beach thoughts

clear water washes across my feet,

cooling them, and then retreats,

ibis, sanderlings, pelicans,

couples walking, holding hands,

happy children laugh and play.

lovers kiss, we look away,

fat and thin, with little clothes,

our mortal bodies are exposed,

wrinkles, lumps, and sagging skin,

suntanned teens, and hairy men,

we are discreet, and even sly,

as we look, when they walk by,

some are fit, and some are frail,

needing help as bodies fail,

so much of life is passing by,

we cannot stop it,

though we try,

our time for outward beauty goes,

yet we love warm sand on our toes.

and even though, our looks are gone

on the beach, we still belong

nature's noises

our windows are open,

i've got one thing to say,

nature is noisy,

"oy vey!"

what's with the frogs,

they don't take a break,

they sing day and night,

and keep me awake!

When the geese first returned,

they filled me with awe,

now when they honk,

i say, "uff da!"

finches that twitter,

blackbirds that trill,

the sound of a killdeer,

strikes me as shrill.

but saturday mornings.

those sounds all withdraw.

outsung by lawn mowers.

"ay carumba!"

flowering fridays

wag your tail, it's wednesday

this is sweet georgia,

she lives right next door,

we all think she's grand,

she's a fine ladrador.

troy is quite smitten,

though she's a bit shy,

he pines at the window,

when he sees her walk by.

maybe mondays

maybe . . .

the purpose for talent

isn't always for making money

maybe it is for

enriching the lives of others

my necklace

this is the beautiful necklace,

my children bought for me,

the reason it's so special,

is how it came to be.

dad was out of town,

and the oldest was away,

there wasn't anyone to drive,

so they could sneak away.

so Daniel told me Mom,

you must drive us to the mall,

but you can't stay there with us,

just wait until i call.

the three of them were grinning,

when they came out to the car,

there was a sparkle in Dan's eye,

bright as a shining star.

when I opened it, on mother's day,

i liked it right away,

they had chosen carefully,

their love it did convey.

they remembered, i like hearts,

and silver more than gold,

it meant that they had listened,

without being told.

i was touched, that they'd arranged it,

and made sure on their own,

that I was not forgotten,

even though dad wasn't home.

these things i do remember,

each time i put it on,

i smile and know they loved me,

though now they're grown and gone.

mother's day 2010

oh mother's day, oh mothers day,

you're kind of a mixed bag,

sometimes you make me happy,

and at the same time sad.

my mother left this world too soon,

before i really knew,

what it really meant,

to be a mother too.

i wish i had her near,

to share the many joys,

or ask for her advice,

on raising girls and boys.

it makes me happy to reflect,

on motherhood's sweet gifts,

hugging my dear children,

receiving a sweet kiss.

my children are my greatest gifts,

and each one is unique,

each one is irreplaceable,

they make my life complete.

but now they're far away,

and i am feeling sad,

sometimes the longing for them,

can feel so awfully bad.

i really should have known it,

because right from the start,

giving birth is painful,

and also fills your heart.

so i guess it's no surprise,

that you will hear me say,

this day is bittersweet,

this one called mother's day.

flowering fridays

rain

is falling

all around,

worms

are squirming

on the ground,

flowers

smile,

and take a drink,

to help their roots

both

stretch

and

sink.

Wag Your Tail It's Wednesday

take your best friend for a walk,

maybe go around the block,

or up the street,

or to the park,

or take some time,

to leave your mark,

It's great to go outside and play,

to chase a ball, or sit and stay,whatever game you choose today,

i'll make it fun in every way,

so don't forget me, when you leave,

take me along,

oh please,please,please!

Swan Song

some say that swans

will mate for life,

i don’t know

if that’s true,

but this I know,

were you a swan,

i’d swim

through life

with you.