Posed on a calm
Quiet breeze or
Shouted in frantic storms-
The question remains the same-
Do you see me?
My soul longs
To slow down
To stop
To be still
Locking my eyes on
The whole of you-
Recognizing the lessons
Provided in your design
And in your purpose,
Whether serene or inclement-
Answering your question
As you answer mine
I can’t say there’s
A set recipe
For thirty-two years-
Only that laughter
Eases many tensions
Creating lasting memories-
Patience and understanding
Cover a multitude of
Life’s challenges-
And commitment is
A bond that carries
Far beyond feelings-
All of these ingredients
Leave me with a grateful heart
Looking back and looking ahead
The proof is often hazy
Evidence sometimes vague
Requiring intense searching –
You know the sun is there
Its warmth permeates your skin-
Your eyes see the light- But lines
Painted across the clouds
Are so faint
That they are visible
Only through squinted eyes –
And even then a sliver of doubt
As to your squinty-eyed realization
Creeps its way into your thoughts –
Close your eyes
Feel the warmth on your face-
Open your eyes
Believing the source remains
Even when temporarily out of view
Darting back and forth
In a game of hide-n-seek
Behind veils not thick enough
To completely conceal –
Like a child playing
Peek-A-Boo
Behind their blanket
While sitting across from you
At the table-knowing
They are not hidden
Simply having fun pretending-
Such was the sun
On that early morning
Darting back and forth
As its color shifted from bright tangerine
To muted peach …bright to muted
…bright to muted
Behind layers of thin wispy clouds-
As if calling me to come play
While asking the question-
Which of us is moving?
Is it me, or you, or the clouds?
We took a walk
That time of the afternoon
When it feels like
The minutes pass by
A bit slower
A time when weeds
Serve as flowers
For little hands
To pick and share-
Your tiny feet
Moved ahead of mine
Far enough to bring
A tinge of nervousness-Until
I recognized the feathery
Wings of an angel
In the wispy clouds
Gracefully floating across the Blue-
A protector of our path
A guardian for my heart
As we turned around
And walked side by side
The path leading back home
I have been living with this poem for weeks, questioning my words. Are they too sentimental, too emotional, or too serious? Finally, I decided they were not too anything. They are my thoughts. Maybe some of you can relate. 🩷
Should the time come
That our roles reverse
And my need for care from you
Outweighs my ability to care for you-
Know that I love you
I will always love you
More than I have ever been able
To completely and fully express –
From the day you were born
No-from the moment I knew you existed
I loved you-
Looking back and looking forward
Must only be done in small amounts
While standing firmly in the present-
I know this is true-
Giving yourself to each day
As each day gives itself to you
Is the wiser of choices-
So, I will not linger on the thought of that day-
Only to say this- I am thankful
We are pieces of the same puzzle
Happy Mother’s Day! 💐
Dark clouds rolled in
The face of a grizzly bear
Leading the charge
Angrily spreading darkness
Over half of the whole sky-
The other half was
Partly covered with clouds
Leaving space enough for
A few patches of clear blue
Space enough for
A peak or two of sunlight-
Perhaps it was the sunlit blue
That calmed the angry grizzly
Reminding him of days
Spent fishing in clear waters-
I can’t be sure
But where the two halves of the sky met
Darkness and fear dissipated
And the rain began to fall
As thunder gently rolled away
Far off into the distance
Do you ever feel like the clouds
Are moving across the sky
Just for you?
A chance at amazement
An opportunity for imagination
Do you ever think the morning birds
Are singing their sweet melody
Just for you?
I’m certain I heard a song
Meant just for me
The other morning-
Floating clouds, singing birds
Pulling me away from outside worries
Into their world –
A place of safety between my thoughts
And all the noise around me-
A place not easily seen, but felt
In the same breeze that carries the clouds
And the bird’s song right into
The middle of my soul
I wrote the above poem in a recent writing circle. Another one of those sweet, safe places. 🩷 A huge thank you to Ali Grimshaw for facilitating.
Eyes focused, hands steady
Intentionally reaching
For each ingredient
Knowing the careful
Choice of seasoning
Expresses feelings
Difficult to put into words-
No one is allowed
In the kitchen until
“It’s ready! Come fix your plate!”
Tired, satisfied, he sits-
Watching, listening, waiting
To see if the flavor
Conveys the richness of love
With which it was prepared
A rolling dark cloud
Greeted the day
Its growth visible
Second by second
Ominous, imparting a
Sense of dread and fear
On all who approached-
I felt it, too
A tightness in my chest
A furrow on my brow
But still, the day approached
And there was no place to hide-
A gentle tap tap on the window
Shifted my thoughts-raindrops-
As if to say, it will be ok
Yes, I hold heaviness today
But don’t be afraid –
Sometimes, tears have to flow
There’s no other way through
At least, not today-
It may seem darkness is growing
But the sun holds tight behind me
Waiting as the rain
Washes away my hurt
Preparing my heart to
Receive and reflect the light-
So, I wait for the sun
Will you wait with me?
Piano Girl 