Visor Up!

On September 6, 2023September 7, 2023 By Piano girl5 Comments

I’ve been thinking about visors this week. You know, the ones in your car? On bright sunny days, they protect my eyes from the blinding sun.

But what would I miss if I left that shade in the down position indefinitely?

On a recent morning drive, I realized the sun was no longer in my eyes, and the visor was still down. A quick flip-up revealed a beautiful sky with wispy white clouds.

The next day, I started to put the visor back down. After all, the sun would be in my eyes around the next corner. But only for a moment…

I left the visor up and glanced toward the light. It was glorious!

Are there times I keep my eyes partially covered? Afraid of what I might see. Missing opportunities to take in the world around me.

Yes, sometimes the world can be overwhelming, just like the bright sun. But other times, sunshine in my eyes, warming my face, makes me smile. Reminding me that I am alive and well. ☀️💛

Sunshine On My Shoulder, John Denver Kelley Morris, piano

Tears

On August 18, 2023August 18, 2023 By Piano girl7 Comments

Perhaps if I
Thought of them
As belonging
To a waterfall
Freely rushing
Over the edge
Of a rock face
Skillfully smoothed
From the continuous
Flow of unexpected
Strength and sorrow
Knowing they will
Slow down
Once reaching
A quiet stream below-
Not losing purpose
But discovering 
New resolve-
Perhaps if
I thought of them
As belonging 
To a waterfall
I would let them fall
Free of fear
No concern for
Who might be
Standing at the lookout
Witnessing my life
In motion through
Each drop of rain
From the storms
Each spot of color
From the rainbows 

Talking about anxiety and depression is not easy. When emotions feel out of balance, it is tempting to hide them. But putting on a happy face, though sometimes necessary, is not a permanent solution. Eventually, they will find a way out, often leading to embarrassment and exhaustion. 

Well, at least that was my experience earlier this week. 😉

Thankful for friends and family who understand and keep me grounded. ❤️

Simply Sunday

On August 13, 2023 By Piano girl5 Comments

This week was heavy. I’ve thought about our recent trip to Maui a lot. The shop owners, waiters, waitresses, hotel workers, tattoo artists, and people who rented us snorkel gear-all kind and friendly. Living their lives in that beautiful place, now destroyed.

Yesterday’s news showed the Banyan tree at the center of Lahina. It is scorched but still standing. Time will tell. A tiny sliver of hope amid unthinkable tragedy.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

The Center

On August 9, 2023 By Piano girl7 Comments

A long life
Well-lived
The center
Of attention
And rightly so
Possessing a beauty
Difficult to describe-
Like a grandmother
Whose arms were able
To reach out in
All directions
At the same time
You pulled us in
Shared your stories
And listened to ours-
You were taken
In an instant
No one will sit
In the wisdom
Of your shade again-
And my heart is broken

I am saddened by the news of wildfires in Maui, Hawaii. The one-hundred-fifty-year-old Banyan tree I sat under a few weeks ago is gone. Along with it, most of the town to which it was the center.

A quaint main street lined with local businesses and restaurants. The constant sound of ocean waves. People, nature, structures-a way of life-all taken in a terrifying instant. I couldn’t allow the day to end without expressing my love and heartache for this beautiful place.

Lahain Banyan Court Park-Destroyed by wildfires August 9, 2023.

Miles Away

On August 2, 2023 By Piano girl12 Comments

It could be the one-hundred-plus-excessive-heat-warning temperatures.

It could be because I’m missing Dad.

It’s most likely an all-of-the-above answer to any multiple-choice question you might ask.

Whatever the question or the answer, my thoughts keep drifting.

What would I give?
To rest in
The Wisdom
Of your shade
To sit beneath 
Limbs-curved
And crooked from
Over a century 
Of growing
Reaching 
Learning to be-
Witness to 
Stories unseen
Standing vigil
Thru seasons of
Darkness 
And light
Firmly holding
In your arms
All those seeking rest-
What would I give?
To rest in
The Wisdom
Of your shade-
Listening 
As the tide rolls in
Wondering 
If you can hear it, too

Lahaina Banyan Court Park-Maui, HI photo credit Gart Morris ❤️

Collaboration

On July 29, 2023July 29, 2023 By Piano girl4 Comments

I love connecting with others in the WordPress family. Reading and learning about you and your corners of the world is fascinating.

David, the author of the https://skepticskaddish.com/ blog, offers a regular opportunity for collaboration. I’ve thought about participating many times. Finally, this week, I submitted a poem.

He graciously accepted and wrote a poem in response.

Here’s the beginning of my poem.

Looking Up

My earliest memories
Are only glimpses
A tiny sapling
Growing roots
Dancing
Swaying
In the breeze
Waiting for limbs
To grow stronger
To reach farther
Wishing time
Would speed up-
I have felt
The seasons
Changing from
Bright greens
To deep reds
Warm yellows
To crunchy browns
Again and again
Wishing time
Would slow down-

Read the remainder along with David’s response by clicking the link below. 😊

skepticskaddish.com/2023/07/25/too-strong-or-to-understand/

Open Fields

On July 26, 2023July 26, 2023 By Piano girl2 Comments

Dense Fog
Rolled in
Last week
Came prepared
To stay awhile
Despite the lack
Of invitation
Hung around
Clouded my vision-
Got a headache
From constantly
Squinting

Until…

The tiniest
Wave of Light
Called me out
Into the clearing
And we said
Goodbye
From the other side

View From Here

On July 21, 2023 By Piano girlLeave a comment

Feet firmly planted
I look up
You seem
So far away
Your curious smile
Offering shelter
As well as fuel
For my imagination
Yesterday
Your appearance
Was somber
Unable to hold
The weight
Of your tears
Tossed around
By life’s storms

Cautiously standing
On the edge of
The highest height
You are closer
But different
A fluffy blanket
Calling to me
Stretch out your arms
Trust me, as you
Freefall into
This softness-
An illusion
To be sure
But, oh,
What a sweet
Consideration

Hidden Hues

On July 12, 2023July 12, 2023 By Piano girl10 Comments

Why insist on
Seeing things
Only the way
That you want
To see them?
Everything
A part of
The same
Domain-edges
Clearly defined
Explanations
Always
In black
And white
No room for
Meaningful
Questions or
Incomplete
Answers-
Hues
Undreamt
Wait to be
Discovered
In the hidden
Curves
Of our world
And the secret
Corners
Of our hearts

Simply Sunday

On July 9, 2023 By Piano girl2 Comments

Playful Interpretation

Yesterday
I smiled
Watching you
Flit and flutter
All around
So small
Compared to
Your surroundings
So small
Yet, able to
Captivate the
Hearts and
Imagination
Of those
Both inside
And outside
Your world-
Realms to which
You offer a
Playful grin
In your daily
Flitting and
Fluttering
Of living

On our trip, I often noticed the tiny things around us. In the water, on the sand, in the rainforest-the massive made up of the minuscule. If only I’d had a microscope!

Of course, the big picture was also captivating. Even a panoramic taken through a telescope would not do it justice. Maybe just that recognition is enough. I’m not sure. I suppose there is room for interpretation. 😉