Gramms

My gramma died on monday evening. She was 96 years young, and up until about 2 years ago, was still spunky and spirited as anyone. She lived an inspiring life...living it by example, never wanting praise for anything. She raised 11 beautiful children, burying one. She lost her husband over 20 years ago but never seemed broken by it. Margaret was tough, a stiff upper-lipped Norweigan. She worked when she was tired; she sewed even though her fingers were worn; she made feasts for her family when there was little to put on the table; she believed in education, advocating her children's schooling, while fighting judgement for her decisions. I knew her as a go-getter, a feminist in her own way, a tireless gramma, a lover of life, a lover of folks dear to her heart. I never knew her to be fearful; she just did what needed to be done because it needed to be done. She lived in the present. She lived in the now, while not forgetting where she came from or the people from her past who helped shape her. Growing up, I aspired to live my life the way she lived her's: to be a hard worker without complaint, to sacrifice for family, to remain physically and mentally active, to live life every day, to love life every day. And from her example, I learned it was okay to be who I wanted to be; it was okay do what I wanted to do...to do what made me happy. Margaret had a remarkable soul. I will take her with on my life journey, to help guide me, to give me comfort, to continue inspiring me. I won't need to miss her for she lives on in her children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is alive in my heart and memories. She leaves quite a legacy, one I'm proud to belong to.

Speak the Truth

Speak the Truth...
even if it hurts
even though it causes pain
even if it others turn away
even if you are alone in your words.
Speak the Truth from your heart
with loving kindness.
You cannot go wrong.

from Good Earth Tea

Trust thyself
only, and
another shall
not betray thee.

~Thomas Fuller

Strength

You Are Strength

You represent both fiery energy and steadfast will. You are innocent and naive - yet unafraid and undaunted. Perhaps you don't have the most powerful physical strength...But your mental powers make up for any amount of muscle.

Your fortune: Lately, you have been a pillar of ethics and moral strength. And while things may be difficult, your faith in yourself will come through. You may need to conquer the animalistic nature of yourself or others, with gentle force. Although this may seem like the darkest hour for you, victory is near.

The Touch

I want to hear the slap
of your shadow as it hits the floor,
the pins and needles of water falling
tap to tub. I'm tired,
and what you know
about me will soon be written
on a postcard and passed
in the night.

We're down to the last few bites.
Those who are in the habit
of eating parsley off their plates
will not help us.
Wine has cast its blood-shadow
across our cheeks.

I've come in off the street
to confess these crimes.
We have several mothers in common,
and while they plot our deaths
I want to give them something
to talk about.

I've misspelled my own name so many times
and still I remember every syllable
of every spell.
Still I remember you humming
along as the ghosts
drank water in the kitchen,
as our mothers counted our fingers and toes.

~Jen Currin

Blue Like That

She was a darling with her roses, though what I
like is lavender for I can dry it and nothing is blue like that, so here I am,
in my arms a bouquet of tragic lavender, the whole history of Southern France against my
chest, the fields streching out, the armies
killing each other, horses falling, Frenchmen
dying by the thousands, though none of love.

~Gerald Stern

Snow Hare

Ears of drizzle and juniper
Snow sings you asleep above the moor.

Tongue of gorse and bilberry
Snow flecks you white behind the hill.

Nose of sedge and smoke
Snow is on your scent beside the loch.

Eyes of rowan and rain
Snow finds you blinking by the stream.

Feet of heather and storm
Snow sends you dancing over stone.

Coat of clouds and willow
Snow helps you hide in a hollow.

Hare of stars and frost
Snow makes you turn into a ghost.

Charles Bennett