Lists. We all make them. Line items of things that need done, have to do's, want lists, tasks, chores, things to buy.Some people make lists on a scrap paper. I make mental lists. Contained within those lists are sub-lists and sub-sequential lists and line items. Each in a precise order of priority and importance.Like, if my wife wants me to paint the living room. Simple enough task. First, I'll have to move all the furnit...

“Momma,” 9-year-old Kaiah asks, “When I'm done grinding the corn, can I go over to Shumana's to visit before dinner?” Manci looks over at her daughter and shakes her head. “No my dear. It's no time for a little girl to be out after dark.” “But why?” was the immediate response. “You know perfecting well why. Tonight is Kyaamuya.” Her mother reminded her. “ It is a sacred time . The night is filled with mystery and power. H...

Ah, Sunday morning. I had already started my weekend ritual by retrieving the Sunday paper from the front porch and retiring to the screened in patio with a cup of coffee. Sitting down, I flipped through the bundle of papers to find the Sunday morning comics. I always enjoy this quiet morning repast before I started my weekend chores.That's when I heard it. A terrible row or ruckus going in the Jurgensen's back yard. Twis...

Come on with me, Let's run and let's playLet's go outside, Lot's to do today. Into the woods, We can go and rompStroll down the lane, There's a puddle to stomp. Walk on the lawn, With grass tween our toesThere's the tree swing, That goes to and fro. There's the big oak, We can climb up highI'll help you up, We can touch the sky. Race to the pond, We'll go for a swimI'll wear goggles, You can wear the fins. Just down the r...

If only you knew what beats in my heartMy deepest wish we should ne'er partA windowed meeting so opportune.If only I had a moment of timeTo see your smile, my spirits climbOne small glance so non-picayune. If only I had you for one brief hourTo sit at the table, give you a flowerThat hour would leave too soon. If only I had just a brief dayTo walk in the park by the bayUpon warm sand and cross the dune. If only I had but...

Picking up my galWe're going on a dateI'm 5 minutes early Always hate to be late. Greets me in her housecoatA peck, Please take a seatGive me just a minuteShe leaves in a heartbeat. I sit on the sofaAnticipation at lastAnd then I noticedNot alone, here's her cat. Rubbing against my legsWarm purrs are her chantsThen I notice I haveLots of hair on my pants. I can just hear my galPrepping down the hallMaybelline and AvonBit...

You have a wee small plotWith your life at its dawnIt's just about so wideThe length not yet been drawn. A garden you are to tendTilling, working it wellWhat will become of itJust time and toil to tell. Turning stumbling blocksInto path stepping stonesBreaking up all the clodsYour body aches and groans Compost and nutrients Working into the soilHoeing, weeding, sweatingA life of work and toil. Then you begin to plantWhat...

I woke this morning Wondering what this day will bring When suddenly my phone It began to ring. A text was sent Upon my screen in morning's glare A strange text message “HELLO.... R U THERE” R U THERE! R U THERE? What a strange question How unfair. I quickly respond to the text Answering with without fear “Nope. I am never there. I am always here.” Feeling satisfied and smug Hitting the button call Send Sitting down hopin...

She was quietly lyingMorning light lit the dawnJust watching and waitingNext to her sleeping fawnShe teaches it the waysOf a life in the wildJust her giving guidanceLooking over her child.Caring for her spring spawnTeaching all that she knowsSuddenly found them thereIn a late springtime snow.With just her to raise itThis child of the springThe product of fall trystAlone this child to bring.She does the best she canLike he...

Adele was a bright and inquisitive child for only 8 years old. She loved to visit with her grandparents during the summer. Her grandfather would take her for long walks in the woods behind his house. He would explain to her the mysteries of the woods. Showing her how to identify trees by their leaves and bark. Where the mushrooms would, or more precisely might, grow in the woods. They found fossils in the limestone of the...

Come now and walk with meUpon the edge of landWhere water greets the earthAnd washes on the sand. Let's stroll a barren beachAs midnight's toll doth chimeWe'll walk in the moonlightLosing ourselves in time. Under a bedding of starsAs glistening wave partsSoft whispers are spokenA communion of hearts. There we can clasp our handsChance to take an embraceAmbling down the shoreNe'er hurried in our pace. A saunter by the cres...

I am sitting quietly in the living room. Reading a book or the paper, when I notice an eerie silence about the room. I looked across into the kitchen and then the dining room and still the silence was deafening. I then realize that the old Seth Thomas clock sitting on the mantel had stopped. Apparently, I had forgotten to wind it. I got up from my chair and walked over to the fireplace. Opening the door, I took out the ke...

I gave a rose to my loveBrightest red and free of thorns On our first date to celebrateUpon her beauty it did adorn. I gave two roses to my loveOn that day she answered “Yes”Small token for lives aheadAnd on this day I felt blessed. I gave three roses to my loveOn the day we finally wedFiery red hued blossoms threeFor tonight we shared a bed. I gave four roses to my loveThis date I wanted to showOur first year as man and...

As I traveled this journey we call life, I was constantly reminded to “Stop and smell the roses” or “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may”. What? I'm too busy for that now. Today, I have to get up at 5:00 AM and drive a hundred miles to help a client with a payroll problem. The daughter has her ballet lessons or junior has little league. I have that mandatory meeting to go to tomorrow. There's a seminar that must be attended b...

My lover comes to meAll my senses awareShe is the only oneNo other can compareThe sight of her warms meA soft glow upon her faceHer eyes wistful and calmThis vision that I embrace.Her aroma fills meThe sweet smell of her hair Wafting of her perfumeSmell of love in the air.The sense of tender skinSoothing by lovers touchThe feeling of soft silkAlabaster smooth as such.The sound of her voiceSings music to my earsHushed moan...