some days I read a little more with my heart and let my mind rest
different writers and their gifts with many forms
poems, novels, letters, stories blog posts
another day or even year I will reread and
understand a little more about craft and what I learned from the author
yes, this is the gift of growing older all that can be kept in the heart
grown to new art
Today – still love the mystery of learning. I may read a poet for comfort and wisdom, and later reread and study the craft. “Oh, I see – wonderful.” And meanwhile, a good way to pass the time when I need more rest. Light for a new life-lesson.
far from perfect and in need of grace we found our way to unconditional love
nothing could be more beautiful than the trees and their new leaves beginning except for when they are in full summer green and then turn their autumn colors and then are their wise winter selves waiting for spring again
The following poem was published first in MIDWEST POETRY REVIEW, in 1994.
PSALM 20
There are days when everything seems a metaphor… I persist with a bottle of salad dressing that won’t open Touch the childhood scar on my forehead now blended with a wrinkle Am comforted by cards and letters sent at just the right time Gaze at the blue heron who stayed long into the Fall And marvel at the migrating monarchs on their way.
I ponder the limits of persistence for the heron left one day And feel wounds aging into wisdom although scars do stay Recognize “help from the sanctuary” and read Psalm 20 once again In wonder at these days when everything seems a metaphor…
New dreams were growing all along And would be tested true I finally flew to embrace them too.
These are Garden Journal photos from a few past years. Some poems and photos are gifts. Perhaps I can call them FOUND ART. I also think of them as HAIKU PHOTOS.
September 2015
October 2015
November 2016 – I loved seeing the natural arrangements of leaves on the blue tarp Karl had on his trailer.