Keep Love Alive

 

"Still in Love" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Keep Love Alive

In gardens of the heart, where passions bloom,
Love's tender petals, chasing winter's gloom.
A sacred flame, once kindled, pure and bright,
Must be tended daily, bathed in golden light.
For time, like whispers, can erode the bond,
If care is absent, and affection's conned.

Remember whispered vows, the morning's kiss,
The shared adventures, moments steeped in bliss.
These are the roots, that anchor and sustain,
Through life's harsh tempests, joy and gentle rain.
But roots need water, sun, and fertile earth,
To bring forth blossoms of enduring worth.

Communication's a river, clear and deep,
Where thoughts and feelings, open secrets keep.
Speak from the soul, with honesty and grace,
No silent judgments, no hidden, lonely space.
Listen intently, with an open mind,
To worries whispered, treasures you will find.
For understanding bridges every void,
And strengthens bonds, once fearfully deployed.

Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall

 

 "Contemplate" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall

A hush descends, a sudden, somber sky,
The sun recedes, and shadows start to lie
Across the paths where once the light did gleam,
And life unfolds beyond a joyful dream.
For in this journey, grand and often sweet,
There come the moments, bitter and complete,
When storm clouds gather, heavy, dark, and low,
And into each life, some rain must surely flow.

We build our castles, brick by hopeful brick,
With aspirations, vibrant, strong, and quick,
We chase the sun, believing all is bright,
Unknowing of the coming, starless night.
Then cracks appear, where solid walls once stood,
A whispered rumor, misunderstood,
A sudden illness, or a love grown cold,
A story changing, bravely to be told.

The winds of sorrow, howling, fierce, and keen,
Can strip the branches, leaving stark the scene.
The drops of anguish, falling, slow, and deep,
Can fill the hollows where our memories sleep.
The weight of burdens, pressing on the soul,
Can test our spirit, taking its slow toll.
We stumble, falter, sometimes lose our way,
And long for comfort, through the darkest day.

When Death Comes Knocking

 

 "Knock, knock. It's me." - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 When Death Comes Knocking

When Death comes knocking, a whisper in the night,
No one knows the hour, nor the fading of the light.
No calendared appointment, no forecast in the air,
Just a sudden, silent presence, a chilling, cold despair.
It may be in the dawn, with the dew still on the rose,
Or in the fading twilight, as the tired day does close.
Perhaps a gentle stirring, a breath held for too long,
Or a thunderous crescendo, where everything goes wrong.

Will you be ready, for that inevitable call?
Have you lived with purpose, given your heart and all?
Did you speak the words unsaid, embrace the ones you knew?
Forgive the hurts inflicted, and see your journey through?
Will your spirit find its solace, your conscience be at peace?
Or will a lifetime's regrets, refuse their grim release?
For readiness isn't riches, nor power, nor grand fame,
But a soul aligned with truth, an unextinguished flame.

Will you be prepared, for the journey to the vast unknown?
Have you shed the earthly shackles, the seeds of greed have sown?
Are your affairs in order, your worldly tasks complete?
Or will a tangled legacy, leave bitter, tangled feet?
Preparedness is not panic, nor frantic, hurried plea,
But a calm acceptance of what is, and what will surely be.
It's untying every tether, that binds you to this sphere,
And facing the great silence, without a shadow of fear.

Seagull, Fly Free

 

 "Seagull, Fly Free" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Seagull, Fly Free

 

 Seagull, fly free, fly high in the sky, over the sea,
Where the ocean's vast canvas meets eternity.
With wings of pure white, against the aquamarine so deep,
A silent observer while the world is asleep.

From the cliffs, a grand launch, a leap into air,
No tether, no burden, no earthly despair.
You dance on the currents, a master of breeze,
Weaving through sunbeams, above the green trees.
Your keen eye surveys the tumultuous foam,
A glimmering fish, a true taste of home.
Then a swift, graceful dive, a splash and a dart,
Nature's own hunter, a work of fine art.

