Poems – Page 62 – Generous Wisdom

holding childhood

The Mason jar
sits clear and old
on the front step beyond the door,
its collar lost;

the punctured lid rests
on the rough cement
having let all the fireflies
free nights before;

it sits empty
but for the curves of dried grass;
clear and old it sits,
the wonderment of childhood it holds.

Living Beautifully

“Joy is very infectious. We will never know just how much good a simple smile can do. Be faithful in little things. Smile at one another. We must live beautifully.” ~Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

It is difficult to find
smiles in the chaos
and wildness
of whirling family life

and yet, here they come
popping out of nothing,
sparks in the fullness
of time.

I turn to see her,

I turn to see her,
the little stuffed donkey
hanging from her right hand
bobs while she explains her thoughts to me,
both hands whirling in the air:

“You know, Mom,
I’m sorry that I couldn’t tell you,
when I was first born,
when I first came out,
that I care about you;
because I do,
I did,
care about you,
but I couldn’t tell you;
I couldn’t say any words.”

“You know,”
I replied,
turning back to straighten piles of papers
and stacks of books that collect on the piano top,
“I cared about you, too,
even before you came out –
even before you were born!”

We look at each other, then,
and giggle at the joy of it.