The Rejoy of Little Things

Like melt in your mouth

Christmas treats

With a good appetite.

Enjoying a beautiful sunset

With out drugs.

Sighing over the sparkle

Of Christmas without tears.

The wonder of fresh snowflakes

Without a chill.

The comfort of a warm bed

With no fever.

The solace of a hand to hold

With no pain.

The miracle of being in this moment

Without fear.

And looking to the future

With hope.

Sharing Holiday Cheer

At Goby's...

Happy New Year's early!

Belated Gift

The Flu

Running through the family

Like the Christmas Spirit.

Sharing germs

With Holiday cheer.

May the New Year

Find us all happy

And Healthy!

A Brown December

Nothing to cover

The dirty clothes

Of Fall.

The decaying leaves

The bare branches

The dead stems

All still on display

While waiting patiently

For its winter wardrobe.

End of December

Clouds forming

Layers of grey.

Fingertips of sun

Splaying through

The dark of December.

Albertville

The hunting gathering instinct

Of our ancestors kicks in

At the Mall.

Zeroing in on the beautiful plumage

My eyes follow the green and blues

Amid the camouflage.

Closing in on my prey

I pounce on the price tag

Snag the prize

And head off with my trophy

To be mounted on the closet hangers.

Another successful safari.

Thanks Maggie and Dave and Bob.

Merry Christmas

And Happy New Year!

Holiday Flower Show

at McNeely Conservatory

Christmas Eve

I still see Christmas

Through a child's eyes.

The magical sparkle

Of Christmas lights

And tinsel on the tree.

Remembering the ride

Through the dark to grandma's.

The air seemed to shimmer

And the stars were touched

With dreams of Santa.

The adults swirled around

The orbit of a child's world

Filled with wonder

And anticipation.

The clink of glasses

The crunch of cookies

The joy of laughter

All mingled with

Silent Night

To create the music

Of the evening

To create the memories

That are Christmas.

Time Flies

It's hard to believe

It's almost Christmas.

It was just the 4th of July.

It's hard to imagine

All we've been through

In the last 6 months.

I'm looking forward

To a new beginning

In January

Like turning the calendar

And having a fresh new page.

Less dates with appointments

And Doctors

No journal

Of side effects and cures

Just wide open spaces

With days to fill in.

Lessons

Maybe I did learn something

But it's not like

I couldn't have

Read a self help book.

Maybe I did learn patience

But it would have been

A lot easier to just stand in line.

Maybe I did learn empathy

But watching

The Hallmark Channel

Would have been more fun.

Maybe I did learn

To appreciate things more

But a nice church hymn

Would have been simpler.

Maybe the path you're on

Leads you to where you are

But sometimes

A shortcut would be nice.

Wonderful Wednesday
Happy Vacation!

Prescription

I don't know if the Doctors
Really don't know
Or just don't want to tell you,
But I'm hoping
They are at least
Aware
What the side effects may be.

Waiting in December

Waiting for the sun to come up
Waiting for the class to arrive
Waiting for their heads to clear of Santa dreams
Waiting for the them to pay attention
Waiting for 2:35
Waiting for my appointment
Waiting to go home
Waiting for the sun to set
Waiting to start over again.

Sunshine on My Shoulders...

Degrees of warmth

Heating up

My trembling fingers.

Touching my toes

Smiling down

And brightening the room

Shimmering in

And lighting

My soul.

White Christmas?

A light dusting of snow,

Like frosting

On the gingerbread houses,

Makes it look a lot more

Like Christmas.

Friday

End of week
End of year
End of line
Wish it was the
End of treatment.

Christmas Treats

Though I still can't stomach
Coke in a can
And I haven't
Been up to a Mancini's steak
There's something about
Christmas cookies
That even tempts me.

Christmas Programs

Weeks of practice
Learning words and actions
Where to be and how to sing.
All worth while
When the stars are hung
And the Kindergarten angels sing.

Letting Go

Just let it go,
Like a balloon
Floating who knows where.
It will reach it's destination
Though it may not be
Where I planned.

Pleasant Dreams

A new pillow

To cradle my neck

As I learn to sleep

On my back.

A new pillow

To give me good dreams

And give me something

To look forward to.

A new pillow

To relax my body

And release my mind

To the healing of sleep.

A Rambling Road

You never know

Where the journey

Will lead you.

You can prepare and pack.

You can imagine and worry.

You can project to protect.

But it's only

In looking back

That it starts to make sense.

Like seeing the X

"You are here" spot

In context with the whole map.

Winter Sun

My 4:00 Appointments

And the winter solstice

Are playing havoc

With my sunshine.

So I'll have to

Soak up the sun

At my window

On a sunny Saturday

And make it last all week.

Christmas Cards

To send or not to send?

It seems like one more thing

To do at this busy time of year.

But the cards start coming

And I'm reminded of

The the wonderful people

Behind the cards.

And realize it's one very

Important thing to do

Especially at this busy

Time of year,

To acknowledge

These special people

in my life.

Fourth Grade Science

Studying about Matter
You realize what matters.
Something warm
To cover your head
Even if it is a wig.
Something to eat even if you
Have no appetite.
Some one to love
And loves you
Even if some days
It seems like it's only the cat.

On with Oncology

Continuing Herceptin

Every three week

OK

But the sinus problems

That come with it

Not so much.

I literally can't talk about it.

(I lost my voice.)

St Nicholas Day

Even a few gentle flakes
Came down to celebrate.
No coal
Only candy canes.

Merry Monday

Countdown till Christmas
Only 20 days
And the kids are counting!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot

Like Christmas

The snow looks pretty

From my window.

The tree looks stunning

From the couch.

The presents are wrapped

In my dreams.

And my mind is in Florida

On Spring Break!

2nd Anniversary of Angela's 29th

Or the Pink Pub Crawl

Happy Birthday Angela,

You're in the pink!

Looking good and doing fine.

We're looking forward

To celebrating many more

Anniversaries with

Pink Pub Crawls.

TGIF

If my little princess

Doesn't figure out soon

That I'm the queen

I'll have to send her

To the dungeon

Or at least

The Principal's office.

I Love Books

Even when I don't like them.
I love reading them
I love discussing them
I love sharing them.
I always learn something
And it doesn't hurt.

Rad Radiation

Gary said I didn't
Glow in the dark
Although that would make
A good night light.
So far no tan
But that would help
With the Minnesota pallor.
The lotion seems mild
But it should keep my skin soft.
So far, so good.

A Good Night's Sleep

A good long sleep
Cures the body
And soul.
Rest to heal
Dreams to escape
Time to refresh.
It's a good morning
After a good night.

Back to School

Mind over matter
Or the mind
Doesn't matter
I'm usually fine by
Monday morning.

Not a Sunny Sunday

But still bright enough.

I'll get my rays Tuesday.

I start my

Radiation tan

This week.

What a difference a day makes

I have to remember

There are good days

And bad days.

Today's a good day!