You soar past the yachts, with their sails crisp and white,
Past the fishing boats, bathed in morning's first light.
A sentinel present, on buoy and on mast,
Watching the tides, as they ebb and flow fast.
Your call, a wild echo, a cry sharp and clear,
Carried on whispers, for all souls to hear.
A voice of the wild, untamed and so grand,
A symbol of freedom, across sea and land.

WhatsApp Breakup

 

 " WhatsApp Breakup" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 WhatsApp Breakup

A love once pure, a bond so deep,
Two hearts entwined, a promise to keep.
In marital bliss, our days we spent,
A tapestry woven, with sweet content.
Laughter echoed, soft whispers too,
Believing our future, forever true.
Hand in hand, we walked life's way,
Until a notification, stole peace away.

One quiet evening, as shadows grew long,
A gentle hum, a digital song.
My phone lay near, his just beside,
A WhatsApp flicker, I couldn't hide.
A message flashed, a name I knew,
His "long time sweetheart," bold and new.
My breath caught sharp, a sudden dread,
As words unspoken, filled my head.

"My dearest love," the preview read,
A knife of ice, through my heart it spread.
The world went dim, the colors faded,
A trust so fragile, instantly raided.
I turned to him, my voice a plea,
"Who is this, tell me, honestly?"
His eyes met mine, a flicker of fright,
Then a practiced calm, in the fading light.

Pride Goeth Before a Fall

 

 "Before a Fall" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Pride Goeth Before a Fall

The sun, a brazen eye, surveyed the land,
And bathed in gilded light, a figure grand.
Upon a peak, where winds did softly croon,
Stood Arrogance, beneath the midday moon
(Though truth be told, the sun held court on high,
He saw no shadow 'neath his burning eye).
His chin was raised, his chest a puffed-out drum,
Proclaiming triumphs, past and yet to come.

He spoke of conquests, battles bravely fought,
Of wisdom gleaned, and lessons dearly bought.
His voice, a trumpet, echoed through the air,
Dismissing whispers of a hidden snare.
"Behold!" he cried, "My might, my keenest wit!
No foe can stand where my decree has writ.
The very mountains bow before my gaze,
And rivers bend to navigate my ways."

No counsel sought, no warning he would heed,
For in his heart, bloomed self-important seed.
Humility, a concept strange and weak,
He cast aside, no gentle word to speak.
The wise ones watched, with sorrow in their eyes,
As pride's bright banner blazoned 'cross the skies.
They knew the ancient rhythm, deep and true,
Of rise and fall, for me and even you.

Have Balance in Life

 

 "Balance" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Have Balance in Life

The world spins fast, a dizzying, hurried pace,
With myriad demands, we strive to find our place.
A constant tug-of-war, a relentless, pressing plea,
To conquer every task, to simply just agree.
We chase the fleeting moments, with fervor and with might,
Burning candles at both ends, from dawn until the night.
The scales of life tip wildly, precariously they lean,
As we neglect ourselves, a silent, unseen scene.

Without balance, a tempest rages in the soul,
A whirlwind of exhaustion, losing all control.
The body aches with weariness, the mind a hazy fog,
Creativity stifled, like a journal with no log.
Relationships fray and falter, neglected, left behind,
As ambition’s fierce embrace leaves little peace to find.
The laughter dims to whispers, the joy begins to fade,
A life unmoored, adrift, a solitary parade.
Stress, a constant shadow, whispers doubts and fears,
Eroding inner peace, through unacknowledged tears.
The spirit feels diminished, the light within grows dim,
Lost in endless striving, on life’s relentless whim.

