Friday, December 31, 2010

Day 134, ignorant things we say...

Here was my facebook post January 1, 2010...

"2009 was a "vitamin" year, fortifying and good for me but I never really liked the taste of it... here is to 2010 and at the very least a "Flintstone vitamin" year!

let's just say I should have seen 2010 coming... It was no Flintstone vitamin!  Why do we take our vitamins? To get stronger of course, to protect ourselves from bad stuff.

I will not be saying anything ignorant about 2011. What I can say is that 2010 was that disgusting thing on a french menu that you would have never eaten, but you had to, and it wasn't as bad as you thought. You'd NEVER order it but it wasn't as horrible as all that. We have had more blessings than challenges but oh boy what a ride! So here is my poem about 2010. Godd riddance and thanks for the ride :)


2010

Do you remember the row
about your name?
Two thousand and ten.
Twenty Ten.
Ten.
your even numbered possibilities
lured me right to the hook
a decade ended and begun
I bought it, hook. line.
and sinker.

We didn't even make it a week
did we? One doctors appointment
after another, fear, fear, fear.
But Dr. Good Guy
with the turban kept it under wraps
and we will wait on that, thank you!

And we won't talk about the house
or the sewer. I'm not going there with
you. Needless to say I'm at the tail end of
you Twenty-Ten. You won't be missed.
I will not long for you. You're like the teacher
I had junior year in high school.
good gravy what a cruel thing she could be
but I learned so much, I grew so much,
and that is me and you Ten. Good to go.

And go you must, but please spread the word
to Eleven or whatever the heck we're going to
call your odd little friend... I'm all shook up,
ready baked, whipped and whooped.
Thanks for nothing and thanks for everything
2010, Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Day 133, to Father Time

Dear Father Time
Slow down
Unless I am waiting in a line
Speed up then, please
I wish you weren't so illusive
So hard to befriend
In two days a new year, another year
Will begin. Ceste la vie
They say. So be it. Me and you
The turtle and the hare.
May the race begin.

PS I've had enough wrinkles in time so far please take me off your delivery route, thanks!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Day 132, words make more than words

I'm not writing a poem but sharing one. Words make thoughts, directions, emotions, memories, confessions. Pick your favorite words (a song, a quote from a movie, funny thing your kids say). What words do it for you? Share them in the comments.

My favorite words are usually from songs. Like this one from Natalie Grant called The Real Me


foolish heart looks like we're here again
same old game of plastic smile
don't let anybody in
hiding my heartache, will this glass house break
how much will they take before i'm empty
do i let it show, does anybody know?

CHORUS:
but you see the real me
hiding my skin, broken from within
unveil me completely
i'm loosening my grasp
there's no need to mask my frailty
cause you see the real me

painted on, life is behind the mask
self-inflicted circus clown
i'm tired of the song and dance
living a charade, always on parade
what a mess i've made of my existence
but you love me even now
and still i see somehow

CHORUS

wonderful, beautiful is what you see
when you look at me
you're turning the tattered fabric of my life into
a perfect tapestry
i just wanna be me

CHORUS

and you love me just as i am

wonderful, beautiful is what you see
when you look at me

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Day 131, suppertime

I forgot to eat lunch because I was in a rush to see a dear friend! Needless to say I am starving.
Suppertime
It's the onions simmering slowly
butter soft and golden
the smell of flame and fat
melting into one.
The gentle warmth of fireside
the lull of cornflower blue skies
deepened to a navy hue
laughter from the kids
water running

the burst of sensation in your
olfactory that says something
new has been added to the pot
and the seldom luxury of sitting
back and waiting, watching this
fabulous dance of preperation
that turns longing to craving
and craving to sustenance
and sustenance to a sweet
sort of peace.

Suppertime.

the hubs is cooking some gumbo WITH okra,
gonna look like this :P

Monday, December 27, 2010

Day 130, Brothers

Cowboys and Indians
Cowboys and Indians
friend and foe
butterball puppies
nipping each others ears
tumbling to the ground
the warm scent of little boys
warm cookies, lemonade and
good clean dirt
shrieking in laughter or pain
always a deviant joy
born partners in
an unsuccesful coup
brothers.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Day 129, Just becasue I do, doesn't mean I want to...

I don't feel like writing. I am simply enjoying my day. Soaking up this little bit of holiday that is left. Avoiding the cleaning and thinking as best I can.
A Spongy Day
This day is a soak it up day
leisure dribbles itself all over the place
and my spongy soul wants to suck it all up
into every crevice. Becasue leisure isn't leisure
unless you absorb it.


Saturday, December 25, 2010

Day 128, spiritual britches

Here's hoping Christmas was the blessing it was meant to me. No matter that you didn't get to do... the yearly traditions, that you didn't buy as many gifts, that you didn't send your Christmas cards for the first time in 16 years... that it was a time of reflection and joy. Here is praying that the losening up after the Holidays is only in our pants :) Merry Christmas!
Spiritual Britches
It's a feast, a gluttenous gorging
of silent this and Holy that
Full to bursting from all of those
good Christian calories. So
we do what any celebratory diner does
and secretly unbutton, unzip
because we've found
we are quite literally too big
for our spiritual britches.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Day 127, No Room in the Inn

No Room in the Inn
There was no room that night
the Inn's where filled to brim
as is our days, our task,
our whims.
Will there ever really be
a room in the Inn
for Him?


