Cyber Place

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

It begins in the darkest silence,
As she sits there, still, and all alone;
The house is quiet and her tears fall,
Where has all the love gone?

The guilt and the pain and anguish,
Eat at her soul and she knows it's wrong;
She's done nothing to deserve this life,
And she yearns for a place to belong.

The shutters of her mind are breaking,
The spirit it houses makes it's run;
She pours her heart to the keyboard,
For in her world there is no shining sun.

But there are kindred souls that reach her,
In the rivers that house her cyber space;
And once in a while they make her smile,
Over the miles in this strange new place.

On the endless web, she speaks her dreams,
The faceless friends sigh and agree;
They ask oh when can we finally meet?
And she can't, for she's not free.

So she sits all alone in the dark of night,
Knowing that cyber life is not real;
Yet a little is better than nothing,
And the glowing screen is a sun she can feel.

Moonglow

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Touched by that gentle light;
Face in etheral repose,
Shadows hiding slumberous eyes,
Separated by your dreams,
Yet, I've never felt as close.
Darkness thick with vanilla
And your special, unique scent,
Body sculpted and honed
By the hands of a master;
Exposed to my hungry look,
Never as beautiful as now,
At rest and at peace.
Touched only by moonglow,
Tracing each curve and valley;
Kissing each line and swell;
Embracing you in gentle light;
So that I may feast upon you
To my satisfaction.

Ghosts Will Walk

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Some night in the darkest dark,
When clouds smother the fullest moon,
And the air is heavy with stormy heat,
Hinting of rain to be coming soon;
Should you stand alone in the pungent quiet,
Amid the trunks of spell-stilled trees,
The silence will talk, ghosts will walk,
Evoking long lost memories.

Ringing the mind, echos of thoughts,
That once burned with untold pain;
Buffered now by the silent midnight,
Cooled by the hint and scent of rain.
Hands can't touch, yet still they feel
A mental image the eyes can't see.
And the ghosts will walk, the silence talk,
And a prayer is said for a memory.

A Lover's Wish

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Your love comes to me like a breath of wind,
Suddenly, and warm as it flows round,
Surrounding, and entering to kiss my heart,
The softness of your lips feathering my skin.
The sighs as we touch, such a pleasing sound,
Alive with emotion, even when we're apart.

A lover's wish rings from the depth of my soul,
Fill me, heal me, take me to heaven's berth;
Lift me high on the magic of specral rainbows,
Give me the part of you which makes me whole.
Let me show you just what your love is worth;
Stay deep in my arms as this feeling grows.

When you feel the wind which touches me now,
And you know that it holds the best of my love;
Inhale of it deep, let it flow in your veins,
Then come to me and I'll show you how
It feels to fly high on the wings of a dove,
And your heart is alive with the love it gains.

The Greatest Love

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

He knelt in the garden, all alone,
As His companions slept nearby;
He didn't want to be by Himself,
For He knew He was going to die.
He raised His face to the heavens,
"If it's Thy will, let this cup pass by,"
His answer, the sound of the nearing crowd,
For the love of man, Jesus did cry.


They took Him, stripped and beat Him,
But for His life, He didn't plea;
They placed on His head, a crown of thorns,
And paraded Him out for the world to see.
He carried His cross up Calvary's hill,
And there, they nailed Him to the tree;
"Father, forgive them," He did pray,
He hung there and bled for you and me.


It was the greatest love we'll ever know,
It was the purest love there's ever been;
He gave up His life so that we could live,
His tears and His blood cover our sin.
He's with us now, as we go through our day,
He knows who we are and where we've been;
We live in the shadow of His cross,
His love will be with us even in the end.

The Christmas Angel

BY CAROLE NICHOLS



At the holiest time of the year
Evil came in to take a child so dear;

Arms of one trusted to keep her safe,
Took the life of a innocent waif;


Evading the law, as the world looks on,
The killer walks free; JonBenét is gone.


Yet a star shines on through our tears,
She'll be a Christmas angel for endless years.


And when I kiss my child goodnight,
This Christmas angel sheds her pure light.


For she knows I hold my child so dear,
In the still of the night she has nothing to fear.


When I think of the crime that was done,
And how there's been no justice won,


I know in God's kingdom the child is safe,
From the trusted arms that destroyed the waif.


Still for her, there'll be a judgment day;
She'll stand before God and JonBenét.

They are There

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

When we first come into life,
Struggling, protesting into the light,
Drawing that first sweet breath,
Seeking the unknown comfort
Of a mother's nurturing breast,
And the security of her arms;
They are there.

When skies are darkened,
By the rage of the storm;
When lightning splits the sky
With fingers of hot anger,
And thunder shakes the land,
Drowning our cries of fear;
They are there.

When the seas roll in fury,
Tossing the soul into confusion;
When the winds howl with the might
To bend and snap the sturdy tree,
And we wander, lost and alone,
Fighting to find our way home;
They are there.

