Walking a straight
line is a myth
A truth which grows
ever more apparent
as I approach sixty
Life is never so simple
Even the white lines
guiding us down the
road are broken
Solidifying only when
extra caution is required
It is tempting
to wear blinders
Attempt a straight
line to my destination
But there is so much I would miss
The rose-pink glow
bathing this very morning
in brilliant warmth
The crisp air
on my face as I
lower the window
Smiling as I snap
a quick photo of the
rosy pink sky-twice
Wishing I could
watch it fade away
before driving on
Driving on anyway
In awe of the sweet
warmth at my back
Relieved my path
is not a straight line
It never has been
Tag: sunrise
Hide-n-Seek
You attempted to hide
From me this morning
But I saw you-
Your light is not
One so easily dimmed-
Like the morning sun
Resting behind the clouds-
Look closely
And you will find
Its presence visible
In pale pink streaks
All across the sky-
And once you see
Those pale pink streaks
You’ll be reminded
That even the tiniest
Reflections of your light
Offer encouragement to those
Fortunate enough to cross your path-
Even when you attempt to hide
Lesson in the Sunrise
A dark cloud of apathy
Split the morning
Perfectly in half
Left to linger
The damage left behind
Will be impossible to mend-
Strange, love exists
On both sides
Of the darkness
I must believe it does-
Rays of hope
Able to burnish holes
Through the shadows
Of indifference
Affording hope even
In the murkiest of storms-
Light joining hands
Across the darkness
On a recent morning drive, I noticed an unusual sunrise. From my vantage point, a large dark cloud divided the sun’s fiery red glow in half. The clarity of the division was daunting. Yet despite the chasm, beauty existed in each half.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Necessary Companions
Though its comings and goings
Are fairly gradual
It sometimes seems
To disappear in a snap
Leaving us to wonder
How it gave in so quickly
To its counterpart-
Not sure they are friends
Light and dark
But their cooperation
Is necessary
For our survival
One allowing us to rest
And sleep, and dream
Freeing space
In our hearts and minds
To notice a beautiful
Brushstroke of the other
As it paints pink across
Smiling sunrise clouds

Pale Purple
Securely wrapped
In the soft, pale
Purple of morning
There you stood
In green grass
Almost over your head-
I wasn’t sure if
I’d see you
Considering the coming
Season of change-
Changes in the name
Of progress, of course
Giving little consideration
To your home-
At the tree line’s edge
Your mom stands steady
Her gaze fixed
As your head tilts
And your ears perk
Curious about this
Big beautiful world-
She is still
While you explore
Both securely wrapped
In the soft, pale
Purple of morning
Simply Sunday
Surprisingly Beautiful
Have you ever
Felt surprised
By being surprised?
It is a curious feeling
Like realizing no matter
How beautiful
The sunrise
On any given morning
It can be
Beautifully
Different
On the next–
Security may reside
In the routine
But hope radiates
From the surprising
Curious Giving
A patch of light
Lingered sweetly
On the grass
Today, some warmth
Tomorrow, a little rain
The surrounding area
Remained shaded
The warmth’s origin
Remained hidden-
Surely not
On purpose-
Oh no, I’m near
The Pines are
Easing my rising-
Giving light and warmth
All day is hard work-
And to be effective
Must be shared
At the right time
When most needed-
At the right time
For optimal curiosity
Sunrise, Sunset
I wonder why
The hero is
Most often pictured
Riding into the sunset
Embraced
By the warmth
Of the deepest orange
Another day done
Ready for well-deserved rest…
Instead of riding
Toward the sunrise
Layered with colors
Bright and muted
Light calling
Through shadows
To the possibilities
Of a new day, imagined
But, not yet seen
I don’t have an answer.
I only wonder if
Perhaps the sunrise
Might shift focus
To the journey
Instead of the reward
Another Day
The sunrise blushed
A sweet pale pink
Hint of innocence
Not the crimson red
Flush of embarrassment
Strange to think
In the color scheme of things
Those shades are not
Very far apart
But when it comes
To matters of the heart
They are on opposite
Sides of the wheel-
Perhaps that blushing sunrise
Prepared me for
The gray days ahead
Bashfully saying
Don’t forget me
You won’t see me for a bit
But I promise to return
As soon as the foggy mist
Has had its say
And moves on to another day
Ready for a little sunshine here in Oklahoma! 💛
Over My Shoulder
Brushstrokes
Warm oranges
Soft pinks
Painting me
Into the day
Not pushing
Encouraging
With a graceful
Good Morning
No hint of
Hurry Up or
You’re late
One glance
Over my shoulder
Yes, still there
And though
Colors may fade
Their message is clear-
Today rolls out
In front of you
Dip your toes
Into each tint
Watch as the
Canvas
Changes
With each ripple

