The progression is slow
A snail trailing from one
side of the sidewalk
to the other
A caterpillar inching
from stem to leaf
Ready to face its
final transformation
A curious smile
growing with the
increasing warmth
of the sunshine
The whole sky
shining clear
and blue
and wide
The unease from
yesterday and the
day before and the
day before that…hushed
Tag: hope
Listening to Johnny Cash
Layering itself within the everyday,
grief flows between memory and
emotion through eyes, ears, heart-
Leaving me with new reasons to miss you.
Johnny Cash spinning on your
granddaughter’s turntable.
We listened to Johnny Cash
on a long drive in my car.
Your grandson wearing
one of your straw hats.
I found a picture of you
wearing said hat, smiling.
My sweet granddaughter
and her blue sky eyes.
You would have been
so excited to meet her.
Your voice in my head, fading.
How’s my little girl?
Grief flows between memory and emotion through eyes, ears, heart-
Leaving me grateful, yet
wishing you were still here.
Mom and I had a recent conversation about how we sometimes struggle to talk about the ones we miss. I get it. There’s a fear of causing tears, sadness, and increasing grief. But I’m finding that talking about my dad, remembering good times, brings peace. Yes, it may also bring tears, but tears have the power to restore. ❤️
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
Stop Asking
A piece of the puzzle, yes,
But which one?
An edge, providing guidance
A corner with two straight sides
Or the one with so many
knobs and sockets
the fear of never being found
cannot be dismissed
But a puzzle with even
One missing piece remains
Incomplete
Undone
Leaving hands and eyes
frantically searching-
So, I guess
It really doesn’t matter
Edge, corner, or the knobs
and sockets that finally
complete the last
section of pale blue sky
Each one belongs-
So, why is it
I can’t seem to stop asking
Where do I fit?
I am enjoying my first experience at the Scissortail Creative Writing Festival in Ada, Oklahoma! And while listening to so many amazing writers may allow a bit of imposter syndrome to creep in, it is above all encouraging and inspiring.
Piano Girl 