how are we?  better than expected yet

mental frustration imposes physical toll

emotional wounds may bleed through

relational pain lingers most awkwardly

personal grief feeds melancholy mood

accrual disappointments weigh heavily

spiritual muscles are aching in protest

psychological scars can pull powerfully

no permanent healing this side of heaven.

wild violets blinking

spring’s soft sunshine coaxes blooms

beside garden stones

I am from…
the love of two mothers,
three sets of grandparents
(i thought everyone had)
and a father’s laughter.

I am from…
tease of best younger brother,
crossing line in car’s backseat,
okay, put on the boxing gloves
(always hit ’em below the neck)

I am from…
hamburger casseroles,
patio picnics with friends
popcorn, swedish pancakes,
home-canned jars of applesauce.

I am from…
summers of biking, hiking,
softball striking (you’re out)
driving past windmills, cornfields
anticipating visits with cousins.

I am from…
library books, music lessons,
arts & crafts; friday sleepovers
and saturday morning cartoons,
sunday school memory verses.

I am from…
games of monopoly and ping pong
yo-yos, troll dolls, four-square at recess
playing house or school with teddy bears
neighbor kids’ army in dad’s uniform hats.

I am from…
hurry up or you’ll miss the bus,
clean your plate, did you make your bed?
be nice to your brother (you’re older, they said)
finish your homework, say your prayers.

yep, that’s where i’m from!

Based on a poem by George Ella Lyon: http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html

Based on my boys’ favorite childhood video version (1995 British animated film with Vanessa Redgrave as narrator) of the classic children’s novel by Kenneth Grahame (published 1908).  See octet/octave form at  d’Verse Poets…

if bored by camping under stars,
Wind in the Willows’ Mister Toad
drove gypsy carts and motor cars
at fast speeds down the open road.
with “poop, poop”, Toad did so obsess
his true friends Rat and Mole did fear
that of his life he’d make a mess—
a car thief rap he could not clear.

to dungeon deep, the judge sent Toad
for ten long years, to sob and rot;
escaping with the laundry’s load,
sly “out of jail to freedom” plot.
Toad, reunited with his friends,
returned to reclaim old Toad Hall
swords in paw, rout weasels’ den;
grand speech for celebration ball.

illustration by E.H. Shephard (wikipedia)

Link to CDHK Time Glass challenge…

fresh dew on new blades

soaking in clean sweet wetness

life’s spring is greener

Dearest Son,

you will find in
this sad world
people who live
aimlessly and by
default become

surprisingly foolish
selfishly apathetic
faithlessly perverse
dishonestly lazy
bitterly violent

but you, quiet your heart
consider your footsteps
hold fast to the truth
choose to be different
be blessed by joy

shine!

all my love & prayers,
Mom

” I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

( I John 1:4 )