And So, We Turn the Page

January 6, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

Years gather as links in a chain, some unremarkable, some adorned with jewels, and some bearing the marks of hardship. 2018, for me, would have an arrow shaped charm, pointing upwards, as this year heralded many firsts – a rebirth of sorts. For 2019, I pray to keep the momentum rolling – that I will […]

Shake Ups

January 5, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

The new year grabbed me in a choke hold and hog-tied me before I had a chance to even think about what it might bring. It started with a text that my mother was in hospital, followed by a harried searching of flights and anxious speculating about how I’ll get home. Me, who hasn’t ventured […]

Plans Change

January 3, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

‘Transition’ is the focus of my challenge this week. At the time of composing, I thought I would be reviewing last year’s lessons and gifts and preparing myself to greet the new. Life, of course, seldom fits into our neatly packaged plans. As I write this, I’m sitting in a hotel room, with my alarm […]

Celebrations

December 13, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge is celebrations. I can think of no greater celebration than when loved ones gather. Featured image is Ric & I on our wedding day.

A Pine Cone Un-pocketed

December 6, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Another day, I would have pocketed this gem, and gathered a few more, with dreams of painting them gold for Christmas along with the grandchildren – laughter and silliness filling the air. This year, I will leave it be, except for the photograph. The Christmas decorating goes on without us. We are chasing the golden […]

Choosing Life

December 6, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Buying time –resetting the dial,deviating from the norm… a healing place, here we go again,600 miles from home,recharging batteries… this might have beenan un-lived life. (My challenge this week is to make poetry from previous post titles. For this one, I chose to select only the titles that related to our recent journey.)

Seed Pods

December 5, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

We release our seedspray for their deliverance –mourn the emptiness. (For Cee’s FOTD.)

Lens-Artists: Splash!

November 28, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Imagine the courage –to flow freely –make a splash! undaunted by outer noise –neither rush, nor gush –totally unabashed Afraid I’d have to reset time,go back to simpler days –undo this lived crash. (Submitted to Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Splash, and V.J.’s weekly challenge: un-lived lives.)

Golden

November 24, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Life cycles ensurewhat once was green now golden –tribute to aging. (For Cee’s Flower of the Day)

Resetting the Dial

November 24, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

At fifty-nine, I was certain that I knew myself – accomplished, defined and established – but illness changed the framework from which my remaining time would unfold. I became a non-entity in my former career, and a ghost to friends. My children mourned the loss of their vibrant mother and settled into lowered expectations. […]

Imagine

If we could lift understandingto indigenous teachingsexpand our loveto earth, sky, and seaMake personal gain tabooand Ancients a weigh point If we could witness the mountainsslow floating across the skyand touch the dolphin’s soulanxiously swimmingwhere tuna are netted Would we cower at our insignificanceor move forward, learning to acceptthat all of life is deeply woveninto […]

Dear Child

I know a little girl,whose hair in ringletsfalls, unkempt from lackof brushing; who standswhen she should be sitting;who laughs with defiance whenchallenged, her dark eyes gleamingwith mischief; who holds her chin uphigh and stamps her feet, arms foldedin protest when she does not get her way. I see that little girl,have watched her play,with a […]

Re-de-fine-d

Ask me how I’m doingand I’ll say “fine”, notbecause I’m actually fine,but because “fine” is the onlysocially acceptable response. If I said that I have been lyinghere, for three hours now,willing my body to move,that would elicit unsolicitedadvice and tarnish my “fine”. I’d berate myself for breakingmy promise not to moan,knowing that complainingprovokes a compulsive […]