literature – Perkins Designs

Hiking Quote

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.

— Henry David Thoreau

Prints available.

A Lesson About Friendship

Many moons ago, my father shared this short story with me. I’m not sure where he found it, or who wrote it. But, I’ve always considered it to be an inspiring lesson about friendship, and so I thought I’d share it with you.

Just up the road from my house is a field with two horses in it. From a distance each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.

If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.

As you stand and watch these two friends, you’ll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that her friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes, we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see.

Good friends are like this…you don’t always see them, but you know they are always there.

Please listen for my bell and I’ll listen for yours.

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Author Unknown

Short Story: She’s A Dream

Based on a recent comment I made on the web site of a friend, I wrote this short story this morning. Entitled, She’s A Dream, I hope that you’ll enjoy reading it.

I rested on a tropical sandy cay, comfortable in a low seat with my bare feet in warm, shallow water. Small waves carried the tranquil and continuous rhythm of ocean currents on shore, breaking into sand and drowning in retreat.

With a cooling but mild summer breeze rustling palm fronds through the trees on shore behind me, I dreamed I heard a British woman from the past – Clementine – sounding a conch shell from a hillside in the distance.

I was at peace as the sun grew old, slowly dropping from the sky, setting colors of gold, orange and peach in brilliant illumination across scattered clouds on the horizon. Then, on the edge of time, sunlight refracted through a level plane in the ocean, casting a bright, blinding green flash!

Moments passed into minutes, until my sight returned. And, then I saw her – the silhouette of a beautiful woman slowly walking along the shoreline in my direction. Long, flowing hair wafting on thermals, hips swaying slightly with each casual step, I could tell that she wasn’t very tall, and watched closely as she approached.

She was barefoot with a lovely figure, suntanned, wearing a bikini top and fishnet skirt, and also wore a small diamond piercing on her nose. Immediately, I was drawn to the most beautiful pair of brown eyes I’d ever seen…she was a goddess!

I was captured by a vision of her beauty, when suddenly she spoke –

Hello my dear friend, Phil. How are you today?

What?! I’d never seen this woman before – though very much wish that I had. Who was she? I was on a remote tropical island in the Caribbean… At that moment, a small coconut detached from a palm tree, dropping on my head and knocking me to the ground.

When later I regained my senses, I was alone and realized that she was only a dream.

Modified header photo from unsplash.com.

Another Poem

If you follow my site, you may know that I have a friend from Lisbon, Portugal, named Carla Milho. She’s a wonderful writer and often a source of inspiration, including this recent poem of mine…

Before I Go

She doesn’t like when I say it,
But knows damn well it’s true.
I love her with my heart and soul,
So what am I to do?

Ok we’re friends let’s keep it cool,
I understand your choice.
I’d like to kiss but we can talk,
– So says my inner voice.

I know that she may never change,
But know I love her so.
So beautiful this chance I’ll take,
And wait – before I go.

Modified photo from unsplash.com.

Words of Inspiration

After reading “Lost In Time And Space” – a poem by my friend & writer Carla Milho – I was inspired and responded by writing the following poem…

In the depths of despair
When time had no hands
Her clothes tattered and torn.

She questioned, “why me”?
Searching deep in her soul
Found hope and love reborn.

Now upright with courage
Each step purposeful
The Red Warrior roams free.

Named Carla Milho
Her friends celebrate
The life which has come to be.

Modified photo from unsplash.com

Happy New Year 2021

A Midnight Toast

Beauty in her eyes,
On the eve of this new day.

Another glass is lifted,
A toast is underway.

May your days be merry,
And your nights be bliss.

Let’s finish this glass,
In time for a kiss.

This is an original poem which I wrote & posted this evening on the site of Carla Milho.

A Poem Then And Again

I’m a photographer, designer and artist. And, from time to time, I indulge myself with words. I’m not a poet, per se, but there are times when I do enjoy the creative process of writing short poems. Yet, to do so requires a source of inspiration…

Fortunately, I have a good friend named Carla Milho, a gifted writer from Lisbon, Portugal, with whom I converse on a regular basis. I’m grateful for her friendship, and always enjoy her writings – some of which have inspired these poems as my response:

Were the day night, and night to be day,
The tables changed of linens and wax.
A challenge of discovery,
Unraveling to be my task.

Response to “Uncover Me If You Are Able“, by Carla Milho

The story you write in the book that you share,
the smiles and the laughter contagious.
True friendship with Carla is really a treat,
her sense of humor outrageous!

Response to “I Already Know What I Need…A Pinch of Salt“, by Carla Milho

Beauty in the pen,
Through the hand,
From the mind.
To share inner thoughts,
Conscientious and kind.

She writes from the heart,
Thoughts collected
By choice.
Her topics refined,
Developed and with voice.

Response to “Muse“, by Carla Milho

⭐ A light to the east,
After dark
In the sky.

🕊 A dove is released,
And my wish
Came to fly.

🙏 Bound for the heavens,
With trust
In a prayer.

❤️ The woman I love,
With hope
We will share.

Response to “Make A Wish To A Star And It Will Come True“, by Carla Milho

Books On Display

If you’re bored with the books that you’ve been reading lately, perhaps you’d enjoy this creative treatment of literature – a kaleidoscopic graphic design based on a photograph of many books. It’s now available on a variety of products in my shop at Society 6…here are a few example:

Check it out…

Stacks of Books Drawstring Bag

The perfect gift for a young student, this colorful drawstring bag is made from 100% polyester woven fabric and measures 15.5″ wide by 19.5″ tall. It has a wide, soft drawcord that’s easy on the shoulders. It also has durable quality metal grommets and is printed on both sides. Oh, and it holds a lot of books!