath deeply.
And let the thoughts flow and fall into place easily.

The chances that one takes, when has no quiet time at all,
To just think things through, be still, watch the early dawn.
Little quiet moments, one might take them for granted.
Until you have none, and one feels anguished, tormented.

The quietness and stillness bring serenity and inner joy.
One remembers to hear its own heart beat and voice.
It is no small feat, but simple and pleasing to discover.
Finding out how freeing it is to yourself uncover!....

Bring me the sounds of the wind, playing with the leaves,
And of the blue jays and cardinals on top of the trees.
They bring me back to my senses, to my identity,
Closer to who I am, created with a touch of infinity.

Karla B

To Far I Am Driven

To far I am driven

Out there tonight, no moon, nothing.
Darkness only, no stars can be seeing.
That’s how you are tonight, no good side.
Like in the literature, Mr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Times are harsh and tenderness I crave.
And like to the sand comes the wave,
I come home weary, looking for your arms.
But you are out of reach, cold and far.

Confusion sets in my heart, because I see,
But you are only physically here to me.
Your mind is not, your temper is gone.
I come to you, but I’m not welcome.

So dark out there and I can’t sleep.
I look at you, to all that I seek.
But tenderness and care are hidden.
And to far from you I am driven.
KB

Sadness

This Sadness


This sadness that I feel is not a sadness from within.
It goes beyond the things that I can move or reach.
The sadness that I feel is like others that I’ve seen.
Comes from another place, finding in me a niche.

Feelings are untouchable but can be sent
Like a letter or e-mail, launched out there.
If never gets a chance to be comprehended,
Is as if never existed, disappearing in thin air.

It might happen, though, that feelings will find
An echo someplace, in someone’s heart.
It is like it travels in the air, it glides,
Until empathy finds it with open arms.

The sadness that I feel can be found in any land.
The land of fear, rudeness, anger and mediocrity.
Where nothing is learned, there is failure to understand
That only love and kindness can raise humanity.

Karla B

The Swinging of The Palms

The swinging of the palms


The swinging of the palms in the breeze,
Things that make me feel at ease.
Also count on the warm heart of a man,
And walking barefoot on the sand.

I look far to the ocean and I can’t see
The man that is longing for me.
But in the soft breeze I can feel
The caress that makes all worries nil.

The crickets’ sound fills the night,
The crescent moon is up high.
All is calm and makes me wonder.

But inside of me there’s a thunder
Sound that in my heart vibrates,
Longing for a dream, and… waits.
KBS

Sun Away

Sun Away


I thought I could keep the sun away
Of getting burned I’ve been afraid.
Although sometimes I’m so cold
That even my thoughts can get mold.

I try to keep your love at bay,
Even when my heart I feel swayed,
But your ways have such tenderness
Resistance is vain, I’m helpless.

Come to me, my love, and touch
This cold heart where the need is such
That I can’t wait anymore:
Need the warmth of your love.

KBS

Storm

Storm


Before the storm it was quiet and tense
But soon it comes, washing all pretenses,
Of things that appear to be but weren’t,
Of trees that stood up tall but bent.

Winds swooping put the fences down,
Things that are closed in are blown.
So much of what we feel is kept inside.
Parts of us that we want to hide.

Struggles with right and wrong
Principles that we have known.
Keeping us grounded for tomorrow
Meant to avoid hurt and sorrow.

Dance away with the wind
Let it blow and touch your skin
Careful with what slips away
It might not come again your way.
KBS

Sounds of Childhood

The sounds of my childhood

Echoes into my adulthood

I wish I could, I wish I would

Revisit the joys of childhood.

Joy and laughter without a care

Finding fun everyday, anywhere

No need to buy or spend anything

Only to share it with a good, true friend.

No need to carry a safety net

I actually lived without this and that

Never needed a hand sanitizer to go

Even drank water from the garden hose.

Now we are all so high maintenance

No wonder we lack self confidence

We depend more on gadgets than on friends

And we fail to each other comprehend.

KB

My Dear Distant

My Dear Distant

It is early in the day, and I kiss you hello.
You get up without a word and go.
I kiss you good night and for you I wait.
But to the TV you go and then is too late.

The day is long and there’s a lot to do.
My desk is full, e-mails, letters to glue,
I dream you’ll call even when is frantic,
Usually you don’t, but still, I’m a romantic.

