For another Old Friend

I lost another old friend last week. She was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer and Bone Cancer in the Spring of 2009. She was apparently doing well until the beginning of this month. By time she shared with the community what was going on she was diagnosed as "terminal." She passed away about a week after I found out she was sick. She touched my life in many ways when we were between the ages of 18-25 or so. I dedicate the following poem to her. An angel now watching over me.

Saying “Good-bye” to Kathy

Such a special person
From years ago
Slipped out of my life
Unseen

The memories come flooding back
Of all our times together
First apartment, lasagna making,
Car stuck on a snow bank –
Desperate grocery shopping trip

Support beyond measure
Hand-holding through the pain
Of losing my mother at an age
Way to young

And now, her children
Sadly, experience that same pain
I only hope they have friends
As dear as she was to me

A friend who was able to
Keep the calm among the storms
Reminding me that I’ll be ok
She is with me, each step of the way

And now some precious words she shared
With a friend as she lay dying:

'Our hearts are so connected
that no matter
where we are in time and space,
we'll never be apart.'

For an Old-Friend

Between the ages of 18-21 I had a wonderful opportunity to belong to a church group called, "Young Adults." During this time my mother was dying of cancer. This group was a very strong support for me. I found great comfort during out get togethers. I received word a few weeks ago that one of those members has been diagnosed with cancer. The words from their Caring Bridge Website follow: Ed was diagnosed in September with pancreatic cancer which has spread to his liver and lungs. We've been told there is no cure for this type of cancer. They are a family with strong faith and are open to miracles. As I read of their struggles I remember the pain and suffering my mother and sister endured during their illnesses. I pray for Peace for Ed and his family during this difficult time. I know they find great comfort in a loving God. Today I dedicate this poem to them and ask that you join me in prayer.

The Moments

In times of trials
In times of pain
Remember to grasp
The moments
In Between

Those short tiny moments
Are there for our respite
To help us find Peace
Among the chaos

An Explanation ... before and after

(Wednesday is my day "off" from "work." Typically I spend this day balancing errands and fun things for me.)

Wednesdays

Waking up quite groggily
From late night Tuesday talks
Splendid sharing times remembered
Welcomed morning coffee

Kids to school
The day is mine
Long hot bath
While I unwind

Putting away laundry
Topless – if I want
The house is empty
Except for the dog
And …
He doesn’t seem to mind

Cleaning, clearing, owning
This space, called “mine”
With no interruptions
From the offspring or …
The Spouse

Listening to iTunes
Rock to Meditation
So many different genres
Musical Whiplash
For Most
Expressing this Eclectic Me

U
. . . N
. . . . . . . T
. . . . . . . . . . I
. . . . . . . . . . . . .L

He calls
“I forgot my flash drive and can’t get by without it.”

It was pleasant while it lasted.
I pause for a 30-minute rescue
After lecturing about:
The Importance of
Being responsible for your own things!!!!

Then I’m back
On Track
In My Space
Doing My thing
Without interruption
This time I proclaim it so!

(I meet him outside the college. He's eating some kind of icecream bar coated in rich dark chocolate. He has pulled up in his wheelchair to to window of my van. I say, "I'll trade you." To which he says, "huh?" I say, "I've got something you need. I'll trade you." To which he says, "Mommmmm." To which I say, "At least give me a bite." He has to. Does he have a choice?)

Healing Tears

Bloodied and tattered
I struggle to my feet
Standing firm in
My Beliefs

The salt from my tears
Stings the fresh wounds
Cleansing and healing me
Magically

I Can Hear Your Whispers

I hear the conversations
The inquiries about me
Though I do not hear the other side
Just the “how is she’s”

I know this goes on
I am not naive
Though people think I am
Pretending it’s not happening
All to “help” me

I will share when I am ready
If it pertains to you
You’ll hear

If not, just hold me gently
Cover me in Light
As I begin to wonder
Is this worth the fight?

