bloom

Bloom. 

Just bloom a little more, 

A little longer, 

But bloom. 

It is not time to wither; 

It is not time to stop growing. 

It is not time just yet 

To let go or say goodbye. 

Bloom, darling, 

And be daring while you're at it. 

Bloom into a new flower 

That knows where the sun shines. 

just for a little while

wishes and kisses 

moving in all directions 

grow down a little 

*dedicated to my children and to my dad for inspiring my thoughts

a full plate

wringing out the dishcloth

with dishes still in the sink

is like the days of being a mother 

teaching you that the work is 

never all done

time putting us all through the wringer 

wishing for more time but less wringing 

hoping for a little stretch of peace

but that's not what life is all about

so the blows just keep coming 

day after day, the dishes keep coming

and going but showing that 

there is always a little more one can do

to make a difference 

to feed a soul 

joy (a blackout poem)

Seek and find joy,

The great blessing relating to

Something like sun-split clouds

Lifted over the changed world 

Flying together—

Take and see—

Caught up in the exhilaration, 

Rejoiced delight. 

This heart! 

I speak about something—

Laughter—

Wings. 

memories

My collection is growing with time 

And space and friends and opportunity. 

My collection has colors innumerable— 

Indescribable and incredible. 

My heart is filling up so full that

All it takes some days is one more 

Drop of joy, and my cup overfloweth

In the form of tears or laughter—

Or both. 

Some days, I trick myself into thinking 

I have not been given enough chances, and 

Then, I remember and I start counting, and 

There just is no room in one person to hold 

All the good and wonderful and happy 

That has been given to me. 

My friends, my family 

And all this love that I hold and see

Everywhere I look, surrounding me. 

halfway

Isn't there a little something special about knowing 

You are halfway there? 

Halfway where, you ask?  

Halfway to finishing

Halfway to accomplishing something

Halfway to doing something different

Halfway to the goal 

Halfway to knowing something—anything 

Who knows what the something is

Other than the satisfaction of being all done? 

Or is there something more? 

Do you ever feel a little wistful? 

Sometimes a little wishful 

That maybe time could slow down just a tad

To grasp the second half after halfway a little longer

To savor it and save the feeling for on a rainy day?

And smile

Because you remember how it felt to be halfway 

And there is just something special about 

Being there in the middle of doing 

Creating, writing, teaching, 

Thinking, hoping, dreaming, singing 

Being in the middle of making something 

Out of what used to be nothing 

Waiting for you, and all that you bring, to show up. 

to the bone

raggedy and worn

tired and wishing, war-torn 

pushing on toward light

i am

I am tenacious and giving.  

I wonder if my mother likes how I'm living.

I hear the bells of Christmas Day ringing. 

I see the light when I feel the Holy Spirit's tingling.

I want to touch true freedom.

I am tenacious and giving. 

I pretend I am honestly fun. 

I believe Scotland's unicorns once were living. 

I touch ever so softly the velvety warmth of purple. 

I worry I let red prevail in this life devoted to purple. 

I cry when the blue hues are winning. 

I am tenacious and giving. 

I understand that I am a daughter of God—a queen. 

I say I am sweet and loving but also a little bit mean. 

I dream of good things to come, truly believing. 

I try to be exceptional. 

I hope my life will be be inspirational. 

I am tenacious and giving. 

 

fight on, write on

Every time I try to really write,

A silence washes over me in an effort 

To show me that maybe I need to step back

And listen for awhile, but then

I remember how many days, months, and 

Years went by in guarded silence

Keeping me from freedom and safety and

Saying what needed to be said, so 

I keep writing and speaking and sharing

With a world that seems to not want to 

Hear what I have to say, but 

I will say it anyway, and stop letting 

Silence wash over me without a fight. 

I shall write on. I shall fight the good fight.

precious, whole, seen treasure

PRECIOUS 

We belong to Him, every one, 

Spiritually, divinely—all

Changing, growing, effervescing 

Following Him today—now. 

