Only a Rocking Chair

Only a rocking chair 

wood and varnish 

teeth marks on a rocker

from a puppy

to sit in it 

close my eyes 

rock gently 

memories slide 

to the old black rocking chair 

    with the wide seat 

  in our living room 

to the big solid oak 

 rocking chair with 

embroidered head rest and seat to 

 the small neat dark wood rocking chair 

of my grandparents home ~ 

gentle memories in 

only a rocking chair

wood and varnish 

teeth marks from a puppy.

“There is a peacefulness, an air of reflection, about a 

rocking chair that attaches to no other moving object.”

~ Wallis Simpson, socialite

(1896 ~ 1986)

At the End of the Day

The story we tell ourselves 

at the end of a day can be 

our saving grace. 

Where was the bright spot 

in the day just passed? 

That one flicker that filled 

a moment or an hour 

with joy and excitement 

to feel the goodness of others 

or the warmth of the sun after a rain

or the broad smile of the girl at the till.

Yes they pass as each moment passes, 

but the memory remains to shine 

in darkened corners at the end of the day.

“At the end of the day, give up your worries 

and give thanks for the journey.

~ Ben Vereen, actor

From the Inside

 

A narrowed life from the outside 

~ from the inside a broad expanse

 

of story and imagination; 

 of chatter and discussion, 

  of viewing the world as it is 

~ always a new direction 

for mind and feet to travel.

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, 

pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.”

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, 

philosopher, poet and essayist

(1803 ~ 1882)