Lofty Findings

Scouring the sky

for answers, I find only

shifting clouds and crows.

                                                                JDG

Closings

For Murphy, the Grandentity’s cat,

a closed door is just a challenge.

She’ll do her best to enter, but if she can’t,

she’ll fill the air with heart-wrenching cries.

The Grandentity falls for it every time,

opens the door, scoops her up,

and gently explains the human need for privacy. 

Murphy never gets it. 

It’s no wonder I’m worried.

In the fall the Grandentity will leave for college,

and when the door closes on that familiar chapter

of their lives, I know Murphy won’t appreciate

the new chapter that is opening. After all,

it will also be a prolonged closing for her.

                                                                                                                      JDG

 

 

 

 

 

Not By The Book

We humans

didn’t come with an instruction book

(though some have attempted to write one).

No manual tells us how to put ourselves together

or how to take ourselves apart

(though that’s been tried too).

Malfunctions arise. Breakdowns happen.

Sometimes there’s a refusal to start.

 Maybe we didn’t need a manual after all.

 The secret might lie in hands-on learning

and a willingness to notice, pause, and adjust.

                                                                                                          JDG

 

Closing Remarks

My granddaughter and I sit

watching the sun slowly slide toward the horizon.

It has been a busy day and now

I wrap myself in the warm peace of its closing.

Two crows settle briefly on the lawn

before one suddenly flies off, cawing as it goes.

“Hmm,” I translate. “That’s crow for

‘Don’t caw me. I’ll caw you’.”

“ERGG” she says as she gets up and walks away.

“That’s teen for ‘Eye roll. Gotta go.”

                                                                                                     JDG

 

 

Short Short Story

As boyfriends go, he went and now she’s left

holding the bag

filled with what

might have

been.

                                                                             JDG

Compassion Unloosed

Solid and tight are often over-rated.

May we stand easy

on open ground.

                                                                   JDG

Unmet Needs

On  and    on        and      on

he went.

“Don’t get short with me.”

to which I courteously replied,

“And please,

don’t get long with me.”

                                                                                   JDG

 

 

Look Out

The bachelors are back,

decked in blue – roadside flirts no

matter the weather.

                                                                 JDG

 

 

A Letter To My Younger Self

Dear Joan,

Some things are too personal

to put in a letter 

that others may read,

but what I want you to know

is that I understand.

I know you’re doing the very best you can.

I love you.

– Older Joan