Dismantled

Watching the dismantling 

 Of the systems put in place to protect 

All those less fortunate than ourselves 

 Creates an unassuageable ache in the hearts 

Of all who were once proud to have been 

Part of a country founded on the principles

Of inalienable rights and equality. 

What will it take to rebuild?

Maintaining focus

There’s still clarity and beauty out there, 

It’s just hard to detect 

When so much is happening in the foreground: 

The reflections of our own thoughts and fears, 

The raindrops of our tears,

The light all the pundits try to shed, 

And the flag waving of both sides — 

All obscuring what we know to be true: 

 Compassion and hope must prevail.

Artist as poet

It took me sixty years 

 To discover I was an artist, 

And I may spend another sixty 

Exploring what that means,

 But I always knew I was a poet; 

I just didn’t know I could be both; 

That I didn’t need to choose between the two, 

Or that the rhythms found in one could be 

Reflected in the other…

Creative tension

The question is this: 

What do we choose to focus on? 

The fierceness of the storm, 

Or the colors in the sky — 

Or can we hold it all in creative tension; 

That both are true, 

And therein lies an opportunity 

To express what needs to be birthed 

 At this particular moment in time?

Be watchful and brave

Despite the high winds, he climbed 

 To the topmost branch of the tree, 

Then crossed to a neighboring branch 

That swayed in the wind, 

Then climbed back down 

To a stabler place 

And settled in to watch the deer. 

We’ll need to be equally watchful 

 And brave in the coming months: 

There’s a lot at stake.

Living on edge

It seems we’re all living 

Life on the edge these days. 

Somehow we need to find 

The beauty and possibility in that 

And not become paralyzed 

By our fear of falling…

Morning greetings

It’s morning, 

And the mama and her yearling 

Are here to greet me as the day begins. 

My heart sings, 

Rejoicing in our connection.