The long weekend

                                                       Lakeshore @Everyday Amazing

boats on the moorings,
white and weaving on afternoon lake

while geese and graceful swans
swim lazily on shorelines carved with stones

on this day, families bike and walk around,
some with picnic baskets and colorful mats to embrace the sun  

young children and teens are running in the field
while elders and women gossip under shaded trees

beyond the lake, the city skyline glitters  
but it looks so faraway, as eager feet soak the water

we recall beach holidays and weekend gatherings,
places we like to visit still, as we snap pictures of the day         

like the gulls and geese, the children will soon fly away 
from the nest, eager to spread their wings

but for now, we are stitching these images:   
summer sun, ebb and flow of the tide, cool breeze  

we anchor our feet to what matters the most :  
the gift of family  


Posted for Poetry Jam:  What Do I Value Most - My daughter took this picture of our lake over the long weekend.  Also for Theme Thursday:  Recollections

The cotton picker

hot sun on face
aching and sore fingers  
with every cotton flower picked
she daydreams of nice house and 
table laden with food and cool wine 
maybe buy a nice dress and shoes to dance
at her cousin's wedding next harvest time. 


wiping sweat on face,
she carries sack of cotton at the end of day.
walking back to her rented room of
small bed, a picture frame of her family 
brings a smile to her lips and sparkle on eyes.  
crossing hands in prayer, she sleeps 
on a pillow cotton full of dreams.  





Posted for Poetry Jam:  Daydream Believers
and Theme Thursday:  Inspiring Things -  My hope for all migrant workers is for them to come home and be with their loved ones.   


Picture credit:    http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/latinos/cottonpicker-1936.jpg

Candle of hope

guilt bites our insides
at night when everything is still 


gnawing the lines of our stomach
with soured cream and bitter vinegar, 


maybe conscience is sleepwalking, 
but mother's scolding voice is sharp in the din, 


we bite our tongue, pursing red-lined lips, 
so we don't accidentally spill thorny secrets, 


eyes closed tight, so we don't see
cracks in the wall of the confessional box,   


we meander the wheat field and chapel hills
for a drop of blessed wine, the bloom of flower


fear of discovery and rejection cripples us,
making us afraid even of our shadows


black night is long and tortuous when the mind
is beset with doubts and uncertainties of our actions  


left or right, black or white, or maybe grey,
choices pull and push till we are lost in grinding wheels  


night turns to day, we find that life doesn't pause 
at stop signs nor waits for us to board the right bus 


we are selfish and flawed, yes, but there is a 
rainbow waiting inside all of us, an unlit candle of hope 


if we ask for forgiveness and in turn,
share that grace with others, our burden lightens 


and finally, we can forgive and love




our self 





Posted for:   Poetry Jam : Forgiveness
and Theme Thursday:   Life's Uncertainties  


Picture credit:  here

Celebrate today

i walk in the warm breeze of orange sunset
the roots of the maple tree follow my trail
over the serene park and green fields


the long awaited summer is finally here 
young children playing, carefree as the wind
teens ambling in groups, stretching new wings


June is a milestone, not just for school close, 
but its also my dad and folk's anniversary month 
and the start of our new life in this country,
7 years ago   


crossroads, small and big, define us 
and bring us to unexpected journeys and challenges
we sometimes don't fully understand  


like seeing the half empty glass, 
until we learn to trust and appreciate 
how far we have come, not just physically 
(like my 13 year daughter who is now as tall as me)
but also emotionally and spiritually


when we see the beauty in the everyday
when we carry with grace the simple tasks
when we take another step forward, then another
when we forgive and accept our limitations 


today is a good day to celebrate
all the good things   




Posted for:   Theme Thursday:   All the Good Things
and Poetry Jam:   Celebrate 


picture credit :  here

Rainy day

the sun rises 
behind white splattered clouds
like dry sands etched on beach sky


in the pale light
cars and trucks cross the familiar roads
like busy yellow bees in crowded city hive


a cloudy day is the forecast
spring is now wet earth and moist fields
like exploding red roses blooming the garden 

it has been year since i planted them,
hardly breathing during winter spell,
but sturdy roots and thorns thrived, faithful to spring 


now as rain pelts my car windows

like giant waves rocking boat in the sea,

i think about red roses and thousand seeds on ground    


budding, growing, spreading arms to touch the sun     

Written for Theme Thursday:  Full Circle :   My red roses are in full bloom.

and Poetry Jam:   Water:   It was really raining hard today.


picture credit:   here

Starry night

                                                     "Starry Night"   Vincent van Gogh

starry night  

above rice fields, hills,  

white summer

~0~0

shooting stars

lighting midnight sky,

lantern sun

~0~0

wishing well

pocket full of coins,

moonlit face

     

~0~0

midnight dance   

full of promises, 

starry night

and for Theme Thursday:

ice cream swirls

chocolates, mints, nuts,   

melting blues 

melting blues

topped with strawberries,  

sweet as you

Posted for Poetry Jam:   Painting a Picture
Tackle it Tuesday:   Shooting Stars 
Theme Thursday:   Ice-Cream

Hope

hope is hand

holding flower, blown

careless wind 

~0~0

hope is pink seashell 

empty bed of gleaming pearls,

arms open to sea   

~0~0

my hands in prayer,
his last dying breath, grieving
I light a candle

Posted for Haiku Heights - Hope.   This is part of National Poetry Writing Month - Day 6.
Linked with Haiku My Heart  and Theme Thursday 

picture credit:    here

On being productive

the arm trembles
the hand falters

in a second, or a minute,
fear and doubt creeps in.

the ball slides off
you miss the shot
even before it leaves your hand.

this is what happens
if you don’t practice your craft
or play on a regular basis.

you lose your touch,
and sense of rhythm.


so
  write
          play
                compose
paint
       sing
            cook
                    doodle
                              draw

everyday if you can.

even a short 5 minute writing
or composing a sentence will lead
into a verse or story.

in  touch with your spirit,
you will be more productive than ever.

Posted for Theme Thursday:   Prompt is produce. 

I was listening to my male officemates talk about sports and an athlete missing the shots or not catching the ball.   No matter how good you are, if you missed a game or didn't play in the field for some time, your play will not be as good as when you are playing all the time.      

picture credit:   here 

Ring out the Old, ring in the New

tick tock tick tock

 

my book is open, bookmarked page

I had wanted to read but until now

awaits for my attention, so fleeting

my pen lies on my table, as it has been

for the last months, still humming the

lyrics of the song in my head, unsung

my recipe book is dusty in kitchen shelf

papers hurriedly torn, pressed tight amidst

the jars, waiting for my yellow apron   

tick tock tick tock

the heavy snow fall after Christmas Day

reminds me of the season’s swift passing,

burying festive wrappers, in a blink of an eye

as the year comes closer to the end, 

I see unmarked days,  unopened letters,

as well as exclamation points, and smiley faces 

a good and fruitful year, despite sad autumn

and short summer, new and old friends keeping

company, while meeting challenges head on

the sparklers and blow horn are ready

for new year’s eve, a countdown louder than

church bell’s tower in downtown square

yes, I am all set to turn the page,

write my words, try new dishes to cook,

watch ice hockey games, shake more hands

tick tock tick tock

 

 

Happy New Year !!!!

Posted for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads:   Mary's Mixed Bag
and Theme Thursday :   Future