Author: ~Keith Alan Hamilton~ (~KAH~)

this day in my mind’s eye
I see my muse and me
everywhere
even
in a random
cloud formation
as it moves
along the horizon
above the roof
of the house next door
up in the sky
two fluffy shapes
synchronistically floating
together
at times appearing
motionless
as I face them
they move from left
to right
and as it always is
when I visit my muse   ~
~   in this instance
symbolically
she is the cloud
in the lead
and me the one
enthralled as ever
closely
trailing behind  …..
…..   I see my head
and nose
on a neck
stretched forward
mouth wide open
as I playfully
reach out
to slow her down
so I can keep up
while she
enthusiastically
takes me
somewhere
memorable
that she knows later
through image and word
I’ll artistically bring forth
the tale of our adventure

Image & Words   ~Keith Alan Hamilton~

I represent the possibility
of what exists beyond
the narrow path
defined and controlled
by the indisposition
that surrounds you
which selfishly consumes
robs like a thief
the precious
and valuable
moments you have to live
your life
with hope and purpose
to find satisfaction
and realize fulfillment
but rather
the untiring
persistence
of your indisposition
with its exhausting
affect on you
creates the false illusion
of normality
and nothing more ….
…. and yet
I represent the possibility
of what exists beyond
the narrow path
defined and controlled
by the indisposition
that surrounds you
my dear
sweet muse  ~
~   grab my hand
and walk away
with me
and experience
that vast sea
called life
’cause
you deserve
so   ~   so much more
so let’s live it
while we can ….

Image & Words by   ~Keith Alan Hamilton~

the visit with my muse
l had waited so long for
was about to end
it was my last day there
and the woman
who inspires me
to write words as these
finally felt good enough
(her struggle with MS
and sleepless nights
makes her so fatigued)
to come out and play
be
my
personal
guide
and show me the sites
while telling me tales
of earlier years
as she and others
traveled by car
from Chesapeake
down roads numbered
168
158
12
for swimming  ~  sunbathing
and dining
with other forms
of entertainment mixed in
along the Atlantic shoreline
those ‘Outer Banks’ …..   stopping
in North Carolina destinations
named
Kitty Hawk
Kill Devil Hills
Nags Head
to name a few …..
…..   eventually  ~  during
our
drive down memory lane
my muse
directed me to pull over
at Mile Post 4
where she decided
we’d have lunch   ~
~   this historical spot
built in 1874
as a Lifesaving Station
manned by a heroic staff
who helped all those
nearby on ships
under duress
at sea
where often
rescuers and crews
were watched over
and warned
by the legendary bird
of which
this place
is now called   ~
The Black Pelican
Oceanfront Restaurant

my muse and I
ate seafood
and drank
a Bloody Mary …..
…..   well me
I lovely looked
into her eyes
as I thought to myself
‘simply spectacular’
about
this time
and place
I was enjoying
with her
as she honored me
with her
passionate
memories
filled with
her zeal for life
though hidden in fatigue
at times
while she struggles
with the affect MS
has on her
mind and body

now you know
why she inspires me
to write
~   why
she is
my Muse ……

Image & Words by   ~Keith Alan Hamilton~

my dear
sweet muse
I
often
feel
as if looking
out the porthole
of a ship
near Portsmouth
the place of your birth
where I hope to get
a glimpse
of you standing
at the shore …..   waving
vigorously
to get my attention
before I sail on by

but in reality
this imagining
finds its inspiration
from when
I stood looking
out the door
of the Black Pelican
Restaurant
located on
the Outer Banks

You are there…
I
am here
so much space
between us
I’ve had to learn
to love you
from a distance

I
cherish
the moments
we’ve
shared
when not
a part from
each other
I
remember the day
you jumped in the ocean
with your clothes still on
when you stood
in the open field
with no one else … texting
your son
at the Wright Brothers
National Memorial
and you just had
to buy me that shirt
from BrewThru
so I could officially
share your memories

You are there…
I
am here
so much space
between us
I’ve had to learn
to love you
from a distance
my dear
sweet muse
I
often
feel
as if looking
out the porthole
of a ship
near Portsmouth
the place of your birth
where I hope to get
a glimpse
of you standing
at the shore …..   waving
vigorously
to get my attention
before I sail on by

Image & Words by  ~Keith Alan Hamilton~

bit by bit as I approach …..
I feel the gentle pull   ~
of the white petals
sprinkled delicately
along the sidewalk
beneath the flowering
pear trees
from where they had fallen
a captivating lure
like the saintly voice
that flows
from a mystical creature
known as   ~   siren
I am pulled
toward you
my dear
sweet friend
how I yearn
to once again
take our
leisurely strolls
down the streets
of where you live
in Chesapeake
while sipping a Bloody Mary
or when we were
out and about
the streets of Richmond
we visited the reality of Poe
and then watched
our football team
at that place called
Buffalo Wild Wings
and never
to be forgotten
our day near
the Elizabeth River’s edge
at Deep Creek
Portsmouth City Park
then later by the dock
as we peered
across the waters
to Norfolk ……

~   it is because of times
like these
is why I know
for sure
you are The Muse
for me
who inspires me
because of who you are
to be more than
I thought
I would ever be
whether standing with you
in front of
the Chesapeake
Water Tower
or far away from you
when I hear your voice
as the siren of mystical times
while standing
under the branches
of a flowered
pear tree
with its
white petals  ~  touching
my feet …..   being
forever pulled towards you

Image & Words by ~Keith Alan Hamilton~

blossoms begin on a crabapple tree
spring having its way …….  January
through April
are often
filled with periods
of melancholy   ~   especially April
don’t know why
always been that way
since my days of youth   ~
~   May brings relief …….   and like
the flowering trees and bushes
my creativity
starts to inhale
words with a thirst
to be energized
quenched
and then to exhale
the inspiration
only given by my muse …..   during
the time I spend with her
those carefree
moments in Virginia
as we walk and talk   ~   laugh
while doing
our thing ……   snapping pictures
of our surroundings
with our Smartphone cameras

well …..   if you think about it
what else
could
an artist
hope for   ~
but to be inspired
in – to creativity

see you soon my dear muse

blossoms begin on a crabapple tree
spring having its way …….

Image & Words by ~Keith Alan Hamilton~