<center> <a name="top"></a> <table align=center > <tr><td><a href="#youandi">You and I</a></td></tr> <tr><td><a href="#teach">Teach Your Children</a></td></tr> <tr><td><a href="#face">Face in the Mirror</a></td></tr> <tr><td><a href="#music">The Music Plays On</a></td></tr> <tr><td><a href="#ebony">Ebony Tree</a></td></tr> <tr><td><a href="#moonlit">Moonlit Bath</a></td></tr> </table> <br><br><br>

<br><br><br> <a name="youandi"></a> <h2> you and i </h2> you are the sun <br> i am the moon <br> we spawned the stars <br> our shining lights <br><br><br> you are the day <br> i am the night <br> you labor and prosper <br> i am by your side <br> you are the morning <br> i am the evening <br> you sing folk songs <br> i sing lullabies <br> you are the rhythm <br> i am the lyrics<br> you play the beat<br> i hum the tune<br><br> you have eagle’s wings<br> i weave the nest<br> you hover and protect <br> i make it beautiful<br><br> you are the water<br> i am the fire<br> i light the spark<br> you quench the heat<br><br> you are the mountain<br> i am the pass<br> you rim the world<br> i kiss the sky<br><br> you are the rain<br> i am the sunshine<br> you nurture the land<br> i enrich the soil<br><br> you are the man<br> i am the woman<br> together we reign<br> in peace and in love<br><br> </p> <a href="#Top">Top</a> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> <p> <a name="teach"></a> <h2> teach your children </h2> teach your children everyday<br> teach them to love<br> respect, honor obey<br> teach your children<br> to listen, learn, and do things<br> that elevate their minds<br> teach them to question<br> to be adventurous <br> to seek knowledge, wisdom<br> and understanding<br> teach your children<br> to be faithful and forgiving<br> teach your children everyday<br> when you lie down<br> when you get up<br> teach them goodness and honesty<br> help them to develop <br> an interest in their environment<br> teach them to celebrate life<br> how precious it is<br> how fragile it is<br> teach your children<br> teach them everyday<br> to love peace, to do justice<br> to cherish the earth<br> and share its riches<br> teach them to be caring<br> responsible and kind<br> teach your children<br> teach them everyday<br><br> <a href="#Top">Top</a> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> </p> <p> <a name="face"></a> <h2> face in the mirror<br> </h2> what do you see <br> when you look in the mirror<br> do you see the person<br> you think you are<br> the person you want to be<br> or do you see a façade<br> masking the real you<br> does your mirror capture<br> the person you really are<br> do you see love, honesty<br> a warm and sincere smile<br> reflecting caring, kindness<br> is your mirror truthful<br> does it show understanding<br> loyalty, compassion<br> does beauty run deep within<br> is there sparkle in your eye<br> or is there make believe<br> does the mirror see your heart<br> and what there is inside<br> is there laughter on your face<br> is someone else looking at you<br> looking at you<br> or is it a stranger you don’t know<br><br> Bernadene Coleman(c)2005 <br><br> <a href="#Top">Top</a> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> <a name="music"></a> <h2> the music plays on<br><br> </h2> when I am with you<br> I hear music<br> I feel loved and loving<br> music connects our souls<br> when you are near<br> my heart dances and<br> when you smile<br> my soul weaves a melody<br> the music plays on<br> your touch lights my flame<br> ignites love’s passions<br><br> with you I create poetry<br> write soulful lyrics<br> your loving caresses<br> soothe my being and <br> the music plays on<br> sweet harmony surrenders<br> to expressions of love<br> moonlight weaves its magic<br> in the music of the night<br><br> we move to the rhythm<br> bodies pulsating, feeling the beat<br> the music plays on<br> sounds of Davis’ midnight blue <br> plays like a soothing lullaby<br> darkness brings a still hush<br> morning sun brushes our eyes<br> soft winds blow<br> love has triumphed <br> the melody lingers on<br> in our souls and minds<br> the music plays on<br> causes our spirits to soar<br> makes our hearts tingle<br> infuses us with energy<br> expands our horizons<br> gives wings to our feet<br> and the music plays on<br><br> </p> <a href="#Top">Top</a> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> <p> <a name="ebony"></a> <h2> ebony tree </h2> <br><br> i am lovely like the ebony tree<br> tall, dark, graceful<br> strong like the ebony tree<br> and brown sugar brown<br> sweet as golden honey<br><br> desire me<br> i am exotic like the ebony tree <br> symbolizing endurance, patience<br> i am calm and distinctive<br> chosen to reside in places<br> reserved for royalty<br><br> honor me<br> i am tawny like the ebony tree<br> my skin is smooth satiny silk <br> with priceless veins <br> kissed by warm sunlight<br> caressed by morning mist<br> look at me<br> i am like the ebony tree<br> i journey throughout the world<br> and am highly prized<br> like nubian queens and princesses<br> my beauty is unique<br> recognize me<br> i am rare like the ebony tree<br> artists paint and photograph me<br> poets write about me<br> i am often sought <br> for my richness and purity<br> value me<br> </p> <a href="#Top">Top</a> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><p> <a name="moonlit"></a> <h2> moonlit bath </h2> <br><br> last night I bathed<br> in the glow of the moon<br> naked I lay<br> inhaling the sweet aromas<br> memories of you<br> wafted into my dreams<br> love’s seductive offer<br> came on fairy wings<br> the moon beguiled me<br> intoxicated my being<br> a feeling curled inside me<br> rendering me helpless<br> i was thrilled by the <br> tenderness of your touch<br> conjuring up the sweetness<br> of a long lost love<br> a love that was brilliant<br> alive and exuberant<br> the magic of the moon <br> flowed through me<br> caressed my heart<br> inundated my soul<br> my arms reached out<br> to embrace you once more<br> when a cloud covered<br> that iridescent moon<br> bringing closure to my primal <br> moonlit bath <br><br> </p> <a href="#Top">Top</a>