Growth

When I was a child

I did not have time to grieve

Nor time to heal

The hurts and misunderstandings

Life was too exciting

I was too happy to be alive

To grow

There were too many things to look forward to

I buried my hurts inside me

And grew around them

Without knowing it

They shaped me

Now I search for my way to happiness’ door

I walk the rope between abandon and responsibility

When someone inadvertently touches my forgotten wounds

And throws me into long lost suffering

And there I find myself again

I find the child so happy to be alive

With so much to look forward to

And I allow her to grow.

They arrived

Clothes are being shed as they are walking up the driveway

Open baggage overflowing abandoned with a thump

The bodies and the water make dramatic contact

I hear and feel the flying liquid as their vocalisations fill the air with laughter and delight

Hours of play ensue

My ears and mind dance with their chatter and refreshing screams

Until they are too hungry or too tired

Children with faces I love, my children at ease and at peace

Sitting at the table alert, open and shining in my eyes.

One with the Storm

Surrounded by sound,

A roaring through the sky

Grey-purple clouds darken the light

As streams of rain crash against

Earth, dwelling, tree.

Wild wind moves the sky water against

My back, my face, my legs.

My refuge is filled with the rhythm of the storm.

The curtains lift.

My view is hazed

by the flood against my window.

Drops of rain enter

And drip into a bowl.

The candle flame dances.

The incense smoke greets the air.

I drink warmth

And watch the moving sky

As I fall asleep on the couch.

Today

Today I drove around splashing through puddles with my car and laughed with three kids a laugh that was long overdue.

I gathered wild flowers and spoke to people whose names I do not know.

I got a bike.

I said sorry.

I was entitled the best Mom ever.

I ended a contract that was no longer valid.

I played ball.

I rode a scooter.

I was serenaded by my sister.

I saw baby geese.

I laughed with friends.

And I think I grew wings because tonight I soared.

A Brave Soul

You come to me with gentle embrace

You come with beaming smile on your face

I see you laugh, I see your fun

You want to enjoy everything under the sun

You are intriguing, you are brand new

Yet for your whole life, I have known you

You can focus, you are so intent

On the games and the situations that you invent

Now you’re kind, you show such care

For those weaker than you or those who don’t dare

You are courageous, you are strong

You have braved ones who have done you wrong

You are my son and you are just eight

And yes my sweet love, I think you’re great!

A Morning of Richness

I awoke dreaming of what I couldn’t have, not today anyway

But got a morning full of richness

Coffee from an exotic place brought warmth to my belly

Children going to school without me, I stayed in my nightie until 10.30

A run in the rain with a happy dog and a laughing girl

A man shouting after me “I love the rain” with a Polish accent

Made me smile

A call from a very beautiful woman

I love my friend

I’m not alone

Dancing to Latin music in the kitchen

The heat on in my hundred year old house

A lunch with salmon and peppers of red, yellow and orange

And it’s not even 2 o’clock yet!