They are there, good times and bad,
Standing ever near to hold our hands,
Silent sentinels to our daily lives,
Protecting and comforting the heart,
Feeding and soothing our souls;
Asking naught, yet giving all.
They are there.

And when our living's done,
Yet we fight against the coming dark,
They shine a light in the distance,
Welcome us with smiles and open arms,
We finally see our angels face to face;
Even into eternity, we walk side by side.
They are there.

Grandfather

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

The earliest memory that I have
Of the man who meant so much to me,
Is swinging from a handmade swing,
Tied upon an old oak tree.
And of tough, calloused hands,
That pushed me with gentle care;
Even then, he stood tall and strong,
Though there was grey in his red hair.


He always had a smile for me,
I loved the way his bass voice rumbled;
His faith in God shone round him;
Of the hardships of life, he never grumbled.
His eyes never left the path,
He toiled hard to make a living;
Though he never had much to show,
It never stopped his charitable giving.


I remember sitting at his feet,
As he brought to life his Bible stories;
His eyes were soft with his love,
He believed in all of Heaven's glories.
His wife, he called her "Mother",
We laughed for we didn't understand,
That was how much he revered her;
How special was his "good right hand."


In many ways, he was more like a father,
For he loved me ever in his way;
He'd treat me as his equal,
Take me fishing on a sunny day.
And when he was old and sickened,
Twas not for himself that he showed care;
Twas for those of us who'd miss him so,
For what would we do without him there.


Grandfather showed me how to die,
And he showed me how to live;
He taught, by his deeds, how to love,
He taught me how to unselfishly give.
He was the greatest man I've ever known,
Though most of the world knew not his name;
He was a humble man, a man of peace;
He was never one to judge or blame.


He was an island of simple pleasures,
He was a world of faith, unquestioning trust;
He was an ocean of boundless love,
Yet a mountain of fire for souls unjust.
He taught me much by just living his life,
And though he's gone, he's with me still;
I know he sits, now, at the right hand of God,
Left behind shoes no one else can fill.

With You

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

I like to just be with you,
Walking barefoot on a snow white beach;
Feeling the warmth of the sun on my face,
Knowing your hand's within easy reach.
Or sitting by you at day's end,
When the sun sets low as we watch the tide;
For I'm at peace with the world,
With you, right there, by my side.

With you, there's a feeling of subtle joy,
That needs no effort to make it shine;
You're the dearest of friends, but more too,
You're the one who healed this heart of mine.
I'd like to be with you at the break of dawn,
There, on the beach, with sand washed new;
To experience the birth of a brand new day,
To find a new dream, this one with you.

In You

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

In you, I find I have gained
More than I ever lost;
It was worth all the pain and tears,
To find you here, worth the cost.

In you, I've found a good right hand,
That holds mine, safe and warm;
In you, I've found my dearest friend,
Who protects me from all harm.

In you, I've found the sunshine,
Though storm clouds may fill the sky;
In you, I've found my rainbow,
Love lifting me up most high.

In you, I've found an angel,
Who's wings aren't afraid to bend;
In you, I've found sweet laughter,
To help my scarred soul mend.

In you, I've found the comfort
Of knowing you'll always be there;
In you, I've found belief in me,
You always let me know you care.

In you, I've learned to fully give,
No longer shall I fear;
In you, I've found the rest of my life,
You are, to me, irreplaceably dear.

Back To the World

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Look at her just standing there,
Skittish as a newborn fawn.
Her life stamped across her face;
An open book, she waits for dawn.

She lifts her eyes to the lightening sky,
The last trace of tears wiped away;
A deep drawn breath of frosty air,
She prepares herself for a brand new day.

She lowers the walls around her heart,
To feel the beauty of nature's song,
Hoping to capture a piece of the wonder,
Needing to find a place to belong.

As the sun breaks over the mountain,
Setting the world all aglow,
She smiles as it touches her warmly;
She knows where she must go.

Back to the world of chances,
Back to the world of hopes and dreams;
For that, after all, is life and love,
And that is where her heart leans.

Love Lies Waiting

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Such a wonderous feeling to lie here,
Bodies touching, lips to lips;
Barely brushing as they whisper,
A soft sweet word that quietly slips.

Your hands brush the hair from my face,
To feather kisses on my brow;
I feel the things you cannot say,
It moves my heart to tears, somehow.

What's here is more than passion,
It's a joining of two souls;
The feelings reach to gently heal
In mystic waves that make us whole.

What we see in the other's eyes,
When we lie here close, this way;
Is a reflection of what we each feel,
And the wonder of what has come this day.

This holding gives a cautious joy,
And something deeper we can't yet touch;
Waiting there just outside the heart,
Waiting to fall in it's beating clutch.

If I Looked into Your Eyes

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Were I to look into your eyes,
I wonder what I'd see;
Past the olive green into your soul,
To the part you hide from me.

The outer eye is easily read,
There is a look of quiet sadness;
A bit of pain in corners crinkled
With lines that should be made from gladness.

There is a look of guarded caution,
As you daily greet the world;
A closed look of "keep your distance,"
In what use to be a carefree girl.

