Memories into night

And when the day’s end rises, 

What is it that we’ll carry with us 

Into the obscurity of night? 

Regrets, accomplishments, and wisdom — 

All fading into dreams, 

 Like gray clouds, merging 

Into a totality, 

 No single golden memory 

To linger, brighter; 

 Larger than the day we left behind…

Light ignites beauty

Light ignites beauty 

 In the simplest, most mundane settings. 

Let yours shine, and discover 

 How it makes the world more beautiful.

The light within

Though hidden behind the clouds 

Of worry, pain, and doubt or the daily grind, 

The light within you still shines out, 

Coloring all it touches 

And inspiring those who watch. 

Be patient and trust: 

This, too, shall pass.

Seeing possibilities

When we moved the ancient wood stove 

That came with our house 

Out of the sun porch 

(Where it was blocking the view) 

And into the yard at some random position 

(Where it’s now part of a different view, 

Because it’s too heavy to move again) 

People would comment:

 “We love your new fountain!” 

And we’d laugh… 

Change — always challenging — 

 Also offers opportunities 

 To see things from a different perspective; 

To open; to try new things; to take chances. 

I’m trying to get better at seeing possibilities 

 And letting go of longings for what was.

Gifted

Gifted from a neighbor’s garden to a friend, 

Who then gifted it to me, 

 This gift just keeps on giving: 

Beauty, color, texture, scent — 

If only each of us could be such gifts, 

Perfuming the world around us 

 With compassion, and joy…

Wildfires burning

Though our air quality here is clear, 

The reddish fog in the distance serves 

 To warn us of the wildfires burning 

Elsewhere in our county and our state:

The acres of forest lost, houses endangered, 

Animals left homeless, roadways blocked, 

The fire fighters’ lives at risk. 

We lift our hands in a silent prayer 

 For the safety of all affected, and for rain.

The shock of separation

Yes, in the beginning, 

 We are nurtured. 

 But at some point we’ll be forced 

 To learn to make it on our own, 

 Though that choice may not be ours, 

 And separation may prove to be a shock.