‘Twas late in winter when gardens are bare

And not a single smile did I behold.

But I encountered a face filled with cheer;

And my heart told me, Get Up! Be bold.

‘Twas early in Spring when I saw my Rose,

Was sweeter than the sweetest flower could be.

Perfumes of roses and dew filled my nose,

While a soft and tender smile greeted me.

But now I sit and wonder how ‘twill end:

Will she always be here, or just a dear friend.

From PortraitsÓ by Craig D Smith

                       My wife, Vedette

Somewhere over the mountain

Very close to the sea –

My beloved sits in patience

While she waits for me.

I try my very best

To get close to her,

To take her in my arms

And to hold her near.

I struggle every day to

Reach the top of the hill

While my enemies close in

On me, ready to kill.

And even as I struggle

Up this hill so steep

My eyes begin to close

And it seems I fall asleep.

I hear the sound of the waves

Calling desperately to me.

And sometimes when high sun,

Her shadow I see.

My heart beats so much faster,

Every step up that I take.

And I pull the rope so tightly,

That it begins to break.

My Mother (Maureen) and my Daughters,

Bianca (carried) and Charlotte