Driving at night Noticing lights Shining inside And outside All the houses In a variety of Shapes and sizes Perfectly lining All the streets Helping me Find my way- The Moon Dimly shines In the corner of my eye A star or two, as well
Is there ever such thing as too much light?
Driving at night Wishing on Veiled stars Too numerous For my mind to hold I know they are there I’ve seen them before Long to see them again From my speck of Earth For all the lights To be turned off To walk outside Lay down on the grass Look up, and marvel As darkness disappears
Thirst quenched With a cup Of cool water Hunger eased With a tasty Morsel of food Fears calmed Within the warmth Of safe shelter Hands in Desperation Seeking To survive Hands in Kindness Seeking To share Hand to hand Heart to heart Opening Doorways Fostering Pathways Linking living souls
The most recent episode of the podcast, Revisionist History, is powerful. It really made me think about the space between talking and taking action. Tugged at my heart. Glad my daughter recommended it. Take a listen. ❤️
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:35-36
So much Talk Of rights Not yours In companion With mine No, mine or yours Exclaimed Over and over IN ALL CAPS Making certain Everyone knows And no one Disagrees
How lonely It must be Concerned only With oneself Not interested In truly loving Another Or in understanding That our hearts Are Capable Of beating The same rhythm At any given Moment in time
Another poem from a recent writing circle with Ali Grimshaw. https://flashlightbatteries.blog/. You never know what’s going to show up on the page. And the critical voice is not invited. Love this process! ❤️
Looks as if You strayed Too far from Your nest Frantic chirps Both yours And your mothers Served as a clue Hard to spot In the leaves Of the shrub Outside my window But there you were And mom not Too far away She brought you A worm, twice Full Stomach Left you quiet Slowly blinking Sleepy eyes- When I checked later You were gone
Yesterday, I heard chirping outside my window. A female cardinal flew in and out of our front bed. But the chirping remained even when mom was gone. After some quiet watching, I noticed a baby in one of the bushes.
I’m not sure if birds get sweaty, but this baby looked ruffled. The small tuft on top of the head was like a toddler waking up from a nap. The temperature was above one hundred at the time.
Later in the afternoon, the baby bird was gone.
Early in the evening, we had a surprise thunderstorm. A welcomed relief from the heat. But there were strong winds and hail. I wondered about the little family of cardinals, especially the baby.
Walking into the kitchen this morning, I noticed a male cardinal sitting on a feeder. Hmmm…a quick investigation revealed that sweet baby. Now sitting on a low tree branch.
Looks like I might just be a bird watcher for the day.
Stop teasing Come closer I see you Spending All day Hanging out On the perimeter Yes, I know It offers the most Sought after views Of the blue skies The location Where you look Your brightest- But you cast A broad shadow Perfect for days Like today Couldn’t you Float on over And provide A spot of shade Not even asking For a drop of rain Maybe a breeze Thirty minutes tops That’s all I’m asking…
After multiple days of one-hundred-degree temperatures, trying to lighten the mood. I am holding out hope for a few cooler days this coming weekend. There is even a slight chance of rain. Fingers crossed!
Raindrops shimmered Across the breeze Like tiny slivers Of silver tinsel Where have you been? Smiled the trees Soaking in each Bead of relief Flowers closed Their eyes Able to breathe Each blade Of grass Released an Audible sigh- Stepping out From the shelter I could feel the Gentle drip-drops Where have you been? Smiled the rain As it cooled The heat of the day From my skin Trickled down Into the crevices Of my soul Washing away The grey dust Watering seeds Long forgotten
After weeks of above one-hundred-degree temperatures, we had a two-day reprieve. A little cooler with cloud cover and a rain shower. Just the realization that it was raining brought a sigh of relief. And then feeling it along with the breeze…well, that was a whole other story.
The heat has returned today in full force. The breeze transformed into a hair dryer. Looks like it will remain for the coming week. Grateful for the rain, brief that it was. And the reminders it carried.
The ground Is parched Grass once green And inviting Grows brown Crunching Beneath my feet Trees struggle To survive Their leaves Hanging on For it’s too soon For them to fall One single spark And the results Would be Devastating Praying for rain
The Earth Is parched Tears shed in Sadness and grief But also in Reconciliation All dried up People struggle To survive Their children Hanging on For it’s too soon For them to fall One single spark And the results Would be Devastating Praying for rain
How can this be? Seems only yesterday The ground was wet With the tears of an entire world- Are there no more left to cry? I do not believe so, but what is the answer-
My soul Is thirsty Longing for A cool breeze A steady rain Not a storm Filled with Lightening And thunder No loud voices Sharing dissent For all to hear Instead, the quiet Whisper of love Sent in raindrops Coaxing our tears To once again join in Watering the ground
Sharing two poems today that I wrote in a recent poetry circle with Ali Grimshaw. If this is something you’ve considered participating in, check out her website. I continue to be amazed at the process and thankful for the connections. ❤️ https://flashlightbatteries.blog/
Hold the Door!
The same door Same hallway Same faces, mostly Day in, day out Oh, it’s a fine door Bright hallway Smiling faces, mostly What would happen if I changed my entrance? No, not a different door Just held this door For someone else Walked that hallway With intention Bravely met all Those faces Not just with a smile But with me Whatever me happens To show up that day- Honest, unafraid My heart open Ready to receive Ready to be received
Circles of Change
Thought I was walking Down a new path Confident change Was preparing To peak out from Around the corner At any minute Any corner… Any day now… But it remained Hidden-not ready To show its face Maybe I had been Walking around In a circle Seems I am back Where I started Or perhaps That magnetic Starting line Loosened its grip Just a bit Before gently Pulling me back Tugging at my heart Allowing time to grasp A new perspective- After all, life’s Biggest changes Are often felt, not seen
Seven-inch Vinyl disc Placed on A circle Within A magic box Turn the knob Watch it spin Forty-five Rotations Per minute Place the needle Listen as it Moves across The ridges Releasing Its power Releasing The music
I saw the movie Elvis yesterday with my friend, Marina. I grew up listening to Elvis. Watched his concerts on television. Remember the breaking news on the day he died.
I also remember dancing around a record player with my cousins at grandma’s house. Hound Dog and Don’t Be Cruel were our choice of 45s. We all loved Elvis.
Elvis had a style all his own, and it was controversial. People either loved him or hated him. But his roots were honest and truthful. And his contributions to our nation’s musical heritage are of great value. I am thankful his 45s were part of my childhood.
Piano Girl 