My Life on Drugs

I can't wait to be drug free.

Every last chemo reaction

out of my body.

Every surgery sedation gone.

Every post procedure drug

Absorbed.

Every little ache and pain med

Not needed.

Every meal real food

No drugs necessary.

I can't wait

For the new normal.

Happy Thanksgiving

Lots to be thankful for!

Thanksgiving Eve

No port in a storm

No port in me.

Thank God!

Conferences

You learn a lot
Listening
And watching
As students
Become sons
And daughters
And reflect their
Parents.

Monday Fun Day

According to grade 3/4.
Of course while they went to gym
I corrected their spelling.
While they were at recess
I was getting ready for math.
When they went home to play
I had conferences.
But other than that
It was fun.

November

The clean white

Blanket of snow

Covers up

The cancer of

Leaves and mold

Growing beneath.

A fresh new face

On an old season.

Autumn, trying

To keep from dying

Hangs on

To nearly bare branches

And promises

A fever temperature

Tomorrow.

First Snow

First snow sparkles like diamonds.

The surprise of it

Sparks the imagination.

It's a wonder how such beauty

Appears from such a dull sky.

Makes you believe anything

Is possible.

Fantastic Friday

Made it through the week
More vertical than horizontal.
Looking forward to rest and recovery.
TGIF

Terrific Thursday?

Cold winter sun
Makes it look
Warmer than it is.

Wonderful Wednesday

At least that's what my class called it.
So I'll agree.
Feeling better.
No chemo tomorrow.
CT scan Friday
To get ready for radiation.
So pretty wonderful today.

Our New Blog

http://msclarksgrade34.blogspot.com/
Check it out!

Monday Monday

Can't trust that day

But better than last week!

Blanket of leaves

A patchwork

Of yellow

Covering the resting ground

Soon called to slumber

In November's cold bed.

Slow but Sure

A cold glass of OJ

That doesn't taste like chemicals.

Guacamole's good

For the soul.

Lesson plans planned.

A chance to visit with friends.

A rejuvenating Saturday

Floating

Chemo every 21 days

Is like breaking through the water

To catch your breath.

Feeling the burst of air

Clear your head

And support your body

Yet knowing you'll

Sink back to the bottom

For the long struggle

Back to the surface.

I think I'll float on my back

For a while now.

Another Day

I want to write

About something

Other than cancer.

I want to write about

Unicorns and rainbows.

I want to write

About the beautiful fall colors

Or the puffy black clouds

Or the first snow flakes.

I want life to be mundane

And normal.

I want my boring life back.

Wednesday?

Resting up

Is much more comfortable

In your own bed.

Although the nurses,

Especially Norbert and Kelly

Were entertaining,

I'll take a cat in my lap

And a room with a view.

Thanks to wonderful care at United

My family for helping me through

And my sweet husband

For making me go to Emergency,

I'm resting at home in my own bed

With cats at my feet

And some new stories to tell.

An Exciting day at United

Sleeping between pokes and prods

Eating antibiotics through my veins.

Watching the calm channel

With its soothing music

And visual images.

Trying not to tear my tubes

Or what's left of my hair out.

But my temp has come down

And hopefully

my numbers will go up

And hopefully

I'll be home soon.

Resting up

TMI

After 3 months

Of holding toxins in

I finally spewed them out.

The medicine

To keep them down

And coursing through

My body failed its job.

And the poison leaked out.

Shredded from my skin

Rejected by my bloodstream

Ejected from my body

Tossed out.

Now maybe I can heal.

TGIF

The Patient in the Dell

Is everyone incompetent?

The nurses can't answer my questions.

The pharmacy blames the nurses

The nurses blames the Doctor

The cheese stands alone

And I'm stuck

In the middle.

Back From the Dead

Zombies and witches

Ghosts and goblins.

No fear on All Souls Day.

The Day After

Sluggish and slow

The day drags on.

The after effects of

A Halloween sugar high

On my third and fourth graders

Must be like the chemo drain

On me.

We both have too many

Chemicals in our bodies!

Happy Halloween

Dark days

Cold nights

Brilliant sky

As the stars tease

The last bit of autumn.

Squeezing out all the

Candy coated days

And milk chocolate nights.

A trick

Like your body turning

On itself

A treat

Like starting to heal.

The magic of the season.

Sunday

Day of rest

End of October

Orange and red

Still spill

Over the rooftops.

A thin colorful line

Between grey shingles

And clouds.

Dotting the horizon

With lingering hope

Holding off

The bare winter.

TGIF

And last maybe chemo

Batting 500

Maybe the last chemo.

Then on to reclaiming

And healing my body

Before radiation.

At least then

I'm only burning it

Not poisoning it.

Bad news/Good news

Doctor appointment/New doctor
Lots to discuss/Lots of information
Lots of options/Choose what fits
Chemo Thursday/Maybe over soon
Radiation next/The sooner the better
Port still in/But coming out soon!

Waiting Room

Warm wood paneling can't

Take the chill off

A depressing waiting room.

The earth tone walls

Attempt to keep you grounded.

But your mind can't help

But drift to the various stages

Of deseases there.

A multitude of scarves and wigs

Can't sheild the fearful faces

And anxious eyes.

The friendship of held hands

And smiles shared help,

But can't disguise

The waiting room.

Yoga

A nice relaxing stretch

Like the days before

The next chemo.

Opening my body

Palms up

Accepting whatever

The moment brings.

Ponder This

Not bad for the Vikings-

It gives us hope.

Bid 'em Up

Lots of laughter

From the heart.

Conversation sparkling

Like diamonds.

Call a spade

A spade.

And join the club.

Cards with

Family and friends.

At the Zoo

Fine fall foliage,

Lions and tigers and bears

Oh my.

What a nice day

For a visit to the zoo.

Mouse in the House

It must be fall

even the mice

Want to cozy up

And be warm.

On silent footpads

Only a cat can hear

They scurry to find

A soft nesting spot.

But between cats

And Gary's broom

They soon rediscover

The joys of the

Great outdoors!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I'm tired of pretty pink ribbons.

I think a skull and crossbones

Would fit Halloween better.

TGIMEA
Teacher's code
For 3 days off!

Sunday Supper

Connie's magical soup
Made my day.
I don't know
If it was the delicious flavor
Or the drugs just took effect
But I finally had an appetite
And enjoyed eating!

Lessons Learned

I keep waiting

For the big life lesson

I'm suppose to learn from all this.

Stop and smell the roses-

I already have a lovely garden.

Appreciate loved ones-

I hope you know how much

You mean to me.

Live each day to the fullest-

I've enjoyed my life.

Go with the flow-

I feel like a puddle.

Be in the moment-

Even the not so good ones.

Maybe, that's the lesson-

There is no big lesson.

Maybe it's just

One day after another

Keep moving forward.

It's only from a distance

We can see the big picture.

Saturday

Watching the yard sale

From my window

People come and go

Furniture changes positions

Families stop

Piles dwindle

Shadows stretch

Out as leisurely

As the day.