If I draw near to closely look inside,
I'd find a soul, naked and alone;
Battered and bruised by all you've lived,
Disillusioned by lies, and friends long gone.

And on the bier that held your dreams,
An alabaster coffin stands;
Holding the remains of your innocence,
The purity lost at love's hands.

My eyes fill with compassionate tears,
In my heart, I feel a kindred rush;
I long to pull you close to me,
But you shy away from even my touch.

If I were to look into your eyes,
Would I find of reflection of me?
If I pressed my face to the mirror,
Looked into your eyes, what would I see?

The Last Thing to Go

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

It's the first thing I see in the morning,
When I awaken from my slumber;
A mouth that forms a happy smile,
How long will I see it, I wonder.

For the image is here in my mind alone,
A part of all of you that I see;
The most precious part of the whole,
When those lips smiled so at me.

They formed such private words,
Which I hope were mine alone:
A special name, a unique line,
Echos now, since you've gone.

I know in time your memory will fade,
No matter how I'd like it to stay;
But like the Cheshire cat in the tale,
You smile will be the last to go away.

That smile offered such a friendship,
It said you thought I was worthwhile;
When slumber takes me again, tonight,
I know, once more, I'll see that smile.

Wintertime

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

The flowers and greenery are gone now,
Leaving our world in a barren starkness.
The sun has gone away far too soon,
Covering my heart with lonely darkness.

A chilling frost covers the ground
That we once walked and played upon;
And the wind cuts deep and biting
As I walk the pathways of life alone.

How wonderful was the sultry warmth
Of the summer that we loved and shared.
How beautiful nature's fragrant dress;
It's depth and promise many layered.

I don't want to feel the winter
And the bitter cold it brings.
My heart and mind still yearn
For you, the flowers and the green.

Just Tonight

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Please, I beg you,
Don't hold me tight;
Don't speak of Forever,
Just love me tonight.
Chains that bind hearts
Often break into.
I don't want to be hurt;
I don't want to feel blue.
I've been burned by love;
Please, don't to me cling.
Let's just take this moment
And see what it will bring.

Second Chances

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

It's my dearest wish,
To be able to feel once more;
To not be afraid to take a chance,
To see what life has in store.

I long to hold my arms open,
Inviting love to step within;
To find that place sweeter than passion,
To let forever begin again.

I yearn to be able to trust,
But it'll take some time, I know;
I don't want to foolishly leap,
Only to regret not going slow.

Second chances are hard to find,
And even harder to recognize;
So I make myself go one step at a time,
And look for my heart in disguise.

What I Wouldn't Give

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Who wounded you so long ago,
So deeply you still feel the pain;
Who took away all your dreams,
And left you like a creature slain.

Who made you feel so unworthy,
To receive my love, strong and true,
Who caused to to hang your head in shame,
When I offer my friendship to you.

I'd give you my heart so easily,
If you'd take it as your shield;
Let it surround your wounded one,
Until it's whole and fully healed.

I'd give you a bright smile,
If you'd raise your head to catch the sun;
And see the truth that lies in my eyes,
For me, you are the only one.

I'd give my hand to pull you close,
If you'd just reach out and take it;
Walk with me down a brand new path,
If it's not there, then we'll make it.

But I wouldn't give you cause to doubt,
For you feel so perfect to me;
I'd wrap you in such a blanket of love,
It wouldn't take long for you to see.

I wouldn't give you misery or sorrow,
Or give you reason to ever regret;
Our time can be now if you trust in me,
I'll make you thankful that we met.

Musings of Life's Roads

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Life is a maze of winding roads,
It's twists and turns are not expected;
And the road just doens't come to be,
It has to be selected.

We'd all be so fortunate,
If the road for us was alight;
No uncertainties or second thoughts,
The outcome always right.

But then, you'd miss out on things,
That show the stuff of which you're made;
There'd be peace for sure, but monotony,
No marks to show the dues you've paid.

The easy road's for dreamers,
Who linger to play in the flowered moor;
Who pause so long they oft' forget,
What it was they were searching for.

The pitted road is rougher, true,
The cuts and bruises part of the lot;
Some will leave scars on your soul,
But the skin grows tougher on that spot.

Roads stem in all directions,
Sometimes you have to choose;
With luck you pick the winning fork,
But then, sometimes, you'll lose.

Life will build your character,
The future waits at the end of the line;
The choices you make on the road you take,
Can lead you to water or lead you to wine.

Life will give you a lot of joy,
Life will also bring you sorrow;
The road can be short, it can be long,
But the one you choose affects tomorrow.

The Birth of Friendship

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Take my hand and walk with me
In the meadow with flowers wild;
Slowly stroll and talk with me
In the sun with gentle breezes mild.

Look in my eyes and secrets share,
Tell me your dreams and silent needs;
Trust me, now, to be your friend,
Let's see just where the friendship leads.

Laugh with me, dance in the rain,
Experience life at it's very best;
Cry with me when the road gets hard,
Let time put us to the test.