But hark, a gentle whisper, a truth profoundly deep,
A different path emerges, secrets it does keep.
To balance is to flourish, to find a steady ground,
Where work and rest commingle, and harmony is found.
It’s knowing when to labor, with purpose strong and clear,
And when to pause and nurture, banishing all fear.
To cultivate the garden of the mind, and heart, and soul,
Making health a priority, reaching for what makes us whole.
With balance, clarity blossoms, thoughts begin to align,
Decisions flow with wisdom, a truly grand design.
Energy then surges, a wellspring deep and vast,
Ready for each challenge, a future built to last.

Is It Real

 

 "News Bot"- Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Is It Real

(A Poem About Deepfakes and the Age of Deception)

In a world where truth once wore a face,
Now shadows mimic, take its place.
The screen lights up—you think you know,
But lies wear skin and steal the show.

That voice you trust? It’s just a file.
That famous smile? A crooked guile.
A clip goes viral, shared with speed—
But pause. Look close. What does it need?

It needs belief, your guard brought down,
A borrowed voice, a pixel crown.
A nod, a phrase, a tear, a grin—
Yet none of it came from within.

Things Take Time

 "Pine Tree Sapling" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Things Take Time

The seed you plant, with hope and careful hand,
Doesn't burst forth, a forest in the land.
It rests beneath the soil, in slumber deep,
While sun and rain their patient vigil keep.
A tender shoot, then leaves, a fragile start,
A whispered promise, close within the heart.
And years will pass, through seasons, soft and stern,
Before the mighty oak, its lessons learn.

So too, your dreams, however grand they seem,
Are not fulfilled in one effulgent gleam.
The architect envisions, clear and bright,
The towering structure bathed in morning light.
But then the drafts, the calculations slow,
The foundations dug where solid footings go.
Each beam, each brick, meticulously placed,
A testament to time, and not to haste.
The blueprint perfect, but the building grows
By measured steps, as every craftsman knows.

The scholar pores, through pages worn and thin,
A vast domain of knowledge to take in.
No sudden flash illuminates the mind,
But patient toil, a truth they hope to find.
The tangled theorems, riddles to unbind,
The insights gained, by thoughtful, deep design.
A quiet struggle, through the midnight hours,
Before the wisdom blossoms, full of powers.
For mastery is not a swift ascent,
But steady climb, on learning's long intent.

Be a Role Model

  

"Role Model" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Be a Role Model

The world, a stage where every soul takes flight,
Looks up, looks out, for guiding stars of light.
Not born of fame, nor etched in marble grand,
But in the quiet kindness of a helping hand.

To be a role model is a sacred trust,
A living lesson, built on what is just.
It's not a crown, nor power to command,
But seeds of goodness scattered through the land.

It starts within, a spirit strong and true,
With values firm, in all you say and do.
Integrity, a compass in your breast,
Guiding your choices, putting truth to test.

Be Thankful for the Small Things

 

 "Thankful for Small Things" - Bahamas AI Art

©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Be Thankful for the Small Things

The sun's first kiss upon your sleepy face,
A gentle warmth, a whisper of grace.
The morning coffee, steaming, dark, and deep,
A quiet moment, secrets it will keep.
Be thankful for the small things, soft and true,
The everyday wonders, waiting just for you.

The bird's sweet song, a melody so clear,
Dispelling shadows, banishing all fear.
The rustling leaves, a whisper in the breeze,
The ancient language of the towering trees.
Be thankful for the small things, freely given,
Little blessings, sent to us from heaven.

A friendly smile, a nod from passing by,
A shared connection 'neath a boundless sky.
The warmth of touch, a hand within your own,
A seed of kindness, beautifully sown.
Be thankful for the small things, light and fleet,
The simple moments, wonderfully sweet.

Think Before You Act

 

 "Face Off" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Think Before You Act

The world it spins, a rapid pace,
With choices given, time and space.
A hurried word, a swift retort,
Can leave a wound, or cut things short.
For impulse often takes the lead,
And plants a most unwelcome seed.
A thought unexamined, sharp and quick,
Can cause a sorrow, make you sick.