30+ Years

I love the way you've
Been there for me.
With just a word
Or a jello parfait.
I appreciate all the
Quiet nights
You let me rest
Even though
It's the same thing
We've done all week.
I appreciate all
the love we've shared
And saved up
For times like this.
I love you.
You are my world.

Thursday

Herceptin

But no flu shot

Since I already

Have a fever.

Getting better

Towards the weekend.

Enjoying the weather

Through the window.

Silver Lining

Overwhelmed
This time by generosity
After a tough weekend
I was surprised
That school families
Have been putting together
A nice surprise.
Their empathy and sympathy
Displayed in a beautiful basket
Of gift cards, lotions, wishes
And love.
Their children make my day.
Their compassion
Makes my life's work
Fulfilling.

Tuesday

Principal gave me 1/2 day off
What to do
Sit and read
Enjoy the sun
Pet a cat-
But I'm out when
My head hits the pillow.

Monday
Urgent Care
Antibiotics
And lots of rest!

Autumn Breezes

Leaves pouring down
Like hot peppers
Red and yellow flakes
To spice up
The landscape.

Saturday on the couch

Friday on Steroids

Thirsty Thursday

Pumping in

All those drugs

Makes me thirsty.

Gary suggested

A gelato drip

To flush it all out.

"Whether" Report

Record high today

Record low tomorrow

Chemo tornado

Causing commotion.

10-4

Sometimes we worry

About things

That never happen.

Sometimes we forget

To enjoy the moment

In the midst of our worry.

Sometimes things

Turn out ok.

80 Degrees in October

A cold brick

School building

Warmer on the outside

Than the inside.

Sun streaked branches

Waving at the windows

Beckoning

Come out and play!

October Autopsy

A path of red

Slices through

The trees

Bleeding fall colors.

Sunny Saturday

Content

To sit

With a cat

In my lap.

Sun creeping

Across the covers

Creating patterns

And shadows

As fingers

Caress soft fur

And sighs.

TGIF

Tech support

To the rescue.

Even modems

Get tired.

Port Authority

Fine, fine, fine.
I have to remember
I really am fine.
In spite of the
Tumultuous emotional
Roller coaster ride,
I really am fine!

Indian Summer

The warm sun
On Autumn skin,
The cool soothing
Trail of an ice cream
Trickle down the throat,
The purr of delicious,
A sigh of relief,
A perfect fall day.

A Different Take

I have to start seeing

These chemicals

As medicine

Not poisons.

As medicine

They flood

Healing power

Into my blood,

Pumping energy

And recreating

Like a cleansing fire.

A Phoenix reborn.

New life

From the ashes.

First Yoga

Reconnecting
With my body
After months
Of protecting it.
Stiffly hugging my pain
To my chest.
To finally let go
And feel the suppleness
Of warm skin
Over brittle fragility.
To connect the
Inner peace
With the outer fear
Bringing it
Into balance.

Sunday Sermon

Fear of life

Is death.

Opening

To the moment

Even if it's painful

Is being present.

Appreciating

The touch

Of sunlight

In the midst of clouds

Or understanding

The dark patches

In between

Is sympathy

For the human spirit.

Fever

Burning up

With chills.

Chemicals

Like a frying pan

Cooking up my insides.

Scrambled eggs

For brains.

This is what

Your brain looks like

On chemo.

TGIF

Hamburger

I remember
Mom wanted
A California Hamburger-
After weeks of ice chip drama
When she could finally eat,
She wanted a hamburger
With the works.
The small bites
Didn't go down well.
And the joy of food was lacking,
But I understand
The idea
Of getting a Nook Burger
Just because
It represents normal.

Next Level

Brain

A giant gyroscope

Spinning like

A washing machine.

Suds cleaning out

The insides

Scouring things fresh.

Agitation

Spiraling out of control

Until it tilts

Up against reality

And bumps up

Against the new normal.

Made it!

Day 5

Trying to find

The silver lining,

The bright side

To these dark days.

Maybe split me open

Letting daylight in

To soak the stomach

And dry up all the toxins.

A small crack

To let the neausea out

And my mind back in.

A reminder

That it's all temporary.

Sunday Vikings

Hope they do better than me!

Saturday

Day 3 I guess

Will just be like

The Saturdays

When you were little

And had the stomach flue

And watched mindless TV

And mom brought

You ginger ale

And waited

For the next day

To be better.

Chemo Brain

With help from Gary

Went to school

It was cool.

Ate yogurt and jello

It was mellow.

Came home tired

But wired.

Wrote a blog

Slept like a log.

Chemo #2

Wrapped in a blanket of love
Watching videos of scenery
In Alaska.
Eating friend made chicken soup.
Talking to family and friends
And being with the one I love,
I feel at peace.
Or maybe
That's the double dose
Of Ativan they gave me!

Target

Big night out

Stocking up on snacks

And things to keep

My stomach cushioned

Against the onslaught.

A new scarf, a helmet

To cover

My rapidly vanishing hair.

Lip balm

For the dry sore mouth

I know is advancing.

Now I'm ready

With my weapons of war.

The Apex

The nadir is suppose to be

When my white blood cells

Were barely registering.

But I bounced back

Enough to do it again Thursday!

The good thing is

I know what to expect this time.

The bad thing is

I know what to expect this time...

9-12

Remembering 9-11

Let's also remember

We're still at war.

We still have soldiers

Around the globe

Fighting for a terror

That began 10 years ago.

"Fighting" for peace.

Let's remember

And work for peace.

Weekend Off

I forgot

I forgot my blog

I forgot what day it is

I forgot about school

Or kids, or weather

Or cancer.

I just forgot.

A moment's vacation.

TGIF

We use to say

There's nothing tireder

Than a teacher

On Friday night.

We have to amend

That to except

A teacher with cancer.

Head Ache

The literature said
"You may feel
A slight tingling
Before hair loss."
I think I felt
Every follicle die.

Grade 3/4

They can grow

So much in a year.

Silliness slides

Into humor.

Immaturity

Takes root and blossoms

With their good qualities.

Egos look outward

And see a world of friends

And opportunities.

What a wonderful

Chance to see them grow.

Back to School

Friends Are Like Flowers

Thanks for all you've done

To brighten my days.

Thanks for the flowers

And sunny smiles.

Thanks for the good days!

A Fair Alternative

People watching

And entertainment

On the river-

Skateboarders

On a barge!

Then Fair food

At Roosters on Randolph

Cheese curds

Pronto pups

French fries-

A mini Fair!

SFU

Words slid out of my mouth

Like the cards

From the deck.

Ativan loosened tongue

Or just fun with friends

On a Saturday night.

The healing power

Of 500

And laughter!

September

The dog days are over.

No more lazy days of summer.

It's time to get to work.

Like cats prowling in the dark

So many things to attack.

But like the cat

My body needs to remember

Sometimes it needs

To stretch out in the sun

And absorb the energy.

Missing the Fair

I read with relish

The Fair food descriptions.

