Thursday, April 30, 2020
The Poem Starts Here
The Poem Starts Here
The poem starts here
right now in this moment
of this my seventh writing day
It awakens early in the morning
moves from room to room
looks out the window
notices the pouring rain
has a bagel with coffee
before deciding what to do
and it doesn't question what to write
which subject or which words
because all beginnings lead somewhere
down hallways into rooms
up some stairs and down others
doors open and doors close
and I will not question the poem
its subject or its choice of words
as there is no right or wrong
only today leading to tomorrow
into some kind of unknown future
this poem ends here
Wild Writing
Day 7
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
What If?
What If?
What if the time of the virus went on for the rest of my life
and I could never interact with people again
that this is what life would always be like
isolating being the forever norm
a trapped feeling a way of life
the anger building
smile fading.
What if the time of the virus went on for the rest of my life
and I ran out of things to do and books to read
and areas to clean and junk to throw out
while nightmares replaced restful sleep
and I wanted to scream loudly
to shake a fist at God
and did.
Wild Writing - Day 6
What if the time of the virus went on for the rest of my life
and I could never interact with people again
that this is what life would always be like
isolating being the forever norm
a trapped feeling a way of life
the anger building
smile fading.
What if the time of the virus went on for the rest of my life
and I ran out of things to do and books to read
and areas to clean and junk to throw out
while nightmares replaced restful sleep
and I wanted to scream loudly
to shake a fist at God
and did.
Wild Writing - Day 6
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Weren't We Beautiful Then?
Weren't We Beautiful Then?
Weren't we beautiful then
when we walked through the streets of Jerusalem
enjoyed the scenes, people, food, ambiance
wandered into stores and freely touched what we wanted to buy.
Weren't we beautiful then
when we could hike along the Seven Bridges Trail
peopled or not, Covid still an unknown word,
winding through nature, hair blowing in the wind.
Weren't we beautiful then
when we had a family Memorial Day barbecue
nothing like grilled burgers being eaten together,
lively conversation, a shared meal around a common table.
Weren't we beautiful then
when we visited Kopps Ice Cream
on a hot summer day and sat on benches to eat
and it didn't matter if we were six feet away.
Weren't we beautiful then
when we planned what we wanted to do
didn't have to worry about infected people
life was so gentle then.
Weren't we beautiful then
I realize we took so much for granted
oblivious to the fact that things could change
we have pictures of the way things were.
Weren't we beautiful then
our days stretched out before us
the sun shining - and when the rain came
we knew the sun would appear tomorrow.
Weren't we beautiful then?
Wild Writing Day 5
Weren't we beautiful then
when we walked through the streets of Jerusalem
enjoyed the scenes, people, food, ambiance
wandered into stores and freely touched what we wanted to buy.
Weren't we beautiful then
when we could hike along the Seven Bridges Trail
peopled or not, Covid still an unknown word,
winding through nature, hair blowing in the wind.
Weren't we beautiful then
when we had a family Memorial Day barbecue
nothing like grilled burgers being eaten together,
lively conversation, a shared meal around a common table.
Weren't we beautiful then
when we visited Kopps Ice Cream
on a hot summer day and sat on benches to eat
and it didn't matter if we were six feet away.
Weren't we beautiful then
when we planned what we wanted to do
didn't have to worry about infected people
life was so gentle then.
Weren't we beautiful then
I realize we took so much for granted
oblivious to the fact that things could change
we have pictures of the way things were.
Weren't we beautiful then
our days stretched out before us
the sun shining - and when the rain came
we knew the sun would appear tomorrow.
Weren't we beautiful then?
Wild Writing Day 5
Monday, April 27, 2020
What Do You Want to Remember About These Days?
What Do You Want to Remember About These Days?
What do you want to remember about these days
that stretched out endlessly without much change
wondering what we would do during the day
and never a different kind of answer
the way we peeled carrots and potatoes and parsnips
the hum of the dishwasher and the whir of the roomba
warmth of dogs cuddling on my outstretched legs
thoughts in the middle of the night that interfered with sleep
new possibilities that emerge when least expected
texts to my grandchildren that often went unanswered
even though I know they are home
the books I tried to read but couldn't
the Netflix shows we watched to fritter away the day
the way I finally made myself throw things out
realization that I hardly had the need for shoes
and could subsist with a few sweatshirts and jeans
hoping for warmth and no rain so we could walk
at a time of day we'd encounter no people
morning prayer and evening studies
church services and movie discussion group
how much social life revolved around zoom
how I was more antsy than lonely
wanting to move myself but where is there to go
as I yearned for the day I could shop again
what do you want to remember about these days
just what is worth remembering about today?
