unfinished

not river flowing but shallow pool
       of dewdrops
not colorless but midnight cocoon 
       under strawberry moon
not restlessness of wild season but slow 
       spring fire bubbling underneath 

silence is my companion
       not noise or music  
as i edit, shape and refashion
       this canvas
never complete nor empty
       ... just unfinished





Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - OpenLinkNight - Hosted by Bjorn Rudberg - Using a prompt I missed before, Via Negativa - check it out.

dVerse will have a summer break from July 1 to 13, 2018.   Then on July 16, we open again to celebrate dVerse 7th year anniversary.  See you on July 16, Monday!!!!

the world inside/outside

i, the day
you, the night

i, framing the sky with questions
you,  paving it with silence

i, penning words bursting out of seams
you, painting abstracts serene as midnight stars

i flee from bees lusting for roses and summer blooms
you are drenched in rain from monsoon storms 

my sun rises in pink over blue mirrored lake 
your sun sets in scattered inkblots of mystery

time races when we kiss 
                                      and twist                                       
time pauses when we spar 
                                      and part

the sweetness and bitterness 
                                      drives us mad
we zigzag and go off course but 
                                      love circles back (to)
                                      
this world of us, inside you
inside me, this world of us




Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - Poetics, Opposites Attract, or Do They?, hosted by Lillian.
Please join us when the pub doors open at 3pm EST.

Mothering the mother

I hold my first grandson, who is 1 month old in my arms.  His whole face and sleepy frame speaks of innocence and trust. I really have to get used to being called a Grandma now.  The cycle of life loops.  I am transported back to the past, back to time I first held my first born in April.   We stayed in my family's ancestral home during my maternity leave. It was a hot summer month, yet I felt soothed by the  abundance of mango, papaya and banana trees around the house.  It was the season of ripeness and the house buzzed with energy. 

As a first time mother, I was excited to dive into my new role.  I followed the doctor's instructions and kept a diary.   If my son would cry or have a bum stomach, my mother and grandmother and I would have a quick meeting and discuss solutions.  It was a "mother's conference only" and I was lucky to benefit from their wisdom.  My mother's wings were wet, but I flew confidently with their wind sails beneath me.     

My son burps his baby, cradling him with strength of giant willow tree.         

chickadees frolic
as tropical heat dries blankets- 
i smell - milk & sunshine -  


Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - Haibun Monday, hosted by Jilly.   
Thanks for the visit ~

Solstice

We walk with long shadows trailing
As sun sets with hues unveiling

Orange and red weaves with soft blue
We guzzle summer's heady brew

Red roses carpet, scent of green
Misting our brows with sweaty sheen

On the horizon, half-moon rises
Silvering lips stained by spices 

Grace@Everyday Amazing

Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - Couplets for the Solstice - Hosted by Frank Hubeny ~
Thanks for the visit ~

Summer feast

when summer sun climbs 

ladder of dust

cycle me to the footpath

of sea stones, shells and twigs

lake water, a flute of harmony

blue sky, scattered bed of feathers 

swans dive to catch food

i linger under shades to savor feast

of berries

Lakeshore, Mississauga City

Grace's Instagram

Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - Quadrille, hosted by Kim Russell.  This is a 44 word post with the chosen word, CYCLE.  Come join us when the pub doors open at 3pm EST.  Thanks for the visit.

don't sweat over the small things

a paper cut
an unkind word
a stain of spilled wine 
a stubbed toe   
   sometimes small incidents can 
   torpedo an ordinary calm time 

but small things can also lift
and curtain a moment into a special 
day

a reassuring pat on
   the shoulder
a smidge of sunshine leafing through
    summer rain 
a patter of laughter cascading from   
    playground
a slice of homemade buttered bread   
    shared by a friend



Posted for dVerse Poets Pub, OpenLinkNight.  Join us when the pub doors open at 3pm EST.  Thanks for the visit.

Life Lessons

I.

imagine your hands-
a tinderbox, a lightning rod
what will you fashion today?

a zest of sunshine,
a pail of thunderstorms
or a river of kindness to share
      with people you meet along the way

you are the carpenter of your home
      and your town
you are the gardener of your body
      and your family 

spear your hands
to goodness and love will vine 
in all the corners of your world 


II.

imagine your feet-
a sailboat leaving dock
and travelling to faraway lands

what will you bring?
some luggage and carry on-

but what you carry inside you-
     box of energy, belly of enthusiasm,
     internal fire, thoughts of gratitude 
     
will power your wind sails through any
sudden storms 

find your rhythm and compass- 
create your own map and detours-
and finally, be the lighthouse for other boats-




Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - Hosted by Mish, on Life Lessons.
Thanks for the visit~  

keeping house

It was only when I got married that I lived away from my family. With our first home, I was excited to keep the house as clean as I could.  There was freedom in arranging our furniture, scheduling our own weekend activities and preparing meals.   It was like playing house, while remembering all that my mom told me about housekeeping.   With the freedom, came the burdens of keeping expenses within our means and making everyday household and meal decisions with my husband.  Good thing he was easy to please as my cooking skills were very basic and I was trying out different dishes for us.  Yes, there were burnt dishes, disaster meals, and arguments about groceries and bills.  We adjusted and moved on.  

Throughout my marriage and raising 3 children, my husband never asked me to quit my career. I was working full time, and he encouraged me to study further and pursue higher career goals.  It helped that his mother was a doctor and was also encouraged to work during her marriage.   The challenge for me, and for all working women, is to balance work, family life, and personal (alone) time.  It continues to this day. 

black birds and chickadees

peck on seeds under giant willow tree-

summer sun, red rose- 

Posted for dVerse Poets, Haibun Monday, with Bjorn Rudberg as host.   The theme is Freedom (benefits and consequences).  See you when the pub doors open at 3pm EST.  Thank you.

rains ahead!

cobble me a fig leaf,
scatterings of white blooms
upon fresh scent of summer rain

i'll find a song
stuck in my head, running
loose, a kite bowling over grey clouds

while whipping up
dessert of fruits and ice-cream

nothing is spoiling my day!

Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - Quadrille, with host De Jackson.  This is a 44 word post with the chosen word:  COBBLE.  See you at 3pm EST.