Baby clouds dot
the afternoon sky
Reminding me of a
playground full of children
I wonder if the clouds noticed
The parade of geese this morning?
Adults noticed-
I’m certain of that!
Cranky car horns honked,
unintentionally joining
The naturally humorous
noise of such a procession
What if children witnessed the parade?
Would their laughter influence
Reactions powerful enough
to transform the noises of
impatience, anger, and greed
Enticing wearied souls
back to the carefree
wonder of childhood
At least long enough to enjoy
a morning parade of geese
Compassionate Front
I closely observed them
Groups of two, three, four,
and so on, in a variety of
interesting shapes and sizes
Like families…
Some groups were secluded,
while others gathered close
I smiled, as they seemed
to act out stories
encouraging imagination
And play in childhood
games of hide-and-seek,
chase, and charades
Individuals also
stood on the outskirts,
no apparent family
Once noticed and invited,
They happily joined
the ongoing festivities
They are all part of the same sky
Suddenly, the groups
converged, and a
storm began to brew
Disagreements tossed
like lightning bolts
Grumblings rolled
into thunder claps
Until the rain began to fall-
Cleansing rain, like tears
quietly saying, I’m sorry
Repairing and renewing,
returning to their unique front
with restored compassion
Like the peace following a
thunderstorm, may we allow
our tears to cleanse our hearts
Happy 250th birthday, America! May we return to the strength found in compassion. ❤️🤍💙🕊️
Simply Sunday
It Might Snow
Sweet baby girl
Little sister
Already loved
Your big sister
is so excited
to meet you
“Around Christmas time, when it might snow!”
Somehow, I think
she knew about you
before anyone else
Big sisters have
been known to
be a bit bossy
Yes, this is a personal admission
But I have a feeling
the two of you
will be best friends
And the rest of us
will continue to watch,
to learn, and to love
Getting Carried Away
Where would I wish to go?
And who might do the carrying?
If carried by a cloud,
wherever the wind blew-
Watching shadows float
across the landscape below
Not simply reclining, but
looking through binoculars
Searching the trees, flowers,
and people below in hopes
of greater understanding
If carried by a horse-
Sitting tall, laughing
As my hair flows behind me
Holding tight to the reins
Exploring places only
The horse knows how to find
Admiring hidden
landscapes, amazed.
I’d have so much to learn.
As with any trip,
It would eventually
come to an end
And I would free
fall, confident
You’d catch me
and carry me home
Community
I hope you’ll listen to my recent conversation with Emerge-Magazine editor, Aubrey Green. We talked about blogging, writing, poetry, and life! It was an honor and so much fun!
Simply Sunday
Will I ever recognize its approach?
The way it works itself into
a regular day, so slowly.
By the time it was revealed,
The day had almost disappeared.
But it was not wasted.
True, it held an uncertain sadness.
Until I realized I was missing you.
Of course, grief would visit
the day before Father’s Day.
But sweet memories also arrived.
And grief quietly took its seat.
Allowing its counterpart, always
nearby, to offer comfort, hope, and joy.
Happy Father’s Day, Dads! Your job is more important than you know. I hope you feel celebrated and loved today!
Sweet Exhale
In the heat of the day
Willow weeps
for the Moon
She knows sunlight
is a necessity, but
often, on hot summer
days, reaches an impasse
To wait patiently
expending only
necessary energy
Or wilt with frustration,
dying in the heat
that accompanies the light
But Willow, she manages
Remembering her
sweet exhale will soon
accompany the rising Moon
Remembering its glow
is the perfect reflection
of the Sun’s radiant light
Prompt 7 The Poetry Marathon
Please use at least 5 of the following words in your poem:
Bat
Impasse *
Moon *
Curio
Dumpling
Willow *
Satchel
Sweet *
Exhale *
Chip
An Open Invitation
It begins with only one-
Centered and steady
A series of tones, each
bleeding into the next
An open invitation
for others to join
A new timbre, mellow and
low, compliments the
original with its own-
The invitation grows
Others continue to join
Adding new registers,
patterns, and tones-
Each is beautiful on its own
But together-together
They create a harmony
that tugs at my heart
Its slow crescendo draws
My breath in before gently
releasing me in a slow exhale
A peace felt only in unity
Recognizing the true gift-
Each one of us, together
Prompt 6 Listen to the following song and write a poem. The Poetry Marathon
Same, but Different
The water seems so far away
And I know the journey
will be slow-it always is
No matter how many years
I exit the cool, blue water
and trek onto the hot,
white sand, the time it
takes never changes
So goes the life of
a sea turtle
Oh, I’m not complaining
It’s a necessary trip
Ensuring the continuation
of my species
Besides, the view is magnificent
Continuously changing-
Light reflecting, colors shifting
Sand, water, sky, clouds
And me, grateful
my hatchlings will
experience this place-
The same view, but different
Come On In!
Walk up the driveway
under the carport
and knock on the door
No one uses the front door
Not anyone familiar
with the family, anyway
There is no entry way
But a warm, welcoming den
where you’re invited to sit
and have a cup of coffee
A small table with two chairs
sits near the kitchen
A guide to the narrow hall
filled with memories of
a life well-lived
Oh, I almost forgot
Back by the table and chairs
You passed the entrance
to the living room
Used mostly for overflow
and the occasional nap
Its picture windows let
in warm sunlight
A front porch and a back porch
provide quiet spots for
phone calls or just a moment
to relax and enjoy the surrounding nature
Stop by sometime!
You’re always welcome!
Prompt 4-Write a poem that moves through the rooms of a home you’ve lived in; it could be a childhood home, your current home, or even a vacation home.
Piano Girl 