Still Country's blog: "Who Am I - by Stillcountry"

THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS In todays’ day and time, it's easy to lose sight, of the true meaning of Christmas and one special night. When we go shopping, We say "How much will it cost?" Then the true meaning of Christmas, Somehow becomes lost. Amidst the tinsel, glitter And ribbons of gold, We forget about the child, born on a night so cold. The children look for Santa In his big, red sleigh Never thinking of the child Whose bed was made of hay. In reality, When we look into the night sky, We don't see a sleigh But a star, burning bright and high. A faithful reminder, Of that night so long ago, And of the child we call Jesus, Whose love, the world would know. Brian K. Walters

Katie And Her Kite The smile on her face was brighter than the sun surrounding her. I couldn’t help but laugh as her infectious giggle rode the wind. “Make it go higher daddy!” she said while running by my side. Her voice fluttered with every step she took through the sand. With her hands cupped above her eyes and her head tilted, I chuckled thinking she looked like she would fall over backwards. I watched her eyes follow every move that little yellow kite made. It was then I realized, how much she looked like her mother. As she stood by my side I asked, “Do you want to fly it?” She nodded with excitement as I took her hands into mine. “You have to hold on tight and don’t let go”, I said with a smile. “Ok daddy” she replied as the kite hovered high in the air above. Suddenly her expression turned from pride to curiosity, “What happens if I let go of the string?” she asked. “Well, the kite will fly higher and higher until it’s out of sight.” Satisfied with my answer, her smile returned once again. We flew our kite for hours that bright and sunny afternoon. Our laughter filled the air as we cherished every minute of that day. Then suddenly her smile changed and a look of peace donned her face. Without warning, she let go of the string and raised her arms to the sky. We both watched as the kite climbed until it was gone. A little puzzled, I looked at her and asked, “Why did you let it go?” “It was so much fun daddy, I wanted to give mommy a turn”. I gave her a hug and whispered, “Your mother would be proud of you.” As we made our way back from the sand dunes that day, I stopped and turned for one last look into the sunset. I could only picture her mother smiling while flying that kite. It was then I knew, this would always be a day to remember. ~ By Brian K . Walters

Morning Bliss My ticket was the warm cup of coffee in my hands. As I entered the theater the screen door slammed My red carpet was the old faded rug by the door I sat in the balcony to enjoy the view from my porch The orchestra of songbirds began to gently play As the curtain of darkness was lifted by the light of day With great anticipation I waited for the show to begin As my cheeks were gently tickled by the soft morning wind Bright and amazing colors of the sunrise began the light display As a soft golden hue slowly overtook the lazy morning gray The character of the fog silently receded from the stage Unveiling a lake of glass still sleeping beneath the haze The pure and simple beauty as well as the peace of this place Presented a performance which could never be replaced From the edge of my seat on the old porch swing I sat in awe and wondered what the next act would bring A beautiful pair of swans began their loving dance of grace I could just sense the loyalty in their hearts and on their face Pleading for an encore I hoped this show would never end Yet I knew for this performance I would return again and again. With a great sigh of contentment I rose from my seat The blessed show of morning was now complete. Brian K. Walters

Right Here Beside You Staring at the shadows in the distance I see painfully familiar faces From behind the cold gray stones the morning fog reveals their embraces A blanket of roses begin their descent as her eyes give birth to a parade of tears I long to touch her face and whisper my name, just once to calm her fears Though I may not, my love for her will always remain I wish I could embrace her warmth and remove her pain For such a woman, a gift from God to my life I will always be so grateful to have had for my wife I am so sorry my love for leaving you here in this world alone To return to five rooms full of memories in what was once our home I hear your weeping sobs at night as you cry out my name This empty house contains my soul yet I know it’s not the same I’m here beside you wishing I could hold your hand As you lie alone and stare at our picture on the nightstand I will not leave you to enter the light Until this pain has lifted and your heart takes flight Be not afraid my love to continue your journey through life Do not hide your heart, for I will be here when you enter the light Until you are safe and find your beautiful smile once again By your side I’ll stay and guard you until your new life begins Brian K. Walters

