#218

A house on the Buda side,
modernized, yet retaining
some of the old, 
a reminder of the 
Iron Curtain
and its dark, dreary 
fist of things gray and ugly.

catherinenglish 08-06-2013

#217

I have found it takes a lot of courage
to leave a place I've lived for twenty-one years,
a place I have called home and raised our children,
so saying good-bye and starting a new life leaves 
me an emotional wreck, but I take heart,
like other immigrants, hoping for a brighter future.

catherinenglish 08-05-2013

#216

Hamburg, Germany has two
St. Michael's Churches; one
Catholic and one Lutheran,
but the Catholic Church
has the larger baptismal 
fountain, guarded by a
statue of its namesake.

catherinenglish 08-04-2013 

#215

Espressions has been 
my coffee haven
for over a decade,
serving up salads,
soups, sandwiches,
omelets, and the 
rich company of 
good friends.  

catherinenglish 08-03-2013

"If the learned and worldly-wise men of this age were to allow mankind to inhale the fragrance of fellowship and love, every understanding heart would apprehend the meaning of true liberty, and discover the secret of undisturbed peace and absolute composure."  -Tablet of Maqsúd

#214

Europe is full of
churches,
glorious alters,
grandiose and gold,
signifying the Glory of God,
once filled to capacity 
with worshipers,
now large and empty,
a reminder of the vastly 
wealthy patrons who 
paid for it,
preserving their "good name" 
for the future.

catherinenglish 08-02-2013

#213

You will never grow old,
retaining the beauty of youth,
a spirit so strong,
you overcame more than many
could ever dream of; 
ever watchful,
ever seeking a moment 
to touch someone's life 
with your smile 
and helping hand.

catherinenglish 08-01-2013

(Godfrey John Brokenrope, 1963-2013)

#212

Tonight, amid tears,
I stood by Kylie,
holding onto the 
sage bundle,
which brought me 
comfort, as I said goodbye
to her dad;
she wearing his worn,
brown leather bundle, 
kissed my hand and patted 
the intricately carved box 
with his ashes, 
(emulating an act by my sister, Lisa,
for my own father a decade ago),
surrounded by beautiful artifacts
commemorating the chief's life,
a sense of peace enveloping me.

catherinenglish 07-31-2013 (revised 08-02-2013)

(My thanks to Fran Kaye for the advice to hold onto the bundle).