Little Black

Dedicated to my friend Jasper Matisse, a little furry fella who crossed the rainbow bridge. A brave, good boy, who will be missed and is forever in my heart <3

Little black steps on the forest path, 

little black steps in the winter snow,

little big hearts crossing that big ol' road,

little big hearts wondering where to go                                   

His brothers and sisters wondered off with mom

sometimes his only light would be the moon

lonely be the world without a friend

little big heart could only try pretend

Take me home, take me home

he would look up at the moon and ask away 

take me home, take me home

pretending games would get him through the day

He lay his tiny head right on the ground

all grown up he thought he may have been

she said hello, when he came around

cutest Jasper paws she's ever seen

brave he was to take a helping hand

finally found a home to call his own

a mom and dad and a sister full of love

it seems the stars have given him enough

Now he's home, home sweet home

finally has a place to call his own

Home sweet home, a place to live

little big heart said bye to make believe 

Home sweet home, home sweet home

If only they could see all he had seen

Home sweet home, home sweet home

little big heart would purr

little big heart is sure

home is where the heart is evermore!

The Answer Within

~  The only thing we take with us is love   ~

"Can you hear it?" he said, placing his child's little hand over his ailing heart. "Great men do as they feel. It's there, all the time. Listen." 

As a child, Julius was unable to understand his father's dying words, but on this cold December night, a glimmer of light fell upon him when he found himself standing in a sad pool of regret. A rich man, with the world at his fingertips, Julius never listened to his heart. Now that it was time for him to enjoy life, there was nothing he could call his own. Clutching the railing, desperately holding onto life, he understood his father now. The voice within is the messenger of all. Foolish, irrational, even reckless at times, life is about moments. The cold air fueled his lungs as he stood suffocating, soaked in confusion. Warrior ways about him, ready to fold the battle of brutal stagnancy, he had no moments. He had everything, yet he had nothing of value in his life. It was not his father's voice he heard. It was Louisa. She stopped him by placing her delicately sculpted hand over his aristocrat thin long fingers and gently moved them from the railing, looking deep into his eyes. As if she heard his thoughts, as if she heard his cry, Louisa said: "Things are not so bad." Denial is neglect of self, ignorance of soul and a blatant disregard of man's greatest gift is the choice to be kind. "The answers are within, he said. Should I tell her how I feel? Louisa, I - " 

- from my novel Spring Time Among Ashes
(based on true events)