A Winter Rondel

A Winter Rondel

Each winter day is way too long

the gray and cold give me a chill

and to endure takes strongest will

in warmer seasons I belong.

The seasons are divided wrong

for after fall its long downhill

Each winter day is way too long

the gray and cold give me a chill

Endurance depends on being strong

and finding purpose to fulfill.

winter has surely lost its thrill

I tire of its discordant song

each winter day is way too long.

A rondel for Poets United Poetry Pantry
Written originally in 2014 - but so apt for today!

I Worry

I Worry

I worry about the weather
will it snow or rain
will the temperature drop

will the roads ice over
will the schools close
will the high wind stop soon

The other day the garage
door would not go down
I worried until situation solved

Sometimes one of the dogs
does not want to eat
I worry until she eats again

I worry about the world
the crazy politicians in charge
will next election bring change?

I worry about air and water pollution
global warming and animals dying
overuse of plastics and straws

I worry about many things
all out of my control
what on earth can one do

but sing a song of joy
dance a dance of hope
if all else fails    -     sleep!

Written for Poetry Pantry

Dreams

Dreams

I wonder where good dreams go
after they are dreamt
do they inhabit a secret garden
somewhere just out of view?

And what about nightmares
is there a place for them too
perhaps they have retreated
to the far side of the moon

I wonder what dogs dream
when they sleep so sound
sometimes their legs move
are they chasing a squirrel?

I wonder about flowers
when they wave and bend
are they sending off dreams
as petals dance in the wind?

I wonder if a dream is
more blessing or more curse
and if we will meet again
when I am fast asleep.


Written for Poets United Poetry Pantry

January Wind

January Wind

Tonight the wind screams with shrill voice
and no human can survive out of doors.

I wonder where the deer and squirrels go
to warm themselves in ferocious weather.

I wonder where small birds go for cover
if there is nowhere for them to hide or fly.

Tonight windows and doors whistle, clatter
spurred on by the howl no one can ignore.

Even moon and stars hide this night
when discord reigns as winds shriek cruel.

But yet I realize blue skies will prevail again,
my reflection mirrored in tranquil eyes.

And the wind will be a refreshing breeze
as birds once again flutter between trees.


This is a poem from 2014, but it could have been written today.
We are having a stretch of VERY cold weather.  I am linking this
poem to Sunday's Poetry Pantry.  Hoping it will warm up soon!

Tribute to Mary Oliver

Tribute to Mary Oliver  (1935-2019)

      "I don't want to end up simply having visited this world." -- Mary Oliver in When Death Comes.

I am reading Mary Oliver poems
with fresh appreciation these days
after she has died

and no she has not simply
visited this world but
has left it a richer place

poetic observations left behind
and I am sure that as she passed through
the door we'll all find some day

with curiosity about what will be
a lightness of body and spirit
no more disease or pain

she will rise above what she knew
to something richer than she dreamed
move forward in endless time

and we are all extremely blessed
by Mary Oliver's poetry which
gifts us with her view of the world.

Written for Poets United Poetry Pantry.

Does Earth Feel

Does Earth Feel?

Does earth feel
does earth cry
I cannot

imagine that
earth does not
know that it is
in danger

as earth screams
bares its teeth
shakes its fists boldly
it speaks

in typhoons
forest fires
global warming

as icebergs shrink
polar bears starve
and coral reefs die
can we

turn around
bring back hope
not yet too late
to change

if not us
who will stop
the train?

------------------------------
This is my second "arch" poem written for Poetry Pantry. The form
works as follows:

1st stanza: 3 words/3 words/2 words

2nd stanza:  2 words/3 words/4 words/2 words

3rd stanza:  3 words/3 words/ 4 words/2 words

4th stanza:  2 words/3words/2 words

5th stanza:  3 words/3words/4 words/2 words

6th stanza:  2 words/3words/4 words/ 2 words

7th stanza:  3 words/3words/2words

A Sense of Calm

A Sense of Calm

Flames dance elegantly

as Basil enjoys

their heat

and rests

ever so peacefully

without concern or uncertainty

total bliss

if only humans

could find joy

in such restful innocence

as this

I observe

him lazing there

watching me

I watch him

my warmth glows

hot as the flames

he knows

I love

and I know

he is comfortable there

at rest

I feel calm

as fire dances

I reflect.

