Burning lessons sting
Everyday reshapes and molds
Scars wrinkle in time
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Wiser
Effortless Beauty
Simple bloom,
by the road,
lifts all gloom,
eases load.
Saddened eyes
catch its glow,
hearts arise,
troubles go.
Gift of smiles,
grow so wide,
spread for miles,
peace abides.
Sweet perfume,
soft and smooth,
joyful boom,
made to soothe.
Silent song,
calms with grace,
all day long,
warm filled space.
Plain flower,
touch of light,
true power,
reflects bright.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Moonwashed Weekly Challenge May 27, 2025
Prompt – Simple/Smiles/ Calms/Flower
More Than A Climb
A man set out with hands worn bare,
to scale a rock through mountain air.
He took a breath, then found his pace,
with hope and sweat beads on his face.
Climbed until sun became cool shade,
past clumsy slips, watched deep fears fade.
Along his path, his will held strong,
each step he took pushed him along.
Thoughts helped him up, some passed him by,
at times he paused to laugh or cry.
With each small inch, he reached the crest,
forward he moved, no need for rest.
He sat atop, the world so wide,
a peaceful joy swept him inside.
His eyes soon noticed a clear shine,
a glowing sign, a soft, bright line:
“Please smile at strangers,” gently said,
a warmth filled his soul as he read.
He turned and grinned, looked down below,
then smiled at all while climbing slow.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Response to Sadje’s picture prompt on What Do You See # 290 May 26, 2025
This weeks prompt offered two picture options. This poem was inspired by both pictures. 💕
My Girl
Giana Grace, so bold, so bright,
you fill our hearts with joy and light.
At twenty now, you’ve come so far,
a shining soul, a brilliant star.
In gold, green, black, you proudly stand,
sunflower queen, so strong and grand.
At UNCC, dreams take flight,
you walk with purpose, strength, and might.
Pure essence can remove all doubts,
beautiful curls sparkle about.
Infectious laugh produces smiles,
charisma flies infinite miles.
With every step, you rise and grow,
this world is yours, you make it so.
Happy birthday, with love so true,
so proud of everything you do.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter!!! You will forever be my baby!!!💕
Gift of Sight
I wandered far through evening dust,
without a map, just silent trust.
Cool winds whisper through scented pines,
hidden riddles and secret signs.
Under the moon, lavender hues,
wild flowers wept with drops of dew,
I found it there, glimmer so small,
half buried near an ancient wall.
A lens of glass, felt strangely warm,
it felt as though it held a storm.
I raised it gently to my eye,
witnessed magic reshape the sky.
Enchanted optical stood clear,
the earth turned soft and drew me near.
No sorrows touched the children’s play,
night could not steal the song from day.
Rivers laughed loud in crystal light,
mountains stood tall with humble might.
Each face I saw, serene, unscarred,
free hearts unchained, all spirits starred.
What is this place? A dream or spell?
a truth the broken seldom tell?
I gasped, then wept, not out of pain,
but wonder I could not contain.
I slowly lowered lens from sight,
the world returned to shade and fright.
Deep in my soul, the vision stayed,
a map of what could be, if made.
Now through that glass I sometimes see
not just this life, but what could be,
pray all new steps taken are blessed,
to bring that vision into rest.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Moonwashed Weekly Challenge May 20, 2025
Prompt – Lens/ Eye/ Magic/World
Space in Time
Beneath the sky, peacefully gray,
an old man sits, to end the day.
Great wisdom sets his weathered face,
a threadbare coat, outlived by grace.
Black plastic bag slumps at his feet,
secrets kept in silence, discreet.
Beside him, in a hint of shade,
tiny cat rests, friendship is made.
Acknowledgement, with patient eyes,
watching the world that slowly flies.
Tail curled in a half closed loop,
sweet moment in the twilight stoop.
The bench is worn, like hands that shake,
cracked wood remembers each small ache.
