Tag Archives: life

Time Warp

12 Sunday Feb 2017

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Red trike from behind

Its paint now faded red,
the back tires are as crooked
as the front wheel is bent;
yet, the tricycle frames itself
proud to support another brother.

As chunky little legs
pump the pedals round,
puffy little cheeks wiggle
from side to side across
the aged and battered seat.

I follow behind; but, as usual,
am outpaced in no time.
I see his smile as he turns,
and I’m caught in a time warp
of yesterdays and tomorrows.

Not A Minute Before Its Time

19 Saturday Nov 2016

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The dining table, covered with
Mama’s fanciest tablecloth,
seats 15 related bodies today,
nervous they’ll not be comfortable,
yet all excited to be together.

They don’t notice the fine china
brought down from the highest cupboard,
the special silverware from the felted box,
nor the crystal water glasses that sparkle.

The platters and dishes pass quickly
as people fill their plates with mounds of
homemade mashed potatoes, dressing, and
thick slices of slow-roasted turkey.

But as the gravy boat is passed, the
clatter seems to stall as focus is shifted
to the slow stream of gravy as it
flows down over the spout
of the crackled and faded gravy boat;

And in that moment, all thoughts of
the immediacy of today’s lives–
cellphones, iPads, and streaming videos,
are replaced with flashbacks of

Grandma with her starched apron
covering her best Sunday dress,
leaning over the steaming pan, stirring
until the gravy mixture was perfect;

And I find myself,
like Grandma and her gravy,
unable to let this holiday pass
a minute before its time.

To Those Who Serve

11 Friday Nov 2016

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image

To those who serve or
have served in the US military…

where weaponry is part of
the uniform, not an accessory;
tools of the trade, so to speak,
provided to proud recruits.

where to live in close quarters
isn’t a honeymoon but a few
bunks clustered together to
allow for sleep, if possible.

where, day in and day out,
wives, husbands, and children,
are thousands of miles away;
for months, family is a troop of soldiers.

where survival depends on the
combined skills of the team,
no one job more important than
the next, yet each critical to survival.

where pride comes from knowing
that you are serving your country;
and protecting the freedoms of
millions of citizens and future generations.

… I thank you wholeheartedly.

Decadently Retired

28 Friday Oct 2016

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Like licking the spatula
when no one’s looking,
Or sneaking up to see
if Santa’s been there,

It feels decadently naughty
to sleep in till after eight, or
to order pizza delivery
in the middle of the afternoon.

But it’s the privilege of
being retired, and I think I’ll
pour a glass of wine, and…
I’ll be asleep before nine!

Opening Doors

29 Friday Apr 2016

Posted by in Inspiration, Philosophy

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Doors in stone buildings down old street

Knock on any door in the World,
and you may find yourself in

The Atacama Desert of Chile
where ne’er a teardrop falls,

Or at Victoria Falls in Africa,
where cascades of tears gush.

You may meet a Tasmanian devil
dervishly clearing out the past

Or a three-toed sloth,
waiting for future to come.

Knock and enter many doors;
experience the worlds beyond,

For only then can you design
the world behind your door.

Above the Crowd

22 Sunday Nov 2015

Posted by in Inspiration, Life, Nature, Seasonal

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Leaf atop pile

It’s Autumn when falling leaves
either saunter down or
circle with driving force.

Irrespective of their roots, or even
from whose yard they spent their summer,
they gather together.

Nearly indistinguishable from one another,
oak and ash wear charcoal coats of crunch,
lying among tarnished poplar leaves.

A multicolored leaf rests on top,
similar in size and shape, yet different,
the anomaly, standing out.

I finally understand why Mom always said,
“Don’t fall among the crowd;
Be confident; be yourself.”

Returning Home

11 Wednesday Nov 2015

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Fall leaves in motion

I savored the colorful fallen leaves
and the deep, woodsy scent
of maple and oak as I tried to
shape their formation.

The harder I struggled against the winds,
the more the pile seemed to separate,
small clusters encircling my knees,
twirling with excitement as they rose to leave.

And I thought of children, young adults really,
leaving with the anxiousness of Autumn winds.

I know they both will return changed,
some choosing a brief visit,
others remaining among the familiar,
enriching the land and the lives
they touch as they settle in.

With the love of a mother,
I embrace the changes
and look forward to
once again sharing our worlds.

My Story

24 Thursday Sep 2015

Posted by in Art, Inspiration, Life, Muse, Nature, Writing

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Pastoral setting in book

I’m standing in the middle of my story,
writer, actor, and director.

I choose the words carefully;
They are not scripted for me, but by me.

I choose how to play out the scenes,
Knowing I’m my own stuntman and could get hurt.

And I choose how to direct my energy,
How to live day by day, each day a gift I give myself.

Dancing to Different Beats

01 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by in Animals and Insects, Humor, Life, Nature

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We looked deeply into each other’s eyes,
Your head held high and proud,
Mine slightly lowered and held fast as we
Passed in the grass.

I spoke briefly, noticing how you had grown
Through the summer,
And thankfully you didn’t hiss a reply
But smoothly glided on,
The perfect glissade to my Texas two-step
In the opposite direction.

Upcycling

04 Tuesday Aug 2015

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For my birthday this year,
I would like an upcycle;

You know, like when old furniture
Gets a new coat of paint for
An updated look on the outside,

Or like a well-loved stuffed animal
That gets totally new insides,
And its outside is refreshed.

