Gratitude

I always have a grateful heart, but tonight I want to share some things for which I thank the Lord.

During this time, when there are significant disruptions for many, a lot is typical for me. I did have to spend more than I was prepared to on groceries, pet food, fuel, and seeing things all in disorder upset me. The thing is we are good now.

I have devices and the internet, the electric and internet are currently paid.
I have access to music in abundance.
I have books (you all know I have an abundance plus I picked up library books last Thursday, and long as services stay up, I have Kindle).
I have art supplies.
I have journal supplies.
I have pens, pens are important.
I have dogs. Wookie and Tribble challenge me to keep going, (when Wookie is not trying to kill me, we are working on that).
There is a full tank of gas in the Explorer, and I just paid the payment and insurance for six months.
The taxes on the house were mailed. The insurance is paid.
My pain though disconcerting, is almost manageable.
God granted me a fertile imagination so I can entertain myself adequately.
I have the best best-friend in the world.
Should it get cold, the propane is full.
I have water.
No one stole my toilet paper, and I had Kleenex.
My meds are set until late next month.
Everyone I am distant-close to is doing well, although I think some are very inconvenienced.
I am keeping uppermost in my mind, when possible, that God is in control.
Tonight I am shuffling songs (almost 10,000) on my iPod, and I truly wish everyone could witness this concert.
Of course, I am grateful for each and everyone who reads my drivel. I will try not to inflict a list like this on you anytime soon.

I just hope everyone else is safe and okay. I really love all of you, and I want everything to be alright. If you have someone near, give them a hug, or tell someone you love them. Everyone needs love in times like these.

As a prompt, write down a few things you are thankful your life is blessed with today.

LOVE always the Answer

Wookie was not quite sure what was going on. She is not exactly photogenic, and I was sitting down, which is always a bit confusing for the dogs. I usually sit very rarely.

Is anyone else up to 150 posts this year alone? I would love to hear about what you are doing if so. Also, should anyone have content suggestions that would increase my audience without expecting monetary compensation, I would much love those. I would pay, but I have no funds. All this costs me. I know money is not a subject, but…

I hope you are enjoying the break from the endless activity and that you are well. I suggest this would be a perfect time to work creatively.

Maybe Today

We can spend time with
One another, talk, listen;
Pick up a book, magazine,
Newspaper, read good things.
Love
On our pets, while they love us,
Play with a child, love them,
Read interesting storybooks, or
Make stories up together.
Color, draw, paint – something
Beautiful,
Listen to music, sing along, or alone,
Pause some screen interaction,
See less bad news, avoid fear, panic,
We can discover an alcove of quiet
In whatever way we wish.
A long walk with mindfulness,
Bringing along a non-phone camera,
Writing letters to those we love,
Who
Will treasure the gift of “real” mail.
We must not allow chaos, meanness,
In the public sphere to dictate
The persons we are and become.
Humans are able to transcend disasters,
Growing richer, better, more capable,
Polished, polite, kindly, generous,
People of LOVE!
We can rise, creating,
A world
Of possibility and opportunity.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

As a prompt, I encourage you to put the world aside, a while. Enjoy the people, the places, the things that enrich your existence. If you wish, engage your creativity and produce something. Or if you are as exhausted as we often become, rest. Blessings to you and yours. Peace amidst the turmoil.

Gatherings In

Our animals claim
Us for every moment shared
Then leave us only –
Broken, tearful, and lonely,
Because they became family.

***

Love is a wolf cub
Crying as its growth begins,
Howling when in need.

***

The darkest places
Only need a candle to
Bring them into light.

***

I counted all the things –
Realized what was most wanted
Could be found inside.

***

Know, nothing can stop
Those who believe impossible
Describes possibilities.

***

The woman who gives
Herself to others away –
Will need herself back.

***

Choose expenditures
With care as they determine
Future realities

***

The dawn swells before
It births into brilliant light,
Dispelling the night.

***

I imagine dreams
Of extraordinary things –
A life of love brings.

***

Two lives returning
To things once thought over, done,
Are newly begun.

***

Nothing unreal as
Doubt or fear can cause harm if
We refuse it room.

***

The roar of applause
Will hardly greet an entrance
But the wind may howl
With glee when outside we meet
Strangers making harmony.

***

I loved you from when
Until now and know somehow
I will love you then –
Loving you is forever,
Always, and with you again.

***

I do not know why
Rain reminds me of the time
When you were still mine.

***

I washed away stains
Left when the day departed,
The tears quite a waste.

***

If the sun’s light grows,
We must remember ourselves
Before love can show.

***

Broken building blocks
On the site of construction,
Foundation unsound.

***

We wanted to be
Living in each other’s skin,
But could not begin.

***

You bypassed my mind
Dove straight into the open
Space within my heart,
I became willing captive
Of your voracious desire.

***

They said, “You cannot,”
I flinched not believing it,
I continued to
Do whatever I could do –
No one can limit the truth.

***

These were haiku and tanka. I like counting syllables. It suits me, particularly with my relationship with arithmetic. Haiku are three lines 5-7-5 syllables. Tanka are five lines 5-7-5-7-7 syllables. If you have watched me a while, you might have noticed I join these in longe poems. I love a seven-syllable line, there is an endless possibility there. All this is play, just noodling, like doodles. It keeps me locked in time, that can be a challenge.

As a prompt, should you wish, write your own. Be warned, they can be addictive.

Looking, See

Every time I sing,
“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,”
I am back in Elementary,
A class where I am the newest,
Not feeling the belonging.
A class where everyone stands
Hands to foreheads, looking over
Me, because I am Jordan, and
Being so shy, uncomfortable,
Wishing
I could disappear,
Never to return, suddenly.
Those words, words always,
The beauty, treasure of music,
A reflection in me, chasing me,
Now, every day I have become, am,
A creature of words, meaning, using
The tension between love, fear,
To live,
Alive, creativity,
Imagination in each moment
Wherever it is I may come to be;
I am a wordsmith, poet, magic,
Wielding a trusty pen, keyboard,
Against forces which might be happy
To see me silent, hidden, gone from
The fight, but I must still
Write.
It is who I am, delight.
Now you, do not quit, never
Give up, words transcend our
Troubles, they illuminate what
Must be acknowledged,
With words we start
To circulate the powers
Of goodness, kindness, generosity,
Love,
Into all those places where
Positive change can invade
Sending doubt, fear, darkness away.
So unleash your heart, soul,
Create,
Be courageous, bold, the world
Awaits our creativity to
Unabashedly unfold.