“Memories of past.
Heartaches of old.
Courage of brass.
Lessons of gold.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“My favorite words in the world are these:
“what” and “if” in conjunction.
They question curiosities
in simple form and function.
“What” is a query of broadest scope.
“If" is wonder that fuels all hope.
Together they lasso the mind like rope, and spur the wildest deductions!”
Source: Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year
“Death lurks in the shadows, just out of view.
Now and then I see his reaching hand, uncertain of the blurry image that passes before my eyes, but conscious of the crippling influence of his touch.
Some say Death rears an ugly head, so hideous a view the beholder can scarcely gasp their last breath. Others call him beautiful, a sweet relief to look upon. But these are rumors babbled by the unknowing. For Death is like the gorgon, Medusa, who when perceived, turns the body to stone.
Those who know Death take the knowledge of his shadowed face with them to wherever it is he leads our dearly departed by the hand. All who are left behind must wait their turn to glance into the eyes of the one who will close our mouths forever.”
Source: Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year
“Hush, hush.
Hear the earth breathe.
Watch the wildflowers bloom.
Feel the calm of the silent dawn.
Be still.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“The sweetest melody that plays
on starry nights and wintry days,
most soothing to my listening ears
and calming to beleaguering fears,
I call a symphony on air―
the song of sweet, still silence rare.”
Source: Making Wishes: Quotes, Thoughts, & a Little Poetry for Every Day of the Year
“How does a tiny heart harbor so many clashing sentiments?
One moment it is devoted. The next, purely disdaining. Weeping at tremendous heartache and then laughing, lighthearted, through the same tears.
How can a heart rage so fierce as to boil blood while it turns to ice?
How is this done?
To love, hate, esteem, deride, rejoice, deplore, favor, resent—
all of these and more swirling inside.
This sensitive heart, so full and resilient, buoys up to the point of bursting and then deflates on a dime. It is a slave to whims and whispers.
How is it that the human heart beats so wild and untamed?”
Source: A Heart Made of Tissue Paper
“Such a nasty bruise,” he says, staring straight into my eyes. I am stunned he can see it. Delicate to the touch and tender on every side, the bruise is deeper than days. My hand automatically moves to my chest.
Science taught me with valid assurance that my heart was fixed in my rib cage, but life has since shown me otherwise. My heart in fact dangles from a tangle of strings. The ends are grasped tight by numerous people who yank and release, having caused many painful bruises over time. I cry because they are invisible to most.
“Such a nasty bruise,” he repeats, tugging on my poor heart.
His kind eyes fall away from mine as I feel a squeeze on my arm. He twists it enough to show me a small, round patch of purple surrounded by a sickly yellowish corona.
“Oh. My elbow.” I let the air exhale from my lungs. Another bruise forms where my heart has hit the floor. It is jerked up again.
“Can I do anything for you?” I see in his eyes the mirror image of a finger—his finger—wrapped in one of the dangling strings. He tugs and I feel it.
“No,” I reply to his question. But it is a lie. There is something he could do, along with all who grasp a portion of the web entangling my heart. I wish they would mercifully let go.”
Source: Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year
“I wish I were a tree.
Tall. Strong. Abiding.
Rooted in the spot I stand, impervious to lures that drag the transient here and there. Possessing neither a negligent ear nor a traitorous tongue that would only soak in and breath out rabid gossip. Able to endure fickle shifts in the wind and not bend. Lazing under the fierce sun, weariless, suffering no sweat or burn.
Alive, sipping water, quietly providing.
How I wish I were a tree.”
Source: A Heart Made of Tissue Paper
“How much kindness should I show?
Enough to set all hearts aglow.
Just how patient must I be?
Enough to calm the stormy sea.
How much love doth God require?
Enough to lift the heavens higher.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“You live,
You grow,
You learn a lot
And think you know it all.
The sun,
So big,
So proudly hot,
It too will one day fall.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“Smile.
Steel it.
Keep steeling it.
Laugh.
