Day 7

At the End of the Day
My breath catches as I drive
On a cool night with jazz in the air
And I feel calm and alive
While yearning notes rise like a prayer.

I do not think now
Of time spent with you--
Content to drink now
Of melodies blue.

Soft rain falls, but no matter,
For blue warms to gold, house lit with kin;
Simple meal, playful chatter,
Bear hugs and laughter, I'm welcomed in.

My worries are few
In my cozy bed--
And I'm content to
Be loved and well-fed.

Day 6

Portrait of a Young Lady
Laughter at midnight,
Cheery camaraderie.
Tears by noon,
Silent solitude.

She herself is quite befuddled
By the change of scenes
And quick mood swings.
Is one crazy if one
Diagnoses oneself to be so?

Day 5

Ode to an Orange
Orange, firm and round,
Your skin yields not to my discerning touch.
By this I know,
Oh I know, you are a good fruit to eat.

If I slide my thumb in just so,
With a deft spiral twist
I can peel you all in one go.

You are best enjoyed
In the sunshine with a friend,
Your textured rind
Offset by lush summer green.

Day 4

...with an Extra Shot of Reality, Please.

Growing up: on time

Bills: expected, received, paid.

Spending: must limit

Day 3

Yesterday we talked of dreams
Disappointed.
Or rather--I talked.
He listened.

My father and I walk today side by side
Eyes fixed on the road ahead
Hearts intent on each other.

We pause
I rid my shoe of an unwelcome pebble
But its exodus is uncertain.
We continue

Now I tell him of a new dream
A hope
Improbable, yet not entirely
Unreasonable
And he didn't laugh.

Later thumb brushes over naked heel and feels
A dent
Left by the stubborn pebble in my thick flesh
So thick that I didn't notice it anymore.

And although I acquiesce sometimes
To disappointment
Discontent
I don't have to stay there.
I choose to walk on.

Day 2

Go away, eBay
Nestled between idyllic suburban homes
A handprint of green breathes and whispers.
Knarled knotted wood and warm blue sky
Meld into each other on the calm rythmic surface.

Dappled sunlight on Episcopalian stone
Resilient quiet strength.
Leaves at the brink of fall hesitate
On this warm September day.

No competition between this and
Flickering images
Shadowy friends
Unreal.

I linger in this restful place unknown before today
Yet somehow forgotten.
In the quiet I am whole--I am me--
I don't need new sweaters
Or a pair of hiking shoes.

Day 1

Green Ivy on a City Street
Bright splash on grey stone
Green growing
living unpredictably.

Reaching up for what
For nothing
No reason, but to live.