Author Archives

by

Waif

Sometimes I just have to cry
the emotion sneaks up on me when I
am least expecting it

A happy day
sun shining
so why do I feel so blue?

Somewhere there is a wounded
little girl
frightened
not knowing where to turn

I can see her
I can feel her
but I can’t quite reach her

Each time I get close
and open my arms to embrace her
she scurries away
anxious about getting too close

I recognize the look of trepidation
in her large blue eyes
Her mistrust runs deep

With her dishevelled hair
unkempt clothes
her neglect is apparent
My heart aches for her

I want her to know
that people do care
she is not alone
The world can be a beautiful place

I want to keep her warm
her tummy full
her mind challenged

I want to find her
and let her live…

Tonight is going to be
a two bottle night

by

Misunderstanding

You’re going left
I’m going right
We both want the same
Yet we struggle and fight

The storm clouds brew
They swirl and spin
Meaning is lost
The tension begins

The sweetness, the romance
Gone in a flash
Hands draw into fists
Teeth clench and gnash

You make your point
I strive to make mine
The atmosphere charged
We need intervention: divine

Ears that won’t listen
They can’t seem to hear
All progress lost
Replaced by tears

I thought I understood
I now know I was wrong
Peaceful resolution
Is for what I long

I was so excited
I thought we were in this together
I didn’t anticipate
Communication stormy weather

by

Empathy

(This piece was inspired by imagining what the parents of the young man who killed five fellow students must be going through)

I hear you speak
but the words don’t make sense to me
My mind is swirling
thoughts flying in and out
too quick to capture
Maybe this…
What about that…
a fierce competition for my attention

Focus
one thing at a time
calm down
breathe deeply
Now, what were you saying?
A barrage of words assault me
and it takes every bit of willpower
to comprehend what the babble means

Instinctively I am in denial
I do not want to hear the message
coming my way

When I became a parent
I never thought this would
be a message for me

Your child is in trouble
Your child has been hurt
Your child is gone…
Your child is the per pe tra tor

Nothing prepared me
for a foreign message like that
My heart swells
it breaks
part of me shatters
and runs to the shadows
a place where no one can find
me

If they can’t see me
it can’t be real, right?

it can’t be real
it can’t be real

The world sees a monster
a psychopath
I see a sick child
my beautiful son

where is the little boy
I once knew?

by

Going to the Game

The train rumbles to a stop at the platform
and we board
oblivious to the announcements being broadcast over the PA

We are excited to be on our way to see our beloved team
caught up in a discussion about the impending competition

As we ride to our destination
I look at the passing buildings surprised at what I’m seeing
an entirely different view of my city
versus what I am exposed to when driving in my car

We are joined by other fans and revelers
the atmosphere charged with laughter and robust chatter

Disembarking we are caught up
in a surge of people
that swells with each passing of a staircase or entryway

I hang on tightly to my husband’s hand
then allow myself to be carried
along with the flow of the crowd

Snippets of conversation catch my ear
a laugh
a whistle
a hoot and a holler

We are going to the game
and right now that’s all that matters

fun for everyone

by

Priestess

The hands of time
shift and swirl
A veil of fog lifts to reveal
a precious new life

Beautiful Morgan
heiress in a long tradition
of ancient priestesses

She will learn
the knowledge of land,
sea and sky

Plants and animals will bend
to aid her
spreading peace throughout the land

She is blessed

All who come in contact with her
leave radiating a shimmer
of her infinite love

She is time
and timeless

She is Morgan

Her arrival timed to be
precisely now
A celestial chorus
cheers triumphantly
ready to guide and protect her
on her earthly path

Beauty

Wisdom

Knowledge

Morgan is here to teach

Here to love

Here to release
the constraints on earth

by

Lunar Eclipse

Full Moon Skyline

The full moon beams
brilliantly
over the sleepy city and quiet prairies.
Mountains on the horizon loom
tall and proud
reflecting heavenly light off snow capped peaks.

I imagine a change of guard of
celestial gatekeepers
taking place with this shrouding event.
Ancient Mayans envisioned a
giant jaguar
swallowed the moon making it disappear.
Local terrestrial citizens may
watch with awe
while others sleep
incognizant
to what is occurring in the sky above them.

As the spinning orbs
align themselves
and earth’s shadow conceals a large red moon
reorientation
is a possibility in our inner selves, too.

The moon
influencer
of emotions
and personality
may cause a shift within
whether we believe it
or not.

by

Shadows

My alarm beeps and I roll out of bed
spying a crimson glow on the eastern horizon
outside my window

The city skyline in silhouette against the navy sky
begins to glimmer as lights flutter on in preparation
for the work day

Outside, below our residence, shadows are shifting.
What lurks in the gloomy shade cast by the quiet buildings?

My thoughts accelerate to a gallop letting fear have the reins.
I blink back tears and calm my racing heart as I repeat: I
am safe. I am secure. I am completely protected at all times.

I continue to get ready for my day knowing I am not alone. I do
not have to fear the shadows. I can anticipate a carefree day
full of the promise I saw in the blushing sunrise.

by

Avoid Contact with Sharp Objects

Who knew cardboard could fight back so hard! Today my husband and I are assembling a desk and cabinet from Scandinavia. My job is to flatten the container boxes in preparation for recycling but they are resisting fiercely causing some paper cuts and a few choice words. The pieces were constructed in Indonesia and they arrive with French and English instructions. Actually, the assembly directions are diagrams that truly test one’s spatial awareness.

The protective Styrofoam skitters across the floor challenging me to find it. Days later, in the most unlikely spaces, the vacuum cleaner will coax the static filled little white nuisances out of hiding.

Slowly, methodically my husband places the pieces together as instructed. Each time I take a break from the stubborn cardboard I am excited to see the furniture taking shape.

A spring snowstorm passes by, the cold wet snow flakes in too much of a hurry to notice what is happening in our cozy study. The sky brightens and sun shines chasing the remnants of the flurries away.

We continue patiently placing dowels and screwing screws until finally sweet victory. With assembly completed and no leftover pieces it looks great!

by

The Missed Call

My phone rang but I didn’t answer it

we were celebrating

Was it you – hurting?

I didn’t want to be rude

despite the persistent ringing I stayed still

made no move to pick up the jangling device

 

I wasn’t expecting a call

I wasn’t expecting the interruption

I wasn’t expecting the silence, the hurt, the pain

by

Ode toTroy

On Tuesday my youngest son celebrated his 25th birthday. The family started celebrating this milestone on Sunday but Troy and his buddies got a head start on Saturday night. Clearly a quarter century is wonderful reason to party!

This is my son, I want to shout out loud
My third born, my baby, you makes me so proud

You’re a fighter, you showed it right from the start
While just bean size within me you touched my heart

Athletic, intelligent, funny and kind with a witty type of flair
When I’m in your presence I don’t have another care

I’m happy and pleased as any mother would be
that I was given you as a son to oversee

As I watch your life unfold I am filled with so much love for you
I wish you continued life’s blessings in all you do

Happy 25th Birthday! Here’s to many more!
Happy Birthday dear Troy, may you have all you wish for!V0013