dear motheryou hid your heartbehind stone wallsand locked gatesa secret gardenyou never invited meinto for teaglimpses of daisiesblack-eyes Susanslily of the valleystolen throughcast iron postswhile standing ontippy-toe dear grandmotheryou gave your lovemore easilymy constant gardenertending to hearthto homeyour summer arms filledwith purple and white lilacslarge blooms of hydrangeathe air around youfragrant with wisteria I have … Continue reading In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens – Christine E. Ray
Family
Grandfather Poplar- Michael Erickson
I’ll never forget the dance of lilac blossoms, Tossed in a warm spring breeze. Their scent kissing me behind each ear, As I stood before a wide open world. With eyes squinted I saw as fields of alfalfa, And lines of swaying poplars blurred together. This moment bares an imprint upon my heart, As I … Continue reading Grandfather Poplar- Michael Erickson
Among Empty Spaces- Michael Erickson
I walked upon a memory dear, Along familiar paths once green. Beneath the stalks of grasses golden brown, And twisting leaves so crisp. I found our footprints once so clear, Faded by time and worn from wind. Like ripples upon a pond of glass, Your voice rang as if you were near. I felt your … Continue reading Among Empty Spaces- Michael Erickson
Maybe Again Tomorrow, by Donna Matthews
maybe I’ll wake up savor a hot cup of coffee in the quiet morning light watch the birds and squirrels spar fight over the fallen seed maybe I’ll grab the babe my son’s son living with me, with his dad and his mom maybe later we’ll go for a walk see more birds, perhaps a … Continue reading Maybe Again Tomorrow, by Donna Matthews
THROWBACK FRIDAY: Dirty Shoes, by Donna Matthews
unspeakable pain soiled shoes; devoured dreams come in from the dark * Written this time last year, these are the shoes of a loved one living within mental illness and, while not quite homeless, I found her living in squalid conditions. She's better today but still continues to battle her bipolar demons. © 2014-2020 – … Continue reading THROWBACK FRIDAY: Dirty Shoes, by Donna Matthews
The Too Much
Early morning greets me with a familiar feeling. The Too Much. Too much sugar, too much television, too much peopling. Looking in the mirror, wild eyes stare back. Oh, girlfriend. the silent morning quiet restoring focus mind growing calmer an introverted human brain buzzing on overdrive © 2018-2019 – Donna Matthews Shout out to all … Continue reading The Too Much
THROWBACK FRIDAY: Love Described
Love Described? How to describe love? Nothing abstract about it You either love or you don't The best life has to offer is always found in people. © 2018-2019 – Donna Matthews The above poem is written in the form of tanka. The tanka form is generally a short poem with the following pattern 5-7-5-7-7. In … Continue reading THROWBACK FRIDAY: Love Described
THROWBACK FRIDAY: The Arena
Forks in the Road Back in the day – like 1988 – I was in my senior year of high school. And like the many teenagers before and after me, I was faced with choices. We all encounter the forks in the road…if I go right this and left that. What makes forks in the … Continue reading THROWBACK FRIDAY: The Arena
I’M THANKFUL FOR YOU!
By Charles Robert Lindholm I'm Thankful For You: My Wife My Children My Family My Friends My Followers And Readers You Are The Blessing I Love The Most But We All Love Our Other Blessings Too: Health Happiness Joy Contentment Skills And Talents And The List Goes On And On And On Just Remember I'm … Continue reading I’M THANKFUL FOR YOU!
Spices
Spices Pulling out the old, tattered chili recipe, I can’t help but reflect on the man who created it and our tumultuous relationship. You’d think after the abandonment of my “real” dad, having a stepdad who showed up, supported my mom and her two kids and wrote chili recipes in his spare time might be … Continue reading Spices
Go Dog Go Café 