It holds him still, it bears his weight,
as time pools round like water, fate.
Held gaze is cast to distant right,
where colors bloom in shades of light.
There, in a hush of pale lagoon,
where breezes hum a forgotten tune.
Flamboyance stands with fragile pride,
flamingos drifting, side by side.
Their mirrored stare, their painted plume,
contrasts the bench, brightens up gloom.
Around them, trees in tangled mass,
rise like tall walls where shadows pass,
fortress of green, so lush and tight,
cloaking the edge of true insight.
The cat beneath, he sits above,
all silent aches, reach out for love.
Yet there they are, in dusk’s embrace,
relaxing in their happy place.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Response to Sadje’s picture prompt on What Do You See # 289 May 20, 2025
This weeks prompt offered two picture options. This poem was inspired by both pictures. 💕
Rainbow Grasp
Heart of the sky, where colors collide,
spectrum of dreams in light reside.
Crimson and gold unite in delight,
twirl away blues, shimmer so bright.
Azure waves ripple, playful embrace,
lavender breezes soft kiss on face.
Emerald grass hum beneath bare feet,
citrine sunbeams warm all heartbeats.
Violet whispers, secrets untold,
magenta bursts ever so bold.
Golden ray bliss fills up morning air,
glimmers of joy woven with care.
Hues of deep laughter cascade so free,
smiles brush canvas, trace what will be.
Echo of colors soon intertwine,
masterpiece born, strokes exceed time.
Creates a story, a brilliant hue,
dance of moments forever new.
Vivid bright shades paint each soul’s desire,
every new day sparks inner fire.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Moonwashed Weekly Challenge May 13, 2025
Prompt – Intertwine/ Bliss
Blooming Ink
She sat still in the concrete cold,
deep secrets hushed whispers so bold.
Left arm exposed beneath her sleeve,
a scarlet script that would not leave:
bold “Love yourself, not me” it read,
a tender phrase the ink had bled.
Before her rest, on stone so grey,
a clutch of blooms in soft display.
Burnt orange petals, bright and thin,
fragile flames provoke inner grins.
They relaxed near the edge with grace,
as twilight kissed her shadowed face.
Behind her blurred, the city climbed,
towers stood tall and streets aligned.
A thousand windows shimmered hues,
but none could frame a clearer view,
the flowers smiled at words she wore,
a quiet heart that wanted more.
The wind would tug her unkept hair,
but still she sat, untouched by care.
Her gaze was calm, each exhale slow,
as if she knew how to let go.
Warm feelings paint a love that stays,
separates truths from trauma’s haze.
And as the evening veiled the sky,
her crimson ink refused to lie.
She traced each line with new insight,
a vow to leave, but not to fight.
Love in herself would set her free,
to not be bound by memories.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Response to Sadje’s picture prompt on What Do You See # 288 May 12, 2025
This weeks prompt offered two picture options. This poem was inspired by both pictures. 💕
Mom
Warm smile holds the sky,
endless summers in her eyes,
gifts of roots and wings.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
💕 Happy Mother’s Day to all 💕
Blushing Blossom
The morning sky is blue and clear,
beneath it, branches reappear,
natural make up, brushed so light,
perfumed with grace, amazing sight.
Along the path where deep minds think,
full trees are dressed pretty in pink.
Blossoms blush shyly, soft and sweet,
a tender carpet for bare feet.
No painter blend, no art so fine,
no hand could craft such a design,
no pictures needed, no disguise,
just rosy branches, butterflies.
Nature’s cosmetics, gently spun,
shimmers beneath the morning sun.
Soft petals fall, velvety lace,
seasonal scents, magical space.
In every bloom, secrets are kept,
a day dream that is never swept,
with every flower, bright or meek,
the earth’s own beauty dares to speak.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Moonwashed Weekly Challenge May 06, 2025
Prompt – Use one or more words from Eugi’s poem
dressed in pretty pink
blossoms blush shyly
nature’s cosmetics
