Success

Success


I find success in small things
joy in what ordinary life brings

a poem written
a phone call made
a meal prepared
a prayer prayed

a walk on the track
a compliment paid
a letter written
a plan laid

a closet cleaned
a letter sent
a book completed
an apology meant

an assignment completed
a promise fulfilled
a garden planted
values instilled

I find success in small things
joy in what ordinary life brings.

This poem was written for Poets United Mid-week Motif, where the prompt is Success.

Alone

Alone

My eyes are tired

but I dare not sleep

as dusk fades to darkness

while the train snakes

through red-roofed towns

with unfamiliar names.

From Frankfurt through

Heidelberg to Stuttgart

I understand no one and

no one understands me

I can see little but can

hope I'm on the right car.

I grasp my suitcase tightly

gaze out of the window

distract myself from fears

stranger in a foreign land

many miles from home

alone in Germany.

The whistle blows as

the train approaches Stuttgart

and I wonder what I'll do

if she isn't there to meet me

and realize I have no plan

beyond getting off the train.

This is written for Poetry Jam where the prompt is TRAINS.

To Live

To Live

I am ageless
neither old nor young
banish the mirror
banish the calendar
live the moment
infinity is my friend.

I live my days
fear not what lies ahead
enjoy what life presents
today just today
do not know or care
what tomorrow brings

because

whatever future holds
whatever life brings
God will be with me
.....and you.

This is written for dVerse Open Link.

The Unanswerable

The Unanswerable

I don't ponder

rhetorical questions ---

if I weren't this

because the reality is

I am this.

if I could change that

because I can't change

what was.

if I'd grown up differently

because I grew up

this way.

Why use mental energy

to speculate

what might have been?

Who I am today

can't be changed

by reflection.

The past is unalterable

only today is

mine to mold.

This is shared with Poets United Poetry Pantry.

Good Intentions

Good Intentions

A squirrel and a gopher planned a party
invited everyone they knew to attend
because they wanted the party to be special
some creatures came with hors d'oeuvres to share
some animals came with bottles of fine wine
and others came with nothing at all but
ate the hors d'oeuvres and drank the wine
unashamedly taking advantage of good will of others

so the squirrel and the gopher sadly decided
they would throw no more parties at all
decision based on those who brought nothing
and abused the good will of the hosts
rather than those who came to share --
but those who came to share suffered most.

Moral:  Good things sometimes come to an end
despite the good intentions of many.

This is written for dVerse Poetics, where Bjorn is having us write fables.

Your Book

Your Book

In my hands I hold your book
one I don't want to be without

its cover the color of summer
as many pages as there are days

chronicles of your life
poetry from both heart and soul
by words I know you

In my hands I hold your book
the one I hope you write.



This is written for dVerse Meeting the Bar (describe an object)
and also for Galen's Friday Flash 55!

Olympic Legacy

Olympic Legacy

Olympics is not only medals;
Gus Kenworthy, silver medal winner,
decides to adopt mother dog and puppies
and bring them back to Denver.

So what will he be remembered for --
his medal or the dogs?
Will Gus' Olympic legacy be
his talent or his humanity?

Not sure what history will choose,
but I will opt for humanity.

This is written for Poetry Jam, where the prompt is Olympics.

Dear Leonard Cohen

Dear Leonard Cohen

After all these years I realize
it is over between us, my dear,

though I maintained my affection
year after year after year.

I now see you for who you are,
and it is time for a new frontier

I hope you will forgive me,
as my feelings are so clear

you've grown so old and grey,
are at the end of your career

thus I found myself a young love
whose beautiful voice I hear

call me a cougar if you will
but my affection is very sincere

he's a rising star, not over the hill,
Bruno Mars has replaced you, dear.

Written for d'Verse Open Link!

Lost Dream

Lost Dream

I see your words in unusual places

you write messages on my hand

but the ocean blue ink is invisible

I listen for the whisper of your voice

as wind whistles through bare branches

but the leafless trees are silent

I feel your warmth and hold the cup

of coffee to my lips, inhale its steam

but vapor dissipates into the air

I follow your footprints in the snow

and struggle to follow their lead

but as it melts my dream flows away.

Written for dVerse Poetics -- where we are to write short love poetry without love language.

