Sanctuary Poem by Evelyn Judy Buehler

I was a stylish, assertive travel agent, arranging getaways for busy people;
Like sudden getaways of jewel, shooting stars, on ebony nights of upheaval.

I planned calm, exotic, trip itineraries, for all tired of city hustle and bustle;
Like a dark red flower, blooming isolated, in peach sunshine of little trouble.

I also arranged for transportation and lodging, for exhausted, glad travelers;
As beauty birds fly north and south singing, ever ecstatic, joy ambassadors.

I began dreaming of a getaway myself, one of complete rest and relaxation.
While I loved my work, I had grown tired, like red sun, off to another nation.

Fluffed, foamy waves frolicked and flirted, at the shores of gathered friends;
And we flitted here and there in fun, like festival laughter, which never ends.

Over fern green fields, flew swift falcons; and a flaming sun beamed all day,
As free-spirited family flitted in to visit, for loved ones can never stay away.

I lived in the house of dark, rich rubies, in times of red sun touching ground;
Through magic of nature evergreen, impressive even whilst no one is around.

Breezes sashayed after steel blue storms, in lush sunglow days of my street,
As clouds turn salmon pink or scarlet, their fealty to a moody sun, complete.

When naive weather went from nasty to nice, neighbors came with nut cake,
Or a noticeable new, jade Norfolk pine, stowed by a window, facing the lake.

Bird of paradise blooms were in heaven, while pink bee orchids were buzzing;
And crafty living stones were lying, when the happy alien plants were coming.

Brahma kamals bloomed one night a year, full eight inches wide and fragrant,
When beehive ginger called bees home, as at times, happens to the vagrant.

I finally began to plan my dream vacation, in a far off, sun soaked paradise,
Like the raspberry dawn of reality, when hot pink sunrise opens up our eyes.

My planned trip was still days away, when I rambled in the woods near home,
Enjoying the sun, going nowhere in particular, like the hollyhock, fully grown.

When I heard the faint sound of water, I strayed away from the beaten track.
As the faint sound grew louder, I emerged, almost feeling I'd never turn back!

I'd found a beguiling beach of blue water, crystal clear and hitherto unknown;
Small and bordered by trees on three sides, and on the fourth, was sea alone.

I had accidentally stumbled into dreamland, a place only the lucky ever visit,
A place of greens, sapphire, amber sun, silence-and escape, delicious secret!