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.

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.

I’m Her. She’s Me.

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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

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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

Summer Fruits

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Brothers

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The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Let me say, I’m fully aware I’ve done nothing to deserve the protection of these men and women. I hope not to insult with my words but to honor, possibly, and admit my shortcomings in being thankful for their service. Peace be to those who served. )

Ashamed of the details I’d forgotten,

Unnerved by the facts we aren’t taught,

Humbled by the dedication proven,

And the lives lost.

Passionate in prayer quietly watching,

Questioned how civilians give back,

Intrigued by the devotion to State,

Terrified for, and in awe of the forces they’ve reckoned with,

And grateful for every step these men take.

– Learning –  

a collection of photos and poems.

Non-negotiable

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The day had finally arrived it was Mom’s pick.

The dreaded Bible Museum, “… this is my no discussion item.”

“You understand it costs $30, right?”

“Yep, I do, and I’ll gladly buy the tickets. It’s my turn today.”

“Mom, there are so many places to visit and they cost you nothing. I know why you want to go, but this is an expensive trip as is…”

“I can’t come all this way and not go, plus I’ve already lost the cathedral visit because of their schedule.”

“You lead the way.”

“I need to manage my time right so I don’t miss the next showing of A Walk Through Creation. The lady said start on the third floor.”

A few moments later.

“Mom, come look. Mom, do you see this? Mom, this is soo old. Mom, I could stay just in this room for an hour. Mom, I need a picture of that. Mom, these artifacts are priceless.”

“Now you understand why I cried when I saw the Gutenberg Bible yesterday, sweet child of mine.”

” If you’re up to waiting I think we should do the Walk Through the Old Testament, they line up over there.”

“I’d really love to, yes.”

“Wow, this is bright.”
“Yes, son, and then there was light.”


“Their depiction of the rainbow is beautiful…”
“God’s promise.”

Many, many, many moments later.

“Mom, I’m didn’t expect to learn so much. You do realize where all that came from?  I’d do this again, for sure. This is a top D.C. spot for me.”

“Its kinda like I knew all along. You are my son…”

– Learning –  

a collection of photos and poems.

***As I begin sharing the last few poems of the D.C. collection, I’d like to say thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts.

-Aud

Dreaming

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In the beginning there is excitement,
Passion for the idea of new,
Dreams run wild, and possibilities fierce with endlessness.
Who could we be, what will we learn
And how will we survive, thoughts rush yet breath is pensive
All the while, feeling lost on a speedway with experienced drivers,
Each thought jockeying for position in the line of importance.


All new, all fresh, all encompassing.

Plans made, vast space for the fast-paced.
Then reality strikes, the work begins, yet the fruits of labor hum, hold tight to all things precious.
The overall simplicity of how life is,
goes unnoticed,
work looked back upon as tactile and real, as callouses are worn, scars heal, and the unknown remains in existence, yet
there’s beauty in the sun rising.
History made minute by minute, choices lead to new places, and growth persevers in the name of passion.
Why wouldn’t you?

– Learning –  

a collection of photos and poems.