Winter has enchanting moments

The  first seven photos were taken in Birmingham, AL (date/time stamp is incorrect). The last four were on a senior hiking trip to the Smokey Mountains, Tennessee. 

Memories, Dreams

It sat on the oldest bench
in New York City's park.

There was no one around
to claim the spiral bound journal.

Approaching it with slow steps,
I looked quizzically down
and read upon dark blue cover,
Please take me home,
Share your journey,
And pass me on.

Curious, cautious:
I picked it up
and began to read.
I wasn't quite sure what
to make of it at first.
Yet as I continued on,
I noticed dates, places.

Seven people had held
this book before me.
Seven people had written
tales of their lives.
It started by the river:
a young girl in a small town
in Virginia.
Traveled to Colorado with

a family of four--
the youngest brother wrote that one.

A new mother found it next,
and wrote about her precious child.

Penned her hopes and dreams
of who her daughter would become.
She handed it to her brother next
who, taking it with him on his flight,
wrote about his time in the military overseas.

Left in the airport,
a history professor caught sight
of the spiral and
smiled at shared memories
before writing a short piece
on his journey home.
Taking it with him northbound,
it was left at the next terminal,
and picked up by the granddaughter
of  a WWII vet, staying with him
for the winter break.

Tales of life left on the living room table,
The warrior wrote about
a short piece of his life he rarely shared.
A little after dawn the next day,
he followed his morning routine,
walking through the park near his home.

Then, resting on the oldest bench in the park,
he sat the journal down and finished his walk.


 (Original version of "Reminiscence", found in my Final Portfolio)

Hannah's Tears

Hannah's Tears


why, God? 

can't you see the
tears flowing
like the Jordan
from these eyes
that You created?

why?

God,
why has this shame
been cast upon me?

i look around
and see them
beautiful, smiling,
everywhere
but in my arms.

so let this prayer
fall like pure
soundless snow
from my lips

Lord,
you know how much
i love Your ways,
keep and follow
every command.

let me love a child
for a little while
let me suckle
a son to my breast
and i will give him
back to You.

look down
upon Your servant
look down
and remember her.


1 Samuel 1
original version of "United in Sorrow" found in Final Portfolio 
2014

At the Preserve

impressions left upon ground
digging deep into the earth
walk on the narrow path
journey alone, deep in the woods


warm air fills my lungs
                  deep breath in
 and out
dandelion and snakeroot
     tickle my nose
and the ever present scent of pine
is underneath


              on then
first step           over fallen log
which has just begun to rot
rest
sip  fresh water and have
a protein bar


up ahead lie two gardens--
carefully planted
one yields potatoes, one nectar
a place for butterflies to dance


walk by the stream
     then head past pavilion
           finally go towards the car
dream and wait for another Saturday

2014