If Imagined - Anita Holzberg

If imagined
  we walk in other directions
       follow other dreams
touch reality with a match
incubate the future
stand in the mud of the present
   chocolate on our faces

If imagined
  stars infiltrate
     the horizon is green
          tall trees staged
              a backdrop
            for mystery,
        vision is about that, too.

Peace - Anita Holzberg

Tomorrow the peace will come
      internal peace
           that resonates with the calm river
                        of the mind
                    that refurbishes the stream
                              of understanding
                     that comes after many attempts
                              to shut down the voices
                                     that undermine
                             that take over the spirit


                     Today the peace is here
                           no scurrying around
                                   no stop and go life
                                I never leave the house
                                        my sanctuary
                                         with quilts on beds
                                                white mugs for coffee
                                                    soft beige towels
                                                        for bathing
                                         strawberries and raspberry herbal tea
                                                  stationary bikes
                                                         a spa within a spa

                                                    time goes under my fingers
                                                      the computer an unbelievable force
                                                                 peace comes quietly
                                                          after so many years
                                                                  I surrender Now
                                                                      I stand in the sun now
                                                                              tranquil and strong.

Anita Schiffman Holzberg

In Counsel - Anita Holzberg

I talked to a 16 year old
  as if he was my son or grandson
Ask him about his goals
Counseled him about his life
Tell him never give up on your dreams


          It was a brief 5 min. or less 
                 conversation
Who knows if it was effectual
I did believe in those words and live
                 my life with that ethic


                Ending 2011 with so much
     counsel
                Counseling my caregivers
                       I guess I have lived a lot
                          lost a lot
                            gained a lot in the process
              In a few words
                              I know nothing about nothing
                                          I know that you
                                  create a life
                                              and hope for the 
                                     best
                                              life is about learning
                                        every step of the way.

Anita S. Holzberg

Finding Paradise - Anita

In purple robes I sing
  In long white sashes I write
    in infinite wanderings
I see the future with a bright light

So many years of tears
  gone now
      the vision is clear
Poets have vision
  Rabbis and Priests have vision
        children have vision, too

        eyes open
I see the world as Nathan says
      "Paradise."

Anita Schiffman Holzberg

Life is a Collage - Anita Holzberg

Life is a collage of scenes, experiences, 
           pop in and out moments
     never the same moment twice
   a newborn cries for mama's milk
         in an instant she is satisfied
                      the day 
                 begins before the day
                            old friends pop in
                          haven't seen in months
                     conversation flows
                              in an instant
                          we are back


                                 Under my fingers,
                                         Now.
                                I record these sweet
                                         moments.

POEM by Anita

In the newness of the day
  the q u i e t
       comes
   on the back of a turtle
       s l o w l y
the world wakes up
       5:30 AM
time to write
         commune
     with nature
and my beating heart.

Bob Engler, a Tribute - Anita Holzberg

In straight rows they sang
 white starched shirts, red ties
polished shoes
  it was Christmas
the choir at the Congregational Church
  on my block
was outstanding.

I did not go to that church
but their voices could be heard
outside on my block on the street.

My friend Bob, went to that church
He passed away from spinal and prostrate Cancer
The big C was in his family.
He was a wonderful pet owner and great friend

Even now, a few weeks after his passing
I miss his joking and strong sense of responsibility
   to his friends, his animals, his house.
A true blue friend will be missed as I start the New Year.
He did not make it to the 50th reunion, he never was a Dad,
although he would have been the best Dad ever. He fought
in Vietnam and was shot.

Horror stories later about Vietnam vets
Bob walked the straight and narrow
Only honor about him
Honor to know him and love him.

Amen  G-d rest his soul in Heaven.

Poem for the New Year

Touching thoughts

Touch the fingers of those you love
Stand in the rain with courage
Start the new day with promise in your heart
Encourage the sick, the lonely, those in need
Stand in your truth--for myself be true
Worry not about the next turn in the road
Seize the moment of kindness
Be grateful in your heart, mind, and spirit
Be loving

This New Year is about Giving
Giving on all levels

I wish you a Wonderful New Year

Anita S. Holzberg

Time does not eradicate tears - Anita Holzberg

time does not eradicate tears
    or the last kiss I had
           you in Assisted living
               wheelchair bound


time does not take away the pain
         of family 
                   not showing up
               when they should


time does not eradicate the small whisper
        of sadness at dusk
                 no one here to share a meal


time does not take away all the burdens
           all the expectations that hang on a clothesline


time does move us forward
           the space I am now
                  is that of a writer at work
                            always that time to think
                                       to find new phrases
                                           infinite
                                        that I create.

If not for Loving - Anita Holzberg

If not for loving
  I would not have taken my steps unto a new life
If not for loving
  I would not have opened my heart and home to friends and family
If not for loving
  I would not go the distance in mind and spirit
For loving, lights the way
A smallest child feels it
A leaf experiences the fresh rain
A river is replenished by it


If not for loving
  the greatest star would not shine
but
for loving
   life returns
         enriched and as beautiful
              as a fuchsia orchid
If not for loving.

Anita Schiffman Holzberg
For my friends and famil

Christmas 2011 - Anita Holzberg

In moons I sing
  rainbows have feet
Good friends
   around the firelight meet


The warmth of family
   a song for Christmas dear.
(We hold dear
  It's clear.)

