Listening to Johnny Cash

On By Piano girl2 Comments

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. ❤️

Shifting Senses

On By Piano girl3 Comments

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

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl4 Comments

Good Morning, Trees

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

Goals

On By Piano girl3 Comments

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! 🌎🌸

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl2 Comments

How to Greet the 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. ❤️🕊️❤️

Rising

On By Piano girl5 Comments

Do you feel it?
The growing weight

A blanket sewn of fear
and hate cast over
everyone in its path

Another layer added
with each news story,
unsolicited opinion,
misguided answer

Like being wrapped in
a down comforter on
the hottest day of summer

And I am suffocating

But no amount of worry
will ease the weight
Or change this season

Do we burrow deeper?
Do we kick off the cover?

What if I reach for your hand,
and you reach for mine-
Then together, together

Like brilliant sun rays
piercing storm clouds
We poke pin holes
in the fabric

Each aperture releasing
a breath, a smile, a memory-
Droplets of hope
Rising in solidarity

Afternoon Blues

On By Piano girl2 Comments

Wrap me securely
in afternoon blues-
Only not too tight

A white cottony cloud
gently cradled by
powder blue skies

A newborn baby
swaddled in a
handsewn blanket

Wrap me securely
in afternoon blues-
Only not too tight

Ease the weight
of my fears, as
teardrops freely fall

Bring peace that
lasts through the
deepest midnight

Wrap me securely
in afternoon blues-
Only not too tight

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl2 Comments

Thankful

Newly opened buds
drinking gentle
morning rain

Pines across the
way, soaking in
the afternoon sun

Downy woodpecker
perched on newly
found suet feeder

My heart seeing
Your sweet smile
through the window

My doubts fading
as other hearts
intently listen


I know the world feels heavy, but today I am choosing reasons to be thankful. Though they may seem simple, acknowledging them brings a little peace. 🩷🕊️

Full Capacity

On By Piano girl7 Comments

Pink and white azalea blossoms
fall with the gentlest breeze-
A soft blanket on dark, rich soil

Soon, the foundation of
roots, stems, and leaves
will be all that remains
of them until next Spring

Newly planted Bubblegum
Pink Petunias, the babies
of this small flower bed

Huddle quietly, calmly
waiting for roots to take hold
so they can dance, dance, dance

Joseph’s Coat, variety
Alternanthera Chartreuse-
Bright, young, and green,
Their faithful protector

Countless lifetimes
lived in one minuscule
fragment of rich terra firma

Capacity for growing
Capacity for living
Capacity for dying
Capacity for remembering

Catching Light

On By Piano girl5 Comments

A constellation of water droplets
clings tightly to my window

Tiny spheres sparkling bright
as the brightest stars
shining in the darkest dark

So close, separated only
by a single pane of glass
not millions of light-years

My hands can touch neither
the droplets nor the stars-
Yet, each embraces me

Heart, mind, and soul-
Assuredly the most
endearing enfolding

Like the quiet twinkle
in your eyes, a welcome
endless embrace