Trill it.
Keep trilling it.
Love.
Feel it.
Keep feeling it.”
Source: Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year
“Where does our laughter travel to?
Does it search out monkeys in the zoo?
Or settle on the heart like dew?
Or cling to lip-glossed smiles on me and you?
Does it hang around throughout the day?
Or spread its wings and fly away?
Or gather-in like puffy clouds of gray?
Perhaps it hooks a rainbow’s end
And melts to make the colors blend.
Or paints a happy face upon a friend.
Does it turn to stardust when it’s late?
Or in a windstorm, circulate?
Or does it simply fade and dissipate?
What is our laughter’s merrymaking fate?”
Source: A Heart Made of Tissue Paper
“My mind is a box,
dark and lonely, enclosed.
It is a place I cannot escape.
My mind is a box,
bright and busy, exposed.
It is a place I can cultivate.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“I sat in a box
With walls on each side.
Not too tall.
Not too wide.
To think.
To ponder.
To pray.
To hide.
I sat in a box and cried.”
Source: Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year
“The Jealous Sun
The sunlight whispers in my ear, his breath a warm, sultry tease. I shrink and duck beneath a tree. My eyes squint to scan the horizon for a glimpse of the wind, but there are no ashen ribbons or golden waves in sight. He is missing.
Trickling, tinkling notes reflect loudly off a chandelier of glimmering droplets. The rain sings to me, and I shield my eyes, admiring the song. Far off in my western view I expect to see snow, but the sun grows hot with jealousy, knowing this. He refuses my snowman a place to set.
My sight drops to search for the man in the moon. Normally he rises dripping wet from out of the lake, often pale and naked, supple and soft to my caressing gaze. On rare occasions he dons a pumpkin robe as luminous as fire. Today he is draped in silks of the saddest blue. My heart weeps as he steals up and away.
An army of stars in shining armor come to my aid, and they force the sun into the ground—a temporary grave. I am fed with a billion bubbles of laughter until I feel I will burst. But the stars will not stop giving, and I will not stop taking.
A kiss brands my cheek, and I turn abruptly to find my snowman. He landed safely in the dark. We hide from the man in the moon behind a curtain of flurries to dance on polished rainbows and feast on stars until I hear a fire-red growl. The sun claws its way out of the soil, and everyone scatters.”
Source: Making Wishes: Quotes, Thoughts, & a Little Poetry for Every Day of the Year
“A lonely face aglow on high.
You mean the moon.
A flower, red, has caught his eye.
A rose in bloom.
He cannot touch her, though he tries.
In darkness glints the tears he cries.
I see mere stars; you boldly lie.
Nay, poetry to draw your sigh.
I am immune.”
Source: A Heart Made of Tissue Paper
“My father was not always there,
yet he kept eagerly aware
of my rehearsals and my plays,
of struggles and my winning days.
My father often could not stay
to hear me sing or watch me play,
but it was his hard-working hands
that paid my dues for sports and band.
My father was not always near,
so he would call to lift and cheer.
He listened while I spoke my mind.
He gave advice both wise and kind.
And on those days when work was thru,
my father rushed straight home to view
my soccer game or concert show.
I treasured those days most, you know.”
Source: Hope Evermore: Quotes, Verse, & Spiritual Inspiration for Every Day of the Year
“Dear Father in Heaven,
I thank thee this day
for blessings and mercies
thou sendest my way.
I thank thee for comfort
‘mid thunderous storms.
I cling to thy good word
when life feels forlorn.
I ask for enough strength
to bear life’s assaults.
I pray thou wilt forgive
my weakness and faults.
Dear Father in Heaven,
be mindful of all.
Please teach us to follow
thy counsel and call.
And when life has taught us
to love and to give,
I pray, Heavenly Father,
with thee we might live.”
Source: Hope Evermore: Quotes, Verse, & Spiritual Inspiration for Every Day of the Year
“For the time, the love, and the sacrifice,
For the laughs, the tears, and the sound advice,
For the faith, the prayers, and for being nice,
I thank God that He made you my mother.”
