The Peace of Wild Things

A good friend from days gone by

sent me a poem via FB messenger this morning.

You know,

there's nothing random about kindness ~

about thoughtfulness

or compassion.

I believe that when we give these pieces of ourselves ~

when we pour out our lives in the

consideration and care of those around us

{or those an ocean away!}

it matters.

It chips away at the darkness that can, at times,

seem to have a bolder, louder voice.

But no understanding gesture,

no matter how 'small,'

is ever without influence.

A moment can change,

some one's countenance can change,

a day - even a life - can change...

 ....or a friend can find the words to express what a fun afternoon walk

with a puppy really meant to her.

{Thanks Gillian}

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me

and I wake in the night at the least sound

in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake

rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things

who do not tax their lives with forethought

of grief. I come into the presence of still water.

and I feel above me the day-blind stars

waiting with their light. For a time

I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Joining Tamar for
The Good. The Random. The Fun.

Melting

There once was a winter with snow

that caused much tension and woe.

Then the melting began,

as was always the plan,

and the buds took over the show!

Joining Kim for

Little Things Thursday

and Mama Kat for her

Writer's Workshop

In the Twinkling of an Eye.....

Twinkle twinkle little stars

Hanging on the tree you are!

Up above my world so high

Twinkling as the breeze blows by

Twinkle, twinkle up above

Filling me with more fall love!

Leaf by leaf you fill the sky

Leaving me to just ask why....

...why you must fall to the ground?

So later as I look around,

Pretty, twinkling little star

I will wonder where you are...



Joining Kim for
Little Things Thursday
 and Mama Kat for her
Writer's Workshop

Today We Remember

this old city
so proud to call her home
cobblestones
cornerstones
monuments and medals
we walk the streets and she's the same,
we walk the streets and she's changed

this old city
so perfectly imperfect
today we remember
today we celebrate 
resilience
rigor
courage and comebacks
we stand together
learn together
laugh
love
and live together

this old city
standing as one
telling the world that
we are 
Boston Strong

{please take a minute to look at DEAR WORLD: Boston Marathon as we remember}

I'm linking up with

Texture Tuesday and Just Write

Be Still

thoughts swirl

head full 

chasing details, chasing shadows

feelings churn

heart full

gripping worries, catching fears

i seek solace

to empty the vessel

surface drops spilling easily

buckets left

deeper waters

the light

the air

the wind

the quiet

alone

raising my voice

taking shelter

until i am surrendered and

still

Linking up with
Texture Tuesday, Just Write and dVerse Poets

Our Path

path chosen

we'll walk together

side by side

hand in hand

then arm in arm

seasons pave the way

gently, slowly at first

that season of young love, of firsts

of caution 

of exploration

i learn your touch, i know your hand, i hold on

path brightens

we walk with little ones

under foot

swinging between our hands

riding high on your strong shoulders

seasons 

so many seasons

colorful, vibrant

calm, stormy

those roller coaster seasons hurry by

i seek your touch, i treasure your hand, we hold on 

path diverges

we choose our way together

changed as we are

weathered

we choose together

we look ahead

blessings pave the way

and we beg the seasons to grow lazy

to be gentle and slow again

a pause for a flower

stillness

a breath, a moment

the cherishing

i need your touch, i hold your hand, we let go

Linking up with Project Underblog, Just Write, dVerse Poets and Texture Tuesday

Six Word Fridays ~ Eye

Wandering through a gift store on

a summer afternoon, a colorful scarf

caught my eye. Many months later,

while the fibers were keeping me 

safe from winter's chilly grasp,

the vibrant greens and watery blues

would catch the sun and carry

my dreams to the Caribbean sea.

Memories Under the Magnolia

their names
their dates
carved into simple stones
resting now
under the magnolia

companionship
strolls easily
slowly
on a Sunday
under the magnolia

gentle voices
partner with a perfumed breeze
and waltz nostalgic
under the magnolia
...
paths cross
i see
i hear
the soil that is my heart softens -
my light
and
momentary troubles
are rooted out and laid to rest...

under the magnolia tree


Linking up with
Project 52,
Bigger Picture Blogs
and
Just Write

Six Word Fridays ~ Flower Song

whisper to me your song of
spring...of petals soft, your bouquet
so sweet...whisper ~ i can hear.

as you sway, as you sigh,
breathe hints of your lilac, hidden
inside...just whisper ~ I am near.

ignore all the clamor, the din
and the rush, and sing gently
to me....whisper ~ i'll change gear.

serenade me. nurture me as you
color my world and remind me
to bloom....whisper ~ i'll not fear.

fill the air with tunes of
hope. soft staccato. tender trills. one
resounding chorus....whisper ~ bring me cheer.

oh lovely flower, whisper to me.
you are a hymn....a most
soothing melody. whisper. I can hear.




Link up here to share your
'Six Word' posts...
And I'm sharing some Lilac
with Nurture Photography

I Wonder

i wonder
watching them chat
two easy friends
at a window table on a sunny afternoon...

i wonder...
was it jumping rope
with skinned and knobbly knees
that first connected their
friend souls?

was it shopping for mini skirts
giggling about new, shapelier knees
that knit together their
friend hearts?

i wonder....

random freshman roommate?
the neighbor right next door?
have they been each other's 'person'
since their children were first born?
or
perhaps hers was the hand to hold -
knees bent, head bowed -
when ailing parents shared a hospital room...

as I watch and wonder,
I know it matters not 
when
or where
the seed
the precious seed of friendship
was planted

for it's a seed that knows no season
and looses track of time
plunging deeply
rooting itself in
two soils at once
asking very little
yet
giving so very, very much



Linking today with:
Bigger Picture Blogs
Project 52 and
Just Write

In Between

The damp ground

gives way

as I wander.

My pace is slow, my eyes seek

signs of the season in my own back yard.

The birds above

serenade me

as I hunt.

Their rhythm is choppy, their melodies compete

as they taunt me - heard, but not seen.

The tiny buds

show themselves

as I focus.

Feet planted, crouching low and leaning in

I ask the camera to hold this moment.

This in-between-moment.

This moment

in between winter and spring;

in between young and old;

in between mother and friend;

in between doubt and faith.

The all-seeing lens

works magic,

defining this moment.

The buds that I sought came into focus, 

but it was

the lens that found the old, rusty fence, 

and caught the pure light.

Linking up with my friends at 

Bigger Picture Blogs

and

Project 52

and for the first time with

Photo Heart Connection

Black and White Wednesday: Nest

it is my winter's tale,

a crying out, a letting go; it

is my empty nest season

Please join us ~ link up your black and white photos!

Blue....breathe....

"I thank you God

for this most amazing day,

for the leaping greenly

spirits of trees,

and for the blue dream

of sky

and for everything that is natural,

which is infinite, which is yes."

ee cummings

Joining Kristi and Rebecca 

for this photo challenge.

Link up here

Black & White Wednesday: Winding Road

Today's snow crunches under my boots
I wander
The air smacks, kisses,
Numbs and wakens me
I wander
I wander because I need to
I wander because I can
No destination
Just movement
Keep moving
Listen to the crunch of each step
Breathe the air
Notice
Enjoy
Let go
Wander
Dark and alone
I wander
Along the way
There's another
and another
Light
One step at a time
A word
A prayer
Another...
Light





Won't you join in?
Share your {black & white} stories....

Shelter

settling down, leaning in, I

know stillness; while roots and core protect,

supple branches let in light

Please join me on Friday, 10/26 for Six Word Fridays. We're linking up right here on my blog and this week's prompt is RUSTY. {click on the tab at the top for details!}