Knox looks at me as if to say,

“Listen to that song’s words, Mom:

‘Peace on earth, good will to men’

and put that vacuum cleaner away.”

JDG

Two encounters with young men

of a race different from mine –

with one, my tone caused pain.

Later, he spoke of his hurt and anger.

I am grateful he took the time to tell me.

With the other, I was standing

by my car’s raised trunk lid, trying

to lift forty pounds of birdseed

when he hurried over and did it for me.

I am grateful he took the time to help me.

I want to remember to take the time

to treat others with the same openness

and care they each showed me.

JDG

My grandkids say I’ve mastered

the damsel in distress look

 but what they don’t know

is how hard I had to work

to drop the leave me alone,

I can to do it myself look

that I mastered at age two.

JDG

I was lost in thought,

solving life’s problems;

Knox was present in the now

when a deer suddenly leapt forth.

Knox was instantly in fast pursuit

and I, snatched from my thoughts,

entered the present moment

and began my slow pursuit of

 an immediate life problem:

wayward Knox and the fleeing deer.

JDG

Knox, the cats, and I

nod off on this warm

winter afternoon, content,

all preparations complete.

Later the house will fill

with folks and festivities again,

but for now there’s just the sweet

companionship of each other and sleep.

JDG