Anita Schiffman Holzberg

New Dawn - Anita Holzberg

New dawn
      the world wakes up
             rainbows have feet
             lips pucker
             s p i r i t s lift
                      as light spreads 
                          q u i e t l y
                                    through the trees.

On Pillows I Lie... Anita Holzberg

On pillows I lie
    in quilts I w a n d e r
           on down and silk I am mellow


          waiting


for the tide to change
   for the mountains to give a sign
         for breakfast with eggs and bacon
            for waffles with maple syrup


                       for all that ends
                   well begins well

Amen.

Riding Out the Tide - Anita Holzberg

Riding out the tide,
  Saturday dusk is almost here
       4:30 now
   the shadows come in, the fog too
Northern California is having a dry spell
   Rainy season has not started
          over hither and yon
              a rabbit hops in open sky
                 a black and white cat lingers at the door
                              more food in the offing
            I take in all that I have experienced
                      no pain in my knees now
                            a clear shot to heaven
                       written in one of my poems
                             a few years hence
                   optimism reigns
                            presents wrapped
                                piano sings
                                   unto thee
                             and all who walk with me
                                       on my path.

Amen....

Morning Rain - Anita Holzberg

Morning rain
   by my window pane
        December walks
             the middle of the month runs on cat's feet
                      over the river
                          to grandmother's house
                              the rain makes havoc with the wind
                                  the sweet roots of geraniums sing
                                          at last the water needed
                                                to cleanse the world.

Anita S. Holzberg

Anita's Poem

Nightime/morning
   the sun does not come up yet
Picchu yelping for food
    I walk out in the dark
         she finds the bowl
       I am happy she is happy


        Time moves me
            I am not afraid of
                staying alone
            in my house
               there is comfort here
                       healthy food
                   and fleece blankets
                          warm socks
                         cover my feet
                     6 weeks since the surgery
                              doing well
                      

New Day - Anita Holzberg

Up early
   the dawn does not catch my breath
      of the wild turkeys that trot past my deck
               or the infinite wonder of 
                      a new day tettoring
                          
              Come rain or shine
                the q u i e t  peace that comes
                    with writing reigns.

Anita Schiffman Holzberg

Anita's new poem

In this early morning
  the birds quiet
    my Israeli music streaming
      about love and hope
I have love and hope now
      things are changing for the better
for sure, things are changing.

Today's Dream - Anita Holzberg

Today's dream is on my sleeve
  Tomorrow's coffee-- Hazelnut in the pantry
       Tides come by
              the New Year is a comin'
                    the nights and mornings cold
                              I walk
                          with my walker
                              soon I will let go
                    and let go of so many things
                            this year
                        to clear the decks
                             for a good New Year.
                          I wish you the same.

Clear Sense - Anita Holzberg

In the waking
   all is q u i e t
       there is a clear sense
              of where I am
                  who I am
                     where I might be going

                      the rain has come
              the pitter patter of rain walks
                           in
             
                  my mood introspective
                            the rain
                       echos this

             as the day begins
                      s p a c e
                            to think good thoughts
                               

            Amen.

Beginnings - Anita Holzberg

 Before
      my days were stop and go


        random thoughts kept me running




                Now,
      After surgery
            I relearn how to dress, walk, & move
                    revisit my writings
                 "who was I in August and September?"


                           So much has happened here
                                   2 weeks away
                                       3 weeks home
                                    most days never leaving the house


                         Going nowhere
                                 going e v e r y w h e r e


                           beginnings

A New Poem - By Anita Holzberg

Birds fly by
  not too many this time of year


Soft shades of sun
   come in
 like streams of promise


Yesterday's worries fleeting


  as the morning sun
    washes away the pain.

Anita S. Holzberg
December 9, '11

CLIMBING = a poem by Anita Holzberg

In Peace I come like the budding rose
  I met my match
    G=d knows what that means


         as time moves us forward
             the infinite sand castles are built
                  the rivers flush their banks
                    pyramids come to mind


                         climbing upward


                              and onward


                       satisfying dreams with a turn of the dime


                      I wanted all that 
                              skies o p e n
                                rain comes
                                    softly on my shoulders. 

A Poem - By Anita

Birds fly by
  I do not know why 
    they go so high
        in the sky


Time moves us
  we never stay in the same place
     twice
The New Year is on the wing
     sweet memories 
        grace my face
      as I walk
           to a new found place.

      Anita Schiffman Holzberg
      December 3, '11

December Walks In - Anita Holzberg

December  w a l k s 
  
      in

  wind that feels like a hurricane

     trees down 

       buzz saws afterward

    In an instant 

         the Christmas season is thrust upon us


              2011 is fleeting

                2012  an enigma

          as I drink my morning coffee

                   visions piggyback visions

               a windfall of pastpresentfuture

                   comes to mind.

Anita S. Holzberg 

In Gratitude - Anita Holzberg

In g r a t i t u d e
  
  I come

like the grateful cat
  getting her meal on time

so many people have walked through

   my doors

bringing food and conversation

    New friends, too!

        and my wonderful family

liven up these days of recovery.

Amen.