Visor Up!

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

Nameless

Initially, the word
Brings a shade
Of sadness
Nameless
Something
Unimportant
Even ignored
But if I pause
And consider
Each bright star
I saw shining
In yesterday’s
Night sky
My sentiments shift-
Yes, each star
Almost certainly
Has a name
But I could
Not possibly
Know them all-
My eyes see you
My mind knows you
My heart loves you
Each part of me
Holds its own name
And yet, deep down
Where the strongest
Emotions reside
Namelessness
Gives comfort
In the thought
Of experiencing
Something
So powerful
No name is needed

Once again, this poem was written during a poetry circle. Thank you, Ali Grimshaw https://flashlightbatteries.blog/, for creating such a beautiful space. ❤️

Brushstrokes

Skillfully painted
Across the sky
Filling time
And space
One after another
Some clearly
Defined
Like the bright
Blue of a happy
Childhood day
Others, fuzzy
Around the edges
Like the moody purple
Of teenage angst
With every color
And shade
In between
Defined or blurred
Each opens a door
To recollections
Of the past
Or dreams
For the future
Joy and sorrow
Love and loss
Life and death
Each painting
Their own part
In the big picture

Framing the Day

Looking out
Through
The glass
That frames
My morning drive
A great expanse
Of rolling
White clouds
Dotted
With patches
Of blue
Unfolds in
Front of me
An audible breath
As sunlight graces
My periphery
Providing
Welcomed
Warmth
Blended with
The morning breeze
An indication of what’s to come
Perhaps
A singular moment of awe and peace
Absolutely

Inside-Out

Clouds of
Bluish gray
Against the
Almost white
Morning sky
Felt as if
The World
Had been turned
Inside-out
Overnight-
Complete opposite
Of what my eyes
Witnessed yesterday
Bright blue sky
Crisp white clouds
Strange…
For a moment
I wondered if
Something was wrong
Was yesterday simply a cover?
Sadness hiding behind a smile?

Maybe, maybe not
Another glance revealed
Today’s answer-
The morning star
Twinkling
Among the clouds
As if to say
Good morning
It’s a new day
All is well

And I smiled
Not hiding
But trusting

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Psalm 143:8

Lights Off

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

One More Glance

Searching
For a smile
Through fog
And darkness
Although
Not yet visible
Trusting
It is there
Waiting for
Just the right
Moment
To appear
Glance to one side
And then the other
Still no smile
Stepping out
Of the car
Deep sigh
One more glance
There it is!
A single strand
Of pink light
Between
The bluish grays-
I breathe deep
Smile back

Autumn Travels

Unable to see it directly
As I drive toward the east
Only a quick glance
In the rearview
Assures its
Appearance
Eyes back on the road
Lavenders
And pinks
Soon fill the sky
In my periphery
Both to the north
And to the south
Gradually blending
With the darkening
Indigo up ahead
Although unable
To see it directly
For a few moments
Sunset surrounds me
Sharing its splendor
Carrying me
Into the night
Leaving me ready
For peaceful rest

Simply Sunday

Overcast sky
On this day of rest
Not dull
Not dreary
Sunshine
Is present
Hiding
Behind clouds
Bright patches
Lighting our paths
Shady spots
Providing reprieve
Overcast sky
On this day of rest
Needed
Welcomed

Eyes in the Sky

I spied
Two eyes
In the sky
Today
Against a
Backdrop
Fluffy white
Strikingly
Tinted
Bluish gray
Two eyes
Looking
My way
Feeling
Inquisitive
I returned
Their look
Wondering
What they
Might say
A smile
A sparkle
Followed
By a wink
Before they
Looked away