Approaching
Resonance
Can’t quite
Hear it
With
My ears
But I feel it
In my bones
A slight ache
Hint of what
Approaches
Do I stop
Hibernate
Until it passes?
Or attempt
To outrun?
Perhaps
I will
Simply
Slip-on
My favorite
Sweater
Continue
Placing
One foot
In front of
The other
Unafraid
Believing
When winter
Eventually
Catches up-
I’ll be ready
Tag: life
Simply Sunday
Need to Know
That you are
Safe
Well-fed
Healthy
Claim
Your own
Identity
With
Confidence
Have friends
Are a friend
But most
Of all
That you are
Loved
Just the way
You are
Our friend, Marie, visited this weekend. It is always good to see her. She has a hold on my heart. Continues to grow and mature. And though some level of support may always be needed, she has come so far.
Next year she will turn eighteen, graduate from high school. Today even mentioned getting a job.
She has come so far…after going through so much. Things I wish could be erased-no, had never happened.
I am thankful she lives in a loving home. She will remain there even after her birthday. And while we may not be her family, we will continue to be her people.
Face to Face with Child Abuse: Personal Reflections of a Teacher
Surrounding Skies
Heaviness
Lingers
In the quiet
Struggles
Of others
On this cold
Fall morning
Though
Not mine
Fragments
Of their pain
Filter thru
My thoughts
The sky
Is clear
And blue
From my
Vantage
While clouds
Of grief and
Sadness fill
Surrounding
Skies
Needing
To release
Waiting for
Assurance
That it is ok
For the rain
To fall
Even on
The clearest
Of days
No Increase
Why are we
In such a hurry?
Wishing
Our days
Away
As children
In a hurry
To grow up
As students
Hurrying
To finish first
As young adults
To get married
Start a family
Realizing
Our foolishness
At the moment
We wish
Time would
Slow down
Our children
To remain little
A bit longer
Our parents
To age
A bit slower
Ourselves
To breathe in
Each moment
Accepting that
Our hurrying
Offers no increase
How Are You?
So many ways
To say hello
A smile, a wave
Subtle nod
Raised voice
Not due to anger
Simply passing
At a distance
How are you?
Do I really
Want to know?
Will I slow down
And listen?
A choice to
Walk past or
Walk closer
Study expression
Notice position
Discern
Whether
Or not
I’m fine
Is an honest answer
Or a cover
For the heart
Desperately
Wanting to say
I could use a friend
Do you have time to talk?
How often do I allow the busyness of each day to hinder me from listening? Listening to myself, family, friends. It is those moments of intentional listening that remind me of the beautiful connections possible in this life. And the knowledge there is power in the simple act of stopping to listen.
A Time to Talk by Robert Frost https://poets.org/poem/time-talk?mbd=1 ❤️
Freeze Frame
Pictures holding
History stored
In memory banks
Called to the surface
In a single snap
Of my fingers
Leaving me
Wondering
Why that?
Why now?
Why then?
Times I would
Like either
To forever
Forget or
Always
Remember
Each frame
Projecting
Enough
Power to
Push me into
A time-warp
Of emotions
Unless…
I slow down
Pay attention
Freeze
Each
Frame
Long enough
To grasp
This truth-
The past
Enriches
The present
Either by
Making me
Thankful
For changes
Grateful
For growth
Or content
With constants
Carry Hope
Do you ever feel
Restless
Lose track of time
Or maybe your
Car keys
Focus blurry
From
Tired body
Tired mind
Too much time
Thinking about
Life’s worries…
Place your hands
Over your eyes
As a shield
But remember to
Spread your fingers
Wide enough for
Tiny particles
Of sun dust
To filter thru
The open spaces
And carry hope
Into your heart
This past weekend, a song I had not heard in a long time came to mind. One of those you are not alone kinds of songs. I don’t know about you, but I needed to hear these words, soak them in and then send them back out. Have a listen.
https://youtu.be/61Wm_qlVD4Q Brother by Need to Breathe
Leg Lifts
I am in the middle of a six-week physical therapy program for my back. It is both necessary and helpful. And it is also kicking my butt while reminding me of my age. My actual age, not the one I imagine.
You are as young as you feel. A common phrase. The truth is our bodies eventually wear out. We can eat right and exercise. Buy products advertising prolonged youth. All the while knowing it is impossible to reverse time.
Instead of fighting to stay young, I’d like to work at aging gracefully. But when my hip begins to cramp in the middle of leg lifts, two sets of fifteen-well, graceful is not the word I would choose.
Powering through those leg lifts did provide a feeling of accomplishment. Accomplished…maybe I need to combine goals. Strive to be gracefully accomplished. I think that sounds better. Even if it means continuing those leg lifts until the cramps in my hip are no more. 😉
Heavy Hearts
Your sweet smile
Gives no hint
Of the hurt
In your heart
They say children are resilient
That may
Be true
But a heart
Can only hold
So much pain-
When loss and
Instability
Frame each day
The future
Will not go
Untouched-
Not to say
There is no hope
Only that there are
No easy answers
Except for the ability
To always return
Your sweet smile
Each time I learn about another student facing traumatic circumstances, my heart grows heavy. Here they are, at school, trying to function. And quite often with a smile.
I am also reminded to stop and listen. Be patient and not too quick to judge behaviors. Seek out helpful information. Find ways to encourage.
Not that I am always successful. Honestly, my patience level today was low. But tomorrow is a new day. Another chance to observe, listen and love.
Simply Sunday
Hemmed In
When my mind
Grows frantic
Unable to
Separate
One thought
From another
Enduring
A constant
Bombardment
Of words
Images
Sounds
An unexpected
Gentle breeze
Quiet song
Safe hug
Causes me
To be still
And pray
Hem me in
Simple words
Bringing rest
To the mind
And soul
The whole
Of me held
Together
Bordered
By a love
Unmistakable
And secure
“You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.”
Psalm 139:5
