cannot, but can

i could not take on her cancer

but i could be with her for tests

and treatments and have her

with me for times of recovery

i cannot heal our society’s lack

of faith, courage to face the truth

or refusal to take responsibility

for the care of others

but i can be there to support

and encourage my friends

and love my family with all of me

however inadequate for the enormity

of the task, knowing that i

am not alone in caring

who would have guessed

joy of caring for an animal pet

i would not have thought

could transfer to tending to plants

but i love needing to give the deck

flowers every morning enough water

to survive and thrive through our

ninety-degree days

love duty

disabled child unable to walk

long limbs clinging as mom,

having picked up and carried

this love-burden all his life,

gathers him in her arms though

he is more than half her height

healing beyond me

 as a physician, i never healed anyone

my best efforts went to shaping

all around them to help them heal

themselves in God’s arms

this day of remembering

with humble gratitude all

that has been given us, i have yet

again gifted with the laughter 

and caring that heals and bonds

friends and loving family

choked compassion

i am wrung to sadness after

watching a rally reading

of The Snake poem by someone

who twists compassion

into suspicion and distrust

that chokes our seeking for solution

lunch in salem

lunch in salem

 laughter and good food

shared with daughter and son-in-law

overlooking the golf course

family news and gossip

foibles and concerns

triumphs and challenges

more laughter, because we care