Kitchen Table Talk

Kitchen Table Talk

I sit around the kitchen table with old friends
who get together once or twice a year to keep up
and care about each other's lives for a little time

how are your husband, children, grandchildren
summarize in a few minutes since last time we met
and then we won't hear again for six months or so

but we have maintained the connection for decades
and we are important to each other aren't we
or maybe we just pretend we are, don't question

because of the history we shared back then
when we were young teachers idealistic together,
and weren't those the good old days (and do

you remember Carl and Larry, both dead now?)
teaching and life, idealistic and inexperienced
not knowing the paths each would follow in life

and now we pretty much know without the details
none of us adds between the lines and lots of
questions are unasked and perhaps we don't

want to know everything anyway, do we?
I sit around the kitchen table with old friends
and we care about others' lives for a little time.

This is written for / shared with Poets United Poetry Pantry.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day looms

and I wonder what I can say

to do justice to the holiday  

not to trivialize or glorify it

but to recognize it is love 

that has kept the holiday alive

all these years. 

Though one can find fault

with Hallmark and roses 

for one's beloved,

one cannot find fault

with love. 

This is written only for G-Man's 55.

Red

Red

I am not a fan of red fingernail polish
but give me a red Wisconsin sweatshirt
that expresses my loyalty to my team.

Show me a red heart that expresses love
that I did not really expect to find
but can one ever deny one's experience.

I prefer blue fingernail polish as it
fits my personality more than red
but I wear a red blouse on special days.

And as far as Valentine's Day I wonder
is it just for Hallmark or is it really
a day that expresses what the heart feels?

Give me a red heart that expresses love
that I did not really expect to find
and blue polish that will always shine.

This is submitted to Poets United Midweek Motif - Heart and also written for my offline writers' group where the prompt was RED.

Dandelion Bouquets

Dandelion Bouquets

Her favorite flower was the dandelion
no one could tell her it was a weed
she presented me with her bouquets
as if she was giving me the world

and she was, of course,
as I understood and accepted her gifts
and knew that what she gave me
was the best that she could offer

and I miss those summers now
those very special moments of the past
that will never be present again
dandelion love shared by granddaughter.

This poem is shared with Poetry Jam, where we are writing about dandelions.

Nightmares

Nightmares

I was in a hotel with my three dogs

and Basil escaped somehow

Panicked, I searched everywhere 

feared the worst, worried 

I would never see him again,

that someone dognapped him.

Eventually I forced myself

to wake from the dream, 

Basil next to me in my bed

sleeping restfully warm.
I breathe easy once again.

If only we could always wake up

from frightening circumstances

(accidents, bad diagnoses, deaths)

and find they were only nightmares

and everything was really okay

what a wonderful thing that would be!

This is written for dVerse Open Link.

Optimism

Optimism

I choose to believe in possibilities
and that dreams can be fulfilled
there is no use in thinking otherwise
without dreams joy is quickly killed.

When we strive to follow a dream
we don't leave tomorrow to chance
It is better to work toward future
than amble through life in a trance.

When negative nightmares threaten
expose them to bright light of day
choke them before they energize
forbid panic to drive dreams away.

I choose to believe in possibilities
that if a dream can be conceived
and then one tries with all one's being
the dream will likely be achieved.


This is written for / shared with Poets United Poetry Pantry. For inspiration, I would like to attribute the last stanza of the poem "Imagine the dream" from the book Reason without Rhyme by Eileen O'Neill, a regular contributor to Poets United. The stanza follows:

Imagine that dreams bring fulfillment
And those nightmares are very few
Believe that all thoughts are possible
Imagine that all dreams can come true.
                   ----Eileen T. O'Neill
                   from "Imagine the Dream"

Shoveling

Shoveling

Metal scrapes pavement

breaks the evening silence

shovel pushes snow to clear the walk

no one shoveling but me

empty isolated

overshadowed by vacant homes  

people die, people move

ghost town, twilight zone

no one near any more

a chill goes up my spine

who will hear if I scream

who will see if I fall

who will know

if that car driving slowly

             stops 

and I can’t run fast enough

         to escape?

Claudia wanted us to write a 'poetic sketch' over at dVerse Poetics.

Sochi

Sochi

I am not enthused about Sochi
Olympics this year do not thrill me
I will be glad when they're safely over.

