Somewhere Beyond Serene

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.

Search Me

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

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

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

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

“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

“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. ♡

Sunset’s Manifest

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.

I’m Her. She’s Me.

When I close my eyes,
a smile appears on my lips
I watch visions of a woman thriving, and I’m her. She’s me, and it’s soothing.
She’s scurrying from one task to the next,
I giggle because ten years ago, she’d never –
Clean corrosion off a battery,
while bread rises and raking leaves
in-between.

Sunday morning hair and makeup still sits where it was placed, dress hung back up and worship was great, closed up the church, now a warm sweatshirt hugs my skin,
boots on,
and my wranglers secured – I remember when…

Weatherproof the outdoor water spouts, and add additive to the leaf blower while squealing over spiders and a baby possum getting too close.
Where does time go?

Windows open allow the air to clean, the house has been awake for hours, the joys of November’s sixty degrees.

Bills are paid , money left over – room to breathe – who do I bless or what’s the need?

I hear a Blue jay trying to prove a point in the tree to the south. Memories are sweet, and I pray you’re proud.

Yet, the mower sits and I think of him – countless ways he offered to help. Seasons of growth and pain. Funny how life gives and takes away.

Life seems simpler now, even on days when struggle hits.
I keep praying God reveals what’s next, as I putter along, enjoying every breath.

Unexpected


Her decision to be,
Welcoming and welcomed.
Taking chances, she survived, yet, now
She must let go of difficult dreams.
Made to sustain more than many,
Considered selfless and it’s been humbling.
Listening for the One true voice,
Matters most, and  stiffening whispers of I told you so, is tough.
He was right.
Her future is full of unknowns,
Who does she become here?
To thrive would mean taking a risk,
Opportunities will be missed.
Overlooked
Causing confusion,
Nothing worse than blindly choosing
Or second guessing
What she will be next.

Sending much love,

Aud

Oracle


They’re drawn to her inner sanctuary
a place not many have seen,
like rivers feed the ocean,
they travel miles, even upstream.

Large numbers greet her encouragingly,
sensing beauty when she sings,
yet, sitting closer teaches
her quiet and hidden screams.

Many refuse to listen,
carrying burdens of their own,
her voice a weighed reminder, many
bereft of home.

Her light – illuminated
she’s beautiful, protective, and serene,
fear not the angel greeting, she
seeks to comfort those in need.

Summer Fruits

Early summer grounds keeping…
We’ll bale hay another day,
there’s fish biting, and the sky’s blue,
I hear a voice inside me say.
Grass is still short over here, let’s sit and tell each other stories.
A cardinal calls from over yonder
seems simple, but they bring me to you.
Verdant pops over azure brilliantly as I lay down to stretch my back.
Wind will catch a branch, rhythmic in its timing, and life’s hectic pace slows, my breath less demanding.
Nourishment calms a craving, yet this fruit is barely listening.
And nothing, no, nothing is ever just perfect.
Who would want to exist that way…

Just The Beginning

Journey Continues
A silly bit of playing
Like Mother Like Son

The End.
– Learning –  

a collection of photos and poems.
***

George Washington said it at the start:

“I was summoned by my Country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love.”

Roosevelt reminded us that power always brought along responsibility.

So many important voices resonate as we leave D.C.

With change inevitable, “Who will lead?”

Yet, a wise man once told me, “Mom, I have goals. I put away the dreams.”

Executive Residence

Unfortunate circumstances surround,
the joy attached to the idea
of visiting this house.
As a child, I felt protected,
now my children wonder, to whom
the blame is set?

Money shouldn’t control,
yet,
it does, leaving behind
a steadfast belief in unity and solidarity, wrapped in parental tough love.

This passion for leadership should exist,
personal preference –
grounded in faith from above, and rooms for existentialists.
Young minds dream, set goals,
similar sentiments can be traced back
to years ago.

– Tous pour un, un pour tous. –

Experience, a must, most would agree,
understanding war,  law, nations, the humble, complex ideologies, and to whom we place our trust.


Room for change is generally in need,
a strict warning against swift technology.
Ha, just admit it,
the brilliantly rich know more than we do, and we’re terrified of AI absurdity.

The manifestos of ancestors impressive,
progression for many requires time, 
generations of wisdom holding value, as
this country mingles in crime.

A home base with decades of failure, take heed –
these seasons,
they reek of power and greed.
Souls weep,
all for one and one for all, a dream
profoundly exhausted, hearts broken,
Let us breathe!

Society divided, but love surely shows,
costs substantial, life unrecognizable.
What, pray tell, shall we do? Executive branches wither as fighting ensues.

Young keen voices abundant, AHH!
A servant life, not many are called to,
let the anointed through.

Spoiled attention seekers have stolen the show,
now, money decides
who stays and who will go.


– Learning –  

a collection of photos and poems.

Anthropology

Haibun

The counting was straightforward,
repetitive in its style – for learning.
Outer galaxy creatures taught many about rhythm and dancing- rhythmic movement.
There was a grouchy soul nobody wanted to humor, sadly his was lost on most.
Silliness welcomed within the kitchen, safety and danger overlooked.
Cultures encouraged by a tall yellow fowl, a friend to all.
A pair of besties, a relationship generally overlooked and undervalued.
A monster with a sweet tooth, lack of cleanliness, not one for culinary fortitude.
Someone to teach distance, often running about – investing in measurement.
And a couple striving to get their relationship right – work in progress. One loved too deeply and the other more private.

A society, in order to expand, must accept change, as creating works this way. No two people were born alike, all with different visions, fingerprints, and no two goals the same. Accepting and tolerating are worlds apart, yet both require grace. Both deserving civil conversation and an ability to live, yet neither earn an absolute. Judgement comes but by the same boat each time, and no one is safe, He decides. Love is required, love will always win, love is instant and sometimes earned – but remember it was freely given.

Anthropology
Disfunction senerios
Puppets to Muppets

– Learning –  

a collection of photos and poems.