Monthly Archives: May 2017

Not My Poem (A sample)

We’ve lived
side by side
for years.
We’ve shared
recipes,
movies,
eggs.
Our kids
have baked cookies
and
walked to school
and
had first day of school photos
and
last day of school breakfasts.
We’ve taught
each other’s kids at church.
We’ve sat
in council meetings
together
as auxiliary presidents.
We’ve been
visiting teaching companions.
We’ve carpooled
and
attended the same
concerts
and
graduations
and
ridden to promenades
and
traded weeks
for lunch bunch.

And
now we’re both losing
our husbands.
Both are dying:
–hers, physically,
and mine, spiritually.

Together we weep
As she faces
the loss of her husband
And I face
the loss of mine.
Two men,
friends,
now disabled.
One by chance,
the other by choice.

I worry about
wearing out my welcome,
but wonder if maybe
our mutual sharing
is helpful.
She can vent to me
about exactly
what’s going on,
maybe in some way
she doesn’t talk
to anyone else.

And
we weep
together
and hold on
together.

Mothers Day, 2017, Tribute: Revolutionary ConTEXTing Prose

I texted this to a friend early this morning. As I wrote this, deep in my thoughts were the way my own birth Mother raised me until 10, and how she has been my roommate for the last 6 years; my Mom, who took over raising me through the tough tween and teen years, and who was such a great friend and companion to my father for more than 55 years (and still counting! ); and the mother of my children, who was my friend and companion for decades, and who has continued to love, support and sustain our children.
I think it applies to almost every mother I know, and so, even though I’m not mentioning you by name, I hope you will feel honored this Mother’s Day. And thank you!

Motherhood may start at the birth of children. Some may think it ends when those children leave the nest, but true compassionate mothers continue to provide spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental support and stability and stay connected to their children throughout their life.
You are doing that with your children, and so, on this Mother’s Day, I honor you and respect you and uplift you and wish you a happy and joyful Mother’s Day.