SENSE OF WONDER (c) By Polly Guerin

The wee humming bird came
Early morning was his game

Fairy wings twittering aloft
Flower to Flower he sought

And took breakfast en plein air
T’was his bounty, only fair

I watched with a sense of wonder
The mysterious creature’s plunder

Do not let the splendor slip away
Silently watch for his returning stay

Captivated by the Lilliputian’s skill
Astonished, I admired the thrill

Of nature’s intricate dance
Could be missed in a glance

So glued to the windowpane I spy
The minuscule bird bye ‘n bye

A showman so delicate so rare
I looked for him each morning fair

His determination was a constant show
I did not want to disturb, let him know

What joy he brought to begin each day
Tossing concerns away with a sense of play

I ventured out into the uncharted course
Spread my wings like the bird’s force

And what I care for what others say
Thus inspired I now rule the day

A happy diversion so granted
And the world is less frantic.

IT NEVER ENTERED MY MIND (A Reverie) (c) By Polly Guerin

It never entered my mind

That it would come to this

I did not have every wish


It never entered my mind

That in life always be kind

Troubles, tears I might find


It never entered my mind

I just did it with a kiss

Was it something I missed?


It never entered my mind           

That anyone would go away

They were all here, every day


It never entered my mind

An empty place at the table

I tried to forget, wasn’t able


It never entered my mind

And gladness faded away

What more can I say?


It never entered my mind

It takes courage to forget

So engaged otherwise, yet


It never entered my mind

That life might end this way

What care I what they say


It never entered my mind

My freedom gives me cause

To reflect on it all and pause


It never entered my mind

That it would end this way

Alas, tomorrow is another day!

THE SONG OF LIFE (c) By Polly Guerin

The violin sings tales of sadness

Of forgotten dreams and gladness

The piano strikes up a different tune

A giddy pizzicato fills the room

Together they play the lyric life
Young and foolish I was a wife

The melodic melody strings along

Recalls the first notes in my song

Life is a dualistic serenade
Memory lingers does not fade

But there is joy, pick up the beat

Resolute do not admit defeat

Uncover one more unique note

I sang with joy before I spoke

Listen a little closer to hear
Trust a little more my dear

Life is short, ends too soon
Sing and play a happy tune

Contribute to the song of life
Tender words and sound advice

Dream the dream you were born to live
Banish sad memories and lets forgive

From deep in your heart open up
Accepting unfolding joy is the rub

Listen more patiently, wait
For answers at any rate

Brings resolution on a new note
Play out the melody I wrote

Surrender to what is asked
Sing the Song of Life, be glad!!!

IMAGE: FANTASY ART by Budi Whteper

VALENTINE DAY February 14, 2014 (Ode to a Boy) (c) By Polly Guerin

WHAT IS THIS TALK ABOUT LOVE SENDING CUPID’S KISSES FROM ABOVE?

HAVE WE NO WORTHIER ROMANTIC TOPICS
THAN FUTURE EMBRACES IN PLACES EXOTIC?

LOVE COMES IN DIFFERENT GUISES
MAKES OUR HEART SOFTER, WISER

A BABY’S SMILE MELTS ONE’S RESERVE
BUT FALLING LOVE TAKES NERVE

FRIENDSHIP SLINGS ITS BOW AND ARROW
PIERCES YEARS WITH JOY AND SORROW

LOVE CAN CONQUER WORLD STRIFE
BRINGS HARMONY, RENEWS LIFE

IF YOU BUT KNEW I DREAMED OF YOU
EVEN BEFORE YOU WERE TWENTY- TWO

HOW COULD YOU GUESS MY HAPPINESS
I GAVE ALL AND NOTHING TO DIGRESS

I OFTEN HEAR YOU WHEN OTHERS SPEAK
THE SILENT HOURS GO BY WEEK BY WEEK

HOW ALL MY DAYS SEEMED DREAMS OF YOU
AND YET, I PONDER IF YOU EVER KNEW

SOMETIMES IN THE DAYDREAM FLIGHT
I REMEMBER YOU IN THE TENDER NIGHT

WITH GRATITUDE I CHERISH THE MEMORY
EVEN NOW WHEN I AM ALONE AND FREE

I HAVE NO REMORSE BUT INFINITE JOY
RECALLING WHEN YOU WERE A LITTLE BOY.

Happy New Year, a Commnetary on 2013 (c) By Polly Guerin

Must 2013 conclude this New Year?
I had more to do, it was clear

Each month accelerated into the next
I had no time to ponder to expect

Each day rushed by in a flash
I could not hold on with a grasp

Though I tried the minutes melted
Day after day soon unsheltered

I declared, “Hold Back the Time,”
Give me chance to reflect, unwind

And recall the episodes of the year
Folks who left and were very dear

My darling friend Elaine went to rest
She was amazing… the very best

Peter sold his loft and took off
Lives in another country no frost

Dirk & Chi went up to Maine
The social scene never the same

And Mikey bought a house far north
Trees and mountains are his source

Helen Gardner settled in Rochester
At 94 and became a happy Nester

Shirley was ensconced alone elsewhere
A great talent, now dementia without care

While Dianne kept up her phone calls
She went to New Jersey before her fall

As for me, I’m grateful, rich with health
After all it is my reward and great wealth

Joan continues to be my favorite fan
She loves everything I do, so I can

Tell her everything that’s on my mind
Her response is so fine, and very kind

I cherish her friendship and Lois Ewald, too
A finer spiritual woman that I ever knew

Carolyn resides alone in a residential place
Divorced, now out of the life's frantic race

My social agenda is fully booked again
I’ll keep my spirits up to the very end

And remember how fortunate am I
To enable this creativity as I aspire

To take more time to pause and admire
How much to cherish each year’s desire

And give thanks for all the joy before I expire!!!

CHRISTMAS REVERIE 2013 (c) By Polly Guerin

Christmas came too soon this year

Said I, “Give me Time” it was clear

The days marched forward in a flash

My calendar’s schedule did clash

Holiday parties took up the space

On a fast course I joined the race

But, one day I set back to recall

The days past when it was fall


Give me back sweet September

Those halcyon days I remember

And October’s blissful autumn s

Ended so swiftly, I did not know

How to put time back now in reverse

Is the world accelerating? What a curse!

So let’s treasure the time we have untold

Enjoy each moment before we are old

With upbeat expectations greet the holiday

Be glad we are here for this I sincerely pray

Good tidings to all; have health and good cheer

May it be a splendid and less hectic New Year!

FICKLE FROST (c) By Polly Guerin

(Image: Winter's Frost by Shadrach Ensor)

fineartamerica.com

Must the frost of winter come so soon?
Autumn left behind was still in bloom

Summer’s languid days were the best
Gave us time to ponder, time to rest

Yet winter snaps her fickle frigid finger
We rush home alone, we do not linger

Ensconced in the cocoon warmth of our abode
We curl up in cozy fleeces to beat the cold

And confined here by the fickle frost
Alas, what care I, if at times I get lost

In winter’s lounging longing nights
Seeking silent sentiment until the light

When daybreak casts its golden hue
Over the mysterious brooding brew

And awakens our solemn silent slumber
A new day breaks with wakeful wonder!!!


Polly Guerin is the author of THE COOPER-HEWITT DYNASTY OF NEW YORK (History Press 2012)