Consider well, before you leap,
The promises you sow and reap.
Each action taken, small or grand,
Leaves footprints on the shifting sand.
Will kindness bloom, or anger flare?
Will bridges mend, or rip and tear?
The power's yours, a potent key,
To shape the person you will be.

When tempers rise, and passions burn,
A moment's pause, a vital turn.
Breathe deep, allow the heat to cool,
Before you break a sacred rule.
For words once spoken, deeds once done,
Cannot be easily outrun.
They linger long, a whispered trace,
And etch themselves upon your face.

Poinciana Lighthouse - PC Wallpaper

 

 

 "Poinciana Lighthouse" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 5376x3072

 

 

 

"Poinciana Lighthouse" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 5376x3072

 

 

 

"Poinciana Lighthouse" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 5376x3072

 

 

Related article: Lighthouses of the Bahamas

Everything Has Its Place

 

"The Cosmos" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Everything Has Its Place

The cosmos spins, a grand design,
Where every star and planet shine,
In orbits vast, a silent grace,
Affirming, "Everything has its place."

From quark to quasar, atom's hum,
To galaxies where light has come,
Each particle, a tiny trace,
All fitted in its proper space.

The mountain range, a rugged might,
Holds strata deep, from ancient light,
Each layer tells a timeless tale,
Of forces strong, that never fail.
The river carves its winding line,
Through canyon walls, a grand design,
And in its current, cool and deep,
The pebbles rest, the secrets sleep.

Learn to Love Yourself

 

 "Love Yourself" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Learn to Love Yourself

 
The mirror shows a stranger's eyes,
Reflecting back what you despise.
A whispered doubt, a silent plea,
For someone else you wish to be.
The world, a stage of judging stares,
Compares your worth, and plants its snares.
Each flaw magnified, each virtue lost,
A silent battle, counting cost.

But listen close, a gentle hum,
A truth within, about to come.
Before the world can truly see,
The brilliance that resides in thee,
You must unearth, with tender hand,
The treasure buried in this land—
Your very self, flawed, grand, and deep,
The promises your spirit keeps.

For self-love isn't vanity's gleam,
Nor ego's loud, demanding dream.
It's quiet strength, a steady grace,
Accepting every time and place,
The curves, the lines, the scars you wear,
The burdens that your heart can bear.
It's knowing worth, beyond the gaze,
Through sunlit days and misty haze.

Get a Good Education

 

 "Get a Good Education" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Get a Good Education

From sun-kissed shores, where turquoise waters gleam,
A future beckons, bright as any dream.
The Bahamas calls, its promise true and bold,
For tales of progress, waiting to unfold.
But how shall we build, this nation we hold dear?
With minds awakened, conquering every fear.
Get a good education, let this be our cry,
Reach for the knowledge, reaching for the sky.

The schoolhouse stands, a beacon in the day,
Where eager minds can truly find their way.
Each lesson learned, a stepping stone to climb,
To master subjects, conquering space and time.
The teacher's voice, a guide so clear and strong,
Unlocks the wisdom, where we all belong.
From mathematics, to history's grand sweep,
The seeds of greatness, in our young minds sleep.
So lean in close, absorb each whispered word,
Let every concept, truly be heard.

For good grades earned, are more than simple score,
They show the effort, that you've striven for.
A discipline built, a will to see it through,
The careful study, proving what you can do.
They open doors, to pathways yet unseen,
To higher learning, vibrant and serene.
A university's halls, a scholar's keen pursuit,
Bearing the promise, of bountiful, learned fruit.
So shun distraction, focus on the task,
Good grades in hand, behind no learned mask.

Turn Your Life Around

 

 "Turn Your Life Around" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Turn Your Life Around

 

 From shadows deep where darkness thrives,
A plea resounds, for changing lives.
To you who walk in paths astray,
Who sow the seeds of disarray,
Whose hands are stained, whose hearts are cold,
A different story can unfold.
The path you tread, it leads to pain,
A bitter harvest, naught to gain
But isolation, fear, and dread,
A life unfulfilled, a spirit dead.

