Christmas

Christmas

It’s a busy time

Full of presents

And Christmas songs

We eat till we are full

Spend time with family

Watch Christmas programmes

And eat some more

We wake up early

Full of suspense

What has Santa left?

Under the tree

In our excitement

Do we take time?

Time to sit and be

Time to reflect

Do we remember?

The Christmas truth

About the baby born

In the manger for us

Our saviour born

As a lovely babe

To a virgin girl

And a forlorn carpenter

We need to sit

We need to be still

Reflect on the miracle

Of our saviours birth

Jo Anne Kennedy

December 2015

Who?

Who are you?

With your arrogant heart

And charmless smile

Who are we?

The desperately devoted

With the lifeless eyes

Who are they?

The over achievers

And the audacity to challenge

We are all one

Yet we are different

Live life your way

Jo Anne Kennedy

December 2015

When Sparks Fly

When sparks fly

Flames fly higher

Temperatures rise

And fires burn

When sparks fly

Blood pressure rises

Tempers reign

And people rage

Jo Anne Kennedy

December 2015

Where the Heart Sings

I want to leave

Go away from here

And go to the place

Where the heart sings

The place of perfection

Where rainbows always shine

And sadness never reigns

Where joy is unending

The place where you are

Already waiting for me

Keeping my place warm

And my dancing shoes ready

Jo Anne Kennedy

December 2015

Stranded

Stranded in a cave

All cold and damp

No rescue, no hope

No one to call on

Darkness crowding me

That sinking feeling

Then I hear them

The silent footfalls

Are things looking up?

Then it happens

Darkness disappears

And light shines through

Jo Anne Kennedy

December 2015

Left Behind

Two years ago

I said goodbye

Goodbye to life

Life as it was

What I had,

Needed to change

My old life,

Now left behind

My new life began

A strip backed life

A new challenge

To learn to live slow

Life was busy

Always on the go

Now that’s gone

A new life learned

A life of challenges

New things to learn

The need to rest

To be content

It took me a while

For contentment to arrive

A long slow journey

One of ups and downs

My old life gone

A new one begun

It’s been a struggle

But it’s going good

Jo Anne Kennedy

December 2015

Life's Journey

Can we do this?

Come together

Be with each other

On this life journey

Would it be hard?

To walk together

Side by side

On this life journey

Could it be fun?

Life full of laughter

With love & friendship

On this life journey

Whatever happens?

On life’s journey

I want and hope

For you at my side

Jo Anne Kennedy

December 2015

My Demon Inside

It’s been a while

Since I lost control

Since I last saw you

My demons inside

No appearances for a while

All quiet at the moment

No opportunities for you

My demon inside

My soul if quiet

My heart at peace

No time for you

My demon inside

Maybe you have gone

Have I said goodbye

To you forever,

My demon inside

Though wishing it was true,

I don’t think you have gone

You may appear again

My demon inside

However, I now know

You can be controlled

I can keep you at bay

My demon inside

So you may well try

But I will try harder

To keep you away

My demon inside

Jo Anne Kennedy

December 2015

Tranquility

Peaceful heart

Calming words

Restful soul

Just stillness

Time stops

Quiet reigns

No busyness

Just stillness

No noise

No trouble

No more strife

Just stillness

Jo Anne Kennedy

December 2015

Be Wise

So many conversations

Every minute, every day

Many words spoken

How much is true?

Do you talk wisely?

Are your words pure?

Or are you foolish?

And speak broken words?

Be careful what you say

Speak only in love

Do not trash talk

Or belittle with words

Sometimes it is wise,

To speak less

And listen more

Be careful with your words

Jo Anne Kennedy

December 2015

Hush Now

Hush now

Be silent

No crying

No talking

Hush now

Be peaceful

No screaming

Just be quiet

Hush now

Sleep quietly

Sleep peacefully

Be still

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2015

I miss us

I miss us

The wee chats

The laughter

All the fun

I miss us

The walks

The drives

The midnight calls

I miss you

Your smile

Your hugs

All of you

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2015

Decisions

You were reckless

With your life

But with mine,

You choose right

You were told one thing

But our chose another

Was it right for me?

You decided it was

I didn't think it was

It hurt me that you left

I had many questions

But received no answers

I was on my own,

No one to live me

That tangible need, not met

Did you choose right?