WHOLE

Working on believing that

Someone like me

Is allowed to be made clean

Permitted and persuaded

Through the redeeming blood

Of the Lamb

To be healed, to be fully loved 

Connected and invited

To not only survive but

To live eternally

Powerfully—

Whole. 

SEEN

Salvation gained through grace and holy love

Given by the ultimate Friend from above, 

One who sees, seeks, and finds the one—

Our joy-maker, our Savior, God's beloved son.

He reaches me; He teaches me. 

He waits for me and for you; 

We are always—forever—in His view. 

TREASURE

Golden moments of faith and devotion

Following the Light, the Truth, the Way

Into the world with strength only He can offer

As we begin to see just what price He paid

As our hearts begin to scratch the surface

On what our Savior sacrificed for us

Because He loves us

And we love him. 

not (very) funny

dichotomous, real

mirth unbound by deep sorrow

parched desert humor

do what it takes

Knock, knock, knocking outside the open door

A gateway, an invitation to think outside myself 

To take the time to ponder what really matters 

When the day is done and everyone goes home to be alone

Time for becoming what you already know you need to be

A call to action to feel about, find, and put your feet

On the footpath of the future before the future finds you 

Unprepared and scared, like a little girl 

Who just wants to be happy but seeks no recourse to 

Change the narrative

Speak up, stand up

Do what it takes to 

Be unafraid;

Do what it takes to 

Be truly free, and 

Seek God's face. 

wasted

wishing on those stars

bathed in warm purple moonlight 

now—complete strangers

take responsibility

Where does your mind go when you are all alone? 

Does it meander to and from the best of things? Or—

Do you let yourself believe you are safe from poison that stings? 

What stays on your mind even when you are occupied with other things? 

Are you letting intrusive, self-abusive habits rule your days and nights? Or—

Are you taking care that what is running in the background is filling your cup? 

Who is taking space in your heart causing you to keep going or want to give up? 

Do they bring you joy and rejoicing or anger and resentment? Or—

Are you remembering that you alone are responsible for your actions and feelings? 

intrusion

worrisome actions

draining, habitual (bad)

life lessons abound

learning light

Taking a little time to slow the march and 

Cool the tempo and calm the mind

Reaching into center to find what is here

To learn how to soften the edge of fight and fear

Standing on the lively shore of life to 

Watch the ripples of change go out to 

Watch the tides of change come in

To learn how to silence this ever present din

Learning, leaning on love, for and from others

Loving self and forgiving the past and present

To see how we all can reach a point together 

In the future—with light and truth resplendent

heart bare

The world will never be the same

From when He lived and died and came

Back, to save us from ourselves

The sparrow knows His love and care

The lily in the field stands aware

So I will also know and stand, heart bare

To let the Savior of the world come near

He lives and loves us without end

From before the world began 

Into the eternal realm, unceasing

saving us

silence draws out hope

resurrection still unseen 

face faith's tomorrow 

i forgot

I walked until my heart was weary

With all the cares and hopes we had

Because it took so long I fainted 

With sorrow on the road with no sight

Of rest or relief I lay myself down 

For just one moment longer than I should

And I forgot for a moment, a mere pause really, 

Of why I fought so hard 

Of why I stood on my raw and thrashed feet 

For so very long

I forgot what it feels like to be loved

Because the love I need has never 

Shown its face to me

change

Change is everywhere and nowhere to be seen. 

It creeps up on you in your daily routine. 

It takes away your dreams while giving them new life.

It robs you of what you wanted by giving you what you need. 

Change is a part of every day that creates strife

While taking you on adventures and heartaches, 

Breaking you down to your heart of hearts,

Showing you your bare soul and teaching you to like it. 

Change looks like an enemy but becomes your best friend

When you aren't looking because change is what makes you you,

And there is no running from your best version you might find in the end—

If/when you try.  

define my life

Define my life

Every action—every breath

In all my repentance 

In all my good. 

Define my life 

In every friend

In every joy restored

In all the happy times 

In all the light regained. 

Define my life with love and hope. 

Define my life with eternity—with charity.