Should it come to naught, still we gain,
For the bond of friendship is strong;
And yet, should it grow to something more,
Nothing that happens can ever be wrong.

With something as fragile as the heart,
Like the flowers, gently treated;
Slowly nourished, growing wild and free,
Brings a beauty that can't be defeated.

Friendship and love are both given,
From the heart with no binding string;
Both blossom in either rain or shine,
Cherished for the happiness they bring.

Tears You Never Saw

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Your eyes never saw my soul as it burned,
From falling tears that inward turned.

Your ears never heard my anguished cry
As your leaving left my heart to die.

The weight of your hand has left my own,
The warmth of your smile forever has gone.

Was is as hard for you as for me
When you flew on the winds of destiny.

You fell as only fools know how,
And I feel your pain, even now.

And even in the darkness I still know
Your life is ever filled with woe.

For you cast off a friendship ever true
And never ever saw tears shed for you.

Living in Hell

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Smothering, drowning, filled with dread,
With a start I awaken, sit up in bed;
A sheen of sweat covers my face;
Dear God, why can't I leave this place?

I thought sleep was where nightmare's dwell,
But I'm here too, I'm living in hell.
It's a bitter place with memories haunting,
Echos of laughter, forever taunting.

A place for those whose dreams are lost;
A river of tears to show heartache's cost.
And the ghostly wind whispers a name,
Over and over, till I'm screaming the same.

I always thought hell to be burning and hot,
Smelling of brimstone, yet, mine is not.
Yet the agony is more terrible than any I've known,
My heart is so cold, my soul so alone.

Except for the memories of a time now past,
Till I was condemned and into this pit cast.
And I think to myself....why don't you just leave?
But there's nowhere to go...for I'll always grieve.

The blank screen of my heart reminds me each day,
There are hurts in life that won't go away.
There are no paths in hell, no refuge to choose;
And my demons laugh....hey sucker, you lose!

Just An Old Country Doctor

BY CAROLE NICHOLS


Your world taught me so much,
When I was but a child;
You let my imagination fly,
You let my dreams run wild.

Good things seem to come in threes,
And you came to me that way;
Into my mind you flew and lodged,
Into my heart you came to stay.


There was the One who taught me
Not to be afraid to take a chance;
To stand up for what I believe in;
To jump right in and join the dance.


And the Second one who taught me
That my mind is precious and dear;
That different can be beautiful,
And diversity does not mean fear.


But of the Three, you were the one,
Who showed me how I want to live;
You showed me how to love myself,
And how my heart to unselfishly give.


You prepared me for the truths of life,
The laughter and tears, the bliss and the pain;
You taught me to listen to my heart,
That beauty is found in the simple and plain.


From the soul of a crusty old doctor
I learned I was special and one of a kind.
From your biting wit came the kindest heart;
You were the best of the three in my mind.


The body of DeForest Kelly is gone, but the spirit of Dr. McCoy (indeed, they were one and the same)will live forever. I miss being able to see his gamine grin, to hear his voice. He is the first of my personal heros to leave me, but the things he taught me will always remain. Bye, for now, Dee....you tell the Great Bird of the Galaxy "howdy" for me when you see him.

Ghost

BY CAROLE NICHOLS


In the haunting silence of the night
I hear faint echos of the past.
The muted, fading engines' roar,
Racing against time, life flying fast.

You are more than just a memory,
Yet so much less than what is real.
Forever young, forever gone;
You linger in the grey, so surreal.

The Brilliance of a Star

I'll love you forever, Tim

BY CAROLE NICHOLS


Sometimes a star shines so bright,
That even in death, it lights the night.

You have been gone from us for years,
Yet I still see you shining through my tears.

And the light glows on all the while,
As years pass by I still miss your smile.

Forever entombed in the minds of fans,
Your star alights but never lands.

Death doesn't end the memory of a star;
The grave doesn't steal, the gates don't bar.

Drive on, forever, across the twinkling sky;
The body may be cold, the spirit doesn't die.

The Power of Love

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Johnny was a small town rebel,
Got in all the trouble he could find;
Couldn't be told a thing at all,
Was convinced he knew his own mind.
A nice looking boy, he grew to a man,
With a face and smile to make hearts pound;
But his soul was empty, except for anger,
And no one wanted him hanging around.

That was the way he wanted it,
Thought is made him safe from life's hurt;
He didn't want love, friendship or ties,
He didn't care if he was treated like dirt.
Then there came one day to the quiet town,
An angel descended to walk among men,
With a soul as pure and sweet as her face;
And a name like a song...Evelyn.


No one knew what she saw in Johnny,
She was drawn to him as a bee to a flower;
She gave him a smile that sent him spinning,
And he was pulled within love's mighty power.
Her love shown on him, and he felt himself change,
It was a sign from heaven; she felt the same.
It was hard to believe what was plain to see,
The power of love this devil did tame.