Greasy tempting treats.

I look at photos and imagine

The sights and sounds.

The people watching

Without me.

Too many people

Too low blood count.

The Doctor said maybe

By Sunday....

Open House

Sharing germs with

All the little petri dishes

And their families.

Teachers' Table

Gathered around the table

We realize

We're all in this together.

Feeling separated by

The thin veneer of chairs

We soon come to sharing

Intimate conversations

That make us realize

Our need is to serve others

With the food

Of love and acceptance,

The knowledge

Of our shared humanity,

And the vulnerability

Of saving grace.

UnBirthday

I decided not to

Have a birthday this year,

I'd just add it on to next year.

But amid phone calls and cards

Gifts and good wishes

It turned out to be

A wonderful celebration of life!

Thanks for reminding me

To appreciate the day.

Our Summer Nonparty

What a wonderful gathering

Of family.

A comfortable closeness.

I felt taken care of

And loved.

Comfort food and caring

Concern and sharing.

I finally felt good,

With family around me

It would all work out

And our history and our future

Created a wonderful

Safe place to be.

The New Normal

It appears to include;

Bones stretched like taffy,

Nerves cut like cords,

Tingling across the chest,

A stomach fighting to stay put,

And all the typical aches and pains

Of my 56 year old body.

Aftershocks

Every action

Causes a reaction.

Angry red welts

Creating a scarlet necklace

Around my aching throat.

Will a spoonful of sugar help?

Benadryl will.

Thanks

Wrapped in a blanket of love.

So many prayers and wishes

Woven into the wool.

Hugging you close around me

I feel warm and comforted.

The woolly feeling

Of "chemo brain" fades away.

War of the Worlds

Sitting 6 hours

As they drip poison

Into my veins

Is a paradox.

How these drugs

Can kill my cells

While healing my body

Makes no sense.

This invading army

Is now at war.

Little terrorists

Killing everything in sight

Making no distinction

Between the little blood cells

With the white hats

And the potential black hats.

I just hope my body

Knows when to wave

The white flag.

Chemo

The Unknown

What to expect

Becomes mundane

Once we become experts.

But the unknown

Makes us uncomfortable,

Shakes us up

And dumps us out

Careening across

An unfamiliar landscape

Without a compass.

I'll need a hand to hold

Whether next to me

Or in my heart

To help lead me back

Safely home.

Damn Yankees!

Gary's Dream

Close your eyes

And you could be anywhere.

The Doctors office

Becomes the sandy carpet

On the beach.

The syringe

Is just the umbrella

In the drink.

The Classroom could be

An Alaskan Cruise.

Whiteboard glaciers

Dotting the horizon.

The squeal of dolphins

Drowning out the

Other high pitch noises.

Lying in bed at night

You can imagine

You could wake up anywhere.

Just close your eyes.

Hawaii

Dreams of days

On tropical beaches

Sand between my toes

Instead of snow.

Warm sun on my

Healthy body.

No foreign bodies.

The only port

Is a surfers' paradise.

Visions of vacation

Sustenance for now.

Fair Weather

The sun of a smile

Warm with memories.

The gentle breeze

Of a touch

Like waves between bodies.

Words weaving a story

And connecting

The past and present.

Filling in the gaps

Between conversations

And experience.

A voice on the phone,

A friend at lunch,

Whispered confidences-

A bright spot

In the day.

Book Club

Emily Dickinson-

White dress

In the window

Proclaiming herself

To the world.

A thin veneer

To cover a brilliant mind.

Seeing the beauty

In the world around her.

Being able to laugh

And look at the truth.

Reflecting

The human spirit.

P.T.

Is it bad

When the Physical Therapist's

And my eyes pop open

As we hear

A pop in my arm?

Monday Morning

Wide awake at 3 AM.

Simon and Garfunkel

Sing me to sleep.

Slowly drifting

Back in time

To a carefree age

When August

Only meant

Living each day

Like it was your last day

Of vacation.

Cancer Free Weekend

At Joe's birthday party

Celebrating his 11 years

I'm not going to think

About the next 18 weeks.

At the Irish Fest

Enjoying the cool day

Sampling food and music

I'm not going to notice

The tug if I move

A little too fast.

At Canterbury Downs

Watching the horses

And people parade

I focus on the end of the race

And try to enjoy

The moment

With family and friends.

Happy Birthday Joe

What an amazing attitude

For an eleven year old.

So kind and thoughtful.

Aware of the world

And finding his place in it.

An old soul

smiling out

Of those beautiful

Young eyes.

Another Day Another Test

Head in the belly

Of the radioactive beast.

Strapped on a gurney

With the warm contrast

Running through my veins.

The thump of it's cold heart

Conducting my breathing

As the voice of the machine

Reminds me

Breathe,

Hold your breath,

Breathe.

Naps

A momentary escape.

Close your eyes

And block out

All the bad dream monsters.

Create your own vision

Of a beautiful day.

Breathe out all the anxiety

And reawaken to

The fresh new world

You've created.

A waking dream.

Patron Saints of My Classroom

Blessed be St Stephen

Who like Michelangelo

Dedicated his time

To making my classroom

A work of art.

Blessed be St Mary

The Virgin Mother

Who like St Martha

Really knows how to clean.

Blessed be St Jennifer

Patron saint of nurses

Who helped nurse my classroom

Back to health.

Blessed be St James

Patron Saint of messengers

Who really delivered

On moving around those

Books and boxes.

Blessed be St Gary

Greeter at the gate

Organizer of book shelves

Just like at the grocery store

And special protector

Of cancer patients.

God bless them everyone!

I Like Vicodin

I needed a stab of pain

On my left side

Near my heart

To balance the

Ache on my right side

Under my breast.

With a migraine

In my head

To top it off

It all evens out.

One Good Thing

With wigs

You never have

A bad hair day!

Sunday in the Park

I'm too much

Inside my head.

Pondering what's

Going on in my body.

Connecting synapses

To fill the gaps

Of information overload.

I need to get outside

And open my mind

To let the fresh air in.

Anniversary

I still go to the phone

To call mom.

In my mind they're still there

At 1286 Scheffer,

Sitting in their recliners

Mom's legs tucked up

Under her

In her sweats

Dad with beer

On the table between them.

Clock over head

Chiming the time

And counting

The precious minutes.

My Story

Each new person to cross my path

Becomes a part of my story.

My compassionate surgeon

Who explains the path is not straight.

The nurses who treat me professionally

But more important, mother me.

The voice from the phone-

My lifeline,

Who with a hug and a tear

Becomes a real person.

Smiling faces

With kind words

And encouragement.

These are some of the heroes

Who've become part of my story.

My Neon

My car has cancer.

First my brake line

Rusted out.

Whether in sympathy pains

Or old age.

Then on its next run

Out of the garage

The gas line broke.

Poor Neon,

Like me,

Doesn't know

If it's coming or going.

My MUGA Test

Needle under the skin

Intrusive attack

Rape of the veins.

