Speed is not a reliable indicator
of a journey’s success
My wanderings take time
Or rather, allow time
Time to stop and
stretch my neck
Feel the sun on my face
Be still, and recharge
Rest my home, that
I may traverse this field
of green, at exactly
the speed required
To meet a new friend-
One who looks like me
Unique, colorful patterns
on their legs and shell
Or one quite different-
Tall and admiring, who
offers me sweet strawberries
As I continue on my journey
Their hair, now white
But their faces hold
familiarity, reassurance
Logic causes confusion
And my brain and heart
disagree over time’s passing
As they stand nearby
Smiling and talking
I feel a flicker of childhood
My reflection disagrees
But for a brief moment
I am once again carefree
What do they see when they look at me?
We listen more intently
Our hugs linger a bit longer
And I understand it took a village
Another goodbye followed by
A renewed sense of gratitude
for this familiar reassurance
The progression is slow
A snail trailing from one
side of the sidewalk
to the other
A caterpillar inching
from stem to leaf
Ready to face its
final transformation
A curious smile
growing with the
increasing warmth
of the sunshine
The whole sky
shining clear
and blue
and wide
The unease from
yesterday and the
day before and the
day before that…hushed
New and fresh
Young and bright
The greenness of Spring
Tried and true
Comfortable and faded
Her countenance in the mirror
Yet, with each new leaf
Each new flower petal
Youthfulness resurfaces
Along with it, a smile,
New and fresh, after all
Layering itself within the everyday,
grief flows between memory and
emotion through eyes, ears, heart-
Leaving me with new reasons to miss you.
Johnny Cash spinning on your
granddaughter’s turntable.
We listened to Johnny Cash
on a long drive in my car.
Your grandson wearing
one of your straw hats.
I found a picture of you
wearing said hat, smiling.
My sweet granddaughter
and her blue sky eyes.
You would have been
so excited to meet her.
Your voice in my head, fading.
How’s my little girl?
Grief flows between memory and emotion through eyes, ears, heart-
Leaving me grateful, yet
wishing you were still here.
Mom and I had a recent conversation about how we sometimes struggle to talk about the ones we miss. I get it. There’s a fear of causing tears, sadness, and increasing grief. But I’m finding that talking about my dad, remembering good times, brings peace. Yes, it may also bring tears, but tears have the power to restore. ❤️
When atmospheric conditions
make it nearly impossible
to discern who is moving
And who is standing still
An out-of-balance feeling
quickly comes and goes
Offering no answers to
the resulting questions
Am I moving forward?
Am I standing still?
What about you?
Where are we headed?
I can’t feel the Earth moving
Yet, it is in constant motion
The clouds are floating
Yet, when layered just right
in front of the sun
It is the sun I see shifting
Do the answers matter?
Or simply the sense of wonder
which precedes the questions
A gentle breeze wakes
each tree, one at a time
They slowly stretch and sway
The mature ones, that is,
held steady by deep,
well-established roots
The younger ones, frenetic,
jump and wave like children,
excited to go outside and play
That was yesterday…
Today, all is quiet
Sleeping in after a
loud, stormy night?
Perhaps, like me, it takes
a bit longer for the warm
sunshine to reach their toes
They offer the sweetest Good Morning.
A gentle wave, almost imperceptible
when the wind is calm.
I noticed them yesterday.
I noticed them today.
They will not be here forever.
Truth is, neither will I.
Truth is, neither will you.
So, how do our Good Mornings compare?
Some mornings, the words
croak through scratchy cords
as hands rub grit from sleepy eyes.
Even on those days,
I see you smiling over
your first cup of coffee.
And I smile back-
Maybe not quite as sweet
as the Pink Bubblegum Petunias.
Their name alone makes
competing a challenge-
Though it offers a worthy goal.
Sweet Good Mornings
Conceding the temporary
Leaning into the enduring
Happy Earth Day! 🌎🌸
With a yawn
and a stretch
Eyes still closed
Lay still, and listen
Listen to the birds
Happily chattering
No fear of creatures
still silently slumbering
Listen to your heart
beating slow and steady
Breathe in grace, mercy, hope
Breathe out a quiet Thank you
I found myself in need of this reminder today. Perhaps you need it, too. ❤️🕊️❤️
Piano Girl 