Thursday, July 10, 2025

Lingers

 A L O H A  From

H O N O L U L U


I’ve never lost sleep
Over a kindness I've done.
Those moments dissolve
Like sugar in tea—  
Sweet then gone,  
leaving only warmth
In my cup.




But the times I held back
kept my umbrella shut,  
let the elevator doors close,  
or left a silence sitting there,
heavy as a stone,
Those are the ones
That follow me home.  



Regret is not
The sharp thing  
I thought it would be,  
But a slow drip  
From a faucet I never fixed—  

Sounds of water  
Pooling in the quiet  
Long after midnight.




If I could go back,  
I’d spend kindness
Like loose change,  
Scatter it in the grass,  
Leave it in coat pockets  
For strangers to find.  


Because it’s the
Unopened hand,  
The word I didn't say,
That lingers with regret

Not the gift given,  
But the one withheld,  
Still waiting  
for me to give it.

      Cloudia Charters 



That is a good question 
for you to ask, not a 
wise question for 
me to answer. 
           Anthony Eden

۩۩۩۞۩۩۩
Love You,
  Pixie & Cloudia

۩۩

24 comments:

Teresa said...

Your poem today is amazing, Cloudia. Pixie looks like she's waiting for you to finally give her that gift you've been holding onto.

Cloudia said...

Gosh it's so nice to see you here and read your responses day by day. Pixie seems to know who you are as well. Of course she does! You've been with us a long time dear. Hope you're having a good week. Aloha!

roentare said...

It’s such a tender, aching reminder that what we withhold often haunts us more than what we offer.

Cloudia said...

So true my sensitive friend

eileeninmd said...

Love your poem and the beautiful moon photo.
Pixie is a sweetie! Cute little butterfly.
Take care, have a great day!

Anvilcloud said...

I like the juxtaposition of the first two quotes: what gives us peace vs what keeps us awake.

Tom said...

...what a cute little butterfly!

DeniseinVA said...

Love all of these! Being kind is great therapy for those who give and receive.

Kathy G said...

Wow! to the poem. Some great words to ponder. Could the glow on Pixie's chest be her heart beaming out positive thoughts?

RedPat said...

Such words, Cloudia! ;-)

William Kendall said...

Beautiful night shot.

Martha Jane Orlando said...

IMHO, this is the best poem you've shared with us yet, Cloudia. Blessings!

Anne Hagman-Niilola said...

Cute Picxie!

Bill said...

Beautiful poem, Cloudia and lovely photos. The butterfly is a cutie.

Mary Kirkland said...

Nice poem and loved the pictures.

Michelle said...

That is a sweet quote about kindness and so true. Thank you for linking up!

Brian's Home Blog said...

Love those photos and beautiful words. Hello sweet Pixie! Thanks for joining Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!

Light and Voices said...

Walk on or Help! This poem speaks what's in your heart. Love it! Hugs to Pixie who looks like a glow worm. Happy Trails!

DVArtist said...

Well I agree with you about kindness. It not only makes the one your are kind to happy, it makes me happy to. Have a nice evening.

rupam sarma said...

So beautiful poem, Amazing skies, Beautiful photos, Loved cute lil girl, Hello to Pixie :) Great post. Greetings

magiceye said...

Marvellous photos!

Jim said...

Great clouds.

annie said...

Lovely. The butterfly is the very b est photo.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

The little girl in the costume is pretty darned cute!!

You are right, it's the kindnesses I decided not to do is my biggest regret. So much is timing, you have a chance, I didn't take it, now I can just brood about it.