Thursday, December 23, 2010

Day 126, The Eve of the Eve

To busy for poetry today but I must, I suppose, stick to my own silly commitment and put something out there, even if it isn't any good :(

Eve of the EveIt's the eve of the Eve
all of the excitement
nerves and anxiety
come spilling forth
its the eve of the Eve
that's just the way it is
of course.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Day 125, Joy continued

Because it keeps coming up... I can't say the last two months have been fun but oh my word have my eyes been opened!
Joy
Joy is weathered pine branches
arched above your head
a frisky wind to toss your hair
and carry laughters threads


Joy is a cold metal swing
layered with straw
the prickly warmth of covering
lovingly placed by an amber Fall

Joy is the distant cold
nudging out the unwelcome warmth
chimneys exhaling reverantly
at Mother Nature's performance

Joy is the symphony
of the fiercest give and take
a seasonal concerto
of the elated alto and the grieving bass


Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Day 124, Joy

So Joy seems to be the theme this year, the thing that won't dissapear, that won't leave me alone, the word that literally keeps popping up everywhere...
Joy
Bliss
snuggly
tucked
in its
fortress
of trust,
despite
the battle
waged
around it.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Day 123, When in doubt, Kool Aid

Kool Aid

When in doubt
don't speak a word
keep your heart
all to yourself
because doubting
says that readiness
has not arrived
unless you doubt yourself
and your ability
to discern between
an honest fear
and a truthful doubt
doubt and fear are
sugar and water
two separate taste
one viscous mess.
Do not drink that
Kool Aid


Sunday, December 19, 2010

Day 122, 2 am surprise

Sometimes you gotta see if anyone is paying attention. This is all tongue in cheek of course. I'm gonna keep Sean, no worries :)

Two a.m. Surprise
At 2 am I am not a happy girl.
I fell asleep, with a crooked neck
awoke, shook the old man, told him
to come to bed and turned to shut off the TV
and what to my wondering eyes should appear
on the boring old FOOD Network?
but my favorite Matt.
Now that was YUMMO!
a midnight snack for the eyes :)



He's quirky, bongos no less! but still better
than Iron Chef any day of the week!


Saturday, December 18, 2010

Day 121, By the Tree

By the Tree
Somewhere by the tree
are little eyes
dazzled, hopeful
wishing
bright white bows
would unravel
revealing little boy dreams
somewhere by the tree
sits a mamma,
whose dreams gaze at the tree.


By Heidi Lamott
























You can buy this painting here

Friday, December 17, 2010

Day 120, Ho-Ho

Ho-Ho. it's a jolly shame
all your adoration
all your fame
You give and give
slave away
boss thousands of elves
ride a chilly sleigh
work a whole year
in a single day
You seem a figment
of our imagintations
and yet, you are everywhere
all over God's creation.
The kids either worship you,
revere you and smile
or scream like banchees
the second they spy you.

You don't get wrapped up
in Hollywood fame,
don't own your own network
or star in a reality show
but dang if I know who you
got for retail, Martha Stewart herself
pales when compared.

You bring it dude! You make those
kids listen. You have the staying power
of Elvis I bet you. But here is my question
my day in and out doubt...
When I leave you the cookies
why must you leave me the pounds?!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Day 119, Lights

Saw some Christmas lights and took a wagon ride to celebrate the season. Beautiful night!
This Little Light

Little twinkle lights
you brighten up my mind
warm and glowing
your steady vigililance
inspires me to smile
to wish and hope
for such a little bit
of brightness is
such a little bit
of bliss.



Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Day 118, irked

I'm irked that I can't have what I want
I have spent a large portion of my day being peeved.
I'm too much of a hypocrite to speak of anger
At God. But I am irked and irritated that I or those I
Love most have to suffer, which is the most thoughtless
Type of idolatry. Asking God, why do you not worship me?
When I have not stopped to bend one single irritated knee.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Day 117, Impatient

Sometimes I don't say much ahead of the poem because it says enough on its own.

Impatient
I am impatient.
No, wait.
Don't wait!
I hate waiting.
Impatience is an
ugly stepsister.
I'm the other one.
And we snicker at
the calm and cool.
Stupid fool, stupid fool!
And yet the slipper never
fits my foot. Never fits my foot!
Even though I'm quite impatient
and demand that it does, I can not
squeeze my fat hoof into it and
therefore it winds up often and most snug

inside my large impatient mouth!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Day 116, Toothy grin

Toothy Grin

Yeah you! and your toothy grin.
You think your cute, huh?
Not me. I'm not one bit tempted
to worship you. Your butter fat cheeks
do not cause my heart to slobber
carniverously. Uh-uh. I am so not
falling for your "Me love mama." line.
It won't cut it. I know your gonna
love me and leave me.
You'll hang around for eighteen years or so,
take all my money, run and find another girl!
Keep the cheeks and the toothy grin.
I'm unimpressed.
But don't forget my kiss goodnight.
Don't ever forget to kiss me goodnight.
I'm your mama after all.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Day 115, hello and goodbye