Wildest Days - Day 4
What do you want to remember about these days
that stretched out endlessly without much change
wondering what we would do during the day
and never a different kind of answer
the way we peeled carrots and potatoes and parsnips
the hum of the dishwasher and the whir of the roomba
warmth of dogs cuddling on my outstretched legs
thoughts in the middle of the night that interfered with sleep
new possibilities that emerge when least expected
texts to my grandchildren that often went unanswered
even though I know they are home
the books I tried to read but couldn't
the Netflix shows we watched to fritter away the day
the way I finally made myself throw things out
realization that I hardly had the need for shoes
and could subsist with a few sweatshirts and jeans
hoping for warmth and no rain so we could walk
at a time of day we'd encounter no people
morning prayer and evening studies
church services and movie discussion group
how much social life revolved around zoom
how I was more antsy than lonely
wanting to move myself but where is there to go
as I yearned for the day I could shop again
what do you want to remember about these days
just what is worth remembering about today?
Wildest Days - Day 4
Sunday, April 26, 2020
Today When I Could Do Nothing
Today When I Could Do Nothing
Today when I could do nothing
I do very little which is something
I realize I am not an essential service
which means I have no obligations
and so I can forgive myself
for the leisurely drift through the day
I often yearned to have life slow down
but now all days are slow
unhurried and leisurely hour by hour
no need to rush on a sheltering day
Yet why am I sometimes so tired
from doing only a little something
not rushing into anything
merely watching the hours flow
I do very little which is something
today when I could do nothing.
Wildest Days - Day 3
Today when I could do nothing
I do very little which is something
I realize I am not an essential service
which means I have no obligations
and so I can forgive myself
for the leisurely drift through the day
I often yearned to have life slow down
but now all days are slow
unhurried and leisurely hour by hour
no need to rush on a sheltering day
Yet why am I sometimes so tired
from doing only a little something
not rushing into anything
merely watching the hours flow
I do very little which is something
today when I could do nothing.
Wildest Days - Day 3
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Pandemic
Pandemic
What if you thought of it as opportunity
an opportunity for silence
an opportunity for reflection
time to explore just who you are
when there is nothing else you can do
but just be.......
What if you thought of it as an opportunity
to connect with God and nature
reach out with heart and mind
empathize with other humankind
(we're all in this together)
What if you thought of it as an opportunity
to read more (and something different)
be kinder and more tolerant
to organize one's space
to do what had been neglected
What if you thought of it as opportunity
to explore more of who you are
learn something new
listen without the need to speak
at this time of slowness when there is time
to just be......
Wildest Days - Day 2
What if you thought of it as opportunity
an opportunity for silence
an opportunity for reflection
time to explore just who you are
when there is nothing else you can do
but just be.......
What if you thought of it as an opportunity
to connect with God and nature
reach out with heart and mind
empathize with other humankind
(we're all in this together)
What if you thought of it as an opportunity
to read more (and something different)
be kinder and more tolerant
to organize one's space
to do what had been neglected
What if you thought of it as opportunity
to explore more of who you are
learn something new
listen without the need to speak
at this time of slowness when there is time
to just be......
Wildest Days - Day 2
Now that the Virus is Here
Now that the Virus is Here
I'd like to tell you the way it is now that the virus is here
gas is cheap but there is nowhere to go
I can't remember the date of my last fill up
a highlight of the day can be food delivery
but food must sit on the porch a while for safety
and then sanitized before it is put away
and when we drove to the other side of the city
just to look at the lake I was aware of how many
people did not wear masks--working men
chatted by their trucks as they always did
before the virus came and young men ran
biked or walked, feeling invincibility of youth
not realizing things have changed with the virus
not caring that their bravado may infect us all
and I have found myself yearning to walk through
grocery stores, to choose my own meat and produce
instead of having it chosen by an invisible shopper
and remembering how it was to sit in a theater
or church or restaurant, to have a family dinner
where people sat together instead of talking on Zoom
which is all we can do now held captive by the virus
and I wonder how long it will be before schools can open
before we can get haircuts or go to the dentist
how long before another baseball season
whether we will feel safe at a large concert ever again
or shake hands as we did before the virus came
I shelter in place and wonder what the world will learn
from this time much of the world has come to a halt,
but this is the way it is now
now that the virus is here.
