Of Course I Have Lines On My Face

"of course i have lines on my face,

life keeps folding me open 

like a map of all the women I've been."

Wrinkles as a sign of joy...as a sign of becoming.

That's a new "wrinkle" isn't it?

I'll take it.

 

And Still

The river with its rich, fertile being and meanings

"keeps coming, touching me, passing by"

as I gather a lifetime of verses and prose.

It's uncanny how many times and in how many places

the river shows up with an encouraging air.

It's given me chills over and over to

see how it has wended its way...

quietly, softly, 

all along my journey.

"it's pale, infallible voice singing."

 

How Did You Do It?

"I’ve been wondering about all the ways we survive, 

all the things people do to adjust 

and skirt and catch a breath, 

the way everyone is managing both to rest and become."

Staying sane and civil is an accomplishment! 

Holding fast to the values we cherish. 

We resist and dissent, let our desires be known,

stand up for what we believe in and encourage each other.

"I would like to know—how do you stay awake given all this? 

What keeps you moving from one moment to the next? 

What has sustained your love  for the world?"

These are excellent questions we can mull over

and answer for ourselves and each other.

I'd be interested in hearing if you care to share.

 

Things Shouldn't Be So Hard

While this seems a wee bit bleak this morning,

"a life should leave deep tracks"

and the way she names them touched me.

"The passage of life should show; it should abrade.

And when life stops, a certain space--however small--

should be left scarred by the grand and damaging parade."

With all respect and perhaps some rose colored glasses,

I wish it didn't have to be so hard. 

My wish is that the scars and damage are places

of revelation and recognition 

of the splendor and dazzling woven in...

that's easy to wish from here,

My heart breaks for 

all the horrors some human lives

are subjected to.

It Could Be

The current state of this country and its impact on our world is

testing all I believe in regarding softness, and mercy,

 especially mercy. 

I can feel the anger swell when I think about 

mercy shown in the past and where we are today.

I’m leaning into justice. 

Merciful and appropriate justice.  

I would add just a few more things that matter:

clean water, healthy soil and unpolluted air.

Plus truth, justice and fairness.

 

Pledge Of Kindness

I will remember this poem from now on when

reciting the pledge of allegiance...

I will think of kindness when I gaze on our flag...

the one I now fly at half staff...

Yes, yes, yes to "the possibilities for which it stands"

because they are numerous and exciting to envision.

And yes, yes, yes to "one planet under the stars".  

It is our precious home and we must make certain

to care for and nourish, heal and  renew the generous bounty

we're given by her presence.

And another triple yes to "interdependent on

liberty and justice for all".

With emphasis on "for all".

 

Still, What I Want

"Casting aside the weight of facts"

 is not something I recommend 

as we're currently experiencing 

the reality and the consequences

of actually doing so.

Mary Oliver's speaking metaphorically

 and in that context, 

I understand and resonate 

with floating a little above this difficult world.  

Interesting how the intention behind 

the "casting aside of facts" alters the meaning 

and the outcome dramatically.  

The riper I become, the clearer it gets that

pretty much everything is neither all good nor all bad.

For a poet and a president to use similar words and actions

to describe stunningly opposite perspectives,

provides a precise example of the paradox.