ten minutes a day
i pray for real peace on earth
soon after a bird sings
Love Measured in Cupcakes
In memory of my dear aunt
She loved to bake
to bake was to show how much you loved someone
Most of all she enjoyed
the idea of inventing new recipes for cupcakes
After a long day at work
usually on a Friday night,
She would sit at her huge kitchen counter
to concoct her secret recipes:
- Blueberries, (when they were in season of course, frozen anything just did not make sense to her) bananas, crushed hazel nuts, and small bits of fresh coconut.
- Applesauce, and strawberries with walnuts and raisins
- Chocolate chip and pistachios mixed with raspberries
These were the ones I remember best.
She never wrote down her recipes
no one ever knew the proper ratios of the ingredients
But you could taste each one distinctly
when you took the first bite.
The cake would melt in your mouth
and a delicious almost sensuous thrill
would take over your taste buds.
We all felt like we should go to confession
before the Sunday mass.
Every time someone would ask her for a recipe, she’d reply, ” Can’t tell exactly how much of this or that or this other thing, but for sure my main ingredient is LOVE. my cupcakes are all LOVE.
We definitely felt the love;
it made our bellies grow;
it widened our waistlines;
and make us chuckle loudly, at least 10 decibels higher than usual.
Her cupcakes live in our memories now.
My cupcakes never measure up to hers.
Except, that I too, make sure I have folded in
lots of love.
Without love cupcakes do not taste the same.
And what would this world be like without cupcakes?
Visit From An Ancestor
Grandmother was a young girl
when an ancestor visited her.
A gentle man from her third heritage
with a wooden flute in hand
played a pleasing tune
a soothing sound
to which she gently swayed.
She asked him where he’d come from,
and how he found his way,
He said a butterfly mapped the route
and he followed the nightingale’s song
but most of all it was the love
that still lived in our home.
His voice faded slowly away
and he suddenly disappeared
as mysteriously as he came.
The sun shone through
and she awoke
and nothing was ever the same.
Grandmother always said she’d hear
the flute in the distance every now and then.
Some days she’d secretly hoped he visit her again.
The day she passed I heard the flute
and a songbird sing softly in my ear.
I knew then everything would be fine.
Because love is what it is
and it lives right here with me.
The BIG L Word Some Folks Fear
My Poetry and Art
Recently I decided to link my poetry to my artwork via several venues. I published my coloring book in September of 2016, The Secret Life of Mandalas, which is available via Amazon.com.
I have always loved graphic design and making my own greeting cards and other products. Zazzle.com and Threadless.com gave me the opportunity to create my products and use my art and poetry.
I want to thank those of you who have been so supportive this past year. I truly appreciate your comments and feedback.
Occasionally, I will post some of my products as they become available. However, my main focus and labor of love will continue to be writing poetry.
When We Listen
When We listen
When we listen
we can hear the unspoken words
of the sages of the future
when we listen
the songs of the crickets
are meant to heal our souls
when we listen
we can decipher
the secret whispers
of the butterflies
Photo by Melba Christie
When we listen
we can hear
the heart strings of a young lover
strumming like an acoustic guitar
when we listen
we can hear
the harp of our soul
playing an opus
to help us become
more aware of who we are
when we listen
there’s no telling
what sounds will resonate
to help us appreciate
the life we take for granted
all the more.
Affirm Life Today
Affirm life today
Love your life most of all
You are a universe
Life is your instrument
and only you can be the masterpiece
Do you believe in Santa, Grandma?
Yes, I believe in Santa.
Don’t ask me why?
I love his red cheeks,
his jolly and heartfelt chuckle,
and chubby belly held up by a great big buckle.
Although you may think
I am a little too old,
I still believe in Santa Claus
truth be told
when it is time for him to appear
with his beautiful sleigh and gracious reindeer
it is also the time
that people seem to smile a little bit more
and some folks are kinder than ever before
Everything seems to be so much brighter
and the hugs that I get are a little bit tighter.
It is a time for family to get together
It is a time when even the sick feel a bit better
Yes, my dear grandson, I still believe in Old St. NIck!
I believe I once saw him climb down a chimney made of red brick.
Someone tried to convince it was all just a trick
But the joy and the comfort that happens to be
during this time of year is the best; Don’t you agree?
So, I tell you believe me
for remember it happens to be
the celebration of the birth of Jesus
and other holidays as well
when people no matter where
they may be from
celebrate love, peace
and they all seem to know
that when you believe
Who knows what miracles, together we can achieve.
-Melba Christie
December
When I think of December
Poinsettias come to mind
They make me smile
and tell me soon will be Christmas time.
– Melba Christie
The Pope of Hope
As most people here in the Tri-State area, we have seen the presentations and masses pronounced by Pope Francis of the the Holy Seas and many of us have been deeply touched by his message of Love and Peace. This is my poem to honor his visit. I also tried painting his friendly face with all due respect.
Skies of crystal blue prevailed today
As the Pope of Hope
Like Jesus did walked among us
Even for those who were not too close
deep emotions did not fail
to energize and fill all hearts
with glory and hopeful dreams
As he waved to thousands
On what now will be the Holy urban trail
Worshipers screamed,
called out his name,
and cried sweet tears
for this Pope of the People
had washed away their fears.
For many today
Life will not be the same
History records impatiently
The sounds and sights today
Pope Francis of the Holy Sea
Prays for you and me and
For even the non-believer
All he wants is Peace to be a reality.
He asked us all to restore our hope
To resolve our differences with respect
For we must live as one
He asked us all to educate the young.
Future generations
must learn the lessons well;
To build our oneness
and fraternal love,
To restore a Nation of Freedom for all
This is our divine call.
He said to Remember the Golden Rule.
Our faces may be different yes
But our hearts beat all the same
Some filled with passion and compassion
Love can only be our gain.
Thank you Pope Francisco of the Holy Sea
for your humble presence and
your words of inspiration.
With Gratitude and Remembrance
I think we will see clearly now,
And forever more.
No more smog or clouds
to block our vision and sincere affirmations
For deep down in our hearts
We know this to be true
United we stand
and in God We Trust.
God bless America
and Pope Francis,
God bless you too.
Haiku 110
Now and forever
Oak trees shade young lovers
taking their vows
The Sounds of Silence
I listened to the sounds of silence
All seemed so perfect and clear
The flowers whispered a secret
for only me to hear.
Sunflowers
Painting by Melba Christie (c) 2015
Sunflowers
Sunflowers speak
A different language
That no other flower can
But when they speak to me
Somehow I understand
They stand tall in attention
listening very carefully
To the songs of the angels
singing gleefully
their message is to spread your love
completely and openly
as often as you can.
This is why I try to paint
Sunflowers like Van Gogh
Although they may be a little rough
I know one thing is for sure.
I follow through with the message
Sunflowers were created to make.
Love is the most important thing in life
Make no mistake.
Live in Joy
The Love Bug
