Acceptance

Acceptance

We find a way to Accept what is--
It is the only Way
There are some Things we cannot change
We Still enjoy each Day--

If life's too Frantic change the pace
Not hard as it may Seem
We can't accomplish Everything
Unless we have a team--

We realize what is Possible
and try to do our best
but cut ourselves and others slack
Embrace each day with zest--

We find a way to Accept what is
It is the only Way--
There are some Things we cannot change
We Must enjoy each Day--

For dVerse MTB - where we are writing in the style of Emily Dickinson
For Poets United Midweek Motif - theme:  acceptance

Green

Green

Green finds its way
does not give up
though fires burn
though fires destroy
green is persistent
green is resurgent
green always returns
green is hope.

This poem was written for dVerse Poetics where the prompt "is in tune with nature."

Summer's End

Summer's End

So soon does summer slip away
silently it saunters out of view
drifts a bit further every day
so soon does summer slip away
it lingers some but does not delay
I wonder will it miss me too
so soon does summer slip away
silently it saunters out of view.

About this time of year I feel the shortening of the days.
This triolet is written for Poetry Pantry.

Soup Kitchen

Soup Kitchen

Soup kitchen at Unity
every Wednesday they line up
come for a well cooked meal
and a visit to the food pantry

extra portions to take home
no questions asked they wait
after a prayer they eat
elders come to socialize

mothers with young children
rough-hewn men on their own
women of the street
middle-aged couples

      people with stories
      that one can never know

but today -  the day after
I just can't get my mind off
the thin young woman
with the horribly bruised face.

This is written for dVerse Open Link
and also for Poets' United Midweek Motif 
where the prompt is 'unity.'

Subway

Subway

Fumes and stench
not even one bench
three minutes before arrival

click clack
down the track
next metro to Manhattan

doors open
quickly crowd in
don't get caught in the door

No seat stand up
hang on and wait
everyone has earbuds

another stop
someone leaves
grab the seat first

click clack
down the track
three more stops to go

here we are
out the door
inhale fumes and smoke

find the exit
100 metal steps
fresh air at last.


For dVerse Poetics - "train"

Big City Fears

New York City Metro - at NON-rush hour

Big City Fears

fire breaks out
trapped on the fourth floor

the bomb explodes
domestic terrorism

gunman shoots
caught in the crossfire

elevator stops between
79th and 80th floors

pushed onto the tracks
of the upcoming metro

unexpectedly dead


I just returned from NYC, and while there realized
how vulnerable we all are.  Perhaps more so in
such a populated area, but really......everywhere.

For Poets United Poetry Pantry

Philosophy of Living

Philosophy of Living

If you find your own happiness

as you share in others' joy

everyone is blessed.

If you know in your heart that

something is right don't wait

seize the brass ring.

If you believe in tomorrow

don't let it prevent you

from full life each day.

If your actions express you

and  words speak your truth

let your faith guide the way.

This is written for Brian Miller's prompt at dVerse...."My Philosophy." Nice to see you, Brian.

(Thanks for any comments.  I will not be able to return them until Saturday.)

Politics Today

Politics Today

Is is true
politicians lie more today
than in the past
or are the lies just
more transparent?

Is it true
people are more gullible
than in the past
or am I just
more of a cynic?

Is it true
people trust social media
to tell them how to vote
or am I naive
to believe that?

How many crazies
can one fit in
the eye of a needle?
That is what
I want to know.

This is written for Poets United Poetry Pantry.
What do YOU think?

Night and Day

Night and Day

The day is short the night is long
thus we must raise our voice in song
praise God by actions in our life
work for  rapport and forego strife
embrace each day enjoy the sun
but not ignore work to be done
the day will end before we know
night will forever halt life's flow
life comprised of night and day
we must not squander time away.

This is written for Poets United Midweek Motif.
Sumana's prompt is "night."

To Pray

Summer Squash

To Pray

I pray with hands
that dig the earth
ready the soil
then plant deep

peppers, squash,
fresh basil, tomatoes
add fertilizer, water
then wait with
folded hands for

the sun to shine
rain to soak
plants to grow strong
ready for harvest

fruits of the land
I raise my eyes
raise my hands
my voice
in praise.

Fresh Basil

This is shared with Poets United Poetry Pantry.  This is a favorite time of year, the time of planting, the time of watching grow.  I took the photos in my garden today.  I love watching the tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, basil, etc. grow!

Seeking Freedom

Seeking Freedom

Eight years in a Thai refugee camp
A Burmese family gains freedom
their new life begins in America
fresh hopes and new goals
a home and job and education
immigrants who forge a new way.

An early morning knock
11-year-old son answers the door
two friendly men claim to be repairmen
and the naive boy lets them in
one man rifles through the house
the other holds a gun to the boy's neck.

Restraining the boy thugs demand money
and as the father scrambles to try
to get the gun away from  the boy's neck
the gunman shoots him in the chest
and he dies in front of his family, leaving
behind wife, four children, and his parents

and all he was seeking was freedom.

This is written for Poets' United Midweek Motif.
It happened in my metropolitan area last Thursday.
The mother & 11-year-old are pictured above.
The murderer has not been found.  The funeral
is on July 4.  A date (Independence Day) which
seems so ironic for his funeral. The family had 
nothing to steal.