I dream of surprises and candle light dinners,
Unsuspected kisses and chocolate fingers.
But what I get is a nod or one word or two,
About the bills to pay and the oil change to do.

I know, I know, we are different, both of us.
Men are from Mars and women from Venus.
I just wish I could still dream of romance.
If you could just give it a second chance.


KBS

Move Away

Move away

Sun light coming in
Sneaking in while I dream;
Move away from me,
Let me again sleep.

Bitter thoughts coming on,
Darkening my disposition.
Move away from me,
Let my thoughts turn sweet.

Voluptuous passion burning,
My sense is blinding;
Move away from me!
Let me stand on my feet!

People coming and going,
One that’s not annoying.
Please come to me!
It is you that I need!

KBS, June 20, 2008.

Looking Out

Looking out, I see the trees, the season changing.
Looking in, I wonder who I am in my married life.
It seems the time is right for soul searching.
Can I still be me, being a mother, being a wife.

I have been learning a lot about family living.
It is not that important to be right all the time.
Sometimes is better to be happy, and forgiving.
And I’ve learned with mistakes, his and mine.

Then come the children, and you grow patience.
Love is what gets you through sleepless nights.
You look at those faces, overwhelming tenderness.
Even the shiest mother learns to protect and fight.

Then you sit back and try to see beyond the window sill.
Love is selfless; brings you joys and sometimes tears.
Can you be mother and wife and dream still?
Only if you look beyond your most guarded fears.


Karla B, February 26, 2008.

Lonely Longing

The night was stormy, brunches hitting the windows,
But I dreamed of you and felt safe in your embrace.
The sweetness of your touch, your voice so low,
Kept the cold away and the warmth on my face.

The waking hours swept away the dreams of the night,
Cares of the day came and occupied my mind.
But still I could remember my dreams and sigh,
Lonely longing for what is tender and kind.

Now I lay down at night, wanting to fall asleep,
So I can dream again with you, my dear.
But the dreams don’t come and I quietly weep
Because not even in them I can keep you near.


KBS, June 2008.

Let Me Run In The Rain

Let me run in the rain and get wet
Let me jump right into puddles.
I want to sing out loud after that
And collect laughter in bundles.

I wish to run to you and kiss,
And hold you tight in my embrace.
Want to feel the caress of your lips,
Drawing lines of joy on my face.

I want to drive with the windows down
Let the wind mess up my hair
Want to know you’ll be around
That you will always care.


Time passes, though, and
I now know better than that.
Life changes and I can’t pretend
That all the rest I could just forget.

KBS, June 2008

Frail Honesty

Frail Honesty

Another summer day starts, another working day.
Managing to drive smoothly, avoiding road rage.
At work wanting the good humor to stay,
Making the best out of my office cage.

Working side by side everyday we are fellows,
Earning our pay and respect from our boss.
Getting work done in a timeline that’s narrow,
Stepping up to correct any rising flaws.

But my fellow can be dragged down by fear,
Which can bring the worst in any man.
Honesty can be sold, so frail it can tear,
One might want to speak up, but in vain.

I look you in the eye and see you there.
In a place of desolation you recoil.
Now we are just strangers and stare
At the ghost of what you once were.

KBS, August 2008.

Dreams and Mind

Dreams and Mind

The dreams of the night

Fade with the incoming light

Forgotten and left behind

Leave only the rational mind.

Only what is touched is believed

The dreams are as never existed

But only when dreaming can one

Pull itself forward - and beyond.

Distance yourself from the rational

At least try it once in a while

Let your mind free and flow

It just might find ways to glow.

KB, April 2008

Clouds

Up in the air the clouds are passing by
And they pass by without any hurry
In their realm there is no time,
No alarm clock, no fuss, no lies.

They go with the wind and flow,
There is no reason to resist the blow.
It can be a breeze or a fierce wind,
They go with it, they never mind.

The birds look up to them and take flight;
With the elements they go, no reason to fight.
Every glorious morning, cold or warm,
They face the wind and fly some more.

Each day brings a new challenge to be faced,
But the clouds come and go with such grace.
It can be a nice or a stormy weather,
They will just flow with it, it won’t matter.




KB

Thought by a Portuguese Poet

“I want to love, to love heedlessly! To love for the sake of loving…”—Florbela Espanca