For My Sunshine Friend (A Poem for Sheryl)

Today I wish you sunshine
The kind of day that hugs you
With its warmth
Inviting you to stay
   to rest
   to ponder
   to watch
For things you've never seen before

The kind of day
Whose breezes
Bring comfort and delight
Carrying the waves, the clouds
Colorful kites
And your cares
Far away
So far away

The kind of day wherein
Birds soar high above
Then park themselves
Before you
Giving you a front-row seat
To their busy play
And joy-filled chatter

The kind of day
That lingers long
After night has come
And the favored season passes
Because it reached
Deep inside you
With its bright
Generous light

So when the storms come
And the winds
Turn bitter cold
Something
Somewhere
In your soul
Is still warm
And knows love

Today I wish you
Warm, inviting, exploring
Comforting, delightful, playful
Outreaching, generous, bright
Loving
Sunshine
Like the kind of friend you are
To me.

Diane Mann, 2014

My Part

Mine is not to strain harder to believe
     but to lean in,
            rest upon
                   and receive.


diane mann, 2013

Inescapable Love

Oh, the riches of this day
Your Presence with me, God
(Do you know how much I love that with-me part about You?)

Shine of the sun illuminating 
Warming me, heating 
The land
Melting the last patches
Of winter's stubborn snow
Causing me to try to escape 
Its harsh glare
Hot, scathing sun
A chilling iceberg
When compared
With Your burning Love
Melting stubborn me
Igniting this sometimes frozen heart
To love You
To love me
To love others

Oh, the riches of this day
You 
With me!

Diane Mann, 2013

End of a Generous Day

Gently the day

Having handed out

So many gifts

Says Goodbye

I smile

In grateful return

And attempt

To contain them all.

diane mann, 2013