March 2024
Bio Note: I am an award-winning memoirist, poet, blogger, speaker, and author of 14 books. My new memoir is Hummingbird: Messages from My Ancestors, A memoir with reflection and writing prompts (Modern History Press, 2024). I write for Psychology Today, Thrive Global, and other transformational sites.
Between Love and Fear
I love how you wake up every morning
press the espresso maker
and bring me coffee.
I love how you think of me
when you think of yourself.
I love how my dog cuddles in the night
sidled against my body as if his life depended on mine.
I love the sound of my car you bought me,
and how it revs when I start the engine.
I love how you put your hand on my neck
to give me a massage.
I love how we have all our meals together
and how sometime before you almost died,
we prepared meals together
in the kitchen we designed.
I love how you appreciate life,
Even though you nearly lost it
from covid complications,
and that you appreciate it even more,
because you know life is impermanent.
I love how you told me
you’re happy you didn’t leave me alone
and that we can still be together
to watch the sunrises and sunsets,
or pink moments on distant mountains.
I love how you close the back door when you come in.
I could go on and on.
I love how we’ve been together for five decades
and that your eyes still shower me with love.
I love how you talk about me
and all my accomplishments
and how you defend me from ill-talk.
I love how you hold me and mean it.
I love how your dog looks at you
and how my heart warms when you look at me.
I just love everything about you, me and all of us.
Five Kitchen Poems
Cookies
Cut each day out
as if it were your last—
a good excuse to do
all of your favorite things.
Marinate
Use casseroles to repel evil
and enclose all the good,
left at room temperature
just the way you like it.
Ice Cubes
Put your stories
into the squares of an ice
cube tray and turn them
over, release as needed.
Sandwiches
Knead your whole wheat bread,
bake it, slice it and then smear
it with hot mustard to remind us
that pain is sharp, but then it passes.
Toast
Pour the champagne;
clap for the exuberances;
bow to the accomplishments;
and flush all the sorrows
and to love never lost.
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