Written for 27 Wildest Days - Day 1
Shared at Earthweal.
I'd like to tell you the way it is now that the virus is here
gas is cheap but there is nowhere to go
I can't remember the date of my last fill up
a highlight of the day can be food delivery
but food must sit on the porch a while for safety
and then sanitized before it is put away
and when we drove to the other side of the city
just to look at the lake I was aware of how many
people did not wear masks--working men
chatted by their trucks as they always did
before the virus came and young men ran
biked or walked, feeling invincibility of youth
not realizing things have changed with the virus
not caring that their bravado may infect us all
and I have found myself yearning to walk through
grocery stores, to choose my own meat and produce
instead of having it chosen by an invisible shopper
and remembering how it was to sit in a theater
or church or restaurant, to have a family dinner
where people sat together instead of talking on Zoom
which is all we can do now held captive by the virus
and I wonder how long it will be before schools can open
before we can get haircuts or go to the dentist
how long before another baseball season
whether we will feel safe at a large concert ever again
or shake hands as we did before the virus came
I shelter in place and wonder what the world will learn
from this time much of the world has come to a halt,
but this is the way it is now
now that the virus is here.
Written for 27 Wildest Days - Day 1
Shared at Earthweal.
Monday, January 27, 2020
Nothing Good
Nothing Good
So many animals dying
I can't look at another picture
I can't watch another video
nothing good comes of this
for me
I just can't wrap my arms
or my heart or my head
around such sadness now
nothing good comes of this
for me
I have to focus elsewhere
protect myself as I must
lest I sink into a dark abyss
nothing good comes of this
for me.
--------------
I am profoundly sad and heartbroken
for the animals of climate change,
for all who suffer and die
due to human negligence
but along with everything else
happening in this country, this world
for self preservation I have to look away.
This was written in response to Sherry Blue Sky's challenge at Earthweal: The Animals of Climate Change.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
What Do You Drink?
What Do You Drink?
but is it safe to drink bottled water when
93% of bottled water contains micro-plastic particles
if water is not safe to drink, what is?
If one drinks water from the tap it could come from
a lead service line causing poisoning over the years
Not only Flint but in the metro areas of many cities
of course most often in the most impoverished areas.
Resource: https://orbmedia.org/stories/plus-plastic/ (plastic particles in bottled water)
Resource: https://www.edf.org/health/lead-pipes-threat-kids-across-america (lead in pipes)
In your comment, let me know what water you most often drink. I have shown a picture of New Zealand Artesian Water, which I most often drink. Sometimes I drink sparkling water. My tap water IS safe, I think. No lead pipe, but still more chemicals than the artesian water. I do use tap water for coffee though. Smiles.
This was written for / shared with Earthweal Weekly Challenge - Water.
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Privacy
Privacy
What of one's life is private anymore?
We are involved with social media
sharing where we are and with whom
what we think politically
where we travel and where we eat
who our family is and our friends
whether we are single, dating
married, divorced, or not.
As if it mattered.
What of one's life is private anymore?
We tweet in response to someone
or perhaps just tweet in order
to elicit response, post recipes
or photos on pinterest, use
instagram to gain followers/friends
with poetry or dogs or smiling faces
or beautiful plates of well-prepared food.
As if it mattered.
What of one's life is private anymore?
Are we less lonely from constant exposure
posting our poems in the blogosphere
waiting for someone/anyone to respond
playing Words with Friends with strangers
wondering who would notice if we
disappeared into the abyss forever
is this what life has become?
As if it mattered.
This is posted for Earthweal Open Link #3 and also for The Sunday Muse with its bottle tree photo. I look upon the photo as representing the lack of privacy when all is hung for the world to see.
Monday, January 13, 2020
Your Eyes
 |
| Arctic Fox - photo from "Sunday Muse" |
Your Eyes
Your eyes do not frighten me
their intensity seizes my gaze
never has there been a time like this
never has there been a time like this
with so many invaluable lives dying
fires, global warming, guns, disease
stench of death chokes my mind
and as the devastation continues
I perceive the ghosts of those deceased
so many spirits virtually fill the sky
so many spirits virtually fill the sky
perhaps it is they who are reflected
in the intense sadness of your eyes
of a depth I struggle to comprehend.
