Courage

Courage stands at the edge
of the void and jumps in.

Curiosity in the Garden

Why is the hoe sharp?
Why does it dig dirt?
Why is the dirt hard?
How does the worm
dig through hard dirt?
How do you know this
worm is not a friend?
How does a little worm
eat a big tomato?
What happens to the
worm when it rains?
Can worms dig in mud?
Why is the sun hot?
I want to go inside,
drink water now.

An Odd Child

An odd child
the school nurse
described me in
the notebook left
open on her desk.
I knew it was true,
took it more with
pride than hurt.
Prone to poetry
and ribbons,
careful words
careless numbers,
better in a crisis
than at a party,
serious, sensitive,
a good listener,
fascinated by people
but happy alone.
I was an odd child,
grew into an odd woman.
Still like it just fine.

A Boy's Promise

When I am grown
and have kids who love me,
I won't hurt their mother
so she has to send me away.
She won't hurt me.
We will all stay together
and love each other
when I am grown.

Honor Thoughts that Come in the Night

Honor thoughts that come in the night.
Logic loses power when dusk dims day.
Honor thoughts that come in the night.
Moon dissolves limits clear by sun.
Honor thoughts that come in the night.
Hopes, like fears take wing in shadow.
Honor thoughts that come in the night.
Magic arises with fog from the grass.
Honor thoughts that come in the night.
Moonlit pond mirrors soul's secrets.
Honor thoughts that come in the night.
The owl sees as well as the eagle.
Honor thoughts that come in the night.
Night truths balance truths of day.

Turtle in the Tub

I hear you crashing against the porcelain
walls of your temporary prison.
You have out grown your tank,
dinnerplate now, not the silver dollar
Danny purchased proudly with allowance.
You have not outgrown his love.
Boy struggles to choose to keep or
to release, to see you as his or
your own. A parent's dilemma,
hard to master at any age.

Double Take

You stretch a long leg
effortlessly above your head
and your flame hair shimmers.
Rhinestone Tinkerbell
necklace glitters
at your pale throat.
Shyness and determination
vie for control of your eyes.
You could be your mother.
You could be my ghost.
You are however
marvelously
yourself.