A Gathering

I did not start out thinking I’d like, too, to plant the sweet alyssum that smells like honey and peace.

But now, as we gather to honor and remember I can see how it would have added to the heady, live perfume of the garden and to the much appreciated diversion.

It was all still so raw, still so new. The whips of conversations –

“…What the hell was he doing on a motorcycle at his age?…” “…He was living his life…”. “…I still can’t believe he’s gone…”, “…you know how he is, was…”

blending with talks about the scents that filled our senses as we fiddled with the blooms. Taking turns with the butterflies, and bees.

This felt surreal.

As it turned out, this gathering in this place of sweet diversions did bring with it a certain peace. For this, I was grateful.

Pat

9/13/2022

For dVerse where the prompt is to use

“I’d like, too, to plant the sweet alyssum that smells like honey and peace.” 

from the Katherine Riegel poem, “What I would like to grow in my Garden.”

To participate or just read, go here

https://dversepoets.com/2022/09/12/prosery-when-it-comes-to-katherine-riegel/

Life

after raging storm..

life returning to normal

new sand from ocean

now calmly hugging the shore

hosting footprints – till next time

Pat

8/4/22

For Ronovan Writes Haiku Prompt where the prompt words are Life & Sand. To see other entries or participate go here.

Mini Harvest

Mini harvest in my garden

life in the garden –

branches laden with berries

bring smiles of summer

Pat

6/27/22

For Ronovan Writes Haiku where the prompt words are Life & Smile. To see other entries or participate go here

https://ronovanwrites.com/2022/06/27/ronovan-writes-weekly-haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-416-life-and-smile/

Journeys

under the pear tree

a fun filled blossom drizzle –

a spring ritual

of beginnings and endings

with hope for a good journey

Pat

4/27/22

Beginnings & Endings are the prompt words over at Colleens. To participate or just read, go here

Worries

For the you

that is through me

when will this worrying end?

After we have passed through time, I suppose

Pat

Change

under blue gray skies

as twilight takes its leave

and day tumbles into night

a crow flies across a sliver of a moon –

I am lost in thoughts of you…

and our moon gazing nights

Pat

2/09/22

New light

a parting –
all gray swept away
by new light

Pat
8/23/21

New Day

the old man
sandals in hand
strolls through
the middle of the meadow


wiggling his toes
as he goes

he smiles
a private smile
rediscovering

one could see
he was perched in that place
where memories were kind,
a good place to linger
on this, a new day

Pat
8/11/21

Fathers Day

“We were talking a while ago” , her eyes searched my face.

“About papa”, I said. She had asked me where he was. I said he wasn’t here just now.

“Yes”, she nodded. and smiled, her chain of thought had reconnected.

“I loved him so much” , she said. “He was always in my corner. He would fight for me”.

Those words had never crossed her lips before. At least, never in my presence.

“I’ve never heard you say that before”, I said. “You’ve only always talked about what a pain in the ass he was” I said, as those words left me, it felt like a reflex action.

“You both were a pain in the ass to each other”, I quickly interjected. as a correction. I am shocked to hear there was love there.

“He did tell me that he loved you” , she seemed as surprised to hear it, just as I was way back when he said it.

In all the years I’ve been on this earth, all I’ve ever seen between these two was fighting. At times, it felt like they were fighting to the death. In my young mind I wondered what would happen to me and my sisters and brother if one of them killed the other.

Now here she sits, in a confused state laced with moments of clarity, professing her love for my father who no longer among the living. I didn’t have the heart to tell her this earlier, today of all days. It was Fathers Day. And she was treading the waters of unfinished business.

Pat
6/20/21

Challenges

nearly scampering

across my feet, a squirrel

in flight from a cat

living – even in the wild

never without challenges

Pat R
5/11/21

For Tanka Tuesday where the prompt words over at Colleens are synonyms for Life & Move

life…living

move… fly (flight)

I used Living & Flight.. I know, “flight might be reaching a little🙂

To read or participate go here