Jo Anne Kennedy

November 2015

Cling to Life

Every day is hard

Bad things happen

People lie, people die

Families torn apart

Life is a tough walk

At times a marathon

It’s hard to carry on

But we need to cling to life

Cos life is worth living

Hardships included

We need to keep going

We are here for a reason

Jo Anne Kennedy

November 2015 

Reap what you sow

Be careful all the time

Watch your words

And your actions

As people aren't the same

What makes you tick

Isn't how others may work

Personalities are different

And people can break

Watch what you say

Be careful with people

Remember people do hurt

Just like you do

Bad things may happen

You may not like it

But remember this

You reap what you sew

Jo Anne Kennedy

November 2015

Demoralise

You think you help

The words you say

The things you do

But they don’t help

They just hurt

They make me sad

You think your help

But you don’t

Instead you demoralize

Do you not see it?

Or hear your words

Can you see the pain?

You say it is me

But it is actually you

You always patronise

I need you to be real

Separate your words

From reality of life

You think you help

Your words guide me

To the one who listens?

It’s not you I need

Your help is unsafe

I need to look higher

Thank you for all

For showing me

The way I need to go

Jo Anne Kennedy

November  2015

Fallen Leaves

An autumn stroll

Wrapped up warm

Hand in hand

Admiring the beauty

All the different colours

From blue to golden

Underneath our feet

Hear the crunch

Of the fallen leaves

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2015

Transform

Transform not conform

Live life to the full

Be you, and be true

Don’t listen to others

The way they dictate

Live as who you are

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2015

In my Sleep

I close my eyes

For a slender sleep

But wake in sweat

To tangled nightmares

The one beside me moves

Looks at me and says

Why the slumber screams?

Are the nightmares back?

It’s happening again

The past, it haunts me

Visiting me in the night

Like restless hallucinations

The images won’t disappear

The pain still raw

The future all a blur

I just want to have peace

Sleep now, he says

Close your eyes,

Rest in my arms

I’ll rock you to sleep

I lie back,

I close my eyes

And I slowly drift off

Into a pleasant slumber

I wake up rested

But he is gone,

Was he ever there?

Or was I lost in lucidity?

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2015

Empty Frame

With wings of fire

And a blazing heart

You enter my life

You bring empty promises

But I'm still smitten

By your Irish charm

My love for you grows

While yours dwindle

Leaving me an empty frame

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2015

Cold Sweat

Sleeping peacefully

Loud bang

Wide awake

Cold sweat

I am alone

You are gone

What happened?

Door closes

You appear

I cry relieved

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2015

Driving Force

When I am low

You pick me up

Bringing me to my feet

You say I am here

You share my pain

And cry with me

I am so grateful

For you in my life

You are my saviour

You are my driving force

You keep me going

And walk beside me

Thank you for being there

Showing me I am not alone

And giving me a reason to live

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2015

Wrong

I thought it was right,

That you and me,

Would match

I had the idea,

That we were,

Close to something real

But I was wrong,

You didn't care,

Now everything has gone

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2015

Perfume in the Air

The morning glow

Shines over the sky

All yellow and glorious

The cow’s in the field

Grazing at the grass

Enjoying the morning sun

But then darkness looms

Clouds cover the sky

Turning the yellow sky grey

Thunder comes clapping

Lighting marking the sky

Raindrops hitting the ground

The smell of rain

Mixed with the meadow due

Floats like perfume in the air

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2015

Isle of Glass

I am scared to walk

More so to talk

It’s like walking on ice

Living on the isle of glass

Not sure what to do

Or what to say

Because no matter what

You shut me down

Your icy stare

And cold cold eyes

Are hard to bear

And fill me with fear

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2015

Stars Come Out

In the evening time

The stars come out

And light the sky

They twinkle and shine

And brighten my night

Making me smile

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2015

My Insanity

My Insanity

My insanity

It’s not appreciated

By my friends

But it’s my insanity

That makes me, me

It is who I am

I say live life

Embrace the madness

And be you!

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2015

Hanging by a Thread

You are so small

So tiny and precious

Just new to life

But it is not right,

Your heart is too small

Not beating fast enough

You are lying in my arms

Looking up at me

With wonder if your eyes

I am trying not to cry

But it’s so hard not to,

When I think of you

Your precious little body,

So perfect and cute,

Lying fragile in my arms

With every little breath,

You are fighting so hard,

To stay with me

I thank you for that,

But on your last breath

I gently say goodbye

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2015

Back to Silence

You are always here

In the stillness of life

Where we feel at peace

And can face the day

When we are at sea

And the storm is building

You are with us,

Holding us close

With the noise of thunder

You come to bring us home

Back to the silence

Back to your loving arms

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2015

Dancing in the Forest

Dancing in the forest

Freeing my mind

From all the problems,

Whirling in my head

Dancing in the forest

Under the hunter’s moon

Lighting up my soul

And make me smile

Dancing in the forest

Among the rust coloured trees

And the twirling golden leaves

Crunching under my feet

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2015

Amends

Amongst the fights,

And the strangles emotions

I need to make amends

You need to hear me out,

When I say I am sorry,

And want to be a friend

With your hidden emotions,

And hard to read face,

Please try and forgive me

You put the blame on me

But it’s a two way thing

Come one and be a friend

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2015

Words Hurt

Sitting in my row boat

Trying hard to paddle

In the river of mire

You sit and criticise me

Quibble over my every word

Putting me in my place

Your words are harsh

Ike a wrench to my heart

Painful and accusing

I glance over at you

Tears are in your eyes

Why are you crying?

