Muted

Other than the sounds of cold rain dropping against the asphalt 

and splashing into puddles, the day was rather quiet, 

with colors just as muted, providing a bit of visual background

to the shimmering rhythms of the rain.

And the range of colors and sounds 

to be found in Nina Simone's work just 

hits me in all the right places.

I wish I could paint the way she sang.

Dark Blue Shirt

What is this game we play, you and I?

Two people who like each other,

yet who are afraid ... of what?

Like a fogged window, 
where I wiped my hand to clear the view, 
I saw you and every one 

else blurred into the mist.

You watch the distant skyline,

wrapped in the cold wisp of fantasy

where love is constant, 
never changing, carrying no risks, 

where the promise of an errant breeze 

is proxy for the warmth 
of a loving touch.

I saw you in your dark blue shirt,

sleeves rolled above your wrists

and longed to feel the warmth 
of your hand on my own,
the scratchy growth of your beard

against my lips 
as I lean in to kiss your cheek.

I want to love you, to arouse you,

to hold you for my own, and to set you free

for the warmth of love in reality.

Pink, White, and Sorta Blue

I've always had difficulty getting any pretty shots 

of dogwood trees, but this year have managed a few.

This may be because I'm outside more often

and could see when they were getting ready to bloom.

This shot is about a week old; all the petals are floppy now

and beginning to fall.

Usually, these pretty blue-violet flowers are 

too far away to get a clear shot. 

This time, I found a group of them 

at my feet as I passed by the driveway

near where they are planted. 

And, just because I like it, here's Nina Simone, 

playing Love Me or Leave Me. 

I was going to insert Little Girl Blue, but 

it was too draggy for my current mood.