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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Simply Sunday
Today I decided to revisit a poem I wrote our first Easter without Dad. That was three years ago. Oh, how I miss him. Both lists continue to grow.
Lists
I know the joy of
celebrating firsts
Smiles
Steps
Words
Birthdays
The one celebrated
too young to remember
Only later seen through
stories and photographs
I know the sadness
of grieving the last
Birthday
Anniversary
Bear hug
I love you
The one remembered
present in tears, smiles
and hearts grateful for
memories held close
Happy Easter, friends! May hope hold hands with your grief. 🕊️💜🌷
Piano Girl 