Tuesday, January 31, 2012

River of Stones #31

We whispered

our goodbyes

through a casket lid

but the heaviness stays

as we wonder

how our sister

will face each morning

with his side of the bed empty.

Poetic Asides Tritina challenge

The Love of a Family

When a loved one is snatched by death,
Death trembles in the presence of family.
Though one is fallen, each member stands.

In love, in strength, in hope each member stands.
They help each other face death
And continue on as a family.

Even though one has left the family,
his memory stands
as he goes on to live past death.

Even through death, the love of a family stands.

Monday, January 30, 2012

River of Stones #30

When the little boy stood up at the funeral
and through tears said why he loved his grandpa,
we couldn’t hear the words, but understood just the same.

River of Stones # 29

Feeling like I’m in a mirrored fun house—

in the same room with my four sisters.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

River of Stones #28

Cousins
 

The youngest clutched a red blanket
and requested kisses from
great aunts he met for the first time.
The oldest shook hands politely
and said, “Pleased to meet you.”
The one in the middle said,
“I loved Pappy as much as Daddy.
I’ll always have him in my heart.”
Just a day ago he was inconsolable,
now, he consoled adults around him.
At a time I begged for God's presence,
He appeared in the children.
Ordinary Death

Yes, death is quite a common thing.
In fact, everyone will die.
Yet, it comes as such a great shock.
We can’t grasp it when it happens.

All experience painful loss.
Yes, death is quite a common thing.
It shakes us to our very core.
We wonder how we can go on.

If we could just see it as good.
If we could admit to ourselves,
“Yes, death is quite a common thing;”
It may become less horrendous.

A graduation, homecoming,
Reward, ending to suffering.
We could be at peace, smile and say,
“Yes, death is quite a common thing.”

Friday, January 27, 2012

River of Stones #28

Grieving widow.
What we can’t say with words,
we say with hugs and food.

River of Stones 27

“I have to use that thingy
on the windshield.”
Californian sister.
Can’t remember the word
for ice scraper.


River of Stone #26

Steel beam and concrete warehouse
Crushed demolition worker
Crushed sister
Picking our way through the rubble

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

River of Stones # 25

Sausage and toast
in a circle around the plate
like a wreath.
Nothing in the plate’s middle
means something’s in his.

Poetic Asides Prompt Friend of a Friend

It’s Not Over Till It’s Over
  

My friend’s friend has had about
eighty of her novels published.
Every time she’d see me,
she’d ask about my manuscripts,
until she finally stopped asking.
She said something about failure.
As long as I have breath,
I’m writing and submitting work.
I didn’t hear any fat lady singing.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

River of Stones # 24

My Mind 

A dark little room
Flimsy walls
Smells, light, cold
Flashes of pictures
From around the world
Attempting to permeate
But it’s too early.

Monday, January 23, 2012

River of Stones # 23

One Stormy Night

The storm blew in last night
violently ringing the porch bell.
My son went out in his bare feet
and took the noisy thing down.
The next morning, my husband
swept the snow off the porch,
except for prints packed down
by my son’s size fourteen feet.
It looked like Big Foot had visited.

Writing the Life Poetic Wordle: houseboat, drumming, scared, ambled

No Need for Change 

Early afternoon
In my houseboat
Rocking in the old cane chair
Listening to the drumming on the roof
Enjoying George the basset hound’s company.

George was lying at my feet.
Whining
Ears perking up
Figured he was just scared of the storm
But I heard a knock.

What?
In the middle of the lake
Nary a soul for miles
Ambled over and opened the door
Skinny girl stood there
Soaked to the bone
Looking terrified

“What?”
“Our boat turned over.
I think my friend drowned.”
“Come in.
Sit down.”
I threw my old coat over her.
Fiddled with the scanner
While she blubbered.

 “No cell phone?” she moaned.
“I have no use for them.”
“Computer?”
“Are you crazy?”

I heard the familiar crackle
Explained things to the dispatcher
Got the motor going
Found her boat
And her friend clinging to it.

Two weeks later
I received a package
General delivery
Took it home

“Looky see,” I told George.
Cell phone
Pitched it into the lake.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

River of Stones # 22



The fog turned the hills into a shadowy forgotten dream.

Poetic Bloomings prompt Color

Pink

I used to be prejudiced against pink.
You know, pink was fluffy and girly. 
Ballet slippers
Barbies
Tutus  
I wore a lot of blues. 
But when I became an artist 
I took a good look at pink. 
I painted my walls 
a barely-noticeable pink.  
My winter jacket’s a pale pink.
My living room’s accented in pink roses.
I like pink, I think.
The other day,
my friend wore a burnt pink leather blazer.
I’m not there yet.

Diana Clark Prompt --poem based on You Tube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go43XeW6Wg4&feature=player_embedded

Crazy Cat

Kitty in a hamster ball
Paws and ears and tail and all
Upside right, whirling around
Oopsy daisy upside down
It’s a good thing you're so small
Crazy cat!

Folded up so nice and tight
What’s this thing that wants to fight?
A big, wiggling furry snake?
It’s your tail for goodness sake!
Kitty, do not take a bite
Crazy cat!

While you’re in there stuck inside
May as well enjoy the ride
Brother cat may think you’re dumb
But he’s missing all the fun
You'll never know till you've tried
Crazy cat!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

River of Stontes #21

After the wagon ride
the two great horses,
stood side by side,
one looking bored
one looking quizzical
as if to ask,
“One more time?”

