catnipoflife poetry

Welcome to the poetry of catnipoflife. Expressions on this page will be in five categories: Observe life at its best, Listen to life’s songs, Embrace life’s bounties, Breathe the breath of life and Savor life to its fullest! I do hope you enjoy reading and hopefully will find inspiration from words reflective of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Observe life at its best. . .

Angels in the Snow

Wintry days bring chills to the bone
Inviting the cozy fireplace
Sips on steaming cups of cocoa
Add warmth to eagerly embrace

Icy ponds and lakes form mosaics
Under the weight of sleds and skates
Hearts melt, hands clasp firmly together
Balancing two perfect soul mates

Day’s end sends heartbeats pounding
As we race for all our mighty worth—
Slipping, sliding, twisting, turning
Hurrying across the frozen earth

Snowflakes shine in the setting sun
Reflecting pure rawness of nature
Each one caught quickly disappears
Melting under the slightest pressure

A snowball fight puts us on our backs
Giggling and laughing all the while
Eyes meet along with a gentle kiss
Ending the battle with a smile

Lying on the snow-covered ground
We gaze upon the sky’s lustrous glow
Arms and legs reach upward and out
Making wondrous angels in the snow

©2012 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

“An angel can illuminate the thought and mind of man by strengthening the power of vision.”
—St Thomas Aquinas (Italian Dominican Priest, 1224–1274)

Pink iridescent clouds over cresting ocean waves offer limitless boundaries to the imagination!

Cotton Candy Clouds

Sunbeams appear radiant
Upon a canvas of blue
While a cotton candy cloud
Adds cosmic depth to the view

Within pillows of softness
Resembling feathery down
Stretch quick mental images
Behind a smile, not a frown

Thoughts idly drift away
Fading within the hue
As cotton candy clouds
Openly fill with dew

Tears from Heaven above
Fall gently on my face
Cleansing and nourishing
With an amazing grace

Fluffy cotton candy clouds
Provide moments of utter fascination
Disclosing endless visions
Um-m-m? Only boundary—imagination

©2012 catnipoflife 
Sharla Lee Shults

“There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds.”
—G. K. Chesterton (English writer, 1874–1936)

Ode to the Willow Tree

Oh thou lovely willow tree
Why is it you weep?
Is it raindrops dancing
On each tiny leaf?

Like encircling curtains
Pendulous branches fall
Cascading slender leaves
Extend outward and sprawl

Oh thou graceful beauty
Why do you so weep?
Are your branches heavy
From secrets you keep?

Myths and sorcery
Envelop your past
Many a love spell
Romances have cast

Oh thou soothing sight
Why is it you weep?
Are your limbs lonely
For someone to keep?

A haven of comfort
You offer each a place
Who venture underneath
For your wispy embrace

Oh thou willow tree
I know why you weep
Your tears are healing
So I peacefully sleep

©2012 catnipoflife 
Sharla Lee Shults

“Where there is a gracious heart, there is a weeping eye.”
—Mathew Henry (1662-1714)

Amid the pelting summer rains, the willow tree’s beauty never wanes.

Breathe the breath of life . .

Take time to smell the rain!

Smell the Rain

Ah-h! Nothing like the aroma
Of hot freshly baked bread
Or that distinct powerful scent
Warm cinnamon rolls spread!

Such succulent senses
Can dull any pain
But have you ever stopped
To smell morning rain?

Whiffs of freshly mown grass
‘Tis twilight along the countryside
Where spicy fragrances
Of newly-cut timbers abide

Subtle, soothing perfumes
The colorful wildflowers yield
But have you ever stopped
To smell rain in a grassy field?

With morning light
A bracing essence drifts by
As sunbeams peep
From behind clouds in the sky

A bold rainbow arches
O’er a weather vane
But have you ever stopped
To smell lashing rain?

A farm road embraces
An afternoon shower
As dust and mist bathe
The trees and the flowers

Within mere moments
Freshness of senses is bestowed
But have you ever stopped
To smell rain along a dusty road?

What is this after-the-rain smell
Of which I so speak?
Somewhat surprising
Sometimes restful, always unique

Breathe in the rain smells
Part of Mother Nature’s domain
Dance in the puddles
Left behind by the pouring rain

When the forecast is rainfall
Break away from daily routines
Let the rhythms of the rain
Compose a song of tranquil scenes

©2012 catnipoflife 
Sharla Lee Shults

“Let the rain kiss you.
Let the rain beat upon your head with liquid silver drops.
Let the rain sing you a lullaby.”
—Langston Hughes (American Poet, 1902–1967)