Submitted to Poetry Pantry

This poem is a new form invented by a friend who wishes to remain private for now.  She calls the form 'arch,' in which the 4th stanza is - as she says - 'much like the keystone for an arch, holding both sides together.'

Details:  The poem is 7 stanzas long with 69 words.  Stanzas break down as follows:

1st stanza: 3 words/3 words/2 words

2nd stanza:  2 words/3 words/4 words/2 words

3rd stanza:  3 words/3 words/ 4 words/2 words

4th stanza:  2 words/3words/2 words

5th stanza:  3 words/3words/4 words/2 words

6th stanza:  2 words/3words/4 words/ 2 words

7th stanza:  3 words/3words/2words

Now Is the Time

source

Now is the Time

Now is the time to reflect

on what the year has given

to consider the year ahead

all that it might bring

to treasure one's family

it is the only one we have

to contemplate friendships

most often taken for granted

to remember unexpected gifts

that came at the right moment

to consider one's talents

how they can be used

to reflect on one's beliefs

how they might inspire action

to think about inner joy

how to pass it to others

now is the time to look back

the opportunity to look ahead

now is the time to reflect

how to begin the new year.

Blessings to each of you as we wind down another poetic year.  May your holiday be all that you want it to be!      For Poets United Poetry Pantry.

Another Year

Another Year

Another year draws to an end

and I realize every ending is

a beginning of something new

I could not have imagined

what this year brought my way

nor can I imagine what is ahead

that is the way life works

beginnings foretell endings

endings foretell beginnings

it is a continuous cycle

for better or for worse

the world keeps on turning

and I keep on living

not knowing what is around

the corner in my life

or what 2019 will bring

to the world!

For Poetry Pantry.

I Was Away

I Was Away

I was away from poetry for a while

I would like to say I missed it

and could hardly wait to write a new poem.

I was away from poetry for a while

I would like to say I could not live without it

but that would be an untruth.

I was away from poetry for a while

I realized how easy it would be

to just fade away and not return.

I was away from poetry for a while

but now I am back once again

and struggle to find meaningful words.

I was away from poetry for a while

and poetry was also away from me.

This poem is for Poets United Poetry Pantry.

After two weeks away, I am back.  Smiles.

Hope everyone is doing fine.  It will be nice

to read your poetry again.

Hope

Hope I

In these days of anger and anxiety
and dying inside from the stress of life
I will find hope in the cuddle of a dog

In these days of so much bad news
when everything is dark and bleak
I will find hope in the sunrise

In these days when things seem
to go from bad to worse to impossible
I will find hope in the crunch of leaves.

In these days when lies and hate
are more prevalent than tolerance and love
I will find hope in the smile at a stranger.

Hope II     

In these days unlike any in my lifetime
in these days of every day a new low
in these days where truth is on holiday

in these days where the enemy list grows
in these days where the press is persecuted
in these days when nationalism is praised

I will strive to find hope.


This has been written for Poetry Pantry on a day I could be more hopeful really.  But there were a few good things that happened in this past week's election.  We maintained our wonderful Senator & elected a new governor in this state.  Nationally there was some good news as well.  But still I feel this country has not reached the bottom yet.  But I will try to keep hope alive.  I must.  We must.

One More Shooting

One More Shooting

One more mass shooting
more lives lost
shooter gunning for Jews
..........this time.

but next time it could be
the Muslims, the women,
People of Color, Latinex,
the democrats, migrants

but next time it could be
GLBTQ, the press, the caravan
of women and children
one thousand miles away.

Next time it could be me or you
it is not always the 'other'
who is being targeted
many must live in fear.

My heart cries for
the families of those shot
at their place of worship
going about their daily lives

My heart cries for victims
of all shootings and for those
who were targeted by a
right wing crazy mailing bombs

One more mass shooting
more lives lost
shooter gunning for Jews
.........this time.

For Poets United Poetry Pantry.


I had stayed away from this kind of 'poetry' for a while.  But I have been angry and sad this week about what this country has become.  Sometimes I think that so many horrific things are happening that we cannot even keep track of them and cannot react to all of them - for our own sanity.  I hope that after Tuesday's election there will be a bit of hope in the land, but the way the Republicans are trying in various states to prevent people from voting (through various means) I am concerned.

