The girl who had nothing

The boy who had everything to give her

But he would soon find out that she already had everything he ever wanted

“Shhh” she says putting her slender finger to her lips.

“Close your eyes and listen” as she closes her eyes and tilts her head sideways.

“Listen to wh…” he says enamored as she covers his mouth with her hand.

"Shhh. Close your eyes. Yes, tighter...okay now...can you hear the breeze speaking to you?"she whispers so genely tht he wonders if the wind asks him. He waits for a brief moment but it is as if the silence almost kills him as he throws himself on the ground and begins to make snow angels in the grass laughing. She looks hurt, as if he has stolen the moment, and begins to pout, just ever so slightly...

Paper Punch Holes

Like dandruff on the blue carpet
And you just left them there
I watched them for a while
just sitting there...still...minding their own business
I watch you walk over them hour after hour after hour
I mentioned them to you, but you don't seem to mind
I can't stand it any more
So down on my knees I'm picking and picking and...
who gave me this need for neat disease

Timothy N. Connor

Tim is my surprise. He was unexpected in my life but greatly needed. Isn't it strange that until we meet someone we really had no idea how much we needed them in our lives. I have to say that he has stretched my vision, expanded my horizons, increased my ability to love, and ultimately he has taught me so more about the Atonement than he has any idea.

Tim is a gift. I didn't pray him into my life, I didn't will it, I didn't even know how much I wanted him to be a part of my life until he was there--in the midst of it. His ability to go out and make things happen is what I was first attracted to. His ability to love people--although quitely--astounds me. He may not let you see it but his heart is bleeding and full of incredible insights.

He is truly an artist in every detail of his existance. His eye for beauty and imagery flows through his blood--not just his eyes. He is passionate about life and living every minute of it and I love that about him. Timothy is kind, he is gentle, and he is bold, brave, and courageous and I am amazed at his ability to be all of those at the same time.

Tim has this way of making everyone feel unique and loved individually-even in a crowd. He is funny, he is creative, he is quiet, he is mysterious, and he is loud. He is strong but also shows his weakness if needed.

Some of my favorite moments with Timothy are simple heart pictures. I thank him for letting me in, for letting me love him, for allowing me to see things through his eyes for the first time. For being a part of many of my firsts and allowing me to change and stretch with him by my side.

Timothy you inspire me and yes, everything does look better wet!--well almost everything...

K. Marie Thompson

Marie...how do you even use mere words to describe such a creature. She is fire flies, and peanut butter--she is oatmeal pies and fresco paintings--she is unicorns and philosophy. She is all these things and so much more, but I won't even try to describe Marie, just how she inspires me.

Marie has a mind that I would love to dive into for a just a little while and swim around in it. I think I would find so many amazing ideas, pictures, and thoughts. I think I only happen to get a few of the ones that seem to spill out involuntary...and I love those. Sometimes I find myself lying awake at night just trying to imagine seeing the world through Marie's eyes (I have to concentrate really hard and think of the most radom thoughts possible) and every time I try this I get tired and realize that this comes natural to her.

Marie's heart is for the taking, but be careful because once she lets you hold it you may never want to give it back. She is clever, funny, smart, exciting, kind, generous, spontaneous, and a dear friend

I don't think I know very people who write as beautiful as her...and the way she makes me laugh and smile...that alone makes me addicted to her. Until proven otherwise I have decided that she is my reason for moving to Boston--right or wrong I make that choice because of the impact she has had in my life in the past 7 months.

I know she loves me, but sometimes I catch myself feeling so blessed that she calls me her friend--for the fact that I don't have to vie for her attention--or convince her to hang out with me. Besides all her strengths I love her for all that's wrong with her, for her beautiful tears I wish I could catch and punish every reason for them, for her weaknesses, for her brokenness, and for her allowing me in.

Marie you are more than enough for me!