Trying to help someone
Understand what they cannot
Is a task that’s never finished
It “costs” me quite a lot

It’s my choice to seek completion
Or to just leave this undone
As my Life moves on in circles
Underneath the sun

Quilt

Of tapestries
And patterns there
A quilt of me, called Life

Woven
Tightly bound
By golden threads

Waiting to be recognized
And with one shake
Released

The patterns serve no purpose now
Really just imagined
Bits of my experiences
Repeating now and then

Suddenly they stand out
As if it was always clear
I smooth out the wrinkles
And huddle tight, my dear

It wraps me now in comfort
Without the constraints called lies
I Heal all that’s within me
And gently close my eyes

A Trip to Baltimore

Traffic jams
And broken phones
Satellite signals lost
GPS confused as me
As I wonder
Aimlessly
Through Baltimore

Road construction
Great big trucks
Threaten my every move
Survival is on my mind
And “there’s no place like home,”
Rings true

Knowing Peace is out there
Just beyond my grasp
But I am stuck on this track
Of negative mishaps
And can’t find my way off
This Audubon

I make it home
For a quick moments break
And connect with some strong folks
I ask for light and prayers and such
Without an explanation
Other than, “this day is tough”

Suddenly the madness stops
A gentleman is kind
He seems surprised as I thank him
For being the catalyst
That changed my day
From bad to good
In Many Ways

Reflections on the Heron's Passing

I am Free
Many thanks to the one
Who rescued me

No longer trapped
In human webs
Nor influenced by their
Constraints

I soar above you
Though not seen
Connected through
Our Spirits
You and Me

Forever

"Uncomfortabler" Weather

Pouring rain
Hang our heads
As if in shame

Burdened by what we carry
In our arms
And in our brains
“Will I be damp all day?”

Ego takes a hit
Vulnerable humans
Don’t like this

Instead I smile
And realize
It’s only water
And . . .
I
am
W E T

To My QiGong Teacher

Each Tuesday night you lead me
In a Form, I’ll one day teach
Expanding toward the Universe
With open arms I reach

Finding Balance
Integrating
Clearing
Healing
Being
Me

An Invitation to Join the Chaos – Declined

Despite the invitation
So insistently offered to me
I shall decline in joining
In the Chaos Ball

As others spiral
Spin
And “Freak out”
I watch in utter amazement
Standing on the sidelines
Holding a Sacred Place
Waiting for their return

A mighty palm tree
Swaying in the storm
An evergreen pine
Forever green despite the seasons
Rooted firmly to Our Mother Earth

Even then
Some tears must fall
As I remember
“No storm lasts forever,”
and
“This, too shall pass”
Taking care of me
And doing only what is “mine” to do

Gathering
Seeking
Opening
To the light that shines
Toward Me
In Me
Through Me
From Me

Firmly in My Being
Present to the Pain
Without the constant struggle
Of owning it
It belongs to my Loves
I cry and release it back to them

Cycles

It is time to write of cycles
Of births; of deaths –
Reborn
While one of us rejoices
Another one does mourn

We ponder at our reason
Of choosing to be Man
While we support each other
Always hand-in-hand

It is our Unity
Our connection to The Source
The Oness, The Creator
- -
Some call “God”
- -
Others know Him by a different name
Please recognize, we are the same

Love unconditionally
It truly is the only KEY
Holding all that surrounds me
I send my love
To you and you and you and you …

Respite From The Rain

Did you see the Sun today?
I did
That lovely Celestial Being
We take for granted
Until it disappears
Behind clouds and rain
As we beg for its return

I am called to Dance
In its beauty
In its splendor
And absorb the Energy
It offers to me ...
On this fine day

Thank You!

This blog was created by a very dear friend of mine for me to store my poetry. Hopefully in doing so, I will be able to share it with many! She was the driver, while I gave suggestions. She has a basic understanding of HTML -- I know nothing of it. I think it turned out beautifully. How about you?

I look forward to posting my poetry soon.