Source: Hope Evermore: Quotes, Verse, & Spiritual Inspiration for Every Day of the Year
“I’ve found that the best way to live one’s life
Is above the fog of negative thought,
With gossiping lips outside of earshot,
Keeping harsh criticism far less rife.
I’ve found that the best way to avoid strife
Is by sharing with others who have not,
Seeing the good, speaking kindness a lot,
Burying hatchets as well as sharp knives.
Every compassionate deed we have sown
Lifts a heavy burden from a brother.
Each positive thought and comment we own
Extends joy and love to one another.
Life was not meant to be traveled alone.
It is where we learn we need each other.”
Source: A Heart Made of Tissue Paper
“The ultimate feast! Turkey, dressing, pies, memories.
Laughter carries over squabbles and fleeting tears.
Game time, go! Heightened adrenaline; increased appetites.
Oh, the parade! Marching bands, floats and giant balloons.
Stuff the turkey, stuff your tummies! Eat up, eat more!
Thanksgiving joys shared with beloved family and friends.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“Oh, the wondrous places through which I wander:
woodlands, meadows, and green hillsides yonder.
I hike over mossy, meandering paths.
Dead branches serve nicely as walking staffs.
The sunset paints scenery crimson and gold.
Oh, wondrous nature dyed in colors bold.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“Have you ever been too old, too young, too big, too small, too smart, too dumb?
Have you ever been too fat, too thin, too shy, too loud, too slow to win?
Have you ever been too scared to try, too small to play, too young to die?
Have you ever been too weak to fight, too little yet, or not quite right?
Have you ever been too dark, too light, too black, too brown, too red, too white?
Have you ever been put off ’til last, the odd man out, the jerk they sassed?
Have you ever been the one black sheep, the naughty child, the nerdy geek?
Have you ever been the butt of jokes, the timid soul, the oddest folk?
Have you ever been left out of fun, forgotten when the day is done?
Have you ever been afraid to lose? Afraid to try? Afraid to choose?
Have you ever been too rich, too poor, too venturesome, or just a bore?
Have you ever had no clue at all? Nowhere to go? No one to call?
Have you ever been without a friend? Have you ever wished the day would end?
Have you ever had the biggest nose, the longest arms, the funny toes?
Have you ever had the flattest chest? Have you ever had the biggest breasts?
Have you ever prayed your luck would change? Have you ever felt your life was strange?
Have you ever wished for something more, or something less than what you were?
If you have ever felt this way, you're one of us I’m here to say.
We've all been there a time or two because we're human, me and you.
We've all felt different in some way because we are, and that’s okay.
We've all been hurt; we've all been scarred. That's life. And frankly, life is hard.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“An honest man won’t stoop to swindle,
thieve, or tell a lie.
Despite his need, despite the greed,
an honest man would rather die.
An honest man will seek out better,
higher roads to take.
Integrity and loyalty,
an honest man will ne’er forsake.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“Silence is my defense.
The protector whom I trust.
A sturdy shield,
A loyal safe-keeper,
A sentinel, impassable.
Silence is my refuge.
The shelter in which I hide.
A peaceful home,
A safe sanctuary,
A fortress, impenetrable.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“It’s okay to not be okay every hour of every day.
It’s alright to not be right every time you have a fight.
It’s just fine to not be fine every time you’re asked to shine.
It’s all good to not be good at everything you wish you could.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“I watched as he ignored the world
and focused on his hands.
He creased a simple paper plane
and dreamt of other lands.
I watched him reach to throw that plane
into the open sky.
A passing breeze upheld its wings
and made the paper fly.
I watched a pleasant smile control
his lips throughout the flight,
until the little paper plane
had floated out of sight.
I hoped to see him chase the plane
into the light of day.
Instead, he creased another one
and threw it too away.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“Father, oh Father, teach me to smile.
Grin in the mirror with me awhile.
