She led me to the library, fed stories to my ears taught me how to keep the family blood circulating to pull my shoulders back, stand proud
she showed me laughter around the table camping in cold rain, beauty beyond lipstick the effective use of stubborn determination
she made a million meals without consideration flowered apron ready dinners with a smile Did she even enjoy cooking? I don't remember anyone asking her.
She washed clothes, replacing them in drawers a revolving door of dirty to clean just another behind the scenes devotion.
How much did we notice the way she kept the boat afloat watching for leaks while we slept.
Photo taken in Portland, Oregon on my hike of "appreciating the flowering trees" this past weekend. They remind me to love big. I hope they inspire you to reach out to someone you have been missing.
A big thank you to editor Barbara Leonhard for publishing my poem, Words For Sale. This poem considers the value of poetry and the possibilities that a poem can offer. I invite you to visit MasticadoresUsa to read the poem, enjoy the poetry of others, and share your thoughts.
Thank you to all the readers that help keep poetry alive.
Within the writing circle, I use poems as prompts. Each person is invited to let their words fall onto the page. During a recent gathering, we wrote from Kim Russell’s poem, Just Saying. It was the perfect poem to jump from. Thank you, Kim.
In celebration of two people who recently tried the writing circle for the first time I am sharing their poems. It takes courage to share your voice and hear it reflected back to you. Thank you to Tandy and Frannie.
It’s not just a thought. It’s the feelings and hope of a new tomorrow. It’s not just a dream. It’s the past remembered, re-created, and processed to form the future. It’s not just a memory it’s all the memories that come together from the depth of the soul and leave a mark on the world. It’s not just me. It’s everyone who has come before me and everyone who will come after to continue the circle.
By Tandy Wolf
It is not just a memory it is the past awaking in the mind time long and short ago sorted and squished into shapes and colors and whispers to ignite present feelings.
It is not just bird songs but wafts of melodious sounds carried on a spring breeze swirling and drifting into a grateful consciousness.
In winter's grasp, we linger, longing for spring's embrace. Does the waiting make arrival all the more precious? A glowing light across the street reminds me of companionship. Within these cold days gathering, we are the light for each other. Together is our way forward toward blooming.
Often wintertide darkness can seem a season too long. I cradle reminders of past flowers, new growth of green wrapped in warm memories of meandering meadows wide. While frost edges my windows in delicate design. In winter's grasp, we linger, longing for spring's embrace.
“Because the heart dwells in unattended dark, we often forget its sublime sensitivity to everything that is happening to us. Without our ever noticing, the heart absorbs the joy of things and also their pain and care. Within us, therefore, a burdening can accrue. For this reason, it is wise now and again to tune in to your heart and listen for what it carries.
– Let Your Heart Speak, John O’Donohue
along the path of daily breathing to hear my heart’s needs saturation of all to be felt
(all muscles need rest to continue lifting)
I sit inside a song of silence listening for imaginings of the heart possibilities of becoming
This poem was inspired by Laura's prompt - Last Year's First Eleven I chose one poem from each month and used the first line to make this new poem. All of these lines were from poems I posted in 2023. Writing this was like a word puzzle.
If you are like me, you have a lot to feel right now. This can be heartbreaking and sometimes even make you feel alone. I am offering these upcoming writing circles for you to pause and gather your words. It is the delight of my heart to hold space for you.
In these circles, we will be slowing down to listen for…
the gifts of this season
poetry that inspires and opens doors
ourselves and others in the circle
Saturday, January 27, 9:30 – 11:00 am PST $20 (two spots left)
Saturday, February 10, 9:30 – 11:00 am PST $20
Sunday, February 18, 1:30 – 3:00 pm PST $20
Circles are limited to six people. Each is a stand-alone offering. You can sign up for one or all. Your first session is free.
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 