Another Autumn Poem

Wikimedia Commons

Another Autumn Poem

No scent or sight of flowers
when summer fell away
and autumn held sway.

All is still with leaves in a heap,
now skimmed of all but a fleck
of what they had once been.

The end: a load of nothingness
to fill an empty wheelbarrow.

I wrote this a few years ago and like it.  Decided to share it once again in the Poetry Pantry!

Chill

Chill

Chill moves in
so silently subtly
as silver frost
blankets the ground
turns green grass brittle
before brown

and I weep a bit for what was
and is no more and wonder
will the grass survive winter

and I cry for summer past
for all summers passed
and for everything passing

and

I realize
this is the way life is
the chill arrives
when least expected
autumn arrives
then winter
way too soon.

For Poetry Pantry.

I wrote this poem for the Pantry in 2015.  It seems appropriate to share it today.
We definitely are feeling the chill in the air along with blustery winds today. Another autumn is biting the dust.

At the End of the Day

Leaves of a tree at the farmers' market this morning

At the End of the Day

Was I kind?
Did I give more than take?
Did I read something inspiring?
Did I do something to inspire?

Did I smile more than frown?
Did I see others?
Did I allow myself to be seen?
Did I breathe deeply?

Did I walk more than sit?
Did I hold my tongue?
Did I listen to my body?
Did I choose to be happy?

Did I seek?
Did I love?
Did I live?

Written for Poets United Poetry Pantry

Let Us Bless the Earth

Let Us Bless the Earth

Let us bless the earth
the way it has sustained us
since the beginning of time

Let us bless the earth
its patience despite the
folly of humankind

Let us bless the earth
each season's beauty
remarkably sublime

Let us bless the earth
innumerable peaceful places
where beauty does shine

Let us bless the earth
its kindness to all beings
with wisdom crystalline

Let us bless the earth
let us bless the earth
yes it is now time.

Written for Poets United Poetry Pantry

Home

Home


To invite someone into one's home
means one is willing to discard coat
of anonymity to expose what is real
shed every ounce of ambiguity
without usual superficial pretense.

Outside the home one can pretend
parade flamboyant finery for all to see
but inside dark corners are visible
the dust of one's life is on display
an invitation to see is an act of faith

To invite someone into one's home
is a sign of trust that the other
will still find one worthy despite
unwashed dishes in the sink
and carpet replacement overdue

To invite someone into one's home
is an act of courage as well as a gift
to accept an invitation is a willingness
to observe what is real and true and
to know secrets beneath the surface.

This is written for Poets United Poetry Pantry

Absence

Absence

Our lives are surrounded by absences
parents who have left us
pets who have crossed the bridge
children who have moved away
friends no longer in our lives
lovers who have moved on

Some absences we welcome
absence of illness
absence of pain
absence of loneliness
absence of toxic people
absence of fear
absence of winter chill

Some absences leave a hole
absence of purpose
absence of a full family table
absence of hope
absence of faith
absence of passion
absence of a place to belong

May we come to accept that
absence makes presence possible
that absence is not void
but can inspire the great
reaching out to something new
to fill the echoing void
loving acceptance of what
is already present in our lives

Our lives are surrounded by absences
may we find the presences hidden within.


Written for Poets United Poetry Pantry.

Travel

Travel

Every time you leave home
you travel somewhere......

sometimes it is a familiar path
and sometimes the journey
brings you somewhere
you did not choose to go

Some paths are busy
and you meet many people
and some streets are bare
and you have only yourself
for company

When you travel
the importance may be hidden
until some future time
when you reflect
on all you have seen

Even if you travel with someone
you really travel all alone
as your thoughts are yours
and your inner journey
belongs to only you

and when you return home
you should be refreshed
enriched by the path you took
chosen or unchosen
the journey was yours alone

Every time you leave home
you travel somewhere.....

Written for Sunday's Poetry Pantry

Keep the Faith

Keep the Faith

When the light around you lessens
seek the flicker in the dark
there is always a spark to be found

When your voice begins to quiver
continue to speak your words
know you are being heard

When the world seems unsteady
and the ground beneath you shakes
seek a hand of support.

When you feel bereft of faith
look deep within your soul
one spark will become a flame.

Keep the faith.

For Poetry Pantry
Do you ever write a poem to inspire yourself?
Occasionally I do.  This is one of those poems.