Why are they in a country
which justifies violence against gays
poisons dogs, lets them die on the streets
and has a war going on in its back yard?

And the answer is........bribery!


Written for G-Man's 55!

Soul of the Song

Soul of the Song

(Guitar introduction -- appropriate chords)

I find my way through the lyrics

look for the meaning 

that has to be here somewhere

dig deep and deeper

search for the soul of the song.

(Guitar solo followed by accompanying chords)

It has to be here

someone wrote it

for a reason
there must be a reason.

Feel its beat

process the words

play it again

play it  again.

(Guitar solo followed by accompanying chords)

Life has meaning

meaning meaning

and we must find it

     find it find it

     in the song.

     in the song

in the lyrics

of what can't just be

a  meaningless song.

(Guitar solo followed by accompanying chords)

I find my way through the lyrics

look for the meaning 

that has to be here somewhere

dig deep and deeper

search for the soul of the song.

(Guitar fadeout)

This is for dVerse MTB where Gay wants us to write song lyrics.

Love Story

In rear:  Basil
In front:  Tulip & Violet

Love Story

And she wondered one day
what would be the name of her love
if she could imagine Love for herself
and she thought long and hard.

She contemplated the name Wind
who would give her adventure
She considered Rain to refresh her
or Forest who would shelter her.

but after much deliberation she
decided she'd want three loves:
Tulip and Violet to beautify her world
and Basil to season her life.

So she smiled, searched for Love
found Them, and life was good.

This is written for Poets United Mid Week Motif.  The prompt is "Love."

Tribute to Bruddah IZ

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Bruddah IZ

Tribute to Bruddah IZ

Somewhere over the rainbow
an angel voice like no other
sings on a white sandy beach
of the Waikiki in the sky,
and all other angels take note
turn attention to Bruddah Iz
the singing idol of Hawaiians
who sings and strums ukulele in hand
mesmerizes all who listen
(yes I believe even in heaven)
with his music from the heart.

Though he knew he wouldn't live forever
he worked toward his aim through
to care for and protect Hawaiian culture
as he recognized the importance of love
his music and being true to himself

When IZ died flags flew at half mast
as he lay in state at the capitol building
of Honolulu, the hero's voice now still.

Even more so since his death
his music has taken wing
and now lives around the world
in many movie soundtracks
mission accomplished beyond is dreams
Hawaiian music will never die.

Written for Gabriella's prompt at Poetry Jam....a tribute poem!

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (1959 - 1997) has one of the most  beautiful voices I have ever heard.  He died of morbid obesity and illnesses related to obesity. When he died, he was the third person whose body lay in state at the capitol building in Honolulu, the only one who was not a government official.  The Hawaiian flag flew at half mast.  His music lives on & will live on for a long time to come.  If you have never heard IZ sing, check You-tube for many videos.  Here is one for your enjoyment:

Finis

Finis  (A Poem of Fiction)


The final time we walked together
it was around the lake.

Perhaps we both held hands a bit too tight
not looking at each other at all.

Though our hands still felt warm
we both knew it was our last walk.

And the chill of the wind pierced
through the layers covering my heart.

And we both walked tentatively
not wanting the journey to end too soon.

I'm going to leave you, he said
I thought it only fair I tell you this.

And I said, I knew all along, you know
And he said, how could you know?

And I said, it was the change in your eyes
the way the napkin was folded crisp.

And he said, the walk  had its beautiful views
but now the scenery has grown old.

And he said, I've met another I love
her smile warms me, I breathe deep.

And he said, I want you to know I'm sorry,
but I have outgrown all we once had.

And I noticed he struggled for words,
it was a while since we had meaningfully talked.

So then I said,  I understand,  my dear, don't worry
you didn't pick up the clues I'd met someone too!

This is written for dVerse  Open Link.

Transition

Transition

Transition is subtle from if to when
from thinking perchance to
conviction life can change.

Transition is subtle from if to when
from impossible to hopeful
then feasible to probable.

Transition is subtle from if to when
at first barely perceptible as
mind may not discern change.

Transition is subtle from if to when
door opens a crack then suddenly
sunlight appears on the other side.

Transition is subtle from if to when
from thinking perchance to
conviction life will change.

This poem is written for dVerse Poetics where we are making use of repetition.