To Make You Get Your Story Straight
There is nothing like your very own child to make you get your story straight.
Those questions towards the base of your brain awake when they would rather wait.
The whole world asks these questions, clamoring to make their answers known.
And suddenly you have to answer when they’re asked by one you call your own.
Scratching Our Heads
We’ll plan our every move while lying in our beds
and find that we are still taken by storm.
Change will come; it seldom warns,
and we’ll all be left scratching our heads.
Inert
The weeds grew while we were gone.
They knew it was their chance.
And apples started dropping–
those got eaten at by ants.
But the work that we were doing
with the rocks mixed in the dirt,
was still sitting there, very still,
being stubborn and inert.
Back
Once again, we’re back.
Time to rest, unpack,
and tell myself, once again,
not to get too settled in.
In Lieu of Flowers
In lieu of flowers,
plant vegetables,
and then you’ll keep
your table full,
and you’ll still die,
just not as soon,
and we’ll plant flowers
by your tomb.
She Is Sleeping
There she is, so fast asleep.
Her arms are limp, her head sunk deep
upon the sheets. So let us keep
the lights down low. Don’t make a peep.
Just catch your breath and let her sleep.
Peace
When the river is not peaceful
because it’s full and steep
we still trust that the ocean
will catch us, hug us deep,
and give our souls a Sabbath
to ride the waves and sleep.
Different Nations
Dear cousin who I haven’t seen,
we’ve moved up a generation.
We’ve often lived so far apart–
for years in different nations.
But now that you’re a doctor
and now that I’m a mom,
you’d think that one of us had moved
to Greece or Vietnam.
And not because our jobs are different
(although they really are)
but because our lives are both so full.
That’s what makes our nearness far.
A Breath of Fresh Air
Some people feel that
water is boring,
a blank page is numbing,
and these white plates are too plain.
But have they ever felt that way about a breath of fresh air?
Living Casserole
When I am getting hungry,
even though I just, just ate,
I’d like some living casserole
to heap upon my plate.
And would that end my munchies?
Or would that make me yearn
for the work of God to do,
and still more calories to burn.