Thank You Sometimes, when walking in the rain or stopping to look at a sunset I'll think of you and just smile. I'll remember how life used to dance in your eyes and wonder if it still does. You taught me so many things in life just by being yourself like how to laugh and how to live. Do you remember when we looked to the trees and watched the wind tickle the leaves. You told me the simplest things in life carry the most magic. You were right. Now as I wonder where you are I'll pray you're safe and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Brian K Walters

The Painter His soul flows onto the canvas with the grace of an angel Brilliant colors emerge portraying every emotion in his heart His brush and inner thoughts dance in perfect cadence Creating the perfect window into the essence of him He is an artist forever willing to bare himself to all Though he may not control the world he lives in The oils on his palette allow him to become the creator In jubilation, his spirit dances with precious freedom Brilliant shades of blue, purple and red Give birth to the essence of life itself While yellows, browns and greens Provide the foundation of mother earth He smiles with the rare serenity his creation gives him. For even he discovers more about the artist as he gazes. With contentment he signs the reflection of this stage in life. Claude Monet

The Phone Call Her fingers follow small streaks of rain As they race for the bottom of the window. The reflection of her endless brown eyes Stays constant above her breath on the glass. She doesn’t know the reasons why he left She only knows the pain left in his absence. Every night she prays to a God she hopes is listening To bring him home back where he belongs. Every morning she misses his hugs, laughter and smile. At the bus stop she always turns to see no one there. In class she can’t help but write his name over and over. Sometimes she even hates him for leaving her alone. After a long ride home she sees the fathers waiting there, Then studies her friends faces as they light up with smiles. Her eyes fade into silence as she begins her walk home. She wants to cry but knows she has to be strong. As she walks in the door the phone begins to ring. On the other end she hears "Hi honey, it’s daddy!" As the tears well in her eyes she replies "Hi daddy, I Love you! When are you coming home?" In a shaken voice he replies "I love you too honey, I’ll be home soon. Just take care of mommy for me ok?" "I will daddy" she said and handed her mom the phone. She ran for her room and began to cry… For she knows, just how long "soon" can be. © 2007 Brian K. Walters

The Reality Of Now The sweet aroma of roses fade into a distant memory Blackened pedals drift silently to the hardwood floor Only to be swept away by a soft summer breeze The light tickle of ivory once beckoned her embrace Now as it echoes off these empty walls, it haunts me Finding little consolation in my beliefs, I drown in her Caring not to hear only a faint whisper on the wind I long for my ears to bleed from her screaming my name As my fingers glide across this cold faded photograph I writhe in agony to feel her velvet skin beneath my touch As night falls the endless silence becomes deafening Alone with my memories of her, I pray for endless sleep Wishing I could still smell her perfume on this empty satin I clutch her pillow and silently whisper her name Hoping to fade into darkness, never to rise again By Brian K. Walters

The Traveler I am merely a traveler Enjoying this wonderful ride So many things to see So much to learn I have felt the warmth of the sun, The gentle kiss of rain The joy of laughter And the honesty of tears With every turn I make A new adventure awaits me Yet everything means nothing Without the wisdom of the past We experience the warmth of love The sorrows of goodbye We see the beauty of a smile And treasure the simple things the most The one thing I have learned Is everything has a meaning Purpose and time That, is the magic of life Brian K. Walters

The Writer Sometimes I sit here wondering what to write. Do I write about you? How losing you shattered my life, Or do I write about you in the present tense? To fool myself and the reader, Into thinking everything is still ok. Shall I reminisce about the day I proposed? Or how life used to dance in your eyes, And I felt so complete. Do I let my pain and anger flow into words, Hiding my tears behind thin scrolls of ink As I confess my sorrow? Maybe I’ll write about someone else, So for a moment I can live their life And hide from mine. I know, I’ll write about a sunset, Or a morning cup of coffee! That seems safe. No, that won’t work. A sunset reminds me of your beauty And you died in the morning. Brian K Walters