Each bird has
Its song
Each song
Its melody
Each melody
Its contour
But each voice?
Well, that is a
Bit more complex
Changing with age
A familiar timbre
Develops, yet
Can be altered
In an instant
By circumstance
And emotion-
Whether warm
And welcoming
Afraid and unsure
Or confident
And caring
One thing is sure-
A deep-down longing
Rises, a desire
To hear the voice
Of one no longer here
Just one more time
A longing not
Easily erased
A longing
Leading me to
Scour through
Voicemails
While listening
For memories
Of your voice
Inside my head
Tag: grief
Simply Sunday
The Firsts
I have felt
The joy in
Celebrating
The firsts-
Smiles
Steps
Words
Birthdays
The one being
Celebrated
Too young
To remember
Yet, later seeing
Thru the eyes
Of those who
Were present
Knowing their
Foundation
Was built
In love-
Strange how
Those firsts
Continue
But change
After one is gone
A birthday
An anniversary
A holiday
Without them
The one being
Remembered
Not here, and yet
Our tears
And smiles
Confirmation
Of that same
Foundation
Still standing
This is our first Easter without Dad. Just me and Mom watching church online as my Uncle James preached from the church where he and my Aunt Martha serve in Massachusetts. It was quiet. The message was hopeful. And we are thankful. Happy Easter! 🕊
Simply Sunday
Being Me
As quickly as
The sun’s warmth
On the back
Of my hand
Disappears
With the shadow
Of a passing cloud
So changes my mood-
Sunlight smile
Grateful for
A new day
Knitted brow
Remembering
Recent loss
Cheery gasp
At the sight of
Deer hopping
Across a field
In the rain
Into the shelter
Of welcoming trees-
Resisting the labeling
Of these sudden shifts
As good or bad
Accepting them
Simply as what is
On this journey
Of learning
To become me
Poems From the Circle
Once again, sharing poems from the writing circle. I continue to be grateful for this experience. Can’t believe it’s been three years! Thank you, Ali, http://flashlightbatteries.blog for creating this beautiful space. ❤️
Sweet Dreams
Can you imagine?
Camping in the woods
Red-orange glow
Of the campfire
Smell of smoke
Sleeping in a tent
So serene…until
Seven little girls
Bathing in a
Small tin tub
On top of a
Wooden picnic table
Enter the picture-
Warm water carefully
Poured over each
Little head
The night air
Filled with giggles
As they dry off
In front of the fire-
Maybe not so serene
Except for the
Sweet dreams
Of sleepy headed
Children after
A busy day
Exploring
The wonders
Of the wild woods
A Little Longer
I seem to be
Spending
More time
Inside my heart
These days
Blocking out
The noisy world
Ignoring my own
Thoughts
So as not
To neglect
A single memory of you-
I know some
Will fade
With time
But for now
It is my heart
That holds
Each image
Your quiet strength
Your gentle smile
Your sky-blue eyes
It is a sacred job
This holding
So, I think
I will remain
Inside my heart
Just a little longer
Smiles and Tears
Memories of you
Make me smile
Fried chicken leg
In my little hands
Sitting in your lap
At the table
You are smiling
Wearing a white t-shirt-
Maybe that is
An actual picture
Not a memory-
Little red wagon
Transportation
For your first
Grandchild, smiling
As you pulled him
Around the neighborhood
Now that one
I can recall-
No longer having
The opportunity
To make memories
With you makes me cry-
A human response
I know-time spent
In the present
In the physical
Where Memories
Are created
For the future
But we are
So much more
Than the physical
Standing
In this present
Space and time
And though I may not
Understand it all
And sometimes
Feel sadness
In every strand
Of my being
All the way
To the core
Hope lives both
In the smiles
And in the tears
Simply Sunday
Music and Flowers
What a difference one week can make. 💛
Song For You Far Away by James Taylor Kelley Morris, piano
Blanket of Rain
The night sky
Seemed to weep
The weight
Of its tears
Soaking deep
Into the soil
Creating a path
For the colors
Of spring
The night sky
Seemed to sob
The sound
Of its tears
Forming a
Wall of peace
To block
The noise
In my head
The night sky
Seemed to cry
The grace
Of its tears
Replacing mine
If only for
A little while
As peaceful
Sleep returned
Which Came First?
Heaviness weighs
Body and soul
But my brain?
The exact opposite-
I seem to be
In a sort of
Chicken and egg
Scenario
Wondering
Which came first?
Sleeplessness
Sadness
Grief, tears
Spiraling
Anxious
Thoughts-
I suppose
It doesn’t matter
Which came first
We are all in this
Together-
My eyes
My body
My brain
My heart
And thankfully, you
Right beside me
Reminding me
To breathe
As my tears fall
On your shoulder
Simply Sunday
Though beauty resides
In the grayest winter skies
Signs of spring bring smiles
It’s Okay
I’m okay
Pretty
Convincing
As long as
I’m the one
Asking the question
Moving along
Thru each day
And then
Another
Heart
Inquires
Are you doing okay?
I have asked
It of others
Sincerely
Seeking
The truth
So, even if
The response
Brings tears
As it currently
Does with me
Keep asking
Because it’s okay
To not be okay
And some days
The tears just
Need to fall
My mom and I were recently talking about the sadness and missing my dad. But also that we still have hope for tomorrow. She wisely said tears need to come out. ❤
Piano Girl 