Look up and out

Just because you feel that you are caught 

Between a rock and a hard place, 

That doesn’t mean there is no path 

Out of the situation; 

Only that you may well need 

To look up and out 

 To find a way to extricate yourself.

The swallows return

This is the fifth year the swallows have returned 

 To their nest, across from our front door. 

After their second year, 

We painted the house gray 

But left a few bits of yellow 

Rather than take down the nest. 

It’s worth the mess they leave on the steps below 

To see their little faces

And hear their little voices!

Courage to be you

It takes courage to be you; 

To be the one spot of color in a gray, gray world; 

To be the one red poppy in a summer-brown lawn; 

To be the one voice of love in a hate-filled room. 

May you find your way to others 

Who will join you in your quest to voice what’s true.

Welcoming fawns

Good morning, little ones, 

And welcome to our yard! 

Though we’re sad to see you eat our plants, 

We love to watch your joyful dance.

Glorious day

As the sun peeks over the mountains, 

Gilding the water below, 

The Eagle cries and the fawns race by: 

Another glorious day.

Grace and imagination

Our town has a new old car museum, 

Filled with charming vehicles

 From the early 1900’s, 

Many modeled on the carriages 

From horse and buggy days; 

Most built by tiny companies 

 Whose names are unfamiliar now 

Because they didn’t last. 

I imagine the excitement 

 Of those early days and marvel 

At the grace and imagination 

They built into their designs.

Mixed feelings

The yellow bush lupine 

Is not a native plant, I’m told, 

And is considered invasive, yet 

Each year I revel in its beauty 

As its golden blooms adorn 

The grounds around our lighthouse, 

And find I have mixed feelings about 

Our efforts to exclude 

These grace-filled immigrants…