Norah at a quarter of a year

there’s a cluster of ribbons 

and a stuffed turtle with two rings 

yellow and green 

hanging just above her 

she wants them 

but hands don’t cooperate 

flailing 

and then she grabs the ribbons and won’t let go 

but the rings still hang 

penduluming 

left hand bats at them 

so hard to grasp 

fingers must unclench 

until finally two fingers wrap around the plastic 

goal achieved infant persistence

paying off 

boding well for ribbon-filled tomorrow 

 

don't worry Norah

don’t worry 

baby you’ve got that creased little brow looking 

so unsure your 

momma has you enveloped in 

love your daddy has you arms 

of protection your family has you a circle 

of smiles 

life will 

happen and it might be rough but 

you will be 

strong 

    and sure 

        and wise 

            and good 

                and true 

so don’t worry baby we’ve got 

you

new year's eve

look out 

at the silver white brush stroke 

around each branch 

and at the snow laden spruce boughs 

weighed down by winter 

listen to that recording of Bach 

and hear the hope

on this last day of the year 

brush stroked and laden with silver 

and the prayers of a 

world aching 

and hungry for peace

Christmas Eve 2022

it’s the day before

tree is lit 

adorned with snowflakes and angels 

wrapped gifts underneath 

outside is white and sparkling with sun 

cat curled up one of many naps 

J preparing festive food 

carols come from speakers and a blue jay 

flies branch to branch 

snow strewn with seeds 

from yesterday’s winds 

but today is calm and bright 

and I can curl my mind around the prince of peace

 

solstice

we wake 

after the longest night 

look out at the snow settling on branches 

oblivious to 

the lengthening days 

anticipating only more months of winter cold 

yet in a few days 

we gather to celebrate light 

that candle flame in our being that waxes when 

we sing our carols 

of faith hope love and joy 

of a child born so innocent and soft so full of true warmth 

looking out with trusting eyes 

at the light 

in ours

winter time

overnight landscape change

frigid white satin covers heart

we start to hunker

 

Halloween 2022

this knight on this night 

can’t wait to venture out 

on a quest for  riches with 

plastic pumpkin in hand 

with armour black and red and grey 

protection against 

arrows and slings 

he is Sir Roger 

ready to join the throng of life

his smile 

telling the knight’s tale 

for in 

this life all are knights 

on a quest