even though my life has moved on
those in it fill it rich and full
spilling over
before me wide and open
landscape lush, skies blue and bright
your lack of heart to nurture, offer kindness
will remind me of what others have
what I will always give
*my daughter, four corners, Colorado*
I find the answers lodged in the rocks
wedged in my shoes
as I trudge
when I reach the destination
each pebble has a story
*somewhere in the Colorado mountains above Fairplay*
the creep of comfort
can crawl into the spaces where fresh air lives
stifle innovation
open the windows
breathe in
*El Dorado Canyon, Boulder*
I sit here with my son Josh
contemplating with him
the way life shapes our thoughts
reflections that are illusions
thoughts that are reality
shaping who we think we are
I think to myself
the treasure this child is
to grow and think thoughts with me
*Josh, Denver, CO*
the warmth of my living room is never so cozy
as when old man snow lays his hoary head against my window panes
*Denver, CO*
I see perfection
in a single blade of grass
harnessing the sun inside it’s perfect factory
I hear harmony in the rhythmic push and pull of moon and waves
I think about the clouds and the way they mold to fit the wind
I marvel at the city of creatures that lives beneath every mossy rock
life seems simple and achingly complex
*Charleston, SC*
I’d rather walk into a room of discomfort, anxious and trembling
than stay at home in peace
let me go on the journey over the mountains
than stroll by the stream with ease
courage is not a lack of fear
it is walking forward while carrying fear in your hands
*Oregon Coast*
I borrowed a teaspoon of your faith
I drank the shot of courage you handed me
I put that coin of belief in my pocket you lent me
I wear the scarf of courage you put around my neck
I put on the necklace of peace you brought me
I ate the kindness you prepared for me
I put on the shoes of comfort you gave me
so I can walk back into the world
When we can’t reach the water to sustain our souls
we need to bring it to each other
*my husband and daughter, Denver, CO*
let what must be said
be said
said well
this is an age of twisted meanings
messages and narratives crafted
sly and secret campaigns of the mind
then so they always were
you’d like to see it black and white with that cult you’re in
not a shred of gray in that lovely little ideal world you imagine we came from
the imaginary one you wish to build again
but it ain’t so
you exploit the narrative for your own truth
it ain’t so, sister
your experts can fuss about with their talk
it helps you look away
I’m sorry for your hardness that seeks to put your fine little world in a bubble
it ain’t so
I will use my words
use them well
call out the abundant garbage that shape-shifts in your mind
try to have a bit of compassion instead of looking away
*the botanical garden, LA*
all is well
and very well is all
when I still find magic in the moon
snow seems to be a billion shattered diamonds
my feet can’t keep the boogie beat away and I begin to sway
the kiss of my man melts me like a marsh mellow on the flame
I’ve got a few souls on this earth who mean more to me than every dollar I will ever earn
words are exquisite, every one, placed carefully, turned over, wrought from inside a soul
all is well
and very well is all
*coast of Oregon*
