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emotion-deafened
haiku
when emotion cries
reason whimpers to the wind
unheard, sharing naught
blue-blooded kraken
kraken changed my understanding
of bluebloods
which i’d always associated
with deprivation of oxygen
and a monied group elite too long
to remain vital, energetic and healthy
Scandinavian folklore present kraken
as strong, active, muscular menaces
from the deep ocean – probably based
on giant squid which attacked seafaring
craft and terrorized ancient sailors
giant squid, like fellow cephalopod,
octopi, have three hearts, large brains
and blue blood
and, although seldom seen, thrive
as animated, vital creatures
unassociated with decadence
need gratified
i needed to hear and see
the ocean
the drive to the coast, through
green-yellow-orange-red
and evergreen
readied my spirit
to take in rugged, gray beauty
of turbulent sea
quieting my soul with perspective
of being only a miniscule part
of the great I AM
tender encounter
trusting, trusted
because if i fear betrayal, i cannot
allow myself to be vulnerable
quiet
because noise and foolishness detract
from me, and even more from you
at peace
because that blessed state only comes
when i am still enough to listen deeply
hopeful
because whatever action that ensues
will – i hope – nurture all involved
fulfilling
as i am grateful tenderness has been
with young bobcat newly on his own
as he stopped to look, acknowledging
me without fear
with the run-away patch of daisies
in my yard as i walked away leaving
all to the new owners and they bent
with the wind, in promise
to be themselves in gift
with the rocky cliff at my back
as i came to realize we are made
of much the same elements
ill-informed actions
Oregon governor protests
that the commander in chief
is using a five-year outdated video clip
displayed on television news
to determine that Oregon needs
federal help in securing Portland
from flaming insurrection.
When the president’s use of Oregon’s National Guard is blocked
by a federal judge, our commander calls in California’s National Guard.
Where are the current president’s
daily security briefings so he is actually
aware of what is going on?
by the clock
later and later by the clock
sunrise brightens and warms
the horizon
tied as we are to the clock
it is difficult to remember
that it is we who are turning
and orbiting the sun
Friday joy
Friday evenings are becoming
traditional suppers together
here in the Gardens with news
and gossip and laughter and teasing
between daughters, grandkids
and blessed grandma to listens
with heart filled with gratitude
winter take all
winter take all
autumn has been preparing
conserving, contracting
surface area needing sunshine
bodies needing food
dropping leaves
setting up lairs for hibernation
reminding persons
of the finiteness of life
and the need to be ready
to face infinity if not strong
to embrace rebirth of spring
streaks of spider trace
draped spider trace streaks
into view in glistening broken
paths up and down the strand
as the wind lifts and shifts
it into the sun’s glorious highlighting
yellow dance of awareness
watching a yellow leaf detach
dance, swirl, drift and pirouette
celebrating autumn and reminding
me of the passage of time
mindful of the finiteness of life
its dreams, deeds done and not done
of shoulds and failures, of judgement
and self-castigation, of pride – foolish, or earned and quietly smiled upon
good feeling or ache of disappointment
as i measure myself against
what i hoped and what i’ve done
to discover who i am
to learn acceptance of others
and, finally, forgiveness of self
father in autumn
autumn leaves swirl
pushing forward the clock
as we remark passing seasons
but also reminding me of childhood
privilege of diving into the pile of leaves
laboriously raked by wearied father
who smiled, nonetheless,
to hear our laughter
back seat non-driver
in the back seat of my brother’s car
i, who nearly always am the driver,
got to peer up between stands of trees
and along the hilltop to the low
mountains layered behind them
trace the curves of tractor furrows
where the farmer followed
the contours of his land
all the delights a driver may not
allow her focus to remain on
as she steers from town
through wooded corridors
and farm communities
on the way to foggy coast
how i love my brother and sister (-in-law and -in-love)
who have always quietly done for me
things i could not do for myself
hours of joy
hours laughing with my daughters
as they settle technical issues
with phone and computer
so i can putter in peace and safety
but it is their presence that
gives me greatest joy
september dawn
haiku
glorious progression
pale blush to fiery auburn
streak intense blue clouds
Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals
a dozen of us with canes and walkers
visited the Rice Museum of rocks and minerals, awed by the cut and polished
surfaces of gray-brown lumps someone was curious enough to discover
contained layers, colors, streaks, blotches of exquisite beauty