new jersey botanical garden

touch my heart

You know how to touch me
The way no other can.
You sense response keenly
It's like you're in my mind.

You take me by the hand
I come along with you.
I trust you will be kind
I let you lead me there.

You give the lead to me
We both enjoy each move.
Leaving my fear behind
Letting myself go free.

So this is what love is
To dare to take the risk:
Open my precious heart
And let you hold me safe.

peggy's point walk

dream house

Our dream house looks good on the inside
And on the outside and from the inside looking out
With shade trees around us and down the street
And a flower garden with a bird bath and sundial.

It shares the street with other attractive houses.
Some are brick like the ones where we grew up.
All have building details to please the eye.
None are huge. Just houses, thank you.

It’s quiet enough that we can sit outside undisturbed,
Listening to the birds or soft music.
There’s a park nearby and stores not far away
Where we can walk whenever we want to go.

The ceilings are ample height to let the mind stretch.
There are arched doorways to mix curves with the angles.
The windows catch morning and afternoon sun
And bring a spring freshening or summer breeze.

Our things are all organized with storage galore.
There are extra closets in the bedrooms and halls
Big enough there’s no crowding and creasing.
The clothes hang pressed and ready for work.

The floors are hardwood shining their grain
And the stairs have a banister curved at the end.
There’s a fireplace with a wood mantel, too.
You can caress the smooth wood surfaces.

The place smells of cooking and spices,
Flower cuttings, shampoo and soap,
Mown grass, wood burning,
Fresh laundry, love making.

The kitchen has room for a table and chairs,
My favorite place to socialize,
Preparing a tasty meal of fresh food,
Sharing the tasks, enjoying being together.

The place is affordable comfort
With room for a guest or two,
Close to your work for a short commute,
Easy to get away and get back any time.

The house is special in so many ways
But it would be empty without you there with me.
You are the dream I’ve had all my life,
My dream come true.

volunteer arrangements

Reuben the dog

The big black dog lies there on his side
Head on the floor looking at me
Sighs from time to time
Living out his end of days.

This dog is so cooperative
As if he has no needs
Only wanting to please
Asking only for affection.

It is very sad he is leaving us
But it is his way of doing things
As if he knows what his humans need
This dog who never complains.

The dog who has been my shadow next to me
This is what I learned from him:
Tone of voice says more than the words mean.
This is what he hears and how he knows.

Being a word person, I needed that life lesson
So much. Thank you, Reuben.
You are a very good dog.
You have a place in my heart.

enjoying a warm weekend outdoors

visioning

We are visioning living together
Making a noun into a verb
Like an idea whose time has come.
Two people combining resources.

We are engaged in this way
Discussing our options
Given our requirements
Working out how to meet our needs.

We are imagining what it will be like
Living somewhere new to both of us
Not too far from work in the city
Not too far to get away to the country.

We’re getting a bigger place
Room for you and room for me
Room for our loved ones
A place that’s better for both of us.

Let this place have a garden with trees
A place to relax and enjoy living things around us
A quiet sanctuary where peace prevails
A place to laugh and sing and cry with friends.

Let the problems present from time to time
Things that annoy between us
Trouble in our lives outside
We will talk about it together.

The essential consideration of the other person
The basis for happiness when living together
All problems can be solved if we know what we are feeling
Speak honestly and show kindness towards each other.