So he gave his heart and she gave her hand,
Wagers were made that it would never last;
He was too hard a man to linger in the light,
But as the years grew long, their love held fast.
They raised a family, strong in that love,
He softened and mellowed in the peace of his heart;
His eyes never strayed or left her goodness,
And he swore they'd never be apart.


In the sureness of time, they aged and grew old,
Till at last the voice of eternity beckoned;
The angels in heaven took his angel on earth,
But the power of love is a force to be reckoned.
There was fire in his eyes as he laid her to rest,
A vision of Evelyn in the center of the glow;
He kept her in sight in the day and the night,
Talked to her for hours when to the grave he'd go.


One morning they found him lying on the flowers,
A smile on his face, eyes looking toward heaven.
Their journey of love was continuing on,
His heart and his soul were with his Evelyn.

Nymph

BY CAROLE NICHOLS


Water foaming like a boiling cauldron,
Nature steaming, hissing, gone mad;
Slowly she rises,
Arms reaching to the sky
Body beaded with rainbowed drops
From her salt laden sea bed.
Hair streaming, sleek,
Caressing skin of burnished gold;
The nymph greets a jaded world.
Rosy lips a tempting smile,
Inviting, enticing, beckoning,
Seeking to lure your life-weary soul,
Eyes flashing
As dark as the midnight world
Where she abides,
She sends you her siren's song,
Dancing only for you in the frothy foam,
A sight to capture a lonely heart.
Mesmerizing, hypnotising,
Till you feel that ancient pull;
Walk into her waiting arms,
Or die from the need
For consumation of her sultry promise.
And she promises the moon and stars,
A place to rest from life's toils,
The completion of all your dreams,
If you would but come into her charms.
Oh, be wary, young man,
She would steal your very soul,
For she has none of her own;
She is illusion.

From Mother to Child

BY CAROLE NICHOLS


I sit here and hold you close
As you sigh in your sleep so sweetly.
You still hold my finger tight;
I know you depend on me completely.

I send a prayer to heaven
To always keep you safe from harm;
To let you grow up happily
Surrounded by my love, so warm.

I pray for wisdom to help me
Teach you right from wrong;
To help you find your place in life;
To help you grow up sure and strong.

But most of all I pray that
When the time comes for you to walk away,
That I will smile and let you go;
Not try and make you stay.

You were loaned to me by God
Until the time when you are grown;
A precious gift to protect and raise
Til you are ready to make a life of your own.

Coming to Love

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

When first came I to love,
It was as a child learning her way;
It was as simple, single-minded thing,
A love that was never meant to stay.

And each step along that loving path,
Was a learning taught of giving;
Each heart flutter and hurting tear,
Was a lesson learned of living.

Till at last, full grown I come,
To the place I searched for long;
My eyes are clear, yet I see stars,
Coming to love and feelings strong.

The woman inside me laughs with glee;
My love cannot be held within walls.
Holding myself, I'm holding my love;
I hear him whereever my footstep falls.

I bathe myself in this love come home,
Soaked in a cooling warmth so devine;
Drowning in bubbles of happiest dreams,
I'm coming into this love of mine.

How wonderful to have lived so long,
And known of love my whole life through;
Yet I have discovered a brand new world,
Coming to love, this way, with you.

Snow

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Falling silently, softly,
Etching the ground in a blanket of white;
The silence sings with it's beauty,
Filling the soul on a cold winter's night.

It's purity invades the darkest mind,
With it's moist fingers it shall find,
The heart of a child within shall play
In the gift God and nature sends this day.

We frolic without till the fingers chill,
Then rush to the fire, the heat to steal;
Glance out the window with a wistful sigh,
Watch snowflakes fall from a winter sky.

Fragile Flower

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Such a special, unique flower,
The seed was sown years ago;
Fed with wonderous dreams and hopes,
The seed did sprout and grow.

It stretched it's tiny, dainty limbs,
Touched by the warmth of a loving sun;
Grew straight and tall and proud,
Far and deep it's roots did run.

It blossomed in the early spring,
The flower, a fragrant work of art;
A delight to view in it's petaled pose,
And it possessed such a loving heart.

It was kissed by the summer rains,
The flower came to it's full glory;
Giving the gift of it's beautiful soul,
In what should have been the sweetest story.

But a flower has no protection,
From heartbreak's heavy, booted tread.
In one swift blow, the deed was done,
Her heart was crushed and she bled.

The little flower had done naught
But give all the joy it had to give;
It was trampled low without a thought,
And the fragile petals could not live.

It's broken heart was wounded sore;
Fading away, for even flowers cry.
It had just learned how to love,
It didn't want to wither and die.

But damaged flowers never heal,
They're uprooted and simply cast aside;
No one knew how unique it was;
Crushed heart, broken spirit, lost pride.

Just Let It Go

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Sitting in the silence,
Lonely candle for a friend;
A drink the only warmth,
Waiting for the pain to end.
Whispering to no one there
I don't want to be alone;
Hearing echos of lost happiness,
Of good times forever gone.

