“A poem is the very image of life expressed in its eternal truth.”
Percy Bysshe Shelley

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Reason for Silence?


I checked my list of
the MS blogs I follow.
Many are quiet.

Has the MonSter felled
some of my compatriots
silencing their blogs?

Some say blogging’s out.
Little time. Lots of options.
True for our blogs too?

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

How to Break Out?


Just because I’m sick,
I am not given free pass
to skip other stress.

Stress feeds on itself.
One stress begets another
exponentially.

When caught in a loop,
breaking out is difficult
but still possible?

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Now This Happens


I injured my back.
It could be ordinary
except it lingers.

This could be MS,
I finally realized.
I hope like hell not.

I have been faithful
exercising and toning.
Damn, now this happens.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day


a field of poppies
brilliant red above dark earth
abundant beauty

memories of lives
wrest away before their time
sacrificed to war

they fought fierce battles
waged for a greater purpose
freedom and safety

Sunday, May 27, 2012

The Inevitable? - Encore


I’m resigned, I think,
to the inevitable
though I may hate it.

Fighting is either
thoroughly exhausting or
invigorating.

Making up my mind
which to embrace, fight or flight,
a work in progress.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

How I Miss It - Encore


Heard salsa music
coming from the radio.
I wanted to dance.

Perspiring, happy,
snapping my hips at a club
like so long ago.

Love the thumping beat,
swirling and dipping at will.
Oh, how I miss it.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Quiet Giving - Encore


Such goodness abides
in the generosity
of those who help us.

They make no news splash
and stay in the background
seek no attention.

In quiet giving
pure compassion is displayed,
elevating lives.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

The Missing Cart - Encore


The electric cart
was AWOL at the food store.
I was forced to walk.

Others shopped with ease
while I watched with great envy,
my tears held at bay.

I cried in the car
on the way home from the store,
missing my old self.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

A Dare - Encore


Let us go racing
in our motorized carts
while shopping for food.

Let us see how well
we can resemble nimble,
swift go-cart drivers.

Let us zip and dash,
beep and reverse, cut corners,
and spark a new trend.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Holding on to a Memory - Encore


When did it become
my normal way of being
to watch others walk?

How did I forget
how easy it was for me
to run down the street?

How do I retain
my fast fading memory
of who I was then?

Monday, May 21, 2012

I Live by a Preserve - Encore


A woodpecker drills
on the tree by my window
its manner serene.

An owl sits on
nearby evergreen branches
staring at my face.

Raccoons meander.
Armadillos dig for food.
This is where I live.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Ode to My Commenters


Perhaps not many
read closely my blog’s comments
but they are worthwhile.

They will set me straight
keep me from veering far off
from wisdom’s good sense.

Some favorites shine
among so many options,
this, this, this, and this.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Raw


Want raw honesty?
Matt bares it all in this post.
It just breaks my heart.

When someone so young
faces such crushing losses,
I could scream at fate.

Who am I kidding?
Loss is loss despite the age.
MS is a thief.


Friday, May 18, 2012

We All Sound So Sane


We all sound so sane.
If I did not know better
I’d think us all well.

Does anyone write
with clear brutal honesty
about the losses?

Or are we all stuck
in resolutely brave mode
glossing over truths?

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Seeking Connection


This disease process
we all try to understand
fails comprehension.

A challenging journey
across time and space,
often quite lonely.

We seek connection,
hoping for more than echoes
of one’s own voice.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

A Better Perspective


Though her body fails,
a good night’s sleep restores her.
It lifts her spirits.

Aware of decline,
she wants to stay where she is
but knows it can’t be.

A quick glance outside.
The lovely sun shines brightly.
This remains normal.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Nature's Surprise


On a hiking trail,
yellow blossoms shine brightly
stars among dull fare.

Shining alongside
a path worn by hikers’ steps,
Moraea surprise.

I ask myself where
on nature’s path I can find
my blossom surprise.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Sometimes I Have to Ask This


Poignantly aware,
I witness my body fail.
Where is this going?

With no steady state,
redefined successively,
who is the me left?

Is this a set-up,
enough of me left to fool
me into hoping?

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Mother's Day Wishes


On this Mother’s Day,
may love’s presence bring joy.
May laughter bring cheer.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Elusive Sleep


Fatigued as I get
sleep should come quite easily
except it does not.

Rules tossed and ignored
circadian rhythms mocked
as I watch the clock.

But I need my sleep!
Why can’t my body listen?
Wait, I have MS.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Nickels and Dimes


I started mending
something which cost ten bucks new.
What, am I crazy?

Instead of mending,
I used a website coupon.
Cost? Only five bucks.

In my former life,
I was never so frugal
as I must be now.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Essential Metaphor


Finding a light source
while in the midst of darkness,
essential for life.

Light as metaphor,
which form the light takes must fit
what each person needs.

Writing poetry,
my joys and fears revealed,
is my source of light.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

And Then There Are Days Like This


I went out today
rollator and cane at hand
to do normal things.

Hiding in my house,
my shortfalls are not witnessed.
I can still pretend.

Others made me see
I hate being a cripple.
I hate it! Hate it.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Hugs


Hugs as peacemakers,
low-tech and inexpensive,
they go a long way.

I would make a bet
the world’s problems would be small
if hugs were the norm.

The tough steely glare
intimidates enemies.
It will not bring peace.

Monday, May 7, 2012

A Twilight Meditation


A young boy watches
gulls assembling at sunset
braving an east wind.

Western light still reigns
in twilight-hued harmony.
Calm waves lap the shore.

Life reassuring
transition from known to new
as a boy ages.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Questions


Does focus on loss
promote yet more loss and pain,
a vicious cycle?

Strong self discipline,
is that all one needs to see
only good in life?

Achieving balance
and honest optimism,
is there such a thing?

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Seeking Grace


Handling life with grace
regardless of circumstance
remains a firm goal.

Low moments borne with
elegance and dignity
blunt sorrow’s despair.

One may not avoid
anger and depression but
pride remains unbowed.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Trading Up


In this neighborhood,
the fix-em-ups outnumber
move-in-ready homes.

The pipes are leaky,
the clapboards dulled and flaky.
The stairs sag badly.

Through a window peeks
a besieged long-time owner
who yearns to trade up.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Guessing Game


Kind of ironic
I look great but feel like shit,
half okay I guess.

Legs turn to noodles.
A day’s plans shunted aside.
With them go my hopes.

Hard to know what’s what
with the constant guessing game
my life has become.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Community


“Your poems make me
feel less alone,” he remarked,
moving me to tears.

I felt less alone
when unintentionally
my words brought solace.

This is a hard path.
Support and inspiration
are sorely welcomed.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

A Balancing Act


It’s a tricky thing,
balancing reality
against denial.

Engagement is good
for getting things accomplished.
Sometimes I must flee.

All traits are useful
depending on time and need,
whatever it takes.