Father, oh Father, teach me to jest.
Indulge my silly giggle requests.
Father, oh Father, teach me to say
thank you, excuse me, have a nice day.
Father, oh Father, teach me to learn.
Pass along wisdom. Foster concern.
Father, oh Father, teach me to serve.
Care for our neighbors while I observe.
Father, oh Father, teach me to love,
without exception like God above.
Father, oh Father, teach me to pray,
kneeling beside you at close of day.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“The summer sun welcomes me out
to sandy beaches with palm trees.
I am lulled by caressing rays
as warm as heavy, denim quilts.
The heat melts away distresses
from my muscles, from my thinking.
Entranced and contented, I bask
in the careless arms of sunshine.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“I love you, Mom.
___I love you more.
I love you to the moon!
___I love you to my core.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“A father’s success does not depend upon his ability to work and provide, to guard and protect, or to lecture and discipline.
A father’s success does not depend upon his ability to guide and govern, to instruct and demonstrate, or to remedy and repair.
A father’s success does not depend upon his ability to understand and relate, to adapt and change, or to entertain and play.
A father’s success does, however, greatly depend upon his ability to love and be loved.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“Battles of the hardest kind
Are never fought by hand.
They rage and fume inside the mind,
And slay the inner man.
Weapons that destroy a foe
Elicit fear and pain.
More violent is internal war
That ravages the brain.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“My hands.
Strong and callous.
They are industrious.
Grasping. Digging. Hauling. Shaping.
My tools.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“The handiest tools I ever gained
for mending the worst of days
were fashioned by my loving pa
through his praying, faithful ways.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“Things I love about spring are these:
Blooming flowers on fruit-bearing trees.
Fire-red tulips—their first reveal—
Followed by sun-yellow daffodils.
Trees acquiring new coats of green.
Natural waterfalls glistening.
The chirps and melodies of birds.
Throaty ribbits of frogs overheard.
A passing whiff of mint to smell,
Oregano and basil as well.
Colorful butterflies with wings.
Fuzzy, industrious bees that sting.
Sunlight waning late in the day.
Warm breezes causing willows to sway.
Most of all, a sense of things new,
Including budding feelings for you.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“Let her know you adore her.
Do not make her heart guess.
Boldly say how you love her.
Thy devotion confess.
Let her know you admire her,
All her talents and dreams.
Boldly reach for her fingers.
Gently slip on a ring.
Let her know that you need her,
As a lover and friend.
Boldly kneel and implore her,
To be yours ’til the end.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“Irish luck, aye, that I’ve got.
A four-leaf clover—aye, that too.
I’ll tell ye, lassie, what I’ve not,
A lucky Irish kiss from you!”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“The boldest thing I ever did was turn to face my fear.
The boldest move I ever made was mimicking its sneer.
The boldest word I ever breathed while standing toe to toe,
Was formed by trembling lips that dared to snarl 'I said no!'”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“You don’t believe in leprechauns.
A myth you say they be.
You don’t believe in pots-o-gold,
or four-leaf-clover tea.
You don’t believe the rainbow’s end
alights on treasured finds.
They are illusions meant for fools
you say ‘ave lost their minds.
You don’t believe in whispering
your wishes to the wind,
where on St. Patrick’s holiday
they blow t’wards Ireland.
You don’t believe in magic spells
or longings coming true.
Yet, head-to-toe you dress in green
on Patty’s Day, you do.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“Oh sun! Fervid sun!
You welcome me with summer.
Drench me in your rays.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“Not every day is awful.
Not every day is good.
Despite the way the hours pass,
I’m living like I should.
Not every day is all wrong.
Not every day is right.
At least I’m not a spider trying
to scamper out of sight.
Not every day is ideal.
Not every day is bad.
At any rate I have my senses,
even if they’re mad.
Not every day is happy.
Not every day is glum.
When melancholy drags me down,
a simple tune I hum.
Not every day I smile.
Not every day I frown.
With effort, I can take a scowl
and turn it upside down.
