Lingering Light

A heart-shaped cloud
Usually prompts a smile
But not that day-
That day, the cloud was gray-
A symbol of grief
A reflection of the hurt
Many suffer, often in silence-

The sky was silent, too
Unlike recent days of rain,
Thunder, and lightning-
As if now holding
Its breath while
The grieving heart
Cautiously passed by

Light remained-
Not bright, but soft and warm-
Like a lamp lit
In the corner of a room
Quietly lingering
Offering comfort
Holding space for healing

Steady

The entire sky was white
A covering of wisdom
Over travelers below-
I can’t speak for others,
But I was hoping for sunshine-
Not a lesson
In patience
While driving to work
In the rain-
It wasn’t a heavy rain
Just steady, and I must admit,
Peaceful-
For a moment, I pictured
Myself happily walking
In the gentle rain-
The thought made me chuckle
Suddenly, I felt calm
Thankful for rainy lessons
Sent from the wisest of clouds
On a cool Spring morning-
Perhaps the Sun will shine tomorrow

Simply Sunday

In the Clouds

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

Simply Sunday

Faith

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

Me, You, or the Clouds

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?

Before Sunset

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

Approaching Storm

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

Just For You and Me

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.

Unobstructed

Sturdy, beautifully faded red barn
Surrounded by rolling hills of green grass
Graceful greens rolling into perfect blues
Placid blue sky dotted with fluffy white-
A beautiful scene laid out in front of me-
Postcard perfect, though,
Any photo I might take would surely
Contain unwanted obstructions –
So, I drove home, disappointed,
With only the picture in my head-
Perhaps I was searching for perfection-
What if I changed my attitude
And the direction of my gaze?
Instead of upward, maybe outward,
Downward or possibly inward?
No matter the direction
There will always be obstructions-
But new perspectives often bring
Surprisingly unexpected views

Roses in my front yard. ❤️

Hide-n-Seek

You attempted to hide
From me this morning
But I saw you-
Your light is not
One so easily dimmed-
Like the morning sun
Resting behind the clouds-
Look closely
And you will find
Its presence visible
In pale pink streaks
All across the sky-
And once you see
Those pale pink streaks
You’ll be reminded
That even the tiniest
Reflections of your light
Offer encouragement to those
Fortunate enough to cross your path-
Even when you attempt to hide