Though we surely know

before we even pick up

a pen and begin

that we won’t succeed, that we

can’t succeed, that our

small marks on the page never

will contain the flame

that runs so brightly through 

the heart of things, still we try.

                                                                                                   JDG

If insight alone

could cure, I’d be almost done.

Alas, some action

is required too and there’s

the rub. No mental

massage can take the place of

daily practice in

the world and to that I have

only this to say –  “Ah Shucks!”

                                                                                                                  JDG

It’s easy to get 

lost on this road so well-known,

so often traveled

that I miss the way the sun

and shadows play as

bachelor buttons come and go

and those black-eyed susans dance.

                                                                                                          JDG

A child sings me

into wakefulness. Morning

sun plays hide and seek

among the clouds. Hungry dogs

and cats and kids nudge

me out of bed – unsubtle

hints it’s time to rise and shine.

                                                                                                  JDG

Going down my list

of things to do, I realized

I’d left out some things

as I often do. How could

I forget to add

looking at the stars, basking

in the sun, singing 

silly songs, savoring ripe

tomatoes, offering thanks?

                                                                                                  JDG

Just like the weather,

moods come and go. Yesterday

the clouds began to

gather; today it’s likely

to rain; tomorrow

sunny days may come again.

Though nothing’s certain,

it helps to know it takes both

sun and rain to make things grow.

                                                                                     JDG

Who says aging is

no picnic? It seems like we’re

always picking one

thing or another, be it

doctors, eye glasses,

lawyers or hearing aids to

help us with the nicks

 aging brings. Still, they are right –

we don’t get to pick the nicks.

                                                                                                         JDG

Small purple flowers,

tiny dancing leaves – what else

is up this day’s sleeve?

Could it be those butterflies

who stayed away too

 long? Now joined by hummingbirds

and bumblebees, they

circle ‘round that purple bush

  swaying in the morning sun.

                                                                                                              JDG

I haven’t even

finished the introduction

and already she’s

brought me to my knees, grateful

that altars can be

found everywhere, even here,

even when I’ve little faith.

                                                                                JDG

(in appreciation of her book, An Altar In The World)