Two of us
Together
In the kitchen
Making coffee
Cleaning
Cooking
Breakfast
Blueberry pancakes
Bacon and eggs
Our grown-up
Children
Together
Around the table
Laughing
Comparing
Embarrassing
Stories
Old and new
My heart
Quiet
Listening
Voicing
Silent prayers
For contentment
Over ones
Forever
Part of us
Silence is simple
Or so I thought
Best to keep
Feelings
Intense
Hidden
Fearing
If spoken
Out loud
They might
Become an
Endless
Roaring
Waterfall
Of emotion
Drowning myself
And all who
Approach
Might is the key
I suppose
It can’t see
The future
Nor can I
And waterfalls
Though powerful
Are great teachers
Inspiring
The heart
To open even
In the face of
Apprehension
Earlier this week, I sat down to play the piano. And So It Goes by Billy Joel was one of my choices. It seemed to stick in my mind for the rest of the week. So, this morning I read the lyrics and wrote from the line that stood out.
My silence is my self-defense.
Each encounter
Holds potential
For change
If only
I look past
Myself
Not get lost
In the currents
And instead,
Gently drift
Mingling with
Other hearts
Passing by
Keeping
Each other
Afloat until
We reach
The shore
Resting
Until ready
To jump
Back in
Experiencing
Each encounter
Creating change
Dewdrops
Twinkle
Like stars
Resting
Among
Green
Pine needles
Playing tricks
On my eyes
Now you
See us
Now you
Don’t
A simple game
Of hide-n-seek
The same way
Children
Play outside
‘Til the sun
Disappears
And the wind
Carries them
Home to rest
Dreaming of
Their next visit
To the Loblollies
Sitting outside one morning after a rain, I noticed little bright spots in the trees. One would shine and then disappear just as another came into view.
My eyes went back and forth between the trees for several minutes. Each glimmer made me smile.
Joy in the simple things. And how much fun is it to say Loblolly? 😉
A forced
Slow down
Initial
Frustration
Pushes me
Outside
My eyes
Greeted
By sunlight
My skin
Cooled
By a breeze
Morning songs
Of the birds
Leaves
On the trees
Fluffy clouds
In the sky
All gently
Floating
On the same
Breeze that
Touches
My face
Seeing
Hearing
Feeling
Choosing
To be thankful
While waiting
For the power
To return
Left out
All alone
Crawling
Inside
A shell
To hide-
Excuses
Abound when
It happens
None
Of which
Makes up
For the feelings
Being left out
Leaves behind
One tiny
Flashlight
Has the power
To pierce
The darkness
Of loneliness
Calling the one
Once left out
Into the light
Ready to stand
Ready to shine
The alarm
Jolts me awake
Each morning
Well, at least
Causes
My eyes
To open
I’m beginning
To think of
Awake
As a process
One with
Many steps
The number
Of which
May vary
From person
To person
Not sure
The steps matter
What matters
Is the outcome
The place
Where my feet
Firmly land
Where my eyes
Open wide
With wonder
And my heart
Prepares to fill
And be filled
Alongside
All those who
Also decided
To wake up
Tiny deer
Bouncing
In the misty
Green
Of dusk
Behind
Two horses
Unaware
Standing
As if posing
For a picture
Family
Of deer
Grazing
In the misty
Green
Of morning
Stately buck
Standing
Quietly
Keeping
Watch
No sign
Of the horses
From last
Evening
They must
Be sleeping
Picture a lovely field below rolling hills, back-lined with a row of trees. A picturesque barn stands in the middle of the scene. I pass this field every day on my way to work.
I expect to see the horses, permanent residents. Multiple mornings this week, I was pleasantly surprised to see the deer. And one evening, the lone little deer exploring. Each sighting brought a smile and a deep breath.
Colleague: We almost had a fight in the library over who would be the first to check out your book. Not really, but some of the kids were excited. I am glad they have this connection with you and poetry.
Student: Mrs. Morris, I was the first to check out your book from the library!
Student: My mom has the book you wrote at our house.
Colleague: I’ve been reading your book. I’m really enjoying it and learning a lot about you.
These may sound like simple comments. But each of them lifted my spirits more than they could possibly know. And they could not have come at a more needed time.
The start of school is always hard. Everyone is getting back into a routine. Takes a bit to adjust. And although classes are going well, I am feeling tired.
Grateful for the encouragement. And thankful for the reminder that kind words truly can make someone’s day. ❤️
Holding your little hand
As we walk
From outside
Thru the doors
Down the hall
To your classroom
Today
Unlike yesterday
I gained
Your trust
And trust
Is always
Worth carrying
Seeing your sweet smile
As you exit
Your car
Walking towards me
On the sidewalk
Stopping for a hug
And a quick
I’ll see you tomorrow
Today, I felt
Your joy
And joy
Is always
Worth carrying
Seeing tears
Fill your eyes
As we talk
In the hallway
At the end of
A difficult day
So many questions
So hard on yourself
Today, I offered
Encouragement
And encouragement
Is always
Worth carrying
As this day ends
I wonder
What will be
Worth carrying
Tomorrow?
Once again, I had the privilege of joining a poetry circle facilitated by Ali Grimshaw https://flashlightbatteries.blog/. It was the perfect end to a long day of teaching. To write, not worrying about what shows up on the page. To listen intently to others and be heard with the same intention. Time to be still and reflect. Not to mention, getting to know people from all over the world. What a joy! ❤️
Piano Girl 