That Yellow Ribbon

There it is, such a small thing

A single line surrounding the big oak in the yard

We pass it every day and some don’t even give it a thought

But the family that lives inside stares at it every day.

To this family, that is not just a piece of material tied neatly in a bow.

It’s a reminder

It’s a symbol to show the world that they are waiting.

They are waiting for that mother, father, sister, brother, that son that daughter, wife or husband.

A passage in the Bible says we can move mountains with the faith of a mustard seed. Mustard is usually as yellow as the ribbons in those yards

This ribbon shows that they have faith that that loved one will one day ride down that road, to that house and stand tall at the door to proclaim

‘I’m home’

Sleepless nights spent watching the news. Listening to stories about worlds half a world away

Yet you are connected in an instant by that ribbon.

The wind blows it and the sun shines on it..

The grass looks up to it and it stays ever watchful for that day.

Like many other things the exact day is not known but when it does come..

Oh what a happy day.

Hugs and tears, smiles and pats on the back.

Stories and laughter and let us not forget.. the food.

Military rations can’t compare to home cooking and that is something that kept them going…Mom’s macaroni and cheese..

So the next time you are driving down the road and you happen to pass a yellow ribbon, say a prayer that That day… will come soon.

She Don't Have To Know...

You gently guide me into your home

you whisper we are all alone

I know you think we are gonna bone

but that just aint gonna happen.

I look around and see the flower

I see the decorative CD tower

I can almost feel her power

but you don't seem to care.

I get a call only late at nite

you sound as if you have had a fight

Now you wanna see me under the moonlight

but something makes me wonder.

I ask point blank is your heart split in two

you say 'Naw baby, it's just me and you"

My soul tells me what I need to do

protect my heart at all times.

Another call a quarter to three in the morning

Now a woman is cussing and i should be snoring

She says she is your wife and now I see the scoring

You had two faces all along.

So you say its okay y'all don't really have love

It used to be heavensent from above

but now there's just fighting, so he puts on the glove

It's over now, he swears.

So you want to continue, just like we were before

And everynite you leave me and walk through that door

I know you will lay with her, or sleep on her floor

its something I just can not do.

So you wanna play the field, have some possibilty

You say you found love in my eyes u did see

She doesn't have to know you whisper repeatedly

But ...you see..she does..Cuz one day..that she...will be me..

Lainey Starr 2006

I stumble

I walk around in the bright sunlight

Just looking for a ray to warm me

I know the warmth will be good to me

This time..Right?

Ray warms my heart and knocks off the chlls

And then I stumble

There was crack in life that tripped me up. Again.

How was that not seen when that way I just came

The Ray was right beside me shining brightly

Maybe too brightly for me to see

The armor, Rusted The smile, False

The strength, Assisted by the weight of others past

I trod on through a path watered by the tears of love gone

I stumble

I pull away from the thorns of pain as I walk the path

I stumble

I look up through the trees looking for my ray

And.i.stumble.

The path narrow but a prize to great to give up on

I gather the strength deep inside me to stand and deeply breathe.

One step, two steps. I feel a pull at my back

A voice on my neck beckons me back but I keep my eyes forward

I can not, will not, succumb to the tempting temptor that tempts me

Again.

I can not will not lean back and feel the warmth

A fooling warmth that hides another face cold as ice.

I stumble

Its customary to accept the temporary and not be wary

As we should…We all stumble

We can be fooled by the heat that gets us hot

And we fall into a hole that takes a while to get out of

But we must remember that when we fall

We can get back up

When we stumble reach up and gather more strength from the hills

We fail to understand that a helping hand can help us stand ..tall

Taller than we ever have and believe me when I say

You may see 5 foot 1 of honey deliciousness standing before you

But …. I can find a love inside of me that makes me feel 10 feet tall..

Of honey deliciousness, I mean I can’t lose that just cuz I add 5 ft right

I can find a love in me that will make me taller than any mountaintop

I stumble

I am warmed by rays, pure and bright

I stand and walk again…And if I stumble.. I’ll make sure I get back up

©Lainey Starr 2010

Veiled

Directly below the surface

Bubbling with intentions

I see your feelings

Some hot, many cold

But still visible.

You speak your words laced with double meanings

You use your pen to heal but also to sting

It’s a process I am sure

One you are happy to repeat, over and over

You are veiled but there is someone that hears your heart

The voices in your head yell and scream and cry

They explain and question and wonder why oh why

You veil your pain in bubbly speech

It’s noticed as much as the sometime nervous giggle

Though pushed down the same feelings emerge

Tauntingly, and with caution you test waters.

I can not quench what I know will become bitter

I hope your boiling will subside

Both in want and in anger.

So much ahead, one should not spend time holding

A veil.

©Lainey Starr 2010

That Smile

I recall the first time, that I did spy

That sparkling smile that caught my eye

That glow it brought to my face caught me by surprise

You see, I never had any intent to get caught up

Ensnarled

Tangled

In sunshine

Having been burned several times

My love needed time to heal and grow anew

To cover my heart with protection

From the next potential heartbreak

Yet there you were, arms open, smile broad

Welcoming me into you.

Reluctantly I took a step.. testing the ground

Wondering if a foundation would be strong enough

You voice wrapped around my soul with a deep, rich laugh

You words comforted me when I needed them most

You matched my wit and my sarcasm to a tee

I had to look in the mirror to make sure I was still me.

Where was the wall I normally have..the bricks lay off to the side.

No fronting, no pretense.

Just you and I

Learning you and exposing me

I like this. And you. Pow!

©Lainey Starr 2010

Cook for me

You stand next to the stove
I watch your strong arms hover over them
You hands lingering over the pots.
You move as if a magical spice were going to
Just spring from your fingertips.
Now those fingers are magical, this I know
But the bubbles, they seem to respond to your closeness
The sizzles, they increase when your hands come near
The meat becomes even more tender and juicy
You dip your spoon into the juice and then ..slowly
Begin to bring it to my lips for a taste
Each step closer to me that you get
Makes me shift in my seat with building anticipation
My mouth is already watering
Leaning in, you skillfully give me a taste.
Sensations flood my tongue and my eyes close.
I let the juice slowly recede and I savor every drop.
When my eyes open, I see you smiling at me.
No need to ask how I felt about the morsel
It showed all over my body
Eyes shiny and begging
Mouth puckered for more
Back arched towards you
I wanted, no, I needed, more than a taste
More.. I whisper
Soon ..you answer
Returning to your work place
I sit and admire the view
Your Dark chocolate skin against your crisp white uniform
I can’t wait for the moment that I can add my own ingredients
I just know chocolate and honey cinnamon will taste divine together
Smooth motions stir the dish to perfection.
I impatiently wait to be presented with my portion.
I hungrily devour your offering
Tasting each bit as if for the first time
Over and over and over, I taste
Plate empty.. I look over to you
Seconds please…you smile and
Begin to dip your spoon again
We partake even more, following one simple rule:
Don’t feed me till I’m full
Let me eat until I’m tired.
©Lainey Starr 2010

Parts of our life with Mark