Wool-soft palms patting my back imparting warmth upon my bare back Cream-smooth voice whispering sweet nothings into my confused ears A mother’s voice calming a troubled child Master of the house feeding a starving pet You and I alone in bed on a rainy day.

You cannot burn those who’ve spent their whole lives licking the flames. But go ahead, try. I am more fire than woman.

There are many angels in our lives Some family, some friends Those who take care of us through time On whom we can depend The ones that never ask a thing And want nothing in return Those that hold us at our worst Our rocks…

Tenderness can be exhausting unless the tenderness is returned

22     Making sure   Millie nudges under the blanket Where she has slept for the night Her breathing a mystery to me As I place my hand on her chest To be sure that it rises and falls Gentle puppy yips as she dreams

Water falling from the sky is almost enough to make me believe in miracles. The percussion sings when the electric fractal neurons travel into the ground, the whole world shudders to the rhythm, and everything alive comes to life with the fragrance of soil and…

fresh fading sun rays ribboning the sky; moonrise peeking o’er the hill   starshine restlessly waits nightfall’s velvet veil; ah! What stirs my soul’s joy?  

Such tenderness in your touch As a dove can have Sheltering under her warm wings   Tenderness came to you with time Love is all everyone needs Feeling less all alone   Tenderness in the melancholy Knowing once you cared We built memories together  …

Of all the wishes  we had as children, all the hopes and silent prayers we offered up, tenderness from Mom and Dad was highest.

Like a diamond the almond heals all ills wrestle the wrestlers and restore good health add tag-team fenugreek straight from Greek   Fenugreek attacks and defend the process unsolicited ills are arrested and wasted guards are mounted at the door post no ill attacks all…