What's hello but some sort of goodbye
What's hope but a bittersweet cry
For mercy, for love, for
Forgiveness given. All to balance providence
In a world whose odds are never even.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Day 114, one small day

One Small Day
Dawn is the creamy yolk of hope
before the tell all fumes of sunrise
waft into your dreams.
Midday is an eager madness
racing to complete, attain.
And dusk is the pale,
dusty midnight hue of
a sullen peace that overides
the frenzy of the sunlit day.
The moon then rises, a peaceful
conqueror, a steady reminder
of day's bright goodness and
night's ceaseless and quiet mercy.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Day 113, The Grinch Didn't Steal Christmas

Practicality did. I'm a little Grinchy about Christmas, I will admit it. I like the carols and the gifts but all the stress?! nope. It makes me want to not participate. It makes me want to tell Jesus Happy Birthday with a belated e-card. Problem is I married Clark Griswald. He finds nothing too much trouble to make Christmas special. I'm learning that maybe it's worth it sometimes even if my practical thinking fights it at first.

The Practicality of Christmas

The Grinch's middle name was practical.
Practical thinking produces practical things,
and Christmas isn't practical.
There is nothing practical about it.
Santa is not practical.
Virgin births are not practical.
Gifts in general, are not practical and
if they are, they are not well received.
Eggnog, not practical.
Gingerbread houses.
Lights on a tree.
Lights on a house.
Mistletoe.
Not practical.
After all of it is over you are not
practically worn out, you are totally done,
and sad that it's gone.
Practically mourning the loss of the very
thing your practical brain bemoaned.


Thursday, December 9, 2010

Day 112, choosing joy

Christmas can be a happy time or a really sad time depending on your circumstances. Choosing joy in times of pain is difficult.

Joy

Burnt umber sorrow
polished to bronze
a smile in the face
of mourning
because
grief will not
bring the birth of
what was.


You are like Bruce Lee to me if you are
grieving this Christmas and are choosing joy.
Bruce Lee!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Day 111, Old and Wise

The Elder Lady

An elderly lady walked
into my sight
with the cautious uncertainty
of someone who knows
what it's like to fall


She posessed a wise glimmer
to her eyes


 And I wouldn't be
surprised if she did fall
but her knowing glance said,
"Honey,
you will too."

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Day 110, The Seed

A little poem I sing to myself when I am feeling challenged. I've worn it out lately :) I sorta. Stole it straight out of scripture :)

The Seed


Don't let me be the seed
trampled on the path.
Don't let me be the seed
growing in dry ground.
Don't let me be the seed
that's completely overwhelmed.
I want to be planted.
I want to be planted in You.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Day 109, What's a Prayer?

I've been praying a lot, that isn't necessarily different but how I pray is completely new and good I might add.

Prayer


What's a prayer,
but a wish?
A fervent expression
Of our own desire.
Isn't that what we do?
Isn't that how we pray?
What a merciful God to bless
us in our tepid pose.
but what a mighty God we find
when the floor does meet our nose.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Day 106, perspective

Perspective

Like a tilt-a-whirl
My eyes can't find a spot
To hold in focus
Too much spinning
My perspective is always changing
And I No longer see which way is what

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Day 107, Saturday is my BFF

Well sort of...

Saturday

You are my BFF
from years ago
I'm always excited
to see you but
you don't always live
up to the hype.

You're all me, me, me.
We have fun, I admit it
and sure, I miss
the old times but
I have other days
that understand me better.
Friday is my soul mate.
I'm just not the same girl
you remember me being.

I've changed, but don't
worry, you'll always be
my best friend from yesterday.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Day 106, Friday, oh Friday!

I think it might be my favorite day, I'm discovering that through this week's post. :) Happy Friday!

Friday
My harbinger, my Hero!
I hear your name and my
pulse quickens. You promise
deliverance and respite, you are
my weekend Romeo.
Kneeling below my balcony
you whisper promises
the other days of the week
can only stutter through.
You are silver tongued
and I don't mind it.
Friday, oh Friday
Here you are my Friday!


Thursday, December 2, 2010

Day 105, Thursday, Thursday. THURSDAY!

Thursday is fun to say. Stop and repeat it several times in your head. It just feels good. I've always loved a Thursday. Even if it's a bad one there is a weekend right next to it to recoup! I had a wonderful visit with a great friend and so she inspired me to write this. I think I'll just nickname her "Thursday"!

Thursday


Thursday is a thoughtful friend
who listens as well as she shares
a give and take day
a no holds barred day
a stop and make a wish day
an anything can happen
but let's pray it don't day


She stops to have a cup of coffee
let you catch up on things
and she is never overbearing
She's a downhill race day.
That's what's so thoughtful 
about Thursday.



Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Day 104, Wednesday is not my favorite day...

Wednesday

Like laps in the ocean
It's effect is largely
Dependent on the swimmers stance
Poised to frolic
Or paranoid of it's
liquid persistence
Thus Wednesday is altogether
At the mercy of ones whims
And whims are rarely merciful.