Simply Sailing Away

How much patience it takes for folks to grow old together,
Where both of the couple need extra time for everything.
When a couple doesn't exercise patience when they're young,
How will they cope with the frustrations that old age brings?

I saw a car drive up; an older woman was driving;
Her man could hardly lift himself out of his seat.
He hobbled to the trunk for a walker while she waited;
When she stood, she couldn't straighten; he appeared weak.

They took a walk to the harbor, for what I'll never know.
I wonder if they may have been checking a sail or power boat.
Do they spend time dreaming of sailing to distant harbors.
If I see them drive up again, I'll have to take closer note.

I imagine that they must love each other dearly
To be able to help each other through their pains.
I wonder how many memories are their connection,
And, through their union, how much they've gained.

Delivery from Death

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all know our time to die
And draw our loved ones around us to say proper good-byes?
Jesus had a big feast and invited all his best friends;
What a wonderful opportunity for them to all make amends.

He knew that it was Judas' ordained job to him betray,
Yet he did not, to Judas, have an angry word to say.
Perhaps Judas, in his heart, knew he was forgiven,
But he could not face the scorn of the other brethren.

Many years ago, I buried a much-loved mother-in-law;
Her death, for many months, the doctors foresaw.
We were not allowed to acknowledge our imminent loss;
Never having said good-bye has come at quite a cost.

One of the most beautiful gifts we can give one another
Is permission to find their eternal peace with another.
At death, this can enable the passing of positive energy,
And allow a loved one's soul, while living, to break free.

When our dear friend died, he wanted a deathbed party;
It took three days  for his body to let his soul be.
When my brother-in-law was leaving his earthly place,
His family gathered to say good-bye with loving grace.

When I suspect that loved ones are very near death,
With absorbing the essence of them, I become obsessed.
How wonderful it would be to able to plan a parting meal,
So we could, in each others' eyes, see the afterlife revealed.

I have not lost the most precious of my family that was ill,
And after much suffering, my spirit is rather still.
With one, I felt the need to prioritize more time,
Another needed to, at last, out of my protection climb.

My mother-in-law is still alive, and not just up above;
My children seem to have her well of boundless love.
This has been a year of my death and resurrection;
I am eternally grateful for my family's and friends' protection.

Cashing in on Christmas

I decided a while ago that relationships aren't about gifts;
Don't give me little tokens as, out of my life, you drift.
When my grands used to ask, "What did you bring to me?"
"I brought you myself," I'd reply. "Your gift is what you see."

I used to have "special days" that I'd spend with granddaughters;
As these were birthday gifts, for their favorite activities we'd barter.
Some of them have gotten too busy, so I send them a check.
But today I had a holiday so I said, "Oh, what the heck!"

I took my daughter-in-law for a pedi and a manicure;
My granddaughter came along, a welcome surprise, for sure.
Then we went to their house and spent a few lovely hours
Making Easter foods and carving vegetable flowers.

A bit of swimming races in their backyard pool.
In less than an hour, granddaughter was too cool.
Granddaughter wants a day next week all to herself;
I am always honored not to be left on the shelf.

These are payments on Christmas gift certificates;
A special day doing what they want will always fit.
I also got good news about my job as I drove home;
Sometimes things work best when they are left alone.

Some of The Spirit's Help

In the age past of strict patriarchy,
Women were considered responsibility free.
We are now blessed to have the choice of leading,
With the accompanying glory of succeeding.

I haven't before worked for a big company
Where people aren't really ever free
To do just as it pleases them to do.
In big companies, you're a part of a crew.

I am kind of liking divided responsibility,
Even though I suspect the blame will fall on me
If the  fundraiser doesn't raise enough funds
Permanent employees will, from responsibility, run.

I have no real mantel of authority 
So it's foolish to accept responsibility.
 I know this gives me the potential blame;
I'm being well-paid take the reigns.

Middle management can be challenging
With all the frustrations that it brings.
The upside is that I can walk away,
And begin guilt-free another day.

I'm working as hard as I possibly can
Enjoying being surrounded by humans.
I'm doing work that I know is important,
So I believe my time is still well-spent.

I do so hope that my work succeeds;
It will help fill our community's needs.
The only real pressure is within myself
I could use some of The Spirit's help.

Listening With Love

Is it what we say or how we say it?
Is it the music or how we play it?
To question someone is not to condemn;
Desire to understand is not a sin.

It is when we, without understanding, condemn
That we close the doors that let The Spirit in.
By sharing our innermost selves we see
The fruits of true shared intimacy.

I do so admire those who speak their truth
Without letting their prejudices loose.
I like communication in which all learn,
And respect is an important concern.

I've read that listening requires silent space,
Perhaps so that words can be touched with Grace.
To really listen before we speak our minds
Would surely make our own words more kind.

Doubt and Devotion

Friendships, once formed, aren't easily broken,
Unless the word "friendship" is just a token
Of a relationship that stays on the surface,
Rather than life where we put others first.

We find ourselves torn by so many ties,
We can't keep up, no matter how we try.
I try very hard to leave large memories behind,
So that we'll always live in each others minds.

But there seems to always be strong longing
For the physical side to feelings of belonging,
The sight of a face, or the sound of a voice,
Perhaps a warm hug would be first choice.

The weight of emotion can be quite great
When we have so many people to celebrate.
How do others handle all they care about
Without beginning to, their devotion, doubt?

Notes and Negativity

Bubbles of memory drift over and pop;
I have often begged for them to stop.
Even the joyful ones can cause pain
For the things I can't live over again.

My life has been so full of wonder;
But cynics have torn my heart asunder.
I came to hide inside my head;
Others were a cause for dread.

I have no problem with doubt
Of what I like to think about.
But why do others want to destroy
Those who insist on seeing joy?

Are they afraid there's not enough,
And we won't share our "stuff?"
Or are they afraid their hearts will break
If joy, in their hearts, claims a stake?

I am attempting to engage once again,
Hoping the joy will outweigh the pain.
Will I ever learn not to take personally
All the universe's negativity?

It is true that when we block all that's sad,
We also block much that makes us glad.
You can't put your elbow on one piano key
Without hitting more notes than were meant to be.

So I will now seek to actively filter
The negative that throws me off kilter.
I will no longer take it as my mission
To heal all of the earth's divisions.