Monday, April 25, 2011

Parenthood

Five vermillion cardinals
Spar and feint in front of my deck,
As a mousey female sits docilely by,
Ignoring their frenzied mock battle.
     What does it matter?” she may be thinking.
     “As long as he has strong wings
     And, above all, is dependable.
     Last year, I was left alone
     To raise my little ones,
     And it was totally exhausting.
     Being a single mother is no joke,
     I’ll tell you.
     Having gorgeous feathers doesn’t help a lot
     If he isn’t dependable.”
© Peggy Latham, 2011

Cardinal among pear tree blossoms; photo from Thundafunda.com

Monday, April 18, 2011

Haiku for Spring

1

Early spring blossom
shivering beneath cold moon...
wind wanders through weeds.

2

I open windows.
A breeze blows winter away,
hints of spring flowers.

3

The sun is hiding.
Look in the forsythia,
even on dark days.

4

Pots of petunias
shining after a brief rain...
rainbows in the yard.

5

Hills of daffodils,
little trumpets of sunshine
blowing a spring song.
© Jean Sampson, 2011

Early Saxifrage; photo by Tony Russell

Monday, April 11, 2011

silent communication

non-talkers 
only text 
email that no one answers 
voice mail message 
messages left in cyberspace 
silent non-communication
negative messages 
phone to the ear 
but does anyone hear
the frustration coming 
from the non-talkers 
the emptiness of 
not connecting 
the wondering and wandering left 
from the messages lost 
and not answered 
in cyberspace
waiting 
for the 
silent communication
© Anne Cressin, 2011

Frustrated flower; photo by Tony Russell

Monday, April 4, 2011

Warm Hands

How do I Live My Life I Wonder?
How do I Connect Fully with Others,
Without Hurting Myself Again?
How do I Balance My Energy, 
How do I Free Myself from This Pain?
Help Me Find a Place of Safety,
A Place of Warmth and Hearth,
Of Community, of Unity, 
Of Spirits Dancing, Singing, Laughing, 
Turning into Each Other 
And then Themselves.
Holding Each Other’s Hearts,
As the River of Each Moment Parts
Into the Greater Sea,
Becoming, Embracing, Stepping,
 Into the Unknown of Each Feeling.
Hoping to Find 
Warm Hands 
Waiting on the Other Side.
© Flora Lark Baily, 2011


River parting around rocks; photo by Tony Russell