Papa Bear

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He said, “Watch her, she’s gonna take this hard.” – He knows me.

Silly, guy, we all are….
He said, “We know where I’m going, don’t we…”
I smile and look into his eyes.
His hands are so warm and holds ours well, my poetry will suffer without him here.

We watch the birds, as he settles into his chair, finally home. Kansas fresh air.
He tells mom the finches will need seed. Most important this season so grab the feed, are the plants growing, she says yes, crocus and the lillies- his favorite- are showing their green.


Reminds Big Brother, the wild asparagus needs some water, and test the pickup, let it sit on the charger.
Middle maintains quietly, and verifies the facts. Listens closely and snatches on to what we don’t catch.
Baby, takes temperatures, monitors and sits close by, he knows she’s got this and facts don’t lie.
I prepare the giggles and prayers, talk family history and meet his stares.


His eyes track us as we move about the house, his hand lifts up and reaches out,
We take hold, one more story, usually untold.
Time is sensitive and moments out of our control.
Love has no boundaries, and life changes swift, yet it is hard not to wonder what if.

No Longer Safe?

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Who are you?

Unknown

Why are you reading these verses?

Lurking

You haven’t even introduced yourselves…

Rude

I say selves, because there are a lot of you.

Strangers

English-speaking isn’t a requirement, but sure helps the poetry you consume –

Knowledge

Unnerving

Thousands now today, yesterday and last week.

Tell me why?

No longer a safe space.

Should I be scared?

Do I need protection?

Are you taking my poems for your own?

I should probably go.

Fighter

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On Friday, I rode in with jokes and prayers,
Cause he enjoys both,
cancer is the worst, and somehow the
newest and the best still isn’t enough.
Three steps forward, two steps back,
when do we call it, when is it just too tough?
He told us today if only I was 20 years younger,
yet for us, he is.
He will always be one tough cowboy.
Encourage. Encouraged. Encouraging,
this is the season of life we battle – willingly.
Time time time – we need more.
Cook food, drink water, sing a tune
Never ending shuffle of what are we to do.
His fight is stronger than ours,
a blessing –
funny how it is.
Today it appears we are offered another day,  a week, month or years. 
Either way,
God, oh how we love him.

Persuasion

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Happy New Year!

Flooded with photos of the East Coast
My adult children living their dreams,
Momma watching from afar. Left smiling.
Changes in 2026 appear wrapped, for me, waiting for them to reveal themselves quietly.
Pleasant little gifts,
Sat in a corner by the Christmas tree.
Which one will she chose first,
The green one, his.
Thoughts settle on you,
Remember when I told you –
I believe we were meant to be?
Seems silly. Writing into the air.
My heart knows and has succumbed
To wait, what will be isn’t for me to chase.
I decided this time, men do the choosing,
The wise mystics of days gone by say,
You’ll know when you feel it.
I fear, maybe my life is supposed to be this way. Alone, yet, I desire for so much more. May it be so.

After years in Children’s Ministry I retired a few months ago. Life has been weird, and very busy. Dreams of what’s next fill my eyes, yet, I spin with what ifs. I passed an incredibly hard test two days ago. Proving I can do hard things, and win.  The world is my oyster, they say, but simple girls want simple things. Hoping more time for writing and poetry to sit strongly in my lap once again. Maybe my favorite book, by Jane Austen, needs re-reading.

Photo is from the day of my test. The sunset was a gift. God will always be with me. I hope I’ve made you proud. I pray you’re all happy.

Sending my love.
Yours,

Aud

Somewhere Beyond Serene

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if the water could have sung,
I’d have heard it calling me,
drawn to its movement,
slow and consistent, I felt seen.
Instead of the arc of a rainbow in view,
colors swirled around twilight
as if they knew circles were
my favorite, and curves the most fun.
Nature’s beauty  spoke in only whispers,
requiring my heart to listen.
Rumi, INSPIRE – the ancients would plea,
but a woman like me,
lost between hope and regret,
will watch for you as the boats drift. Listening.
Waiting on timing, once again,
knowing somewhere beyond serene, you exist and I’m ready.

The Beauty

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The vastness of interpretation reveals beauty,
seen by your eyes, and mine.
Whether the sky,
cerulean blue, creates feelings of cool,
or weathered wood, offers
time, precious to me and to you.
Or even better, the opportunity,
to express ourselves honestly,
and witness dreams coming true.
Regardless of the outcome, the vision
is clear, no matter our distance,
you’re wished for here.

Search Me

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I’ve been taught to listen to your voice. Your very presence surrounding. With guidance, truth will set me free. Impossibilities become belief, and fear – a season left behind me.

So shall joy find me in the morning dew, while visions shine across the cerulean sky, there’s no fleeing. Only a welcoming off the wings of dawn and it is precious, search me.

Today, be a guest, nature – object of The Creator – sit closer than ever before, logic can’t touch this, and its within Him we all find rest.