In the muted fog of vintage taste
The time creeps long and slow;
And speaks the one thing unspeakable,
Just let it go, just let it go...
How bitter the thought, how hard,
And how do you start to grieve;
To walk away from sweet paradise
Tell me, how does one just leave?

From the depths of the drinking cup
To the hollow space in my heart,
My soul cries out for just a touch
To help the healing tears start.
Just let go, oh, just let go
Nothing on earth is worth the pain.
Then my mind touches the memories,
And makes me yearn for you again.

You are the serpent that tempts me,
You are the forbidden fruit I seek;
You opened the doors to paradise,
You made me whole, but left me weak.
And it hurts, this ache I feel,
That refuses to just let it go;
The lonely candle gutters and dies
But the liquor continues to flow.

Long Distance Friend

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

I feel the light of your love,
Surrounding me with your warm glow;
A cocooning buffer between me and pain,
A safe haven where my mind can go.

What started out as a silent voice,
Offering friendship and support
Has evolved into to something new;
It's turned into such sweet rapport.

Without having even met or touched,
You seem to know my soul so well.
Your voice vibrates across my skin;
Where this will go, I can't tell.

You're as real to me as any man;
I think I'd know you at a glance.
You make me feel so wonderful;
You make me want to take a chance.

Though your face, to me, is still a blank,
I have a picture of you in my mind.
I feel you working to tear down my walls;
Thank you for being so loving and kind.

Encouragement

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

You spoke to me, and said such things,
Made me stop and think it through;
You make me see a side of myself,
A part of me I never knew.


My life has been so wasted, it seems,
I never let my voice be heard;
Could I have made a difference,
If I had said just one word?


I never thought I was important enough,
To have anyone really care about me;
I had nothing to offer, nothing to give,
It took you to make me see.


Each soul has a place in this world,
Each one of us, unique and rare;
What I have has immense value,
Thank you for showing me it was there.


When my life hits a rut in the road,
When I ache, I'll remember your smile;
You erased the darkness in my mind,
And made me feel so worthwhile.


I'll remember each thing you said to me,
I'll do my best to pass them on;
When I see someone as lost as I,
Confused and drifting, existing alone.

Holding to Forget

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

They danced so slow, they hardly moved;
To a sad song the band played.
Each lost in different memories,
Of love lost, and the price they payed.

Remembering the feel of cherished arms,
Treasured hearts they once knew;
Priceless smiles that lit their world,
Before their lives were torn into.

Tonight, they've hidden lingering sorrow
Under glittering lights and revelry;
Laughing, teasing, tasting the wine,
In hopes the other would not see.

The laughter is empty, like their souls,
For gone is the love that made everything right;
They hold on now in hopes they'll forget,
Praying they won't feel lonely tonight.

Both once held someone else
In the magic of love's embrace;
But now they cling to a distant dream,
And to each other in this dismal place.

When they look into the other's eyes,
They see reflections of souls so lost;
No glimpse of the light that once shown bright,
Just the glimmer of tears to show love's cost.

So they swallow a sigh at the music's end,
Swallow their pride and swallow their drink;
As they seach for a way to forget it all;
In another holding that won't let them think.

Woman

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

It's said that man is often blind,
And sees no further than the skin;
He misses the best of love in his life
By not seeking the woman that lies within.

She can be as dainty as a flower,
Her mind as fleet as a doe on the run;
She's strong, yet fragile, and when she loves,
She shines with the radiance of the sun.

A woman's not afraid to give all her heart,
The delightful child in her makes it so;
She's not afraid to laugh or ashamed to cry,
She's not afraid to let her hopes show.

She's as warm as a mid summer's breeze,
And when angry, hot as a raging blaze;
She's compassionate, caring, a true friend;
You can count on her and her heart, always.

She can be as needy as a baby at times,
Yet she's still independent as a cat;
She's mysterious, yet, she's an open book,
You just have to find the page she's at.

A woman's so many wonderful things,
That it's often hard to know where to start;
You can be moved by her outer beauty,
But the truth of a woman is in her heart.

Into the Storm

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Running in reckless, heated flight,
You seek a place only felt;
The easing of the hunger inside,
Soothing the ache that love has dealt.

Yet before you feel the cool of peace,
You must brave the heat of the storm;
Drenched in sweet rivers of fire and ice,
Trusting that love will do no harm.

So you give yourself up, run into the flame,
Head thrown back as passion rules;
You tremble and feel your world explode,
Drowning in love's stormy pools.

Heat of the Flame

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Standing so close to the furnace
Holding the heat of the flame inside,
My heart pounds and I want to run,
Yet I know there's nowhere I can hide.

For the flame that you send follows
Til it touches the core of passion I hold;
Ignites in a ball of melting delight,
And I fall into that loving mold.

That finger of flame runs wild in my veins,
Searching for that sweet home and then,
It sears a brand that marks my heart,
Sending faint tremors down my skin.

The heat of the flame claims it's own,
And I keep returning to the fire;
For that nectar that comes from within,
Basting and tasting our desire.

