sometimes i state the obvious because
it obviously moves me
beyond definition
18 Mar 2023 Leave a comment
in free verse Tags: acceptance, femininity, strength, woman
woman is well-rounded;
engineered with soft curves
to offer warm comfort, to
surround with accepting love
her wise eyes see hearts,
perceive another’s authenticity;
her sincere smile extends welcome
to beloved ones and strangers
she embodies social stability,
possesses strength of experience;
can keep home fires burning
and sustain the life of family
like her monthly cycle,
she gives generously
yet renews her energy;
circular pattern moves forward
why are we so afraid of
intrinsic-born femininity?
embrace the beautiful differences
of reality’s complimentary design!
a woman is not a man
and need not pretend to be
we are womb of humanity
and live beyond definition
master of ceremonies
26 Feb 2023 Leave a comment
in scripture Tags: feast, master, wedding, wine
at small town wedding party,
invited guests drank and danced
in week-long jewish celebration
“they’ve run out of wine,” she
stated simply yet in urgent tone
to rabbi son seated with disciples
(why should I reveal my powers
to rescue neighbor’s reputation
when it is not my time to die?)
“do whatever he tells you,” she
nodded to shamefaced servants
holding empty thirty-gallon jugs
he ordered them to fill jars
with water, draw out sample
and take it to master of feast
who sputtered after tasting,
“why would the family wait to
serve finest wine until now?”
not watery kool-aid or cheap
wine cooler but velvety merlot
or perhaps deepest sauvignon
gift from him, the vine and groom,
whose wine of blood saves from
shame all who will drink in faith
(see John 2:1-11)
woke psychiatry
21 Feb 2023 2 Comments
in rhyming verse Tags: gender disphoria, homeless, psychiatry, unicoarn, wo-man
what is a wo-man?
definitions can bend,
we deny motherhood
and give it to men
diagnostic manual
has changed over years,
believe you’re a unicorn?
here’s a horn and fake ears
gender disphoria is
a new-fashioned curse;
we won’t make it/they better
but can help them feel worse
crack addicts, delusioned
psychotics…don’t treat —
they seem perfectly happy
living homeless on street
wide-spread mental illness
society sick with dis-ease
throw out DSM / Bible
and think as you please!
__________
Will the thought police come after me?
smudge of grace
20 Feb 2023 2 Comments
in senryu Tags: ashes, mortality
ashes to ashes
made from dust, to dust return
yet, we shall be changed!
_____________
Christian observation of Ash Wednesday reminds us of our mortality.
point of reference
19 Feb 2023 2 Comments
in tanka Tags: lonely, moon, smoke, tree
Happy to join Kristjaan at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai in an ekphrastic prompt!
in surreal dream scene
mysterious smoke signals
above lonely tree
is this a call to battle
or full moon celebration?
goodbye
15 Feb 2023 10 Comments
throughout the day
before my dad died,
i held my father’s hand;
once strong, fleshy
now feeble, bony
but still warm…
and still gripping
(though not for long).
as i left his room that night
with an “i love you”,
he raised his hand up
towards me in a
slow, deliberate wave.
the source
08 Feb 2023 9 Comments
in limerick Tags: gift, God, love
every good gift received
each reminder believed
that good Lord above
is the God of great love
and our worthiness under-achieved!
_______
Joining Ingrid at dVerse poetics to consider gifts and gratitude.
worn favorites
07 Feb 2023 Leave a comment
in haiku Tags: plaid, socks, soft
softest foot warmers
white lining breaks through red plaid
thin from high mileage
desert blues
07 Feb 2023 Leave a comment
in haiku, senryu Tags: cactus, desert, gulch, rose
in dry gulch texas
cactus rose cantina closed
thirsty owner left
once upon a time at grandma’s house…
25 Jan 2023 15 Comments
in story Tags: granddaughters, grandma, princess, queen
sometimes my grand daughters
dress up as princesses and live
together in make-believe castle
(partitioned basement toy room)
wearing single toy crown, one of
them acts as the queen and she
invariably invites me to come for
a visit with royals at their palace
when addressing the queen, one
must be respectful but i get into
trouble by casually referring to her
little highness as “Queenie Poo”
they predictably haul me off
to the jailer’s dungeon where
they mercifully bring me books
and copious meals of fake food
eventually, i am released but
regretfully have not yet learned
my lesson and the story repeats
to the general delight of all parties
____________
I’ve written a few poems about my grandmothers (“I Remember Them”) and grandchildren but here’s a new story poem for dVerse.
warm hearts (heh, heh)
23 Jan 2023 16 Comments
honey bunch, have a hunch
want to spoon? lovers swoon
we’re married, it’s okay
if hearts get carried away
your room or mine? give me sign
when sleep separate, together’s a date
snuggling close would be nice
if his feet weren’t cold as ice!
________________
Mish serving up quadrilles (44 words) on ice at dVerse.
a poem in my pocket 
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