Sunday, May 31, 2009



Tools of my trade:
knives
forks
spoons
rosary
ice cream scoop
Posted by Picasa

Saturday, May 30, 2009



It has been too long
since I swam in the ocean.

I know this because
I don't even notice
the fins
on my shoulders
anymore.
Posted by Picasa

Friday, May 29, 2009


I'm the crazy lady
the one who randomly
pulls over and jumps
out of her car,
camera in hand,
trying to make some
of the things that are fleeting
last for a long time.

I'm the crazy lady
the one who specifically
tries to hold on to
the slippery-est of fish,
hovering with my net,
jerking the line,
rocking the boat,
only choking myself
in the process

I'm the crazy lady
who dreams of being sane
who lives precariously
one foot
on a cloud
the other
in doo doo.
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, May 28, 2009


whoever said that
hot dogs aren't good for you had
no sense of humor
Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, May 27, 2009


did you ever have
a song
that was stuck
in your head?
you started out
loving it
but by the end
of the day,
hearing the chorus
for the ten-thousandth time,
hated it
and couldn't
make it go away
no matter what?

so you turned out
the lights,
went up to bed,
put a pillow under
and over
your head,
and realized that even
deaf ears
couldn't quiet
the music
in
your
head?
Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, May 26, 2009



God doesn't love
popular kids more
I said,
kneeling,
crossing myself,
and trying to sound
like this is
Something I know.
Posted by Picasa

Monday, May 25, 2009


this meat tastes
just like leather
he said,
scrunching up his face,
spitting out
part of a shoelace
Posted by Picasa

Sunday, May 24, 2009



Be yourself,
be who you are
as long as it
is good

Stand out
from the crowd,
make a difference,
leave a mark,
but try to fit in

Follow the signs:
walk
don't walk
yield
stop
detour
parking lot full

Take good care
hold hands
be nice
don't get hurt by mean people

Live every day
Live like today was your last
Have hope for tomorrow
Learn from the past
Pray everyday
Work hard
Play hard
Eat your vegetables
Move
but not too far
Posted by Picasa

Saturday, May 23, 2009



it's at galleries
and museums but art is
wherever you look
Posted by Picasa

Friday, May 22, 2009



with heavy heads bowed,
not one more petal could fit:
full-bloom peonies
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, May 21, 2009



advertisements,
bills,
thank you cards,
graduation announcements,
alumni news,
requests for church donations,
magazines,
travel ads,
realtor brochures,
insurance reports,
medical invoices,

so this is the stuff
of my generation,
this is what we wait for
the mailman to deliver,
racing to the mailbox
as soon as he passes?

funny, how the days
when the mailbox held
a loveletter
I was much too busy
living
than to watch
for the mailman

Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, May 20, 2009


neon in darkness
man-made rainbow all aglow
jewels in the night
Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, May 19, 2009



what more defines you,
walls that keep you in or the
fence that keeps you out?
Posted by Picasa

Monday, May 18, 2009


My Son: half of my very best work.
Officially, graduated with high honors,
on his way to a doctorate.
Unofficially, too big for my lap
but my heart continues to swell.
Posted by Picasa

Sunday, May 17, 2009



enfolded, and on
the verge of wonderful? or
long-stemmed radishes?
Posted by Picasa

Saturday, May 16, 2009


ha ha, just when you
think it's safe and pink is gone
the dogwoods show up
Posted by Picasa

Friday, May 15, 2009


amid the brambles,
Madonna blesses the yard
with blue, white and grace
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, May 14, 2009


It's a pink, pink world
and I'm tickled pink, in awe
of my peonies!
Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, May 13, 2009


before the damp earth dries,
before what's pink turns brown,
before I forget who you are
and you forget why we're here
come under the shade of this tree
and we'll dance on top of the petals
wringing our hearts
and cradling all that is
still, dear
Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, May 12, 2009



whenever the clouds
and raindrops dampen spirits
warm hugs bring sunshine
Posted by Picasa

Monday, May 11, 2009



lately it seems like
things are falling apart just
about everywhere

cooktop, thermostat,
washing machine, and even
my wristwatch! Mayday!!!
Posted by Picasa

Sunday, May 10, 2009



This is it:
the best part
of my life has been
to be a mom;
for that profound
blessing
I am undeserving
but ever so grateful

Steady my
faltering nest,
keep me strong and
intact as the
chicks use their wings.
Posted by Picasa

Saturday, May 09, 2009


petals line sidewalks,
spent and beyond ripe, fallen
after much spring rain
Posted by Picasa

Friday, May 08, 2009



how ordinary
everything seems until I
zoom in and look close
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, May 07, 2009



rain, rain, and more rain
green, green, and more green, rebirth,
renewal, refreshed
Posted by Picasa