Sunset on the Lake

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

The sky turns flame with the setting sun,
Catching the world and the clouds on fire,
Reflecting rich colors of red and gold,
Bathing us here in our lover's bier.
White sails now tinted on water once blue,
Glow amid a backdrop of darkening green;
The birds grow quiet in their hidden nests,
As the evening takes on a romantic sheen.

We lie here entwined in the soft tufted glade,
Counting the stars as they begin to show;
Shadows creep in to form a warm curtain,
And crickets serenade us, soft and low.
The world is a perfect place, here, tonight;
Where love lives and peace does abide,
On the bank of the lake at the end of day,
In the setting sun with you by my side.

The Stars will Shine Forever

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

As far as the eye can see, and further,
The heavens twinkle in magestic glory;
The dance of the stars for lovers,
Each telling their own love story.

And the stars will shine forever,
For all the arms reaching up to touch;
To grasp a part of love that shines,
To fill lonely hearts that need so much.

And the stars are there, even in the day,
Knowledge that comes with surety;
True love, like stars, never goes away,
And like those stars, it makes you see.

It's constant, it's steady, and always shines,
It is there even in the stormiest weather;
It surrounds your world with its sweet dance,
And the stars will shine forever.

Thoughts Beneath the Willow Tree

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

'Neath the willows and pillowed there,
You hold me to you, breath fanning my hair;
And we gaze through the boughs at the velvet sky,
Counting the stars and contentedly sigh.

Gently the breeze cools our heated skin;
Softly asking the question,"When, love, when?"
We smile for we know that love doesn't rush,
It grows ever slowly, with it's own special touch.

So we wait and count the stars that smile,
We'll do it right this time, do it in style;
Love is patient, and warms the soul,
It doesn't threaten the heart, and never gets old.

It remains constant throughout life's stress;
It protects and defends, leaves naught to confess.
It grows with time, ever stronger, ever true,
Til it outshines the stars that I watch now with you.

I'm content to linger here 'neath the willow tree,
As long as you, dear, are here with me.
When winter comes and the summer nights end,
'Twil be soon enough for us to say when.

Will You Hold My Hand

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

The time has come for me to go,
Will you hold my hand once more?
Will you smile for me and wish me well
As I walk out this door?

The memories that I take with me
Will hold me on my way;
Will you keep yours and smile
Even though I leave today?

If I could do just one more thing,
I'd wipe the sadness from your eyes;
For it was never my wish to hurt you,
But there is no plan for when love dies.

The time has come to move on,
To find what life has left for me;
Will you hold my hand one more time,
And with no regrets, set me free?

She Cries

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Fragile flowers, growing wild;
Grasped with wonder by the child,
Who in innocence doesn't understand
That it will die in her crushing hand.
Only time will make her wise,
So she feels her loss and cries.

Gangly girl growing tall;
Young mind confused by it all.
Doesn't understand the things she feels;
It will hurt her worse before she heals.
She cannot see how time flies,
So she sits alone and cries.

Young woman receiving love's first kiss;
Yearns to experience total bliss.
So she holds tight and spreads her wings,
Accepts the joy her lover brings.
Not knowing desire sometimes dies,
Face buried in pillow, she now cries.

And comes the woman now mature;
The future for her is not so sure.
Innocence and trust are all but gone,
And when she sleeps, it's all alone.
A victim of life and love and lies;
But at least she now no longer cries.

The Island

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Should you see her in her slumberous pose,
Freed from all her cares and woes;
Tis like viewing a child resting there,
A halo of light circling her hair.

The sound of her breathing, soft and low,
An occasional sigh, she's dreaming, you know.
The one place she can go to find peace,
A place where her love can find release.

She's found a little island out of the way,
Where nightingales sing and kittens play;
The days are warm and fresh as spring,
She has no wants, here there's everything.

The swaying palms and crystal falls,
Soothe away worries as the sunset calls.
The moon rises full and starlight gleams,
And there comes one to fulfill her dreams.

From out of the forest, he rides his steed,
Bronzed and oiled, from a long, lost breed.
Between his white teeth, he carries a rose,
And as he nears, she smiles for she knows.

He has come to her, so often, this way,
He'll swoop her up and carry her away.
In his strong arms, she's safe from all harm;
He'll hold her close and keep her warm.

His kisses are fierce, but they taste so sweet;
His body is hot, but it's a gentle heat.
He makes her feel as if she's a queen,
As he loves her till dawn in the grass so green.

His voice is soothing as he whispers her name;
And speaks those words only lovers can claim.
As the moonlight bathes them, she will sigh,
For even in dreams she wonders why,

This place only exists in slumber's glory,
Would be wonderful if reality offered this story.
Would be nice to love fully, without fear,
But until that day comes, her island is here.

Ghostriders

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

If you listen, you can hear them,
If you gaze into the distance,
There's a shimmer of movement sublime.
A break in the wall of eternity,
And they are with us again,
Those heros of the heart,
Who made you dare to dream,
Take to the edge of possibility
The hunger that drives ambitions.
Ghostriders.