Behold the tears your actions sow,
The innocent who suffer woe.
The broken trust, the shattered peace,
The fear that knows no sweet release.
Is this the legacy you crave?
A name remembered for the grave
Of decency, of hope, of light?
To dwell forever in the night?

But hear, a whisper, soft and clear,
A chance awaits, dispel all fear.
A dawn can break, a sun can rise,
Reflected in awakened eyes.
Turn your life around, the moment's now,
Before the final, solemn bow.
Cast off the chains of vice and greed,
Plant different, purer, noble seed.

Make Love, Not War

 

" Make Love, Not War" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Make Love, Not War

The world, a canvas, stained with crimson hue,
Where brother fights with brother, old wounds made new.
From distant lands, the echoes reach our ears,
Of cannons roaring, silencing our fears.
Missiles carve the sky, a fiery, fleeting arc,
While bombs descend, leaving their brutal mark.
The gun's harsh bark, a symphony of dread,
As lives are shattered, and the innocent are dead.
A whispered rumor, then a deafening roar,
New wars ignite, consuming evermore.

Yet in this darkness, hope's a fragile flame,
A quiet yearning, whispering a name.
Not conquest, power, nor the victor's pride,
But love and understanding, side by side.
To shed the armor, lay the weapons down,
To build a bridge where walls have held a town.
To seek the common ground, the shared desire,
And quell the embers of destructive fire.

Always Plan Ahead

 

 "Unexpected Weather" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Always Plan Ahead

The morning sun, a painter's golden stroke,
Awakens slumber, whispers, gently spoke.
A brand new day, a canvas fresh and wide,
But how you paint it, where your steps will glide,
Depends not just on whims of present light,
But seeds you've sown throughout the fading night.
For life's a journey, winding, steep, and long,
And he who plans, will always be made strong.

The farmer knows this truth, with calloused hand,
He doesn't wait for sprouts across the land.
He tests the soil, predicts the coming rain,
Prepares the furrows, eases every pain
Of barren earth, before the seed is cast,
Knowing full well, the season flies so fast.
He measures, calculates, with practiced eye,
And trusts the future, ripening 'neath the sky.
So too must we, with foresight clear and deep,
Before the promises we sow, we reap.

Consider journeys, far beyond the shore,
A captain charting seas unseen before.
No vessel sails on hope alone, adrift,
Without a compass, or a timely gift
Of plotted course, of currents understood,
Of shelters found, for when the tempest brewed.
He checks the charts, the tide, the shifting breeze,
Avoiding reefs, and treacherous, dark seas.
The port he seeks, is anchored in his mind,
A destination, carefully defined.
And so, we navigate our earthly way,
By plans laid out, for every coming day.

Defuse the Situation

 

 "Defuse the Situation" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Defuse the Situation

 

A tempest brews, a lightning flash,
Two wills collide, a sudden crash.
Voices rise, a heated fray,
As reason threatens to give way.
But in this storm, a guiding star,
A whispered plea, however far,
To “Defuse the Situation” now,
And soothe the furrowed, angry brow.

First, breathe, dear soul, let impulse cease,
Invite within a quiet peace.
Though anger sparks, and tensions mount,
Let not your passions freely fount.
For words unbridled, sharp and keen,
Can cut and wound, unseen, unheard, unseen.
So speak with calm, a steady tone,
A gentle breeze, on seeds of reason sown.

Respect the other, though they rage,
And turn a new, untroubled page.
Their pain, their fear, their point of view,
May hold a truth, both deep and true.
A listening ear, a softened gaze,
Can part the clouds of stormy days.
“I hear your words,” let stillness say,
“Though disagree, I will not stray
From courtesy’s unyielding might,
To dim the darkness, bring the light.”