back in the day when work

would take me far from home

traveling where they needed me

perfecting sprints through major hubs

with briefcase, laptop, carry on

an airplane gave me stillness, calm

a time out from the pace

of a career,

expectations for a family life

II

there is nothing like

the calm I find in flight,

suspended in midair

the soothing backdrop of flowing air

that maintains cabin pressure

the humming spin of high speed blades,

the hush of engine turbines

with the pause

all things make sense:

I rediscover clarity

clear again on who I am,

reimagine the kind of life

I truly want were it still up to me

III

somewhere along the way

I slide up the plastic blind to see

the miracle that carries me

above the clouds

by graceful lift of

aircraft wings much like a gull’s

I realize then:

the pause that gives me respite

does not mean I stopped, or

I’m not going anywhere

the pause

© 2020 Brian Crouth

Whether it’s waking up w/ the doldrums or a Creative dry spell, Poet Brian discovers there’s a gift by trusting the struggle and the waiting. Poems: Wellspring of my Inspiration; waiting on a friend; how about you? © 2020 Brian Crouth/ Photo: Chris Barbalis / Send your thoughts, reflections, ideas &requests w/ an Anchor message, or [email protected] because Poet Brian loves to hear from you!

In a time marked by so much death, destruction, and sadness, Poet Brian shares a Spring and Life Giving Poem. ©2018, 2020 Brian Crouth All rights reserved. Poet Brian loves to hear from you! [email protected] Image credit: Mount Auburn Cemetery (The History Bandits)

With Poems & Music of difficult times that were filled with Sadness, Poet Brian ponders: Can embracing Sorrow be a worthwhile path rather than avoiding the pain, or running away. All that he remembers ©2019,2020 Brian Crouth. Winterwood © 1991, 2019, 2020 Brian Crouth. Glad to be Sad © 2020 Brian Crouth / Send your thoughts, reflections, ideas &requests w/ an Anchor message, or [email protected] Poet Brian loves to hear from you! Enjoy songs by Danny O’Keefe, Ron Sexsmith & Gilbert O’Sullivan w/ the Anchor podcast app.

Reflecting on difficult times that were filled with Sadness, Poet Brian explores how embracing Sorrow - both past and present - can be a worthwhile path rather than avoiding the pain, or running away: All that he remembers ©2019,2020 Brian Crouth. Winterwood © 1991, 2019, 2020 Brian Crouth. Glad to be Sad © 2020 Brian Crouth / Send your thoughts, reflections, ideas &requests w/ an Anchor message, or [email protected] Poet Brian loves to hear from you!

“When Spring has sprung and sowing is in style, a farmer has a certain smile.”Poet Brian celebrates farmers and friendship, the beauty of the land they work, their toils and unique challenges, and the fruits of their labors: Winter’s shadows grow shorter in the Spring © 2019,2020 Brian Crouth. Morning Rites © 2019,2020 Brian Crouth. Once Again © 2019, 2020 Brian Crouth/ Send your thoughts, reflections, requests&ideas w/ an Anchor message, or to [email protected] / Poet Brian loves to hear from you! / Image: Sower with the Setting Sun by Vincent Van Gough. Enjoy songs by the Byrds, Joni Mitchell & John Denver w/ the Anchor podcast app.

Amidst the ever changing chaos of the Coronavirus, Poet Brian finds his way to Joy and Consolation with “What would Mr. Rogers do?” as his guiding light. In Search of Joy ©1997, 2020 Brian Crouth “Without Worry” ©2001, 2020 Brian Crouth All rights reserved. Send your thoughts, reflections, requests and ideas w/ an Anchor podcast recorded message, or email me: [email protected] Poet Brian always loves to hear from you!

Amidst the ever changing chaos of the Coronavirus, Poet Brian finds his way to Joy and Consolation thru the goodwill of store staff as he searches for hard to find household essentials. In Search of Joy ©1997, 2020 Brian Crouth “Without Worry” ©2001, 2020 Brian Crouth All rights reserved. Send your thoughts, reflections, requests and ideas w/ an Anchor podcast recorded message, or email me: [email protected] Poet Brian always love to hear from you! Photo credit: Brian Crouth / Enjoy the vocal stylings of Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby & Fred Rogers w/ the Anchor podcast app.

Celebrate Life's little gifts we too often overlook:a beautiful moon, weeping willows, toddlers chasing ducklings, a goodnight kiss. Close your eyes as you Listen to and Imagine 2 Poems on Nature & Romantic Love thru the Eyes and Imagination of Poet Brian: “Here’s to Me” © 2018,2020 Brian Crouth “wistful moon” ©2017,2020 Brian Crouth All rights reserved. Send your thoughts, reflections, requests and ideas w/ an Anchor podcast recorded message, or email [email protected] Poet Brian loves to hear from you! Photo credit: Poet Brian

Thanks to George for suggesting an accompanying episode w/out narrative for easier re-listening Image credit: Writer on a Block ©Theresa Pateman 1993 (Mono print / Watercolor)