Maple Tree calls to me.

Her enchantment lifts my eyes

beyond my electronic screen.

“Notice me,”

she says.

And I do.

The lush green of summer

is relenting,

giving way to autumn color.

From the tips of the branches,

working its way

toward the trunk,

the chloroform life is pulling

inw...

Uncovered and cold,

worn thin, about to corrode,

I stumble through life’s gray days.

Kneeling in desperation,

frantic for a breath of consolation,

I expose my heart to divinity and beg:

Penetrate me with silky peace;

wrap me in love’s comforting fleece.

Mold my broken pieces i...

for Janey on her 47th birthday

“Lick, drink, suck,”

my big sis and I instructed the tequila novice

seated at the card playing table.

As sisters we lifted, tipped, and threw back

colorful shot glasses in unison,

sealing a bond that surpasses DNA.

In between hands dealt and cra...

I have never aspired to be 

a fireman

or an astronaut

or the president.

I have dreamed to wake up as

a Wild Flower.

A wild flower

with vibrant Poppy hues and Golden Rod’s unkempt leaves;

Bold as Black-Eyed Susan and independent as Meadow Sage;

Boasting the delicate, unpredictab...

Today is the day.

Today is the day

            you bury your husband -

                        the love of your days,...

Thoughts of you float forward

            sitting in stillness

            walking in silence

            laying in darkness....

Not chocolate or ice cream or meat,

not alcohol or cigarettes or cussing,

oh no,

none of these.

It seems I have given up sleep for Lent.

Or, at least it has given up on me.

The recipe used to be easily created:

lay on side, rest head on pillow,

close eyes, drift off.

I still fo...

The edging light commands

          the lined rock to dance

          in orange and pink hues

          as the Arizona sun sinks behind the mesa.

...

Normally I reserve this blog for original poetry.  But today is different.  The poet of my heart, Mary Oliver, died today.  As a remembrance of her delicate, provocative, and powerful words, here is one of my favorite: Peonies.   (photo credit: Chandra Sherin...

Words of love

            ground us in who we have always been;

            remind us of who we can yet become.

Words of love

            lift our chins when our heads hang...