Stain-glass Eyes

Did I show you the electrified sparkles on the snow last night? Mesmerized I felt I could follow through their mysterious door to middle earth. Their contract with the moon is to for them to create a stage. The moon's charismatic presence steals the show of course. Did I show you how milkweed feathers take flight in subzero weather? They light up in the sun as the wind takes them. Like daylight-stars, floating and disappearing over black rooftops. Sometimes leafless trees in winter creep me out. Have I told you they get morbid and lonely in winter? I see their vivid shadow-snow-dance. Like they’re eager for me to follow suit and disappear. “Let me enjoy winter!” I tell them. (without looking up) Did you know my love has super powers? It leaps tall, red-brick buildings. It can hold its breath for such a long, long time. It knows every language man has made. Which includes silence. These magical things aren’t easy to explain. Oh…if only you could see what I see. Feel how I feel.   Bu...

    "Behind the Walls"  Sculpture at University of Michigan Cut back Divide Eliminate It can’t be so dire. But it is. We sit, drained from this pandemic. Each decide 1) Worth a risk? 2) Is it a risk? 3) Am I responsible? Our losses built up inside and out. Do we keep track or stay on track? I want I need I becomes we. We've had to think selfishly, selflessly and consider what's best for us, for others. Long term Short term This moment Acknowledge our  necessary  fears, worries and hesitations. We're human. Rethink Cancel   Stay put Ground ourselves, step back over and over. Quick dance of endurance. Nourish Replenish Bodies and minds Love when we can. Find ways to live each day. Gratitude Solitude Fortitude May you find hope in your isolation. May you fear less and hope more. May the hilly road become easier to climb. May you and yours thrive in the New Year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqhYFxRiLsU .    Quick step video  

Geri is a small, ninety-five-year-old African American. She lives down the hill from me. She has a narrow-roofed porch where she sits when the weather isn't too awful. The porch sits behind two tall cedars so I have to peek around in order to see if she’s out. Sometimes I’ll see her in her brown, plastic chair. Always she greets me with her genuine smile. Once in awhile I see her kids and grandkids bringing her groceries or coming to visit. This summer was the first time I saw her with her great-grandson (who is four).   She told me his name is Jesse. She has him help her pull weeds or he’s on her shaded porch playing with toys. He hums or chatters while she sits in her chair listening to him.   “He makes me laugh,” she told me. One day, a few weeks ago, as I passed by, I saw her in her chair so I stopped to say hi and let her know how glad I was to see her outside even though it was getting cooler. She told me she loves to be outside in the mornings, especially.   I remi...

Dolphins live in pods, geese in a gaggle, a herd of buffalo and bees in colonies. Humans group in families. We seem to have this instinct embedded deep inside us driving us to seek family. It throbs like the sound of a river pulsating in the spring, full and powerful, pushing its presence against the shore it travels. Do you ever feel the pull?   Amnicon State Park Scores of family celebrations exist around the world. They’ve emerged because of season changes, religious events, family milestones and calendar years. They bring significance to belonging to a group.   I put a lot of holidays on my calendar out of habit. I can’t let go of the thought of some of them, whether I participate or not. They’re loaded with childhood memories and memories of raising my own children. It’s interesting how some songs and food go with certain holidays and bring memories to the forefront.   I think they also create expectations. The “Shoulds” linked to family-time. Maybe it’s going to a r...

I have trouble with the primitive idea we search for our Soulmate. Please imagine with me the thought of a search. We’d have to have a picture of what a Soulmate is or a formula to follow. Or we may have to wait for a sign from a deity. We wouldn’t have freedom to change the criteria over time. If we did it might throw off the magic or sacredness of a perfect match. With society’s pressure we may believe we aren’t capable and need help in this search.   Perhaps society knows the criteria for Soulmate or has a hand in choosing. “Oh, you make such a perfect couple!”   “Don’t they look good together?” “This match is made in heaven!” Consider cultures that still have a mate chosen by elders or parents? Can we expect divine help in our choice? I have loved. I have been with mates that have made me surge in happy. Some have died. They chewed off a chunk of my heart.   Ones who are still alive and not with me are losses. They also have sliced off fragments of my heart. Well…if t...

  Finally,   this white birch is me. Breath alone wasn’t enough to sustain harmony or poise in tree-pose. I Wiggled and I wobbled—- grimaced Over and over. I tipped and toppled. Deep in frustration I harshly judged my inadequacy to stand upright on one leg. Until one insignificant afternoon, I, with my slow, resolved drumbeat of breath. A Heart full of anger at inability, looked for help outside myself. (Pissed at my limited resources to be perfect) More of a search than a look. I saw several birches. Inside a single tall birch stood--surrounded. A fierce wind (with power to draw in a storm) tossed all but the one inside the others. Imagination drew my attention To this strong, firm, unbendable birch. It became me. I stood alone, steady in my endurance. I felt a surge of tree cells spiral up my leg. My breath followed effortlessly. Black and white spirals and lines became etched along my skin. Power and stability. Around and up from the roots. Balance took on a force. Strength...