Connection
THROUGH A MOTHER'S EYES
Small, with porcelain skin
She fought her way
Into the world
Fragile in appearance
Yet mighty in spirit
She charmed anyone
Who paused to visit
Calm, and creative
She looks adversity in the eye
And the victor is clear Champion of the disadvantaged
Eager to empty her pockets of coins
No hand went without
As she confidently dropped her coins
In the cup with a smile
Looking back over her shoulder
As if to say,
“You have a good day”
Fiercely loyal, deeply loving
Whose judgment I trust
Guided by commitment
Through God’s grace
And the universe
She met her lifelong partner
First as a friend
And now a mother
With a baby of her own
She tends to her child
With confidence and care
As he looks into her eyes
His heart bound to hers
His trust, secure
She is deeply aware
Of the connection
The bond
Of a mother’s unconditional
love.
CONNECTIONS
Driving along the highway
With the wind by my side
The music’s good
My mood is high
Headed to a cafe
For a noon repast
If its good, I’ll stay
If it’s not, I’ll pass
Independent and at ease
I enter the Café
look around, and eye a seat
the last counter chair I see
A brief hello to either side
Excuse me, if you please
May I have this seat?
Yes, of course, you may
They cleared the space
And welcomed me
Then with delight I hear a voice call out
Hello, how are you,
A surprise no doubt
Soon caught in conversation,
witty and quick
We talk about shared interests
new opportunities, unique, that fit
enjoying each other’s company
Our serendipitous meeting,
We agree
is an absolute hit
Not often do you make connections
So deep and real
But when you do you know it
It’s in your gut, it’s what you feel
We shared some laughs, and pondered
why life can lack such bonds
as important as the air we breath
spawning lasting relationships beyond
We carry on with our luncheons
A casual interjection here and there
Respectful of each other’s time
Yet curious and aware
We promise to follow up
And laugh and say please do
Meaningful connections arose today
I like this place, I do
THE TIME IS NOW
Beyond black-and-white
There are shades of gray
That offer hope in the future
Yet few have knowledge of them today
Motivation and a drive to cover
May unearth what once was lost
New applications may be discovered
Benefiting countless with little cost
What if they become life-changing
Renewing the joy that once was lost
Environmental impact softly spoken
Leave their marks of loss and pain
If we raise the conversation carefully
We have much to give and gain
Together we can join our voices
Give strength to those who know not how
Spread the word and raise awareness
Not tomorrow, the urgency is now
Let us join forces with the many
Medicine, healthcare, public policy too
To bring hope to those who suffer
Restore joy, beyond a few
We can band together talent
Drive-through and take control
Of our environment and our healthcare
And bring goodwill
To all
A Break in Routine
The sky was blue
The sun shined bright
Today I’m doing different
No obstacles in sight
I’m breaking my routine
Friends and I will meet
At an unknown café
It will be a retreat
Wrap a scarf around my neck
and bundle up against the chill
The forecast is good, I begin my trek
I arrive a bit late, not a matter they say
Have a seat and join in
Place your concerns at bay
Then I glance toward their guest
my friends glance that way too
Please meet our friend Lilly
I say, how do you do
Conversation is varied, lively and quick
We discuss shared interests
Our passions and picnics
And with a cadence so even
We take turns and we say
Could it be more beautiful
Then this Saturday?
Its joy I feel
That’s what it is
Time with good friends
And a new friend appears
The mix of known
And new friends works
Seamless, easy-going
and full of good cheer
Then we step outside
Breathe in the air
And express our gratitude
For a day
And company
Beyond compare
Today was different
A fresh start, they say
I broke the mold
I went a different way
Most of all
I learned grace
From Lilly, my friend
Her gratitude
And stories retold
That they might mend
A TWIST OF FATE
Full of expectations
We headed to the event
Made our way to our destination
Arm in arm and content
We are welcomed and greeted
Looked around and took it in
Though not as we had hoped for
It was planned with good intent.
And so our plans they pivot
Request to visit a new venue
We leave, to soon arrive
To make our second debut
Remarking of the energy
We begin our tour and note
A variety of media to explore
A celebration of life, an antidote
My circle grows of friends held dear
An introduction, a bond, is clear
Minutes pass and into hours too
Our passions align, similar beliefs held dear
Plans do we make, yes, follow through
A friend is made, so real, so true