A mental phobia

Inflicted on the body

Another test to pass.

Information Overload

I need the facts

I need to know

What could happen

So I can choose

How I react.

I can't change anything

But myself.

So I need to know

What my options are.

I can't enjoy the trees

If I don't know

I'm in a forest.

Health History

Little aches and pains

Seem to creep up on us

As we age.

An ouch here

A groan there

That awful noise

We make to get up.

Our bodies have

Their own language.

Maybe it's trying

To tell me something.

Easy like Sunday Morning

The Joy of Cleaning Out a Drawer

Striking a blow for order.

Fighting on the side of

Felix Unger and Mr Clean.

A small victory

In the war on chaos.

My Garden got away from me.

While I was hiding under the covers,

It was climbing over

Blankets of weeds.

Tangles of stems shooting through

ground cover gone wild.

Blushing roses baring hips and petals.

Purple trumpet vine announcing

The procession of of August guests.

Rehab

I feel myself again;

Drugs flushed out

Brain reattached

Emotions on straight.

I could never be

Amy Winehouse

I'm too addicted to reality.

Zodiac Summer

Cancer's reign is over

Leo's turn to roar

Then on to Virgo

Up Up and Away

Letting the balloon

Drift away

On the summer breeze.

Letting the cancer go

Like a small speck

Against a vast open sky.

What You Wish For

The lazy freedom

Of sleeping in.

Lounging about,

Soaking up the sun

And enjoying a

Chilled beverage.

A book in bed

A cat at hand

A summer day-

I wish I could enjoy it!

Riches

"You poor girl"

Gary's hug and sigh

Reminds me

Though he can't fix it

He sympathizes.

It gives me the

Moment's Pity Party

I need

To remember

How rich I am.

Magical Montana

Sometime

We make decisions

By not being able to make them.

The mountains

Will have to stay in my dreams.

For now,

Getting up in the morning

Eating lunch

And catching a nap

Is all I have on my agenda.

Each moment

Has a magic of its own.

Let's Make A Deal

Bargaining chips

Are all in.

I need this one to make it

To the next level.

I need some good news...

And I hit the jackpot

Margins are good

On to the next hand.

My brother, Steve, took this lovely picture before surgery.

The gown had a tube in it so it could be heated or air conditioned!

I had to stay overnight because I reacted to one of the drugs.

But I'm home and recovering. Much better but sore.

Thanks for all your help.

I couldn't have done it without you!

That's What Friends Are For

Caught up

In the everyday

We forget

The wonder and beauty

Of friendship.

It's a special gift

When you know

You're loved.

I feel like such

A special person

To have so many

Wonderful people.

It reminds me

How precious life is.

Demystify

Take away

The scary myths

The boogieman stories

The childish fears

And it's only

A visit to the Doctor

And coming home

With less breast!

Say a Little Prayer

Prayer is sending your thoughts

Into the heavens

Unsure what they will find.

Connecting with other

Positive ions,

They bounce around

And form a cloud.

Weaving together

All the positive energy

Of hopes and wishes

Good deeds and promises

Love and faith

Creating a protective blanket

Against the scorching sun.

Fight or Flight

I tend to ask

A lot of questions

In preparation for battle.

But there comes a time

When you stand your ground

Dressed in the armor

Of your humanity

Look your adversary in the eye

And through that mirror

Accept the fear

As part of life,

And the battle is won.

Collective Soul

Like the cells

connecting our bodies

Are the cells

Connecting all souls.

The history of being human

Holding hands across

Time and space.

The collective conscientiousness

Of appreciating the

Poetry of a sunset

Or the beauty

In a smile.

Understanding we

Are all special

And an integral part

Of the Whole.

Talk About the Weather

Watching the storm

Roll across the windows

At the clinic,

We all commented

On the terrible beauty.

The shades and shadows

Of grey to black

Creating night

Out of day.

The wonder and power

Of nature

Continues to amaze.

Old Friends

We know each other so well.

You anticipate my needs

And know what I want

Even before I do.

You're so kind and thoughtful

I can see the concern in your eyes.

Whether you're buying me my

First pink,

Offering a sympathetic ear

Or letting me win at backgammon.

I'll try to be a good patient

And an even better friend

When I'm not so wrapped up

In the selfishness of cancer.

Who's in Charge

While my mind

Was busy devouring information,

Processing and pondering,

My stomach

Was doing its own thing.

Excreting acid and anxiety

My body made it's battle known.

I guess it showed me

Who's in charge.

Breast Cancer Puzzle

Dump out the box

Of puzzle pieces

Creating chaos

On the table top.

Turn them all

Right side up

So you can get

A good look at them.

Take out all the end pieces

And try to assemble

A frame of reference.

Look at shapes and colors

To see how

It all fits together.

Gather with family and friends

To help you complete

The puzzle.

Relax and enjoy the process

With a beautiful picture

When you're done.

Waiting

I know I should

Be in the moment

And enjoy each day

But I wish I could

Fast forward

And get to the

Happy ending

Where this is

Just another learning experience

Something to look back on.

Second Summer

After writing my blog

For a year,

I was afraid

I'd have nothing to write.

Entering my second summer

How many poems

Can you write

About cats and birds?

I'd already covered

War and peace.

But life has a way

Of making things interesting

There's always something

New to experience,

Some new lesson to learn,

Some way to make today

different from

Any other day.

It's the poet's job

To find the rhyme and reason.

I don't want this to be a "Caring Bridge"

But an open heart.

Sharing what's in my thoughts

And asking you to keep me in yours.

I have breast cancer.

I don't feel sick

Yet cells inside of me

War with each other

With me as the prize.

A small anomaly

On a mammogram

Questioned by an ultrasound

Confirmed by a biopsy.

A moment ago I was fine.

Now I'm not.

I guess I march forward

And join the ranks

Of women

Who "Courageously battle"

Our own bodies.

The Unknown

Fear is like a cancer

Spreading through

Your body

Multiplying and expanding

It's territory

Taking over the brain

And controlling everything

You do.

Music In the Parks

A warm sunny day

A cool Jazz night

At Como Pavilion.

Carrying my mind

Away from the mundane,

Lifting higher

With every note,

Like the heron

On the lake

Riding along

On a song.

Worrywart

When a worry hits

It's like a tidal wave

Washing away

All the beauty of the day

And leaving it cluttered

With debris.

5th of July

If we could remember

We are connected

Through more than words.

The Constitution

States our basic premise

But it's the picnics

In the park,

The stirring anthem

Before the ballgame,

The squeals of laughter

At the beach,

The collective sigh

At the end of fireworks

That really proves

Who we are.

Let's hope there are more

"Times of Peace."

Happy Fourth of July from Minneapolis "Peace Park"

More at the

Twin's twilight's

Last gleaming

Wind and Rain delay

Exciting storm

Beautiful rainbow and sunset

Fun friends

Awesome game

Yeah Twins!

