Foodmories

(Food Memories)

The aroma of toast
Pulls me from bed
In pajamas I spy
My mother bending
Over an open oven door
Toasting bread for our stuffing
Announcing a yearly ritual
Thanksgiving morning is here.

We stand together,
Lined up tall to small,
We mix, roll and cut,
The oil is hot and ready for dough,
Strouffles, little honey balls,
Mean Christmas is near.

Christmas brings a special gift,
Lasagna layered with love,
Pasta, sauce, and cheese.
Mouth-watering squares,
Fresh bread, dipped in sauce,
Tells the story on my plate.

Watching Abbott and Costello
Lying on my belly,
Chin in hands,
Legs swaying in the air,
Is a sure sign we’re at Grandma’s house,
For Sunday’s lunch.

A bubbling pot of minestrone
And sauce on the stove
Fresh parmesan cheese
Ready to grate over top.

A large bowl of salad,
Fresh greens and ripe tomatoes,
Black olives on fingertips, and
Grandma’s special dressing,
That only she can make.

Foodmories stirred into our hearts,
Baked into our minds,
And slowly simmer to remind us
That food served with love –
Is love.

Dad

My entire life changed on the day that you died,
I wanted to escape, go run, and just hide,
But that night, I watched a gorgeous sun set,
With sad, tired eyes and a face tear stained and wet.

The sky was more beautiful than you ever did see,
Like a sign you arranged from you to just me.


—

A message you sent to say you’d always be near,
So, my heart would be strong and not filled with fear.
A sunset of colors displayed all over the sky,
A banner of beauty that said, let your heart fly.


—

Your memory will remain near today and tomorrow,
Helping me move forward and calming my sorrow.
Stand tall, stand strong, but always be “you”
Live a life that is honest, kind and true.


—

I’ve grown, lived, and loved and you’ve always been near,
Thank you Dad for staying right here.

The Storm’s Song

Night storms
illuminated
by bursts
of light.

Pounding thunder
like a harsh bass chord
slams the keys
demanding an audience.

Rainbows denied
their glory
hidden in the
dark.

Storms whisper
their departure,
crickets sing
to welcome
the calm.

Raindrops hang,
then fall,
from leaves
a staccato arpeggio.

A distant flash
reminds us
of our
strength.

Asphalt and Wildflowers

cars tear by
spewing exhaust.

toxic fumes
insult the senses.

asphalt paths
cut through
green grass.

While —

pine trees
reach for
the sky.

wildflowers wave
nature’s resilience
silently standing
reminding us,

Life finds a way.

Shadows on the Wall

Shadows project
our stories
on the wall

A silhouette
captures a
fleeting
story

The night’s light
beckons us
on

Daylight rewrites
as we begin each
day anew

Hidden Life

A rotting
decomposing tomato
hides life inside

Protected seeds
germinate
with potential

Pulp
rich for a compost pile

Decay
bears endless
possibilities

Discarded seeds
come to life
in rich soil

Waiting
as new life appears

Excitement builds
as new shoots
break through

Watching
as they claim the sun

As stems sway
in the breeze

Large strong stalks
stand ready
for growth

Tomatoes emerge
small and round

In time –
yellow turns to red

Plump
ripe
delicious goodness

A decaying tomato
yields growth

Discarded garbage
becomes
tomorrow’s
bountiful harvest

Good Night Shadows

Shadows stretch
across the wall

We only see them
when night calls

We need a room
with just one light

To see the shadows
taking flight

A bunny with
big floppy ears

Will hop until
it disappears

A butterfly looking
ready to fly

Is happy to reach
the big blue sky

A big old moose
comes to our room

Its visit brief
since bedtime looms

We play with shadows
to end our day

Then, on our pillows
our heads, we lay

Breathe in, Breathe Deep

I’m hovering
in the middle
of a busy room.

With beautiful, fragrant flowers
all in full bloom.

Movement
all around me…
while I
stand
still.

That’s when I notice
a single daffodil.

A simple yellow flower
in all its glory…
sends a message of rebirth
in nature’s story.

The promise of spring
is just up ahead…
Look
at the flowers
blossoming
from their bed.

A new beginning
is right
in front of us.
It comes in quietly,
it hardly makes a fuss.

Breathe in.
Breathe deep.
Get ready
for the day,

because before you know it
time
will
slip
away.

A simple yellow flower
with a story
so strong,
helps us believe
we’re here…
and that we belong.

I look around again
and this time,
I move on.

I know what life holds for me.

And I’m ready
for the dawn.

Edging Out The Noise

A large spiral staircase in pure white
Illuminated with a tint of blue

As an overwhelming sensation takes hold
Of walking into a giant shell

Engulfed in feelings of serenity
When I realize I’m holding my breath

Peace washes over everything in our path
The sweet scent of happiness bathes the room

I proceed up the staircase
As life shouts in my face, making me wince

I stop to breathe in the smell of happiness
And push the shouting to the edge of the shell

When I stop to listen,
a deep cleansing enables me to step once more

Listening to the calmness
as the shouts are edged out

I can feel the future
in the colors of the shell

Moon Cycle

The moon is clear in today’s morning sky
A daytime hello, a nighttime goodbye
A beautiful sky and a warming sun
We have many hours to get our work done.

With the sun shining down, heating the day
A restful respite is a welcomed delay
And then the trees start to dance in the wind
A hollow sound bellows, a band’s woodwind

The rain hits the ground as a fine gentle mist
It’s stopping our progress, but bringing us bliss
The rain gets stronger, the day marches on
While small puddles form on every front lawn

Wind sowing anger whips right through the trees
Wires swing swiftly, a scary trapeze
Strong branches ripped from long grown trunks
Leaving behind scenes of trees missing chunks

Wind and rain choked, now the weather has cleared
The sun dries the land, heat’s reappeared
Frogs croak in ponds while birds chirp in trees
Crickets chirp loudly, the male’s mating tease

Our shadows cast east, the day is near done
The moon is waiting, to say goodnight sun
As the sun sets and the moon takes its place
We relax, breathe deep, we look up to space

Twinkling stars greet us again today
We trust, as your light, shows us the way
Now, with the moon clear in the evening sky
A nighttime hello and a daytime goodbye