Not every day is crazy.
Not every day is sane.
If consequence nips at my heels
I don’t pass on the blame.
Not every day is giddy.
Not every day is blah.
Yet I can still appreciate
a giggle and guffaw.
Not every day is timid.
Not every day is proud.
I may not be a dragon, but
I roar about as loud.
Not every day has rainbows.
Not every day has rain.
Despite the fact I’m stiff and sore,
I’m not in chronic pain.
On every day the sun shines,
so every night I pray
that I might see the morning light
and live another day.”
Source: Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year
“Have hope.
Trust in the Lord.
Know He can do all things.
Exercise faith in God’s timing.
Believe.”
Source: Hope Evermore: Quotes, Verse, & Spiritual Inspiration for Every Day of the Year
“I hoped for a rose and got lilies.
I hoped for the sun and got rain.
I hoped for a cat and got puppies.
I hoped for Brazil and got Spain.
I hoped for a raise and got transferred.
I hoped for northwest and got south.
I hoped for ice cream and got yogurt.
I hoped for a kiss on the mouth.
I hoped for more time and got late fees.
I hoped for a cruise, got a flight.
I hoped for Poseidon, got Hades.
I hoped for long days over nights.
You may wonder why I keep hoping,
As fruitless as it seems to be.
But hope is a bow, not an arrow.
Its release depends much upon me.”
Source: Hope Evermore: Quotes, Verse, & Spiritual Inspiration for Every Day of the Year
“I scared a little porcupine
and caught a quill in my behind.
It hurt so badly in my tail,
but tugging on it made me yell.
The porcupine was still around,
so I complained. He simply frowned
and said, "Stop whining! Look and see
how many quills are stuck on me!”
Source: Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year
“I slay dragons at night while you sleep.
I see by the way your face contorts how they exist in your dreams.
Willing a magic sword, I plunge into your deepest nightmares and swing at the beasts with all my might, dodging flames exhaled by monsters that would eat me alive to go on torturing the fair one I love. I see your face relax, eyes still drowsily closed, when the mighty dragon is slain.
It may be that my fingers rub soft circles on your forehead as I imagine my brave fight as a knight reclaiming your dreams. You smile under the spell of my touch, and I am rewarded. And so, my love, as I await the dawn, I stand ready to slay dragons while you sleep.”
Source: Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year
“A dragon grows in leaps and bounds,
Like troubles mounting by the pound.
Its stature heightens day to day,
Imposing dread and deep dismay.
A paralyzing roar it gains
While from its snout hot fire rains.
It sees you shrink. Your fear it knows.
And by the hour the nightmare grows.
Unless you slay the dragon soon,
Your troubles may become your doom.”
Source: Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year
“There should ne’er be a time
When a duty or dime
Doth outshine
The importance of family.”
Source: Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year
“The horses have stopped
their clippity-clop,
but feet are too slow
for where I must go.
So here I shall stay
until light of day
when clippity-clop
gets my team underway.”
Source: Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year
“Sound.
Noise
the air employs.
Melodies sweet.
Tweet, tweet, tweet.
Soft. Loud.
A roaring crowd.
Cluck. Caw. Crow.
Tet, tet. Tis, tis.
Guttural growl.
Harrowing howl.
Drip, drip, drip.
Tap, tap, tap.
Moan and groan.
Endless drone.
Ding, dang, dong.
A church bell song.
Vibrations in my ear
to hear.
Sound.”
Source: Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year
“Oh, Man in the Moon"
"Oh, man in the moon, send an evening star to wink at my dreary eyes, and I shall make a wish for a peaceful world that spins with no more lies.
Oh, man in the moon, send the night's cool breeze to lull my leery heart, and I shall cast my fears to the wind with ease, and watch them all depart.
Oh, man in the moon, send the sandman's dust to rest my weary soul, and I shall slumber in happy dreams until the morning bells do toll.”
Source: Smile Anyway: Quotes, Verse, & Grumblings for Every Day of the Year