Forty Minutes Until May

You know me, April.
I arrived in the middle of the night,
and I will go the same way.
This last minute muse,
this problem with procrastinating
are among my many faults,
but, my beloved Spring is forgiving,
lets me bloom between the weeds,
laugh through the rushing winds
and land under my shady tree;
a poem, never far from my tongue.

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.Day 30 final day of NaPoMo …Just like me finishing the month with 28 minutes to spare ….
I struggled, but I did it for the 9th year i a row 😃 It was a blast.

Ground Floor

Driving, I felt an urgency,
running from the parking garage
into the hospital,
onto the elevator.

I felt a chill,
dreading the numbers
lighting up, 2, 3
4 and the door opened.

I could already see the light
from your room
walking down the hallway,
I knew before I entered,
the bed would be empty.

I left my heart
on the ground floor.

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Day 29 of NapoMo (a poem a day in April for National Poetry Month)
For a dear friend…R.I.P., love

Warrior

I remember the cardigan you wore;
baby blue with little pearl buttons
as you sat on a barstool in the kitchen
reciting the rosary at 5:00 am-
your quiet time while we all slept.

I wondered why you were weeping,
but, now I understand
the weight you felt
upon slender shoulders;

a soft voice concealing a warrior
interceding in prayer
for us all.

.
For Grandma

Day 28 of NaPoMo (a poem a day in April for National Poetry Month)

Birdsong

I miss you most on mornings
when birds sing joyfully
cool breezes blowing through my hair,
feet tickled by dew kissed blossoms.

I hear you on lazy afternoons
telling stories of the good old days
when you played the slide trombone
and loved to dance;

sharing laughter
and butterscotch candy.

I feel you on summer nights
when crickets hum
and trains rumble past
leaving my heart aching
to see your silhouette
approaching,

tall, proud,
wearing your favorite hat.

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Day 27 of NaPoMo (a poem a day in April for National Poetry Month)

Blown

The heart is a fickle,
fragile thing

hiding
beneath skin and bones,
cover blown
like a field of dandelions.

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Day 26 of NaPoMo (a poem a day in April for National Poetry Month)

Ageless

When beauty fades
and confidence wanes,
grasp the artistry
that sets you apart.
Be the poem.

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Day 24 of NaPoMo (a poem a day in April for National POetry Month)

Unfolding

On those days when morning
folds back into night
not so sweet whispers,
those familiar, distant voices
saying I am not enough,

I press into you,
something lovely,
something divine;
you say I am loved
just as I am.

You come with reasons,
none of them to do with me.

unfolding like a flower,
I greet the light
knowing I will never be perfect,
but, I will always be enough.

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Day 23 of NaPoMo (a poem a day in April for National Poetry month )

Fashionably Late

The television is playing
an old movie with flashbacks,
but it is just noise in my ear,

laundry in the basket, taunting me
like the dinner dishes in the sink.

My to-do list
looks less appealing every minute
books stacked on the table
waiting to be read,
messages unanswered,

but, all I can think of is the poem;
the one sashaying through my mind,
beautifully distracting,

and as usual, fashionably late.

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Day 22 of NaPoMo (a poem a day in April for National POetry Month)

They Bloom At Your Feet

The tulips, Daddy;
they stand at attention
rising to reach you,
excitable, like Sylvia said,
beautiful as poetry
in April.

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Day 21 of NaPoMo (a poem a day in April for National POetry Month)

The Chase

Chords calling me,
your precious love
reaching into my heart,
begging for a response.

I am lacking, slacking
but you never turn away;
never give up on me.

Your goodness is remarkable,
your faithfulness, unshakable.
You run after the one,

follow me through valleys,
up mountains,

chase me through the streets,
whispering, I love you
until I finally listen.

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Day 20 of NaPoMo (a poem a day in April for National Poetry Month)

Carpe Diem

i
To clinch the fist
attempting to hold on
press it to your chest
knowing it wasn’t meant for you,
sigh, open the fingers
and let it fly.

ii
She looks at a photograph
studying the frown lines,
the sorrow in the eyes,
the tight clenched jaw
shocked to realize
she’s staring at her own face;
Oh how much it has changed.

iii
She always loved the stars
until she saw the light
that made the moon dim,
the brightest sun fade,
so miniscule
in his presence.

iv
How can we take for granted
the way trees wave in the wind,
flowers glisten in morning sun,
the sound of cardinals;
the wisp of their wings,
the majesty of mountains,
the constant flow of a river?

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Day 19 of NaPoMo (a poem a day in April for National Poetry Month)

Static

If you could see heartbreak,
vessels tangled, knotted;
slivers, embedded

sending senses
to the eyes, (tears falling,)
to the ears, (echoing pain,)
to the mouth (screaming,)
to the spirit (draining energy.)

until healing comes
to the eyes (seeing beauty,)
to the ears (soft music,)
to the mouth (singing,)
to the spirit (in peace.)

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Day 18 NaPoMo (a poem a day for National POetry Month)