This poem is written for Sunday Muse #90 and Earthweal Weekly Challenge - Ghosts.
So many animals, so many species, exist no more thanks to the devastation humankind has caused and continues to cause. We have to hope........and act.
of a depth I struggle to comprehend.
This poem is written for Sunday Muse #90 and Earthweal Weekly Challenge - Ghosts.
So many animals, so many species, exist no more thanks to the devastation humankind has caused and continues to cause. We have to hope........and act.
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Beginning a New Year
Beginning a New Year
The new year has begun
no distinct difference marks
the point between
one year and another
so
in my mind I flow gently
out of one year into another
with a glass of champagne
I first look back then ahead
knowing
my past now only memory
the path a life lived well
in many completed chapters
all leading somewhere
but where
will I travel next as I
cross into year 2020
embrace a new chapter
and enter into the yet
unknown
Posted to Earthweal's Open Link
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
An End of Another Year
An End of Another Year
So it is the end of another year
and as I watch impeachment proceedings
I wonder if it is not also the end of an era
of truth had been the standard to embrace.
So it is the end of another year
and time to contemplate mortality
another college friend funeral this week
three gone, but five of us remain....yet.
So it is the end of another year
presents are bought though not wrapped
homes are decorated with resplendent lights
children are born, thus hope still lives.
Porch pirates now steal delivered gifts
some of them caught by ring doorbell cameras
oh what a strange world we live in now
with few paper Christmas cards sent any more.
But I heard real Christmas trees are resurging
I see them being sold everywhere now
but wonder if this is not a waste of trees
which might better be left in the ground.
So it is the end of the year for us all
We must try to keep hope for future
2020 will arrive soon, let's embrace hope
for the world and for one another.
Written for Susan's last Midweek Motif
Have a happy holiday everyone and have hope for the new year!
So it is the end of another year
and as I watch impeachment proceedings
I wonder if it is not also the end of an era
of truth had been the standard to embrace.
So it is the end of another year
and time to contemplate mortality
another college friend funeral this week
three gone, but five of us remain....yet.
So it is the end of another year
presents are bought though not wrapped
homes are decorated with resplendent lights
children are born, thus hope still lives.
Porch pirates now steal delivered gifts
some of them caught by ring doorbell cameras
oh what a strange world we live in now
with few paper Christmas cards sent any more.
But I heard real Christmas trees are resurging
I see them being sold everywhere now
but wonder if this is not a waste of trees
which might better be left in the ground.
So it is the end of the year for us all
We must try to keep hope for future
2020 will arrive soon, let's embrace hope
for the world and for one another.
Written for Susan's last Midweek Motif
Have a happy holiday everyone and have hope for the new year!
Friday, November 8, 2019
Writing Poetry
Writing Poetry
I wonder if I have written
all of the poems I have in me.
Does every poet have a finite
number of poems inside?
When poems are exhausted
is there nothing more?
Or if the number is infinite
will I be inspired to write again?
What motivates a poet to write,
who determines words' importance?
And the question behind the question -
who besides another poet cares?
For Poetry Pantry
If you comment, I would be interested in what you think.
How would you answer any / all of the questions?
What do you think about writing poetry in general?
Saturday, October 26, 2019
October
October
Embrace October
hold it close to your breast
welcome its presence into your life
do not dread the chill in the air
the falling of leaves, the losses borne
the shadow of death on the horizon.
Death is not yet, death is not yet.
Embrace October
appreciate the gifts it brings
the new beauty, the fresh outlook
a time of love and reflection.
Slow down to look again
at what is important and true.
You'll feel it yet, you'll feel it yet.
Embrace October
with all its contradictions
possible alongside impossible
not looking back, nor far ahead.
Live today with October's bounty
know you have only this day.
You have it yet, you have it yet.
I am sharing this poem from 2013 in today's Poetry Pantry. It feels apt and important. It is still October. We all have this day to enjoy. Only this day! Today! You have it yet. I wish each of you well today and all the todays ahead of you.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
All Saints Day
All Saints Day
Light a candle for those who have died
for loved ones who have gone before
we all travel the same path
and sometimes I like to think
that those who have gone before
may light candles for us too
on the other side of the great divide.
