From my book of Prose 'Souls on the Road'

Souls on the Roads seemed an appropriate title, as we all encounter them, in all their varied forms, as we make this mysterious journey from the cradle to the grave.

Some are unforgettable while others, well, as a favorite clerical-poet once said, “Every once in a while, you run into someone and your first thought is: God had to have made a mistake!”

I have sold these as individual framed pieces to folks across the country and at various art fairs along the east coast. I write what I love and what I feel. Here are a few samples:

Mother

I was born of your blood
Our lives as one
from the beginning
Yours was the face I first saw
above my cradle
Your voice the last sweet song I heard
as I dropped off to sleep
You saw me through the scrapes of childhood
and stood at my side
through the battles of adolescence
You’ve touched every corner of my life, Mom
shared in my joys & my sorrows,
my laughter and my tears
Your spirit burns within me
as mine once did within you
And I will love you
until the end of time

© R.T. Brickell 1996


Dad

M y father, gentle and caring,
firm and understanding
You’ve been my teacher,
my mentor & my friend
How often, through the years,
I found strength and courage in your silence,
was inspired by your conviction,
and comforted by your warmth and tenderness
It was you who taught me
that I need not follow in your footsteps,
that instead, I should walk beside you
where there was no path
and dare to leave my own mark
We share an extraordinary intimacy, Dad,
a bond that I will honor and cherish,
all the days of my life

© R.T. Brickell 1996



Our Home

This is the place where we live
out our lives,
where we discuss what’s right
and what’s wrong,
where we laugh and cry,
share our joys and our sorrows,
and learn about life, and
sometimes, about death
Where we ready ourselves
to conquer the world,
and learn how to win and to lose
with grace and dignity
This is our sanctuary, a haven
of peace and love and understanding,
of sharing and of caring
This is our home

© R.T. Brickell 1996



Chasing You...
Chasing Me

Can I tell you about the first time
I looked into your eyes?
How you stole my heart away
with but a glance?
A glance meant for me alone?
I wasn’t searching, but
I was waiting...
for you to come into my life
Yes, I remember it well,
the instant of my surrender,
when first you smiled
and I first noticed
I knew at that precise moment
that I was destined to chase you
...until you caught me

© R.T. Brickell 1996