Seth B. Wood

There was magical the moment I saw Seth--again after a long time apart. Some bad feelings, misunderstanding, and hurt has been between us in the past. When I saw him that all seemed to disappear. I took a chance, hugged him, and said a quick prayer of forgiveness and humility. In that brief hug I felt all things unkind between us shluf off onto the ground. I stepped out of the pain and past and from that moment on I have never looked back. I am so glad that Seth--maybe unknowingly--maybe on purpose, did the same thing. That day was the beginning of a new amazing friendship.

Seth is truly one great man. There are so many things to love about him. His quick wit, his tender heart, his willingness to put everyone to ease, his listening ear, his kindness, and his desire to bring out the best in others.

Seth has this way of always making me feel like a princess without condescending. He inspires beauty in me to come out that I never even knew existed. He seems to understand hearts more than most--though he will rarely say.

Seth is so comfortable to be around, I am amazed at this. He is manly. He's a great worker, an amazing friend, he makes me laugh all the time, he is fun, and he is kind. Seth is multidimensional: meaning he has many sides. He can be serious and contribute to a real conversation and he can also take you on a ride out to a park in the wee hours of the morning, jump the fence (illegally) and sit beside me to watch the docked sailboats rock in the water.

Seth is hot...or handsome...or whatever you want to call it. He has a demeaner that is comanding, yet gentle. He is aware of his surrounds and has kigatsuku...one of the things I love most about him

So, to my Sethy know that you are part of the reason I love Boston so much!

Julie S. Hulet

I don't know how it happened but Julie just stole my heart from the moment I met her. I should have been on my guard, I should have been suspicious, and I should have been anything except what I was and what happened when I met her...truly I was compelled to love her. That's just one of the things that I love about Julie.

Julie has a smile that melts your heart-no matter what is going on in your life. She has a voice that I could listen to forever (and that's saying a LOT). She is so easy to be with. There are times when I'm with her that I wish she could just hear what I'm thinking because to say the words just ruins the moment and they just seem to get in the way.

Julie is beautiful-yes on the outside and such, but the beauty that i'm talking about goes way beyond what you see at face value. She has a bleeding heart and a laugh that almost makes her seem like cotton candy or and ice cream cone on a summer day. She is dripping with kindness and I happen to be a recipient of that kindness all to often. For that I truly am indebted.

Julie's honesty is striking and may be one of the things I love the most about her. She is true blue through and through. She can be a vault or she can show her brokenness-and in both I have been privilege.

She is my Ju-Ju-Bee and I don't know why I am so blessed to have her love but I'll take it as long as she will let me. Julie is spontaneous, irrational, quirky, and sometimes so silly I don't know what to do with her---and those are the times I can't stand to be away from her.

So to my Julie, I love you and you are changing my life one heart picture at a time. thanks!

Paper Wings

Stomping around in glass slippers
Where sideways sidewalks are found
The Nothing rumbles through
Alice's hole in the ground

I follow the Yellow Brick Road
And find The Last Unicorn
Who leads me to Tom's white fence
Where Little Boy Blue blows his horn

Watching a camel walk through the eye
I take flight on paper wings
But get stuck in Wonka's small hallway
Listening as the Siren sings

And mesmerized by Medusa's beauty
The Beast's petals begin to fall
And I stumble upon Romeo and Sir Lancelot
Duling for the Fairest of Them All

By chance I meet the Jabberwok
Who introduces me to King Kong
They teach me how to write
But that turns out all wrong

I try Sam's Green Eggs and Ham
But don't like them very much
I behold the naked Emperor
but just miss his Midas Touch

I make sure to avoid The Wild Things
And jump on the Polar Express
Is it any wonder, I ask myself
That my life is a complete mess

August 17, 2006

The River

We like to place blame
Sometimes it's merrited
Most times it's not
We blame others for things we ought to do
And We blame for things we didn't do
Yet, in all these years I never blamed the River

August 17, 2006

Water Fire

Gas lit lamps hung just above my head
The heat of the fires blowing in my face
Weaving in and out of multitudes if people
Being drawn to the sound of a saxaphone

Whisperings of a wind flute in the air
And we are following the river winding
Excitement is all around, but I feel safe
Because you are both with me