You can hear them in the early morn,
Before the sun is more than a suggestion,
Whispering, today....today....
For tomorrow is nobody's promise.
Find and follow your dreams,
Dare to take a chance,
For to wait for something to come to you
Is a fool's dream at best.
Reach out, grab life, hold on fast.
Ghostriders.

From the room's edge you hear them,
"Go for it girl,
Don't give up on life."
From the doorway you can hear,
Spread your wings, you can fly."
From the window someone says,
"Do it your way or not at all."
The air vibrates all around,
"Be who you are at all times,
And never settle for being less."
Ghostriders.

Listen, you can hear them,
Those heros who lived life fully,
If you look, you will find them
In the gray of unspoken dreams,
The place where the soul
Touches the heart is their home.
Ghostriders, whispering, today....
For tomorrow is not a promise,
And yesterday is forever gone.
Ghostriders.

Depression

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Black and thick is this lonely place
There's no glimmering of stars.
Heavy and weighted the blackness is
And it smothers the spark of the soul.
And there is no thought of comfort,
No peace, no laughter, no hope,
In this place of fear and pain and tears.

There waits no greeting smile,
No hand to touch or hold, no warmth,
There is no gentle word of welcome,
No phrase of love in the darkness cold
There is no time to move forward,
No time to move back for frozen it is;
Only darkness and the dampness of tears.

There is no urge to struggle or fight,
There is no curiosity, only resignation;
Eyes no longer strain to pierce the dark,
For the light of reality is harsh.
And acceptance comes upon the tender heart,
Nothing ever changes, nothing but
A darker black and a whimper of defeat.

Done Too Soon

BY CAROLE NICHOLS


The darkest of thoughts, sad and hurting,
Come in the restlessness of the night;
No happy forevers, only happy for nows,
A haunting madness, of time out of sight.

Something that had no chance to die,
For it died before it could ever begin;
Searching and finding could never start,
Before it reached it's sudden end.


Dreams that were never meant to be,
Dreams that never should have been thought;
For such dreams are the whim of fate,
And the soul of fate as been bought.


All the things done too soon,
The end is loss, and loss is pain;
Masses of aching might have beens;
The priceless becomes the trinket plain.


The cost is high, the price is tears,
Done too soon, out of sight and mind;
It lives for a moment or a memory,
Things done too soon, and yet, I find...


As long as the sun rises and shines,
As long as the moonlight kisses my face,
There's hope that I'll not be done too soon,
That destiny will let me find the place...


Where even a moment will be my forever,
And I'll thank the stars for that chance,
Just to feel the love inside once more;
No matter the ending, let my heart dance...


And I'll not regret the course I took,
I'll harbor no ill if it's too soon done;
The time of my love might be but a flicker
But to feel it again, means I have won.

Poetry from the Heart

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

....'twas long ago and fading now,
so empty was my heart and arms;
then your kindness did shine down,
lighting my soul with your simple charms.

....this heart now beats a happy song;
arms still feel when you're not here.
my world is colored, now, and bright;
such is the power of your cheer.

....'tis like the ugly duckling tale,
the swan he did first time see;
the crystal lake you take me to,
gives off a lovely reflection of me.

....I see myself now, through your eyes,
I've seen the change that's come about;
no longer afraid to stumble and fall,
for you stand there, hand ever out.

....no longer am I unsure of my path,
for you guide me with a glowing saber;
even into the mountains, craggy and rough,
walking beside you is never a labor.

....you move me with your open heart,
allow me to love as I've always wanted;
giving all of myself, asking naught,
you receive it all and are not daunted.

....truth has been your sword, dear one,
your words have been my trumpet's call;
love is your shield and it grows ever strong,
as I give you my heart, my soul, my all.

....you're a beacon to one who'd lost her way,
what you've given to me is more precious than gold;
a road map of words that will guide me home;
straight to the berth of your loving hold.

I Love You

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Lying there, by your side,
When the passion's spent,
And the heat is but an ember.
A feeling flows down over me,
And I know that never have I been so loved;

Not by the torrid flames
Burning so sweetly but moments past,
But by the tender strength
Of those arms that enclose me,
Keeping me close to your heart.


And I hear the beat, steady and true,
Repeating it's cadence....I love you.

Foolish Hearts

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Foolish hearts don't know when to turn away,
They stand in the fire to burn another day.

When those flames consume, they will still dream on;
Foolish hearts can't see that love is gone.

Foolish hearts walk into the light with no protection.
Blinded by love, they don't see the false reflection.

They fall into the well where hopes flounder and drown,
Yet all they feel is floating bliss as love spins them around.

Foolish hearts don't know when to give up the fight;
All they understand is once it felt so right.

They danced to sweet music that never seemed to end;
Failed to hear discordant notes that heartache did send.

Foolish hearts keep on hoping love will change it's mind;
They don't see the future, they can't stop looking behind.

Foolish hearts should be pitied; you can only hope they learn,
If you love, set it free; if it's real, it will return.