we will remember this winter
severe cold and blessings
of shelter and warmth
news of friends from other places
and neighbors who died
I remember specific times
the visual memories clear
and the different ways
our lives grew from there
once I was new here
and now whenever
we go somewhere
there are layers
and textures of memories
the present calls me still
Spring arrives as promised
and we shall meet again
Lake Michigan
April 2016
Photo by Karl
Poem by Ellen Grace Olinger
cover art
more beautiful books
on my desk
than I can read
thoughts of my mother
and our shared love of language
some spaces only God can fill
language and books
and all the conversations
among artists who
may not know
one another
fill my heart too
and Spring today
from my April archives:
beginning
in the area
where we had
to take a tree down
new peony leaves
Peonies: wpclipart
Poems: Ellen Grace Olinger
The photo of a poinsettia is from February 2017. I like the light and shadow, as well as the colors.
rain in dark night
refreshes each leaf
today I think of you
no longer with grief
I wrote this poem for my father in June 2012. He lived on earth from 1915 – 1983. Today is his birthday.
In November 2018, I realized my parents had both been born over 100 years ago. I wrote a poem, and will reprint in this post:
today I realized
my parents were born
over one hundred
years ago
I picture them younger
Mom in the yard
hanging clothes
on the line
Dad in his workshop
working on a crossword
puzzle
today I realized my parents were born
over one hundred years ago
most of all
I remember them older
when they must have known
at a deep soul level
their days on earth were fewer
each left a legacy
of unconditional love
which continues
in my heart to this day
And I remember this verse: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job 23: 10 (KJV)
Blessings,
Ellen Grace Olinger
once again the sun shines
above December clouds
I turn off the extra
low energy light
by the stairs
that is left on
through the night
along with other lights
safety features
already in place
and also more now
that I know about
from the years
of helping with
my mother’s care
I learned so much from my mother, all those years ago. She always asked, “Are you writing?” Not so much then, and that is fine. Now I write all the time.
Ellen Grace Olinger
W onder and
A dore, let
I nspiration
T each trust
(2012)
Through the Light of Christmas
through the Light
of Christmas
I found my way
home
from a hospital
and nursing home
through city and
small town
Main Streets
their streetlamps
with holiday lights
as my mother
was on her way
Home
the time we shared
and still share
(2013)
“For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD:
thou art my trust from my youth.”
Psalm 71: 5 (KJV)
blessings of the roads
missing loved ones
grateful for softer edges
around the loss
(2014)
S erene and sure
T rust
A long the
R oad of faith
(2014)
Ellen Grace Olinger
today I realized
my parents were born
over one hundred
years ago
I picture them younger
Mom in the yard
hanging clothes
on the line
Dad in his workshop
working on a crossword
puzzle
today I realized my parents were born
over one hundred years ago
most of all
I remember them older
when they must have known
at a deep soul level
their days on earth were fewer
each left a legacy
of unconditional love
which continues
in my heart to this day
And I remember this verse: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job 23: 10 (KJV)
for my parents
Ellen Grace Olinger
streets I used to travel
to go to Mom’s house
empty stores here and there
with signs of recovery
peaceful memories
(2012)
holiday lights
in Port Washington
memories
of driving back north
from my mother’s home
all those Sundays
years ago
(2014)
sitting at my blog
grateful for friends
first snowflakes
gently fall
and rest on the roof
(2012 – still grateful)
years
generations
stories
told
in many
ways
how love
may change
yet endures
(2014)
Christmas carnations
in the vase
that used to hold
fresh flowers for Mom
blessings
each in turn
return
to bless us
(2015)
mild December day
pheasants in the fields
apples still on some trees
poems to write
many books yet to read
(2011)
Ellen Grace Olinger
Images: wpclipart
Poems From Oostburg, Wisconsin 