The jazz music sings to my heart
Salsa dancing with you takes away a bit of my fear
And Providence you truly amaze me
By the magesty that you behold

Reluctant Tears

I was on the bed and made no attempt to move
So you flopped yourself down next to me
We talked of superflous things-at first
Then you let me speak to you raw
Tears began to fall unmentioned
Followed later by my reluctant tears
Hearts exchanged sorrows unfathomable
And for a moment silence spoke a thousand words
I let you into my brokeness
And now we can never be the same

A Sweet Kiss

talking with you comes so freely
i am amazed at what i learn
and how easy it is to love you

i am aware when you let down your gaurd
and I know that just for a few minutes
your eyes will speak the passion of your heart

then I look at you and smile
you are changing and growing
how lucky am i to be a part

i feel safe when i'm near you
and when I leave you are gentle
a sweet kiss on the forehead-my favorite

Singing Beach

Waist deep I stand next to you
And there is comfort in this
Watching the sun go to sleep
I feel peace I miss

Talk comes easy with you
As the temperature subdues
And I'm grateful you're with me
That your heart-to me- speaks truths

How strange our friendship started
It was doomed from the first
But I'm thankful for your love
I'll take the best with the worst

So here's to many more adventures to come
Crazy laughs and that elusive sunset
The quiet moments when nothing is said
and every moment I am glad we met

Pictures in the Clouds

Laying on my back next to you
The sun kissing my skin
The sky stretches my vision
And so does the ocean
The light house stands daunting
A moment of peace

People out playing or resting or both
The waves lap the shore just out of reach
and just for a moment everything is as it should be

You with your will for speed
Your winding windy roads
Your open meadows with Weeping Willows
Yes, you truly are wonderful

More ++

It was an ordinary ride on the T
Or so I thought
The curly-haired little girl seemed very happy
And I think her nanny had just about had it
It was hot and she was tired
I tried not to stare but they were right in front of me
And the little girl kept smiling at me
She made lots of grunting noise, like little kids often do
But then she did something that completely melted my heart
She started to sign "more"
her two hand touching each other fingers gathered together
"more"
So simple and to most onlookers it was just a gesture
But I understood her communication
Her nanny reached for the raisins and gave them to the little girl
"more"

The Reason

If I laid out my memories of the past 6 months in a line side by side
I don't think there would be many without you
And even those memories are in some way connected to you
And so I have to wonder if you are my reason

If I stacked every email written sinc Jan. one on top of the other
Not very many of them exclude you
And the ones that do I seem to send to you anyway
And so maybe you willed me here

Then again I do recall I prayed for a refuge-a haven of sorts out East
Somewhere for me to recover, to get healthy, and to heal
And though I was looking for a place
you may well be my answer

Today I started to count my many blessing and you kept popping up
No matter how hard I tried to think of other things and people
You seem to be entangled in my heart
And I don't mind

Broken Heart

I know your heart is breaking
I haven't got the slightest clue
Nor do I have empathy
But my sympathy I give to you

You have every right to suffer
You won't be the first nor last
Love has a way of digging up
The memories from our past

And if the love I have for you
Can help to mend your heart
Let me know where I begin
Help me know where to start

Heart Pictures: The 411

I started writing heart pictures about the time I graduated from HS. I have always loved poetry and writing poems but I discovered that I didn't write about things that most poets wrote about. Most poems are about love, death, romance etc. I was always enamored by life, the ordinary moment and the extraordinary ones. The times in your life when you heart takes a picture.

And so I began my journey. In college I was studying English with a creative writing emphasis so I decided to use my heartpictures as a way to improve my poetry skills and my improv writing. I would write a poem every monday. This poem would not be thought of ahead of time or be one that I had previously written. No, I would write this poem off the top of my head. Now sometimes they turned out wonderful but other times they were a big flop.

Thanks to a lot of support and encouragement many of my heartpictures ended up being published in poetry books, magazines, and in various other places.

Now with my move and a little bit of being able to settle down I think I have found a new home for my heartpictures. Feel free to comment, correct, expound, and enjoy!