You take back your words

And say you’re sorry

It’s just because you care

Speak the truth in love

Is that what it is?

Just please stop

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2015

Everything

To me you are everything

A previously unknown comfort

In times of sadness

You are there when shadows cry

And you bring a tomb of light

Into the miry clay I’m in

You help me climb out of the dark

And shadows give way to light

And bring a smile to me

You sit watching over me

As I cry my heart out

Your presence comforts me

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2015

Contradictions

You say no more

And I begged

But now I agree

We can’t go on

You say you will stay

And I say yes

But now I realize

I need to walk away

You say you are here

But I can’t see you

And in truthfulness

I need you to go

You say it is hard for you

But it’s difficult for me too

Because you go hot and cold

I am not sure you care

You say you care

But then you walk away

What do I believe?

Your actions or your words?

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2015

Sugar Sweet Memories

I'm like a sentimental fool

Treading down memory lane

Trying to hold on to you

And all that we had

I think of all the fun times

They outweighed the bad

But now looking back

It is sugar sweet memories

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2015

Wide Awake

Wide Awake

It’s only 6am

Lying on my bed

Already wide awake

A time of reflection

Taking time to breathe

Before the day starts

A day of sunny optimism

Instead of dismal cynicism

Just lying here alone

In blissful peace

With the only sound,

Being the rhythm of the rain

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2015

Dragon Heart

Oh look at you,

With your dragon heart

As cold as stone

You come darkly

Breathing fire

In a mischievous manner

When I am with you

I am walking on eggshells

Never knowing what to do

You are difficult to read

Moving from fire to ice

Really too hot to touch

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2015

Missing You

I found your will

Written in blood

What was your desire?

To rip me apart?

Did you not think?

Your death would hurt

Memories killing me,

Of you by my side

I cannot sleep

Cos closing my eyes,

Bring pictures of you,

Into my mind

I wake up crying

And in an electric sword

Cos I miss you so,

And just want you back

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2015

Pull up and Move on

You don’t need me

You've made that clear

Now I have decided

I don’t need you

I am not going to cry

I will not whimper

Instead I will survive

Pull up and move on

I am a fighter

Every time I have fallen

I have gotten up

And carried on

Now is no different

I can live without you

I may occasionally stagger

But I will survive

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2015

US

Our relationship

Once perfect,

Is now broken

Memories fading

And you forget me

Like a vapour sunrise

I am too demanding

Was your impression

Now I have sworn defeat

Sitting in my corner

Lonely and deflated

Mourning the past

Weeping for the future.

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2015

Perfect Day

It was a perfect day

A day to remember

Our family picnic

A time to cherish

It was a perfect place

A place in the sun

Soaking up the rays

Watching everyone play

It was a perfect time

Lying on the grass

All the broken blossoms

Falling all around us

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2015

Choices

You have a choice

Either live or die

Whichever you decide

It will be by the sword

You have a choice

To live by the day

Or merge with the night

What do you decide?

You have a choice

To betray or not to betray

What is your choice?

Is it the ill-fated kiss?

You have a choice

To fly with the angels

Or walk in threads of fire

What do you decide?

Life throws curve balls

Everyday we make choice

Are the good or bad?

It’s a fifty- fifty chance

But was always survive

Whatever we decide

We make it through

To live day by day

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2015

Up & Down

It’s like a see-saw

One minute I am up

The next I am down

It’s like a yo-yo

Swing from side to side

Never know which way

It’s like a roundabout

Turning round and round

So fast I fall off

I can’t do it any more

It is very frustrating

And a tiring experience

I can’t do it any more

I need a way out

But am scared to go

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2015

Heavy

My heart is heavy

My smile is weak

My head’s full of fog

I think I may drown

However there is hope

As you came to rescue me

You hold out your hand

And tell me to hold on

I can’t look into your eyes

I am full of shame

You keep encouraging me

And tell me to hold on

Due to your faith in me

I decide to trust

And I grab your hand

Letting you hold me up

You tell me to smile

To walk head held high

To believe in myself

And keep trusting in you

You've kept me from drowning

Saved me from myself

I can’t thank you enough

For believe in me truly

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2015