First of July

Dreamscicle ice cream

Melting into July

A running start

At the Dog days.

A Walk in the Park

Gary, rainbows and unicorns

At Lake Nakomis

Finally

The sun

Tickles my toes

As it inches up

Through the veins

In my calves

Circulating over

Knee and thigh

To delve into digestion

And swirl like a whirlpool

Pumping past the heart

And out to the head

Shining through my smile

At being able

To absorb the beautiful

Sunny day.

At the Zoo

Mommas feeding

Fat howling babies

Swinging from bosoms.

Squeals of protest

Over unmet needs.

Frenzy of movement

And flailing limbs

A stamp of feet

In displays of anger.

The animals are restless -

And not just the ones

In the cages.

It's A Control Issue

I think I should be able

To control

The tiny microbes

In my own body.

To use my brain as general

To Marshall the troops

To fight disease.

I should be able

To will my mind

To exorcise pain

And vanquish germs.

I should be able

To get over this cold.

But I admit defeat

It's time to call in reinforcements

And make a Doctor's appointment.

4:30 Alarm

The cacophony

Of the Bird Symphony

Starts slowly

With the first whistle

Announcing the start.

An answering shrill

Starts the chirpers

With the caw caw birds

Joining the chorus

Bring it all to a crescendo

Until just as suddenly

The fat bird sings

And it's over.

Twin Cities Jazz Festival

Midnight in Paris

Rainy afternoon

In Monet's Garden

Or just a walk

In Mears Park

Waiting For the Fair

Cold and lonely streets,

Waiting for the captivating sound

Of children laughing

The frenzy of teenagers

The intake of breath

And sighs of delight

For all ages at the Fair.

The Secret Language of Computers

Computers have their own code.

Secret messages

They're trying to send.

Love letters to their creators.

Encrypted directions

To fight the war on humanity.

Only the oracles

Can decipher them.

Time to call tech support.

Summer Cold/Allergies?

Feeling underwater

Drowning in mucus

Clawing to the surface

To breathe.

Scratching at

Heavy lidded eyes

Trying to stay alert

Till going down

For the last time

I realize

I don't have to fight it

And can just let go

And go back

Under the covers.

Sun for the Summer Solstice

April showers bring May flowers

June showers bring

A slow start to summer.

The green is washed

Nicely, Like watercolor rain

Spreading a thin sheen across

The landscape.

Freshening up the hues.

White houses reflect

The sun drops

In the aftermath of

Cloud pointillism.

Drops of rain creating

A rainbow slide

Across the sky

Wisps of red and gold

To paint a banner

Welcoming summer.

Going to the Dentist

Upside down

In a chair.

Feet under fluorescent lights,

Head at an odd angle.

Looking up at the

godly figure

Staring into your open mouth.

Waiting for your penance

And the benediction

"Go and Floss".

Happy Father's Day

Father's Day

Without a Father

Is like Mock Apple Pie.

Mere memories

And a taste of history

Can't replace

The presence

And substance

Of a firm handshake

Or hug.

The missed sensation

When the only thing left

Is the stories.

Vacation Weekend

Everyday feels like Saturday

That wide open space of a day.

The hours spreading out leisurely

Between sleeping late

And reading late.

Time measured

In breathtaking moments

Between still heartbeats.

Time measured in breathing out

And breathing in.

A second to catch your breath

And think- "What day is it?"

Post Number 365

A year of writing

Seeing the little things

Choosing one grain of sand

From the 24 hour glass

Marveling at it

Wondering about it

Wallowing in it

Raging at it

Or just gazing at it.

Each day a prayer

A poem of gratitude

And awareness.

365 Days of being alive

A Week of Jury Duty

The glamorous Lawyers shows

May show you the dark side

But they never show you the dull side

Like the potential jurors

They keep locked in the basement

Just in case of a case.

Perry Mason never looked like this.

Fitzgerald Theater

Hearing people like Bill Moyer

And Garrison Keillor speak

I remember we're not alone.

A Walk in the Woods

Snowfall

Of cottonwoods

Blanket the path.

Dog prints

Bury the seeds

Like bones.

Fallen trees adjusting

To their sideways tilt

Continue to sprout new leaves.

Green cathedral

A quiet sanctuary

In the city.

A Week of Waiting

Waiting for vacation

Waiting for the bus

Waiting for nice weather

Waiting for the next week.

Headaches

The relief is like

The calm after a sneeze,

Open your eyes

and see the world again.

A moment to catch your breath-

Breathe out all the pain

Breathe in the freshness of life

Without a Migraine.

Summer in the City

Watching the birds

In the birdbath

Take a leisurely swim.

Chipmunks scurrying

Under the steps.

Squirrels chasing

Each others tails.

Bunnies at the Hosta Buffet.

Better than a movie

On a wide screen TV.

Fall In June

From 103 degree high

To a cool 55

Spring peonies caught

Against Grey sky.

Sweaters over t shirts

Warming pale skin

In the absence of the sun.

If you averaged all our temperatures

It would probably be just right.

A Novel Idea

You're reading an exciting adventure

While I'm finishing a ponderous text.

My romantic novel

Has more dialogue

(And less pictures)

I love poetry

You'd rather nap.

But in our summer saga

We both plan to enjoy the story

And be on the same page.

Lessons Learned

Will they remember

Pledges made

To do their best,

To live their lives

As the good people they are?

Will the little girl inside

Remember to respect herself

Enough to make the boys

Respect her?

Will the boys remember

The friendships and feelings

They don't have to hide?

Will Tommy stay sweet?

Will Riley stay strong?

Will Liam stop leaning on Will?

So much possibility

So much to remember

So many lessons to learn.

Last Day of School!

Eighth Grade Graduation

A teen aged eye view

Like a spider's eye

Many faceted

A kaleidoscope of

Friends and faces

Every event looming

Larger than life.

Each step seeming to be

A giant leap for mankind.

Every ending

A little death.

Shy and excited in the same moment.

Graduation-

Bounding into the unknown

Ready for the adventure

Of the wider world

Of high school.

Greetings from Grand Old Day

Happy Birthday Gary

I knew you had

An old soul.

Hiding behind sunglasses

And a turned down brim,

Words in your deep brown eyes

Invited me to join you

On your journey

And promised

The joy of life we'd share.

Genesis

Amy's Art Show

From which all creation springs

The art of reaching in

And reaching out to share gifts

Of God's splendor.

Decorah Eagle Cam
(And my third and fourth graders)

From tiny egg to furry creatures
We watched them grow
And fill their nest.
All mouths and feet
They learned to spread their wings.
Fledglings reaching for the sky
Waiting for them to soar.

Lilacs- Part Two

...Then fade from view
Only the lingering perfume
Remaining to remind us
Of our brief romance
With spring.

Field Day Traditions

Skinned knees
And grass stained shorts
Gaped tooth smiles
And conspiratorial giggles
Tug of War
And the balloon toss
All in a Field Day

Memorial Day

Day of memories.

The start of summer.

