To My Sister

Hours old

wrapped in a white blanket,

the baby was handed

to the little girl

who smiled in spite

of her missing tooth

 

feet dangling

in the too-big chair

while she sat,

the new child slept

in her big sister's lap

Hidden Language

There are some words

Never written

Born from thoughts unspoken

But this hidden language

Refuses

To be silent

It knocks on the door of the writer

The writer hears

But the writer knows that

Words aren’t careful

Words don’t wait

Words don’t know when they make a mistake

Words don’t listen

Words don’t learn

And once they leave

Words don’t return.

Age

Once a proud mother of four

a blushing bride

a teacher at the University

yes, mathematics

desk covered with important projects

weekends dancing in black heels

noticed my many

envied by more

now widowed and alone

all her children grown

been a year since she's heard from them

now shuffling down the sidewalk

grocery bag in hand

noticed by few

envied

no more.

Sure

My heart is sure
Good
To admit

 Beats in a blur
Good
To let it

Longevity
Reality
Irrelevant
To it

 My heart is sure
I trust its judgement

Purpose

Futility floats

Lingering in the air

Blind steps wonder

Why keep walking?

But tired eyes

Look and see!

Deep rivers continue to flow

Pushing forward

Pressing on

Toward a mission

And that which surrounds it

All grows, strives, connects

All imprinted with innate purpose

Like people

For Man to be Alone

Born from your mind, creations creatures were named
Together we stood in nakedness, beautiful, and unashamed
Your seed built a people, and I carried them in my womb
I waited bathed in spices upon your bed inside your room.

Your body an anchor and strong hold
During famine and during war
Through prayer God’s plan will unfold
Until your people are afraid no more.

And when you’re people rise against you
And every word they will detest
You come home to me weary
And lay your head upon my breast.

So though you sit in righteousness
You are incomplete upon your throne
But He has made a helper for you
It is not good for man to be alone.

She

She

Lies next to you in the night

Listens as your breaths slow

And go deep

Ha! she watches you

in your sleep

She

Opens her eyes and

Finds you there

Covered only by sheet

And underwear

She

Shuffles past you

In the kitchen

good morning kiss,

saying

“if you go to the store,”

can you pick up this?”

She

smiles at seeing

dad with his daughter

while she twists dispassionately

the ring that you bought her

She

Could if she chose

Creep in to watch you play

And find you with those

Eyes closed, head tilted

and asway

She

Walks proud with you

Out and about

Noticing the looks

When they occur

Grabs your arm, a satisfied smirk

Knowing you belong to her

She

Sits with you

on the pew

in prayer

present when

tears appear

She

Laughs when you

Break out that silly voice

Prancing around like you’re driving

A Royce

She

sees your face change

The way that it does

Your thoughts rearranged

No longer what was

still acting so strong

She runs hand on your cheek saying

“Baby what’s wrong?”

She

Pulls into the driveway

Past manicured lawn

To find you sitting on the couch

Your TV show on

The house quiet

and right

she

flips on the light

you smile but stay

saying “How was your day?”

She

Talks for a bit

About this and that

Before settling down to

Sit in your lap

She

 planned to shower

But she whispers instead

“Baby, I’m tired, let’s go to bed.”

She

Stands up slowly,

Adjusting

Her wedding ring

She

Has everything