I am so pleased to announce that my poem, Blue Shoes, is now available at MasticadoresIndia. Thank you to Terveen Gill, and the team at MasticadoresIndia for their continued support, and for publishing this piece.
Blue Shoes
shadows trace my fingers, a space of
wonder filled with
lace
as other contexts make haste
sending to my heart delicate fabrics,
my mind’s eye reminds me…
I would be honored if you would go here, and read the rest of my poem. Thank you!
Photo by ractapopulous, Pixabay
Well, as you all know, this past week, I traveled to Los Angeles (LA) to see my family. First time in an airport and on an airplane in over 15 months. It was, well, amazing.
I flew out of the Eugene airport, which is a small airport about 45 miles south of Corvallis, where I live, and is super easy to fly out of and into. The airport was not crowded at all. In fact, it was super slow, and the plane was only about half full. However….
Upon landing in Los Angeles, that all changed. LAX was super busy. In fact, when I finally made it to the rental car company, there were about 30 people ahead of me in line.
Now, I had two meetings that afternoon, yes, working while on my trip, so after waiting in the line for about 25 minutes, I chose to call an Uber and cancel my reservation. Was a good idea, as the line didn’t move much as I waited for the Uber driver.
It was great to see my mom, sisters, and nieces and nephews. Here are a couple things we did, while I was in LA.
In the hills of LA there is the Griffith Observatory, which looks out over the city. Beautiful. Though the Observatory wasn’t open, you could walk around the grounds and take in all of the views. Here are some pics from our time at the Observatory, and our drive through Hollywood.
It was wonderful to see my niece graduate High School on my trip. I was surprised to see so many people, and, well, not surprised. It was a lovely ceremony. Here are some pics of the graduation.
After graduation, we went to the Lazy Dog restaurant, which I had never been to. The food was excellent, and the service was outstanding.
On my last day in LA, we took my niece and nephew to the beach in Seal Beach. It was a lovely day, sunny, yet cool. The beach was not overcrowded, and the water was, well, rather cold, yet felt lovely. Here are some pics of the beach.
After spending some time at the beach, we went to a local restaurant I loved to patronize when I was living in LA and working in Seal Beach, Taco Surf; and then stopped in a local bakery, Sweet Jill’s, delicious. Excellent food.
About two months ago now, I learned that Astha, of Writing feels good, passed away. I learned of this very sad news from our dear friend Cindy, of Unique Times. Cindy’s post talked about Astha’s Anthology that was being carried forward by Navin, of Navin’s Poetry.
I immediately visited Navin’s blog, and left a message. Navin responded very quickly, and asked for a poem, and said he would speak with the publishers, True Dreamster, about the possibility of making a late addition.
I was astonished and honored when they accepted the poem I shared with Navin. I am so honored to be a part of the beautiful Utmost Feelings Anthology. The Anthology is full of wonderfully inspirational poets, and is a beautiful tribute to Astha.
Thanks again, to Navin, True Dreamster, and all of the poets in Astha’s Anthology, Utmost Feelings.
Please visit the True Dreamster Instagram page, when you have a moment, and share the news about Utmost Feelings. Thank you.
Here are all of the co-authors of Astha’s Anthology, Utmost Feelings.
Beautiful people, just beautiful.
Alright, everyone, that’s all for this week.
Have a fantastic week, my dear friends.
Beauty exists in a vacuum
of space and time,
and is all around us, beckoning
us on a heart’s journey
toward fulfillment of all that’s sublime.
Purpose and destiny, bundled up
with tender loving care, and
sealed with a kiss from
all those we’ve
touched
and shared
moments
with, like these.
Just reading or writing a little
before we drift off to sleep,
and dream dreams of
a land so deep and rich,
we’ve wondered
where it’s been
while we were out in search
of all that bliss.
Right here, right now,
present
to humanity within,
and all
those
family, friends and kin.
Image Credit
The table is set,
should I call the rest?
It’s that time again.
Time
to come together, and talk
about the weather, nay
politics, isn’t it rich?
I reminisce.
Times at the table, the sun
shining outside, cascading inside
filtered light, a delight.
Grandparents in the kitchen,
one hovering over a pot,
beans of some kind,
a roast in the oven,
and kids running
back and forth,
such fun.
All didn’t fit at the tiny table,
9 kids in all, with another,
oh, 20 plus or so,
cousins, ourselves,
we did call.
Though we didn’t all fit at the tiny table,
a much larger one
could be found on the patio,
crafted and created by my dear grandfather,
so long ago.
Memories
like this are so rich and full of life,
it’s like I can taste the food,
and feel the conversation,
at times, yes, full of strife;
and, yet love was at the center,
through tons of stormy weather.
Connections like this are rare indeed.
My invitation?
Hug
and love those closest to you,
when you feel the need.
In response to the WDYS #78 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.
I sit here, and
Reminisce
About all the things
I miss(ed),
They played in
The yard, right there,
Oh, those times were so
Very hard, dear,
As we dreamt of
New possibilities,
While we held hands,
Together,
Unknown then
To us both, were all
The future liabilities
As we dangled our feet
Off the edge,
And listen with rapt
Attention, to their stead-
Fast resolve
And wonder, oh, they
So loved each other,
Brothers until they end,
And, of course,
Also the dearest of
Friends,
And companions
Through every type
Of weather, stormy
Or clear, they always
Held each other dear
And close to heart,
Until they did depart
On that fateful day,
In the month of May
When we last sat
On the porch,
Dreaming of times
When life was simpler,
Though the love we felt
Was always the same
No need of a refrain,
Only the boldness
That comes with
The duo, of you and
Me,
And the two beautiful
Boys, making a
Family
Unit
As we continue
To ponder
The love
We share(d)
As we sit hand-in-hand
And watch the two
Play, from the
Steps
Of the porch
You and I made.