First time bare feet

Race across the tickling

Blades of grass.

First taste of

Charcoal charred hot dogs

And licking fingers

From Popsicle juice.

First chance to catch the sun

And wear it as a badge of honor

On a blistering arm.

First chance to spend a Sunday evening

Watching the late show of stars

In anticipation

Of summer Sundays

Without school Mondays.

Summit Avenue

Lilac branches

Form a Cathedral canopy

For baby bunnies

Claiming sanctuary

In the perfumed lair.

The celebration of

Communion continues

With its incense

To the gods of spring.

Farmer's Market

Armed with bursting bags of produce

Jostling through

The jungle of plants and people

Spying just the right addition to dinner

Or a future menu

Buried in the garden.

Twins Game Tonight

We're gonna win Twins

We hope they score!

We're gonna win Twins

And we hope it doesn't pour!

Good bye Harmon

Sunday afternoons

Twins on the old tube radio

In the garage.

Dad's green web lounger

Lounging in the driveway.

He never sat still long enough

To enjoy it

But it represented

The laziness of the day.

Sitting barefoot,

Elbows to knees

Listening to the song of the game.

The awe of hearing

Our heroes announced

And imagining their smile

And stance as we dreamed

Of home runs,

Baseball, hot dogs

Apple pie and Chevrolet.

In Honor Of Bob's 70th

To remember the child with in you

The smiling eyes

The laughing soul.

To keep that spirit of hope

And love alive

Through the mundane

And befuddled years.

To celebrate

The learning and wisdom

But with a touch of innocence

To stay "forever young".

Waiting for the Repairman

It must be nice to live in their world.

They even have their own language.

Tomorrow could mean next week

And we'll call you is like

What you say after a bad first date.

Time is measured differently.

In the time it takes to give birth

October to May

They're still gestating

Our remodeling project.

But we do seem to share

The bottom line

And we'll all be happy

When we reach it.

Unstable Like the Weather

My nerves are jumping rope

With anxiety.

Chanting worries

Like rhymes

As the clouds

Play hide and seek

With the sun.

I try to bury my head

In a book

Or under the covers.

Finally lightning strikes

Illuminating the fact

That I'm just a little

Under the weather.

Bunny Hop

Front paws

Tapping the dewy grass

Creating a soft washcloth

For his morning ablutions.

Grooming

His tall grey ears

He nods his head in agreement

With the sun's assessment

Of his beauty.

Training Wheels

Red pedal pushers

Over skinny legs

Frantically turning the wheels

She staggers to a stop at the corner

And tumbles to the boulevard.

Instantly, like guide wires

Supporting her

Her mom appears

Murmuring condolences

And encouragement.

Chin up

Helmet down

The girl returns to her perch

And pedals off

Training wheels and mom

Still attached.

Waiting for the Lilacs

From bug like buds

To full blown bouquets

It takes only a minute

A teardrop of rain

A sliver of sun

And the precious gift

Of a warm spring day

For the lilacs to burst

Into bloom.

Dog Blog

The lumbering Lab

Paced outside the liquor store

His head jerking up

Each time someone came out.

The Beagles on the porch

Looked longingly out the window

Waiting for the key

To turn in the lock.

The corgi on the leash

Pants and pulls

Straining to return his owner

To their home.

Dogs loyally waiting for

Their Masters.

Teachers Teaching Teachers

Sitting at a meeting

Staring at the blank

Computer screen

For two hours

While someone talks

About the computer program

We'll be using next year.

When the screen saver appears

Flashing a fantastic slide show

Of a Cancun vacation.

And I finally have something

To focus on!

Fun at Palace

On a beautiful

Spring Day!

Seeing Things in a New Light

The red light
At the stop sign
Glows like the sun
Against a blue sky.
Dotted matrix of color
Creating a circle of fire
Symbol within
An electronic grid
Sending signals
To be misread
As a reminder to stop
And admire the sunset.

Tom Sawyer

Painting pickets

Is a study in patience

And geometry.

Patterns and designs

A labyrinth of

Lines and angles.

Van Gogh with a Starry Night

Didn't have such corners

To get into.

The Magic of Spring

Now you see it

Now you don't

The bare branches

On dull grey streets

Abracadabra

The leafy canopy

Over the avenue.

Now if we could only put

Some of the rabbits

That have been eating my tulips

Back in the hat...

Not My Fault!

What a frustrating day. We’re very sorry that you’ve been unable to publish to Blogger for the past 20.5 hours. We’re nearly back to normal — you can publish again, and in the coming hours posts and comments that were temporarily removed should be restored. Thank you for your patience while we fix this situation. We use Blogger for our own blogs, so we’ve also felt your pain.

Here’s what happened: during scheduled maintenance work Wednesday night, we experienced some data corruption that impacted Blogger’s behavior. Since then, bloggers and readers may have experienced a variety of anomalies including intermittent outages, disappearing posts, and arriving at unintended blogs or error pages. A small subset of Blogger users (we estimate 0.16%) may have encountered additional problems specific to their accounts. Yesterday we returned Blogger to a pre-maintenance state and placed the service in read-only mode while we worked on restoring all content: that’s why you haven’t been able to publish. We rolled back to a version of Blogger as of Wednesday May 11th, so your posts since then were temporarily removed. Those are the posts that we’re in the progress of restoring.

Again, we are very sorry for the impact to our authors and readers. We try hard to ensure Blogger is always available for you to share your thoughts and opinions with the world, and we’ll do our best to prevent this from happening again.

Posted by Eddie Kessler, Tech Lead/Manager, Blogger

Mid-May

Kids are in the Library
A moment to catch my breath
Weather for the summer
Reminds me not much left.

Library Volunteer Dinner with guest speaker

Gail Rosenblum.

Good food

Good company

A great night!

It's in Our Genes

Motherhood is a special function

Of our dysfunctional lives.

A scarred, scared young female

Thrown into the arena

To fight it out

With nature and nurture

History and the family tree.

Like the mama lion

Learning passed instinct

To protect herself

Ad her future self

To nourish and nurture

To protect and possess

To carry DNA

And carry on our humanity.

Happy Mother's Day!

Spring Green

The elusive color,

Like Brigadoon,

Appearing once a year.

The hue between

Empty branches

And emerald green

Shimmers in and out of view

Before it bursts on the scene

Like magic.

A camouflage

For the secret invasion of spring

Festival of Nations

Eating our way around the world.

Shopping at China and Czechoslovakia

Swaying to Jamaican steel drums

And being mesmerised

By the Lebanese dancers.

Enjoying the world at our fingertips

At the Festival of Nations

Sorry Honey It's Thursday

Weekend dreams

Are starting earlier.

Thinking of sleeping in

And lounging around,

Plans for projects

And leisure

Are starting to creep in

On Wednesday and Thursday

Instead of politely

Waiting till Friday.

It must be May.

Gardening

Digging in the dirt

Therapeutic work

Replacing the ink on my hands

With soil.

Bending and stretching

Where I've been sitting all day.