Or like the recently emptied fruit jar,
Cleansed both inside and out,
And filled with sparkly lights.

I would be better than before,
Ready for a few years more.

Morning’s Blush

29 Wednesday Jul 2015

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The sun blushed as it rose today,
Realizing it had not seen me this way before;
Risen yet half awake, in the throes of dressing,
I covered my naked face with makeup.

We are casual friends, sharing pieces of each day,
Yet today one of us crossed the line
And rose before our time. I doubt either of us
Will forget and I vow not to rise early again.

Paying for Freedom

23 Thursday Jul 2015

Posted by in Children, Life, Weather

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Coat hoods draping their heads,
the sleeves flow loosely behind
while arms swing freely beside
and feet ziggy zag them ahead.

Weaving to find every puddle,
stomping and splashing along;
tongues stuck out for raindrops as
they slosh and splatter toward home.

Sometimes I wish I were still young,
Carefree as children in rain;
Whatever changed my focus
as I grew into older skin?

Is it dictated, written in stone
that work replace childish play?
Or are we merely paying today
for the freedoms of yesterday?

Learning Compassion

05 Sunday Jul 2015

Posted by in Animals and Insects, Children, Family, Inspiration, Life, Love, Nature

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I thought I knew compassion,
but when I looked into his eyes,
I knew I’d never felt that way.

The tenderness he offered a lost dog,
the inner need he had to help,
to makes things better for her
brought warmth to my heart.

Then I watched his seven-year-old eyes swell with tears
as they walked the streets and found her owner.
The dog of his dreams was gone,
returned to her scared and punitive owner,
and his heart was breaking.

As I watched this young boy walk away,
head hanging, brown eyes saddened by the struggle,
I knew he was learning doing the right thing
can feel wrong sometimes,
but I could also see that he can’t help but be who he is,
and that he’d do it again.

Musical Van Delight

01 Wednesday Jul 2015

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Some vans play rock or rap,
others a country fiddle,
But the van that travels my street
meets halfway in the middle.

Its sound is like a harpsichord
broadcast for ALL to hear;
The now familiar melody
says ice cream is very near.

Nostalgic to us oldsters,
Now common to young alike;
We all clutch our dimes and quarters
in search of cool delights.

Power of a Raindrop book

06 Saturday Jun 2015

Posted by in Animals and Insects, Art, Children, Family, Health, Humor, Inspiration, Life, Love, Mountains, Nature, Philosophy, Seasonal, Weather, Writing

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Power of a Raindrop cover

I’m excited to share that I now have a book of poetry, Power of a Raindrop, published and available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and through the publisher. If you order from the publisher, the first 10 to order will receive 15% off the retail price. http://shop.ravenbooks.net.

Elegy on Fog Poetry Challenge

19 Thursday Feb 2015

Posted by in Health, Humor, Life, Nature, Poetic Challenges

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Quick-thinking brain of my long lost youth
left me without a goodbye, how uncouth!

Jeopardy champions in our own way;
you had the answers while I had the say.

Shadows inhabit my brain now at times
shifting from fog to a cold, icy rime.

When it is clear, we are back, you and me;
winning the game for the whole world to see.

This challenge definitely had me lamenting my thinking cap of yesteryear! Trying to portray lament, praise, and solace in dactyl was a nice stretch of the brain.

Acrostic About Trust Challenge

17 Tuesday Feb 2015

Posted by in Children, Family, Inspiration, Life, Love, Poetic Challenges

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A child holds your hand, and
before she knows it, she’s
caught up in the steps and
doesn’t realize you’ve let go, so
easily she goes forward on her own.

And before you know it, she’s on a
bicycle, swaying, weaving,
caught up in the forward motion,
determined to ride without training wheels,
evidently unaware when you let go.

And it seems only too quickly, she gives up
bicycling, her third or fourth by now,
caring only to get behind the wheel,
driving with you as her instructor,
each lesson a little easier than the last.

From day one, you were there with her,
growing closer day by day,
her trust of you so complete.
It only seems natural,
judging by her successes, that you
know you’ve been there for her, and that you
love and trust her enough to let her go.

2/17/15

This is an acrostic variation about trust. The first three stanzas begin in succession, a-e; the last stanza’s format is f-l. The assignment also suggested internal rhymes. I played some with full rhyme, slant rhyme, assonance, and alliteration. What a fun challenge.

Languages of Love

12 Thursday Feb 2015

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language filled heart

In the gondola in Venice,
you flattered me so, “Sei bella.”

On the streets of Seville,
you charmed me, “Te adoro.”

Along the French Riviera,
you declared your love for me, “Je taime.”

But it wouldn’t matter if it were said in English or Chinese,
on the Hawaiian islands or in Timbuktu.

I see it in your eyes and in your caring ways,
and those, among many other blessings,
are why I say:

“I love you more than I did yesterday and less than I will tomorrow.”

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Translations:
Sei bella: You are beautiful
Te adoro: I adore you.
Je taime.: I love you.

I Can See Clearly Now

06 Friday Feb 2015

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sunset beach mother

I never envisioned
a sunset without oranges and reds and yellows.

I never thought blurry vision could be
anything but a view through streaming tears.

And I never dreamed I might not see your smile again
or see the love in your eyes as you look into mine.

However, as we oftentimes do,
I had taken something precious for granted.
I lost sight of things for just a little while,
though I’m sure it was a gift in disguise, for
I learned to cherish my eyesight, each and every day.