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Nina Antonova-Heiler Poem
I want to feel the cheer of the season;
I really, really do!
All the kids are waiting for Santa to visit,
Relishing the prospect of new gifts and joy.
Sometimes they receive them, sometimes they don’t;
Sometimes they wish the sleigh would stop by,
And Santa would drop off a small gift of delight.
Some ask for light and warmth, a little glee to share,
Wrapped in a blanket of love and giggles.
Some long to forget hunger and pain, even for just a day.
We give gifts; we choose a child in need,
And try to spread the joy of the season—
But mostly, I feel the cold and the freeze.
Just look around and see—
More kids in need, more kids in pain.
My soul feels almost empty,
But some laughter fills it up.
My heart languishes often,
Longing for the missing piece that I can’t find.
Maybe I am a villain
Who can't embrace the joy.
Copyright © Nina Antonova-Heiler | Year Posted 2025
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Nina Antonova-Heiler Poem
How do you know the discomfort is real,
If warmth or coldness wraps their faded appeal?
We turn the heat on; we turn it off—
That’s the demand of the sick and the frail.
What comforts to offer, what food to provide—
Will he eat soup or just a small piece of bread?
Is there a way to bridge this divide?
Are the blankets soft, do they gently enfold?
Are they too heavy or light, not keeping him warm?
The clothes feel uncomfortable, like stones in the morn…
Are the pills sufficient for health to be controlled?
The worry of caregivers wears heavy and long,
Yet each loving effort feels never quite strong.
With frailty and age, they wrestle with pain,
In their silence, the echoes of sorrow remain.
They cry and they cry… what a life…
You offer your heart, but it feels all in vain,
For the weight of their grief is a never-ending chain.
But know that your presence, your caring embrace,
Brings moments of comfort, a small healing space.
Though your best may seem lost in the shadows of night,
Maybe your love is the gift that will shine.
Copyright © Nina Antonova-Heiler | Year Posted 2026
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Nina Antonova-Heiler Poem
Walking in the rain
My glasses are foggy
I can’t see the road
I embrace the unknown
Walking in the rain
I take my glasses off
I can’t see the road
The rain blurs my vision
Walking in the rain
Putting my glasses on
Taking my glasses off
I will find a road that shines
I can see the road
Each turn reveals a new view
Where am I going?
Where is my destination?
I trust the unknown
I trust the new turns
Even in the rain
I will find my way!
Copyright © Nina Antonova-Heiler | Year Posted 2025
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Nina Antonova-Heiler Poem
Running with the wind,
Pausing… catching my breath.
Listening… as birds fly and leaves dance,
Seeing… the wind orchestrate the symphony of sounds.
Are they dancing together?
Do all melodies collide in perfect harmony?
The sun peeks through the leaves,
They sway, they sing, they dance.
Tears fill my eyes—
Is it rain falling from the sky?
Is it sunshine warming my face?
Is it sorrow lingering within?
Copyright © Nina Antonova-Heiler | Year Posted 2025
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Nina Antonova-Heiler Poem
Can I reach the bottom of the ocean?
Do I try and dive,
Or is it too deep?
Will fear rise me back to the surface?
Do I plunge back to the unknown,
Listening to the waves above me,
Seeing the stars shimmer beneath.
Where is the bottom of the ocean?
Can I reach it? Do I dare to try?
Do I cry for help through the storm?
Do I call a friend amidst the chaos?
Where is the bottom of my ocean?
Once I find it, I will let you know…
Copyright © Nina Antonova-Heiler | Year Posted 2025
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Nina Antonova-Heiler Poem
The life of my father,
The life he created,
The life he has lived,
The kindness he gave us.
It is an extraordinary life.
At the age of ninety-one,
He can say he went to Siberia
And swam in the Atlantic.
He lived through wars.
He was not called a hero,
But he was a hero to us,
Always with a kind heart.
His smile, his love,
His generous heart,
He led a company
And gave it his all.
He had no shoes at the age of five.
He knew hunger at the age of ten.
He was a scholar by eighteen,
A father,
A leader.
Now he does not remember much,
But he remembers how to love.
He reminds us to be kind.
He remembers to care.
Copyright © Nina Antonova-Heiler | Year Posted 2026
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Nina Antonova-Heiler Poem
Joy of music
Has brought me here,
Shining lights aglow,
In fancy attire.
A man in a tie,
A lady in a dress,
Beautiful tunes,
Songs that I know—
Heavenly voices,
Sent from above.
My daughter is near;
I feel her joy too,
And wish for her sister
To be here as well.
As Andrea sings,
The hall fills with light,
Angels are harmonizing,
Enchanting the night.
I feel each note flow,
Washing my worries away,
His voice strong and gentle—
Feels like a warm hug.
I think of my dad,
Who wishes he were here,
I carry him with me,
His love for these melodies,
The ones I grew to love—
A twinkle in my eye.
I’ve brought him the program,
And gifts from the night,
Memories to share,
In music's warm light.
They fill my heart,
They fill my soul,
Touching us gently,
Making us whole,
Shining like stars.
The audience sways,
Heaven feels near!
Bliss is created,
Wonder is shining,
Eager for more!
With each soaring refrain,
I’m lost in the bliss,
Thinking of my father—
A moment I won’t miss.
Copyright © Nina Antonova-Heiler | Year Posted 2025
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Nina Antonova-Heiler Poem
Looking for you in the shadows,
Finding your face and eyes in every passing person.
A car drives by—maybe it’s you behind the wheel?
This man is thin like you;
That one wears a baseball hat;
And that one is limping—
I imagine you might be in pain.
The world continues; the days are brighter,
Yet I am still searching for you—
Asking for the impossible,
Longing for understanding,
Seeking closure
Even after the final curtain closed.
The show is over;
We parted,
And went our separate ways.
My heart is not aching;
I have accepted this fate,
Yet I still struggle to understand.
Life goes on,
And I hope you’ve found happiness.
I have found peace.
Copyright © Nina Antonova-Heiler | Year Posted 2026
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