Breathing out the

Stale dull air

And expand

With the freshness of spring.

May Day

Warm sun on cold skin

Melting the icicles in the veins.

Blood thawing,

Stirring at the sounds

Of birds and breezes.

Heart dancing to the Salsa beat

Of bicycle tires

On the bumpy sidewalk.

Head nodding

Shielding tender eyes

From the lusty rays of the sun.

Pink toe nails tapping

To feel the soft moist earth.

Fingers racing across the page

To capture

This first burst of spring.

Bin Laden

Not a cheer
But a prayer
A sigh of relief
And the hope for peace.

My class, including Peace Essay winners
With Maxine from the Community reporter

Art In Bloom

Enjoying the flowers of spring.
The soft lush texture of roses
On satin gowns.
The vibrant oranges and reds
Reflecting ancient pottery.
The details of rosemary and thyme
Reflecting the painter's brushstrokes.
A wonderful way to compliment creations
At the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

Kate and William

We all want to believe in fairy tales.
The beautiful bride
the gorgeous dress
The dashing hero,
All making memories
Like rose petals
Strewn across their path.
A romantic gesture
Beautiful in the moment
But uncertain of the future.
Seeds planted in dreams
Coming to fruition
Or dried up and blown away
On the winds of reality?
We all wish for
Happily ever after.

A spoonful of sugar

Looking forward to seeing
Julie Andrews at the
Red Balloon
On Thursday, May 12!

Storm Warnings

Dark clouds gather,
Remorse over words
Resounding like thunder.
Lightening strikes of anger
Splitting the air.
Raindrops
A release of emotion.
Waiting for the Rainbow.

Rainy Days and Tuesdays

Rain rain go away
Come again some other place...
Like Florida or Arizona
Or some nice warm climate
That already enjoyed spring!

Being Green

Reusing the leftover
Dining room green
To bring the garden
Into the porch.
Opening the room
To the outdoors
And the windows
To the spring.

Easter Sunday

Alleluia Alleluia
The crocuses have risen
From their deep dark tomb.
Bursting forth
With the yellow of the sun
And the royal purple
Of their robes.
An Alleluia chorus
For a beautiful spring opus.

Easter Flower Show
At the conservatory

Good Friday
Slow day at the zoo

Book Club

Book thoughts
Spurred by Authors' insights
Applied to everyday lives
And shared with
Food and friendship.

Magic April Snow

Gone before you can say
Winter Sequel

Decisions

A turn in the road
A slip in time
All life turns
On a single event.
By saying yes or no
We alter our here and now.
Our lives are made up
Of so many choices
Maybe they cancel each other out
And we're left
With the bare skeleton
Of our destiny
As fate would have it.

Monday

My mind is blank
Like the page in front of me.
No profound essays
Or poetic witticisms appear.
Nothing of interest
Or intrigue
On a cold April Monday.

Spring Cleaning

A cleansing mix
Of dust and dirt,
Left over remnants
Of Falls hasty retreat.
Brushing leaves
From promising sprouts
Uncovering potential plants
Leaving a bare space
For spring to fill.
Sweeping away
The last look of winter
Looking forward to Spring's
Redecorating.

Trees

Joyce Kilmer once wrote;
"I think that I shall never see
A poem as lovely as a tree."
I agree
Especially after
They've now been pruned back
To let me have more sunshine
In which to write my poems.

The New Jane Eyre Movie

Emotions surging like waves
As words dance across the surface
Hinting at their depths.
A gloved hand
Placed atop another.
A cheek softly touched
As a violet 's pressed behind the ear.
A whisper kiss
As lips barely brush.
You need a great Mr Rochester
To make a good Jane Eyre movie.
Jane wouldn't settle for less.

Date Night

Holding hands across the table
Sharing secrets of the day.
Tasting entrees
With a side of listening
And a generous helping
Of humor.
The sweet aromas
Of love and trust
Topped off with a dollop
Of hope
And a divine dessert.

Wednesday

My job is not to change the world
But to try to live joyfully in it.
To enjoy the drive to work
And not waste energy
On the car that cut me off.
To find joy in the student
That didn't come prepared
Or planning to learn today.
To be at peace with the meetings
And chaos surrounding me
And practice the zen of being.
To find humor in the day
And wonder at its 25 hours.
To make the most of each day
And realize I'm not changing it
It's changing me.

Geography Fair

As the kids said
We got to go round the world
Without the airfare!

Evening Stroll

Arm in arm
Grey heads bent together
They stride in unison
Crossing the street.
Leaning against each other
For more then physical support
You can see in their stance
That they're withstood
More than traffic
And Minnesota weather.
Pausing at the corner
To debate the merit
Of each possible direction
They resume
Their twilight journey.

To Ruben Rosario St Paul Columnist

I was sorry to read your story
About cancer.
Know that you have the
Prayers and support of friends.
Friends who look forward
To seeing you
And reading your column.
Friends who want to hear what's new
And get your take on things.
Friends who often share your opinion
But still respect yours even when we don't.
Friends whose lives are richer
Because of sharing your experiences.
Friends you've never met
But wish you all the best
Because that's
What you've given us.
And that's what friends are for.
Take care.

After Reading Griftopia by Matt Taibbi

When Ayn Rand shrugged
Presidents listened.
How are some entitled
And what justifies
Their hubris?
How can they pretend
To know better?
Beneficent benefactors
Sharing the leftovers
Cast under the table
At Lazarus's' feet.

Twins Home Opener

The roar of the crowd
The crack of the bat
The sizzling hot dogs
And crunch of peanuts
Pulsating organ music
Bringing us along
On an exciting ride
To home plate.
Go Twins!

King Tut

Ancient history
Relived through Stories retold.
Rich in colors And layers of myth.
Classic heroes And universal truths.
A simple scarab
Or Pharaohs cat
Reopening the sarcophagus
Of ancient Egypt
And letting us
Take a peek inside.

Baby Pictures

Your picture
As a serious little face
Above a red bow tie
And clean white shirt,
Mouth stretching
For a smile
But not quite
Reaching the curious soul
Looking out
Through clear brown eyes.
Searching for an answer
A truth to hold on to.
Happy Birthday Dave!

Eagles' Pantry

Fillet of fish
Guts of crow
Heart of gopher
A little rabbit stew
Bon appetit

http://http//www.raptorresource.org/falcon_cams/index.html
We've been enjoying the eagles and babies
Science and family life!

Sunday

Trying to fit a week's worth of work
Into a single Saturday
Makes Sunday all the more special.
Finally a day to sleep late
Stay in sweats
And linger over breakfast and the paper.
A chance to catch up
On the things that really matter
The work of the soul.
No wonder God rested on the 7th day.

The Face of It

Face to face
On Facebook
That's how they meet now.
A blind date is hardly blind
When you share friends and photos
On line.
A text here
A tweet there
And before you know it
You're BFF.
TMI might take away
The mystery
But it will get you a lots of
Friends on Facebook.