Gloria and Winston — “I love her, and that’s the beginning and end of everything.” F. Scott Fitzgerald, Kind-hearted Winston Falling in love at first sight Lovely Gloria Beauty is more than skin deep When you let him see within Christmas angel I found you Christmas angel Sad beauty Christmas angel Your sweet voice Christmas angel I love you…

Who waits there —

Signposts of my life — look the spangles that sleep all the year in a dark box dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine, e. e. cummings: Brightly colored balls Hanging on the Christmas tree Shimmering sparkles I decorated the tree last night. Barely, because the past came calling As I lifted each carefully…

I love you so — Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens. Maria von Trapp Playing paved your way Into my wary heart, lost Abandoned, alone Never reached for anyone Open suddenly to you Music is magic An irresistible pull Now and forever Music first drew me to…

Event horizon — I have, indeed, no abhorrence of danger, except in its absolute effect — in terror. Edgar Allan Poe I am not safe. In the darkness and the light, it feels like I’m disappearing. I can’t see it. I’m standing too close to myself. But there’s a black hole, an event…

And sharing this with your readers carries the warmth even farther as you reach out towards us with this poem. I felt I took this walk with you, seeing, hearing, feeling with you. "Let us rejoice and be glad," indeed.

I don’t have the answers — We sail within a vast sphere, ever drifting in uncertainty, driven from end to end. Blaise Pascal I am a young lady from Stray Who thinks of running away Whether to stay or to go Puzzles me so I’m in a state of confusion all day Lately, I have…

An unexpected ally — To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. Ralph Waldo Emerson Never fitting in Not able to find her place Rebellious, stubborn Susannah Stewart asked, "Merriam, would you like to hear a story from Susannah MacKinnie's childhood? …

Last of all — Every year, in November, at the season that follows the hour of the dead, the crowning and majestic hours of autumn, I go to visit the chrysanthemums … Maurice Maeterlinck Our autumn flower Often last but never least Pincushion petite Pompon, spoon, anemone Yellow, purple, red, orange The crow stopped…