I wonder why
The hero is
Most often pictured
Riding into the sunset
Embraced
By the warmth
Of the deepest orange
Another day done
Ready for well-deserved rest…
Instead of riding
Toward the sunrise
Layered with colors
Bright and muted
Light calling
Through shadows
To the possibilities
Of a new day, imagined
But, not yet seen
I don’t have an answer.
I only wonder if
Perhaps the sunrise
Might shift focus
To the journey
Instead of the reward
You are stronger
Than you know
Holding it together
When you feel
Like falling apart
Not that tears
Are a sign
Of weakness
Not at all
But sometimes
True strength
Is shown in
A moment of
Thankfulness
Realizing the storm
Has calmed and
Tears of relief
Can freely flow
Sometimes, we don’t realize our strength until the need for it lessens. Our family has experienced that truth this week with our sweet Emi. It was hard to see her so sick. Especially hard for her precious parents.
We are relieved that she is home from the hospital. We are thankful she is eating, crawling, laughing, and playing. ❤️
Miles in front
Miles behind
Yet, it feels like
I'm standing still
Stuck in a loop
Remembering the past
Looking toward the future-
Past and future
Each holds
An importance
Of its own
One influences the other
The other reflects the one
Perhaps the secret
Lies in the stillness
Of a single breath
When they are
Momentarily the same
I drove from Tulsa to Dallas yesterday. Our nine-month-old granddaughter is in the hospital with pneumonia. I checked the remaining miles on my map at least one hundred times.
Even when I knew I’d traveled a distance, it felt like I would never arrive. Those last ten miles were the slowest.
But I made it. Held my sleeping granddaughter. Sat still, watched and listened to her breathe. Silently breathed a prayer.
Watching you hold her
I remember
Holding you
No thought of
How I would feel
From this vantage
No thought of
The excitement born
From watching you
Know the joy and laughter
The lessons and messes -
Watching you hold her
Worried because she is sick
I remember
Holding you the same
Praying away the struggles
All the while knowing
They are part of our world
But only a part
One superseded by the joy
Found in the memory
Of holding you
While watching you hold her
Your sweet
Sunshine
Giggles
Your bright
Cotton candy
Pink swing
Dad and Papa
Standing near
One in front
One behind
One pushing
One catching
Flying only high enough
To reveal surprise
In your sky-blue eyes-
Simplest moments
Soul-reaching joy
This girl! Even when she doesn’t feel 100 percent, she still has a smile. And I think she likes her swing. 😉💖
I watched
And listened
Curious
As they fell
Both individually
And collectively
Creating patterns
For eyes and ears
To interpret
And hearts
To contemplate
Providing
Sweet relief
For scorched
Nooks and corners
Aching for relief
Grateful recipients
Ready to flourish
Alongside
Spring flowers
Sharing space
In the day’s landscape-
I don’t think I’ve ever seen
Such pretty raindrops!
Words are playing
Hide-and-go-seek
With my thoughts
These days-
Right as I'm about
To capture one
It disappears
Behind an image
Or a memory
Before bringing
Another word
To the forefront
But only for a second
Continuing this game
Of trying to remember
All the things I hope
To never forget-
My brain says
There are too many
But my heart
Has trouble accepting-
Perhaps today
Is for finding
Only a few
As I sit quietly
Next to you
Hello there!
I hoped we might
See you today
Always look forward
To your visits
What’s that?
Yes, I imagine
It takes a lot
Of energy
For you to make
An appearance
Yesterday’s warmth
And sunshine
Must have been
The perfect pairing
You can’t stay long?
I understand
We will enjoy
Each other’s company
As long as we are able
What a difference one sunny day makes! 💛
The house is quiet
I’ve felt versions
Of this quiet before-
A missing laughter
From the next room
Absent sounds of one
Coming and going
Or the rattling of a
Bucket of Legos-
Yes, it is quiet
But it is not empty
The space holds
Memories from
All that occurred
Along this path
Of parenthood
Love and laughter
Heartache and tears
So much hope and joy
Perhaps more than
These walls are
Able to bear
But that’s ok
My heart is more than willing
To share in the holding
Morning drives
Typically, uneventful
Leave at a certain time
To arrive at a certain time
The same certain time every day-
Despite the routine
Most days my heart hopes
For the unexpected
And when it appears
It is always in the same spot
How does that still count as unexpected?
Grazing quietly
In the field
Looking up quizzically
As I drive by
Or hopping through the grass
Showing off fluffy white tails
Any number of soft brown deer
Passing on a surprised smile
An audible gasp
Pure unexpected joy
Another poem from a recent poetry circle. ❤️
Piano Girl 