Friday, January 20, 2012

River of Stones #20

I in my boat
felt small
in the vast lake
towering pines
magnificent mountains
looming dark clouds
expansive blue sky
yet, large, too.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

River of Stones #19


A shady place sheltered me.
The river whispered as it rushed past.
The rocky path invited me for a stroll.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

PA Prompt Cruelty

Worth Getting to Know

To overlook someone like a rock
or a piece of furniture.
To regard them as humorless
since they don’t joke around.
To assume the reason they’re quiet
is because they have nothing to say.
To say, “They’re just shy,”
and assume they like it that way
and it will always be so.
This is cruelty to me.

January 18, 2011

Check out my interview with Marie Elena Good on Poetic Bloomings.
http://poeticbloomings.com/

River of Stones #18


Snowflakes descending on glazed rocks
 like spaceships on an alien landscape.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

River of Stones #17

Mounds of snow
Like plump doves perching
Soft, silent
Tangled, maze
Black branches, silver-blue white
Lovely work of art

Monday, January 16, 2012

River of Stones #16


Sometimes amidst clutter and busyness
Someone stops and buys you roses
Somehow making it all worthwhile

Sunday, January 15, 2012

River of Stones #15

Mailbox
Shivering in the cold
Waiting for something warm
to fill its belly

Poetic Bloomings Prompt That's My Line!

Hugs and Funny Faces Are My Fuel to Make Tomorrow Run
Mornings, I say, “Party’s started.”
“It’s off to the races.”
What keeps me going so strong?  It’s
Hugs and funny faces

All day long, they lighten my load
In various places
Jokes, teasing and deep belly laughs
Hugs and smiley faces

Evenings, they lend a helping hand
Keeping with the paces
A little rough, but source of strength
Hugs and bearded faces

At night, they sit upon my lap
Seeking my embraces
Purring very contentedly
Hugs and furry faces

Endings by Purplepeninportland Prompt #36

Saturday, January 14, 2012

River of Stones #14





When they laid their baby
in a musty manger
would they ever imagine
that their likenesses would be crocheted
and atop someone’s entertainment center?

Friday, January 13, 2012

River of Stones #13



Living with a person with Alzheimer’s
is like Colorado weather.
Anything could happen.
Fifty-five degrees in January.
Snow in May.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Poetic Bloomings form poem Rime Couee, also goes with photo below

I would never expect to find
in the far outskirts of my mind
thoughts of the unlikeliest kind
as Colorado beach,
but like rare gems are often mined
inspiration’s in reach.

River of Stones #12




Like a beach in Colorado,
sometimes our personalities contain quirks
few people are aware of.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Poetic Asides Promp Life Changing Moment

Every Moment

A grain of sand
In an hourglass
Sinking, shifting, moving
Meeting new grains of sand

A feather
Caught up and carried by the wind
Drifting along
Various elevations and clime

A leaf
Rushing along in the current
Past rocks, trees and dying leaves
New scenery at every bend

Little choices
Imperceptible, perpetual movement
Feeling like nothing has changed
But yet, everything has

Every moment
A life changing moment

River of Stones #11



The cloud of smoke perched on the mountain
like an innocent squirrel looking for a nut,
while the fire on the far side consumed acres.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

River of stones #10


Our lives here on earth,
like reflections on a clear mountain lake,
may be beautiful, but not the real thing.

Monday, January 9, 2012

River of Stones #9


The bare rocky mountain glowed yellow, orange, browns,
basking in the sun like a giant prehistoric lizard,
while pines slipped into the darkness like fleeing prey.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

River of Stones # 8 also Poetic Bloomings prompt

                                                           photo  Poetic Bloomings

As a lake reflects the golden sun
with a fountain bubbling deep
may I reflect Your Golden Son
with Your Holy Spirit bubbling from within.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Friday, January 6, 2012

River of Stones #6


The little tree grew in the red rock
amidst cedars and pinyon,
cactus and sage brush
daring to flourish.
At times, I feel like that.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

River of Stones #5


                                        
                                             The desert landscape was hostile,
                          with cactus giving passing motorists
                                      the middle finger.


Wednesday, January 4, 2012

PA Prompt--Unstoppable Force

Time Marches On

Regardless of anti-age cream,
an hour on the trampoline,
or efforts of Ponce de Leon,
unstoppable time marches on.

No matter if you’re thinking young,
the spring in your step hasn’t sprung,
or you possess much verve and brawn
unstoppable time marches on.

Despite throwing sugar away,
drinking enough water each day,
a full night’s sleep and up at dawn,
unstoppable time marches on.

River of Stones #4

She approached the angel bench hesitantly
as if its wings would gain some unseen strength and ascend to heaven.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

River of Stones # 3



Rocks, bushes, waterfalls
so perfectly placed they appear fake
like a cheery telephone greeting
amidst troublesome times.

Monday, January 2, 2012

River of Stones #2


The Garfield Cat cloud
hung over the Sleeping Ute.
May they rest in peace.


Sunday, January 1, 2012

River of Stones #1



Through two hot air balloons
which hung like drapes,
a third balloon, like a prince,
danced with white ballerina clouds
 in a pale blue sky.