This is one from 2014, but it remains a significant poem for me. All Saints Day occurs almost the same time as Halloween. I am thinking at this moment of all those saints who have gone before. Posted in Poetry Pantry.
Friday, October 11, 2019
If Only
If Only
I always hope for happy endings
in life or movies or books
someone lives happily ever after
evil punished, good rewarded
tornado doesn't touch ground
trapped miners rescued
bomb does not detonate
most qualified promoted
good deeds recognized
drowning man revived
everyone safe at home
friend a friend forever
families live in peace
every disease a cure
best candidate wins
prayer answered
brakes take hold
depression lifted
sick child healed
lost child found
gun unloaded
plane lands
wars end
every problem has a solution
if only it were so.
For Poets United Poetry Pantry
I continue to wax nostalgic. This poem of mine was first posted in Poetry Pantry #6. Nothing has changed since then. If anyone wants to continue to communicate with me via email after I am no longer part of Poets United's staff at the end of October, please do let me know. Either email me or leave your email address with me below.
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Silence
Silence
Where do all the poems go
when people are silent?
Where does life go
when people are silent?
Silence is heavy, but is
perhaps the new norm as life
evolves, changes. Other
things take precedence
or there is no time or
less interest as other
things fill the space and
sometimes it is just
so easy to forget. Part
of society's cycle. But
as a creature of habit
I cannot help feeling sad
and wonder if someday
I will cast my words
to the wind and they
will disappear on
a gentle warm breeze
and I will stand there
waving good-bye
to nothing in particular.
This poem was written originally on August 7, 2010, and was submitted for Poetry Pantry #3. Actually I am amazed at this poem, how very profound it is and how relevant it is to me today. As I read it, it is like going back into a time machine.....and yes, it is still true!
Submitted once again for Poetry Pantry #495.
Thursday, September 19, 2019
In One Second
In One Second (Revisited)
In one second life can forever change;
someone becomes pregnant, falls
downstairs, opens the door to the
intruder, hears it's cancer, it's over,
it's too late, sees a look she was not
meant to see, speaks words without
thought, cannot pull them back, pulls
the trigger, encounters black ice, skids
can't stop. All it takes is one second
for life to twist down an unforeseen path
and directions to the former path are lost.
I wrote this poem on November 12, 2008. A bit of nostalgia. It is significant to me because it is the poem I linked in Poets United's VERY first Poetry Pantry on July 27, 2010. This week it is Poetry Pantry 494.
In one second life can forever change;
someone becomes pregnant, falls
downstairs, opens the door to the
intruder, hears it's cancer, it's over,
it's too late, sees a look she was not
meant to see, speaks words without
thought, cannot pull them back, pulls
the trigger, encounters black ice, skids
can't stop. All it takes is one second
for life to twist down an unforeseen path
and directions to the former path are lost.
I wrote this poem on November 12, 2008. A bit of nostalgia. It is significant to me because it is the poem I linked in Poets United's VERY first Poetry Pantry on July 27, 2010. This week it is Poetry Pantry 494.
Friday, September 13, 2019
Not the Last Poem
Not the Last Poem
This is not the last poem I will write
no final statement to read at my grave
nothing of great significance to anyone
imperfect, unrevised, rough. Words float
to the page, profound or unpolished,
it matters not, as there will be another poem
tomorrow and tomorrow after that, but someday
I will write the perfect poem to capture my life
will then be able leave this earth satisfied
that I have created the last poem I will write.
No revisions to poem or life possible,
life's work complete.
This is a poem I wrote in 2008 - unrevised - before ANYONE was reading my poetry. One of the first poems blogged. I like my early work much better than anything I write now, to be honest. Sometimes I truly am amazed at the 'good stuff' I discover when I look back.
Sharing in Poets United Poetry Pantry
This is not the last poem I will write
no final statement to read at my grave
nothing of great significance to anyone
imperfect, unrevised, rough. Words float
to the page, profound or unpolished,
it matters not, as there will be another poem
tomorrow and tomorrow after that, but someday
I will write the perfect poem to capture my life
will then be able leave this earth satisfied
that I have created the last poem I will write.
No revisions to poem or life possible,
life's work complete.
This is a poem I wrote in 2008 - unrevised - before ANYONE was reading my poetry. One of the first poems blogged. I like my early work much better than anything I write now, to be honest. Sometimes I truly am amazed at the 'good stuff' I discover when I look back.
Sharing in Poets United Poetry Pantry
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