Aurora

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Inside me lives a little girl:
giggly,
impatient and giddy,
over new.
New experiences, lit brilliantly across northern trails.
She, wide eyed, and with extreme expression,
has wished on every star,
counting them, 1, 2, 3,
will he find me?
Her neck exposed, eyes full of wonder,
up, up, and away.
The sky breaks, she no longer feels alone
color washes over her face,
darkness fades,
as night mirrors grace,
and light begins to dance.
Life comes alive, and her squeal echoes,
through the woods.
Look! Fingers pointing with urgency,
I see what she sees, and tears fall –
yet, fully aware of her inner whisper,
“Come with me…”
I sense my obligations.
Haunting.

Simplified

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Funny thing about history,
what it is depends on the county, country and the weight of its gravity.
Feelings collide, as they
present themselves,
usually contrary to another –
and another’s, yet again: Tell me, are you family or friend.
Reaction brings emotion to life,
as news provides.
Hands clap with smiles smiling, tears fall or steam rolls,
hearts break while minds run wild
holding on to hope – like a child.


The past is full of firsts,
today we wonder are there any left?
Celebrate the ordinary, and be considered a fool. We should be forcing the extreme and the new! As the Preacher says, “Don’t look back. Keep moving forward.”
Watch me pitch a fit,
and shake my finger …
100 years ago – This pig, THIS pig….
he was a winner.
And Colorado had never looked better.

***

Haiku:

Yesterday’s Newspaper

What matters is all around

Life Simplified

***

Yours,

Audrey

Expose

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An exposition in the heat of the day.
Toned, an arched formation,
and positioned at summer’s mercy,
smitten is her coloring.
Appearing freckled and sunkissed as the day peaks, and the dew fades,
she’ll sway confidently with adoration.
Clothed in rose hues, and on display – welcome to her vulnerability,
perfected in creation,
and encouraged to stay.

Breathe

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“Grass looks good.”
even when the state of the other side
of the yard is on his mind,
his kindness shines through.
“Maple trees aren’t worth the work.”
and another hundred helicopters
fall down, as the wind shifts,
he ignores that, too.
Focused on the positives, as another day
slowly drifts away,
I listen to the birds calling each other
back to the nest.
“Don’t forget to fill their feeder.”
is whispered, and I smile.
Chair feels comfortable for now,
three sit quietly vacant,
as the neighbors drive by.
Settled, the evening breeze soothes me,
I hear, “Good enough,”
and before I’m ready
dogs bark a good evening to one another.
a subtle goodbye felt within,
auburn hair brushes my cheek,
like vapor, his voice will leave,
as today sets behind the trees.

In Strides

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“We had the strength to raise them, we will have the strength to let them go …”    

– The Waltons

A friend sent me that quote a few days ago. Soo, true.

I’m sat here, finally, after a busy day. I just read great news from both kids (6 hours after the fact), if I could pat myself on the back I probably would, but I know single moms rarely accomplish big things without help from many.  Life is a crazy ride, and I’m so grateful for it. I’ve settled in to empty nesting finally, yet I wish I was with both of them celebrating their accomplishments.

Anyway, just one more quick story from today. Been a heck of a day. ♡

Love you, Aud.

I helped care for a man today who had recently gone to heaven. It was my privilege to do so, even if some would say it’s just my job.

He was the epitome of a real Nebraskan. A Nebraska Gentleman, he served his country, he raised his family, his wife had been cherished, he cared for his farm and community, all the while serving his church.

He taught grown men how to farm in the 1950s, after Korea, and did very well farming his own land. When many folks were selling in the 1980s, he was just hitting his stride. He had a helluva stride, too. I looked forward to seeing his face on Sunday mornings. He would’ve been just my type. Well dressed, and smelled good too, even at over 90, you could see him driving his vehicle to play cards with the boys, or walking to church on a beautiful Spring morning. He was humble, soft spoken, yet incredibly certain, he paid attention to detail and always asked about my children. The true enjoyment on his face over their accomplishments created the best feeling inside of me. He truly cared. I’ll miss him. His presence brought normalcy to my week. I live with regret. I didn’t tell him how impressed I was by his just being HIM.

It was an honor to serve his family today. 95 years – well done, good and faithful servant.

Be well, friends. ♡

Brilliance Dawning

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There are mornings, where if I don’t write what’s waiting, it will continue to sway within me.

Pushing, pulling, and looking for a way to make room. There’s attitude, fear, and control, all of which have caused me to stumble in the past.

The stutter I used, and passed down when I was younger was me – unashamed. Confident in my thoughts and convictions.

I believed wholeheartedly in myself, yet appearing to question my authority to those listening around me. Passed over and rendered entertaining. They didn’t know me very well, did they?

Interesting how I finally feel her again. And she’s amazingly bright and able.

Isn’t it funny?

Bravery appears differently on everyone.

Sunset’s Manifest

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Monochrome sets the scene
sneak away for a peek out West of town.
Creation mellows at about sunset,
and the prairie soothes a concerning brow.
Technology, news,  just one more issue,
back then, we’ll agree, was priceless compared to now.

Tailgate down, jump up  – have a seat
snuggle in close, let’s dream.
No snow to speak of is cause for concern,
forgo the complaints, smile, then breathe in deep.
There’s water in the Platte, plenty of
hay stacked up, and dry boots still warming our feet.

Giggles cause chuckles
and life begins to make sense.
A porch about here would work out nice,
a tire swing for the grandkids with no need for a fence.
Leaning into twilight , she’ll manifest –

Waving goodbye to choas – and life a little less tense.