MARCH 2017

Monochrome shadow

this brief perfect moment

between sips

Heavenly bodies
embroidered upon indigo sky
celestial poetry

Way out in the pasture
stealthy movement draws the eyes
he lifts his head
on alert...we see eye to eye
wily coyote cannot take safety for granted

Tonight it's dark
but last night she was afloat
in a bowl of custard
so golden and delectable
fetching a spoon came to mind

Now March has come
singing in their hearts
skirts unfurl
dancing merrily in the breeze
bright faces shine feeling the rhythm

He takes to the air

shrill call announces his presence

all is silent below

noisy chatter suddenly ceases

dark shadow drifts searching for dinner

What I wish they knew about me
is that beneath a lifetime of armor
build to appear brave and strong
there beats a heart broken
more than once over the decades
there beats a tender heart
not always visible to the world
there beats a heart aching
over the injustices in our world
there beats a heart for nature
which can often move me to tears
just the sheer beauty of it
and sometimes the cruelty of it
what I wish they knew about me
is that while I can seem very
loud and intimidating at times
deep inside there still lives
an inner child who is playful
who was broken who still needs
acceptance and understanding
who can be uncertain and insecure
despite what my outer self says
there beats a heart needing safety
in a sometimes unsafe world
that's what I wish they knew about me

***

What I wish they didn't know about me
it's that I can be stubborn
because sadly that is a German trait
it's that I am too impatient
because that too is a German trait
it's that I have a temper
not sure if it's my  German or
drop of French blood to blame
it's that I like to be right
but thankfully I don't have to be
it is that I made a life time
of mistakes some I can't forgive
myself for...others I paid for
it's that I often procrastinate
though in the end I do what needs doing
it's that I am scarily passionate
when it comes to wrongs done
when it comes to bad people
when it comes to politicians
when it comes to acts of violence
when it comes to animal abusers
what I wish they didn't know about me
is that this list could go on and on....

Diving deep
into this vibrant heart
flower power

Bright earthbound sun
never burning these brilliant
rays bring only joy

What you don't know about me
is that I am a daydreamer
even doing mundane chores
can set my mind to wandering
as I pinned up these tea towels
the fact that they are
seasoned world travelers
came to my drifting mind
these towels hold memories
of my one and only..thus far
trip to the sceptred isles
often traveled in my mind
as I turned the pages of books
in my most favorite reading spots
over many years a land I thought
to never see with my own eyes yet
here it was finally under my feet
alas time was much too short
surely you know how time flies
when you really want it to stand still
or at the very least slow to a crawl
as these colorful tea towels hang on
my laundry line far from their home
they now take me back I am traveling
along narrow roads bordered by lush
blooming hedgerows trilling with
birdsong humming with many bees
they take me back to Dorset where
a most delightful time was had
being shown around where the bulk
of the Isle of Wight sat offshore
peopled with lovely friends I did not
know back then where Lulworth Cove
sparkled in the sun where jubilee banners
snapped in a delightful breeze as we
sat near the water eating fresh fish
but enough day dreaming....there are
yet other chores to tackle today
still it was lovely to go back for
just a little while to beautiful Dorset

She's not quite full
yet already her milky light
transforms the garden
we saw her coming home
rising in a pale blue sky
growing bright as the gloaming
settled on the vast land
just after dark oak fingers
briefly captured her
slipping their grip she rose
up into the indigo sky
oh precious luminescent pearl
you enchant me again and again

Twinkle, twinkle evening star
looking lovely shining far
making wishes we look to you
hoping that they might come true
wishing for respite from earthly pain
hoping all searching will meet again
celestial magic hear my plea
let comfort find them
so mote it be

Childhood memory
blooms in my garden
keys to heaven
carefully bending down
in lush meadows gathering bunches

Bright charming face
all aglow in the sun
sublime simplicity

Twilight gently settled
frog courting songs echoed
through the wide canyon
trees shimmered with droplets
while across the creek
heavy mists crept along
draping familiar green curves
in diaphanous swaths of silk
all was eerily beautiful
as if enchanted by earth magic
night arrived swiftly
on the wings of diving bats
sighing deeply we turned
walking back to the house
where a warm fire was waiting
listening to the crackle
clear images lingered of the
enchanted twilight kingdom
just across the rushing creek

Warm breath of spring
all aglow with color
in dappled shadows
mysterious humming is heard
portly musician appears
moving from flower to flower
his translucent wings instrumental
in playing his gathering song
flight of the Bumble Bee

Life is short
kick up your heels
live in this moment of joy
you only live once...live it up!

***

Skeletons in the closet
they're in there for a reason
no need dragging them out
dusting the old heaps off
just to have them dance around
clattering their annoying bones
spilling their guts to all
telling their sad dark secrets
that door stays locked tight
key thrown away lips zipped
no need for their hulking
shadows to be cast onto the present