Even those of sunny temperament find

it hard to shine

as these days

of ice

and

gray

go on

and on and

togetherness

requires a stiffening of the spine.

                                                                                                    JDG

After tense negotiations, a truce

between Grackles

and Jays has

come at

last.

Peace

at the

bird-feeder

has been declared

and Cardinals and Chickadees celebrate.

                                                                                                                              JDG

Not only a full moon, but a double

one – one in its

proper place

above

and

one

cradled

by the pond

below – heaven

come to earth in the softest of full light.

                                                                                                                         JDG

Even in the rain the birds came. They saw 

no need to wait

for sun when

a spread

of

seed

was placed

before them.

They knew full well

   rain would keep their squirrelly rivals at bay. 

                                                                                                                                               JDG

A good book, a gray Sunday afternoon –

so comforting

after a

hectic

week.

My

heart gives

thanks for the

largeness of such

small things and the welcome peace they can bring.

                                                                                                                                            JDG

When mind wanders and words flee, what remains

is an empty

page waiting

to be

filled.

If

the mind

settles and 

the words return

 the pen might get a chance to leave its mark.

                                                                                                                                              JDG

There’s something about tea that smooths wrinkles

from worried souls

and brings peace.

Some folks

say 

tea

warms both

hands and heart

while others

insist it’s meditation in a cup.

                                                                                                                                       JDG

After many productive years I plan

to devote this 

new year to

learning

the 

sweet

art of

shiftlessness,

accomplishing

less and enjoying more each passing day.

                                                                                                                    JDG

There’s no going back though we wish there were.

We can’t undo

or redo

the past

but

what

we can

do is this –

we can be here

now with open hearts. What more can we ask?

                                                                                                                        JDG