Plant Care

Let it grow slowly ~

the aloe with thick green leaves.

A succulent holding and

reserving water within spiky 

tough green skin needing

little water to bring peace

to the spreading roots.

“Human nature is like water. 

It takes the shape of its container.”

~ Wallace Stevens

Changing Sheets

Corner to corner.

Crisp and cool.

‘You made your bed….

now lie in it’

So corner to corner

smoothing sheets from

twisting turning dreams to

smoothed peaceful sleep.

“It’s our choices that matter in the end. 

Not wishes, not words, not promises.”

~ Alexandra Bracken, Passenger

A Calling

Answering the calls 

of this electronic world -

robotic movements 

jerking us forth and back

in lives scheduled on

calendar squares that we dutifully fill in yet always finding space for peace and quiet, fun and games ~

Answering the call

for life that has dance and flow spinning us into an open sky to live life fully.

“If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, 

will answer you: I am here to live out loud.”

~ Émile Zola

When Morning Comes Too Early

Eyes wide open ~ 

body and mind sleepy.

Three hours in bed ~ pillows at my back, 

books to the left, coffee to the right,

emails in the middle ~ waiting 

’til hunger speaks its name 

while the sun paints

peaceful leafy shadow faces on 

curtains drawn against the day.

“Morning is wonderful. Its only drawback is that 

it comes at such an inconvenient time of day.”

~ Glen Cook, Sweet Silver Blues

Birth Days

On my birthday, I think

of the child that was born

swimming into a foreign world

greeting it with cries and smiles

intuitive trust for those around

not knowing the life that was to come or that life has a beginning or an end only that big faces come with bottles; that when I cried my discomfort I would soon feel clean, calmed and comforted.

My mom's hand wrote these words
on the back of the photo

On anyone’s birthday, I think

of the child that was born

to a family of love or loss

with all its ups and downs

no knowledge of riding the waves

only intuition, instinct, the ability to learn and the desire to be loved and belong ~ helpless to do more than just be ~ absorbing life's peace and not so peaceful for life beyond the womb shaped over time and growth.

“They should tell you when you’re born: 

have a suitcase heart, be ready to travel.”

~ Gabrielle Zevin

A Winter Peace

I look up to the bare winter branches to see peace in the gray-white winter sky. Rain 

hesitates to fall yet lets go spare drops to dot blue-gray pavement and gray sidewalks.

I look up to the bare winter branches to see peace in the gray winter sky. Cold air hovers quietly. Only a breath away from wind while rose-colouring my cheeks.

I look up to the bare winter branches

to see peace in the gray winter sky.

Even crows sit silently on fence posts 

and high wires in sleek black tuxedos.

I look up to the bare winter branches

To see peace in the gray winter sky.

Soft mounds of faded leaves spread 

and build against broad, gnarled tree roots.

“I pray this winter be gentle and kind ~ 

 a season of rest from the wheel of the mind.”

~ John Geddes,  A Familiar Rain