Befriending Solitude

 ~ Solitary Aging ~

We found each other, solitude and I 

when death came by 

and chose my heart to die

Alone, I searched the silence 

to help the days go by, to create 

fresh meaning for this life;

sort out my new identity 

Aging on one’s own 

is a personal endeavor   

a private path where solitude 

can become one’s better half

one’s main companion

in all sorrow and in joy

A treasured echo of one’s self

with listening arms to harbor 

fleeting thoughts, ponderings

safely shared and held

Where ideas can be brainstormed

while understanding forms in

the quiet of alone pervading 

this singular new norm

JoMae

5/31/24

Hope from my Journey — Befriending Solitude

The Breeze and the Willow Tree

~ The Breeze And The Willow Tree ~

It is my way

to start the day

by opening my door

to step outside

breathe in the air

so fresh, so clean, so clear

to marvel at the clouds afloat

in skies of grey or blue — to

feel the sun upon my face

on mornings she shines through

to smell the air

breathe out a prayer

‘ere turning to my work

~~~~~~~~

how I love a sun kissed morning

especially on a chilly day

bundled up, I bathe a while

in it’s cheerful soothing ray

I notice patterns in my willow

hear music in her dance as she

sways and waves her limbs at me

while leaning on the arms of wind

The slightest breeze

Inspires my tree to

sway and dance a bit

her silent music rocks my soul

as I keep time with it

sometimes they swirl staccato

when the wind is fierce and free, but

I like it best when they slow dance

the breeze and the willow tree

JoMae

10/12/23

Lone Cloud

 ~ One Lone Cloud ~

Little cloud adrift so high

in that stunning bright blue sky

what are your dreams as you float by

are you content in solitude -- as am I?

Happy to add your unique small self

to the majestic hues of heaven?

JoMae

10/28/23

One Last Warm Day

~ One Last Warm Day ~

Autumn gold against a brilliant sky

a glorious day to savor in farewell 

warm sunshine’s blanket until the 

Spring 

Tomorrow’s chill may keep me in the house 

so today I’ll soak in every moment of this

              ~ JOY! ~

JoMae

10/27/23

Nancy's Painting

Nancy Elizabeth's Painting
On Dan's Dining Room Wall

black green and rust
reflect a
gentle undulation

soft curving lines
strong strokes
which are not harsh

suggest amoebic motion
ever so subtly absorbing
me into a quiet
soothing
dream

Nance,
I reached into your
painting yesterday
and drew out
this poem.
  -Mom

9-20-93

(JoMae)

Tantalizing April

 ~ Tantalizing April ~

Cloud filtered sun

and a stiff little breeze

belies the warm promise

of mid sixty degrees

so I don a light sweatshirt to

sit on my balcony coffee in hand

in the quiet of the morning with

no one about  I gaze at near

tree buds soon to burst out

I dream of the summer, of

warm days to come and

spring flowers ready to

bloom in the gardens

all over our town

but the clouds cool the 

sunbeams, the wind

has its way while 

I slip back inside

to finish my day

JoMae

4/11/23

 

Celebrate Aging

 ~ Celebrate Aging ~

Here on my own 

with no set agenda

except inner nudges

to capture a thought

clean up the kitchen

water the plants... 

I do make a schedule 

a plan for each day

yet tend to ignore it

(excepting deadlines)

and move up my plan

to another tomorrow 

while I finish my book

or fill a blank page to

celebrate aging with

small songs of Joy!

JoMae

3/8/23

You Anew

 ~You Anew ~

Finding the self waiting in

you, ready to blossom again

finding one’s soul in the ashes

of loss or other upsetting change

finding your feet after falling

step after faltering step

finding your new identity

learning to test each nudge

daring to step out into the world

when the urge is strong to fudge;

to give in to ‘can’t’ - maybe later

when tempted not to budge

when your comfort zone is shrinking

when you’d rather stay inside, try

facing the world with trust and a

smile, freeing new self to arise

from it’s grave in the depths of your

being, from the soul it is hiding within

to strengthen in miniscule increments

until cheerfully blooming again

JoMae

4/20/23

Amazing Love

 ~ Love Even Unto Death ~

we drink the cup

at Christ’s invitation

for complete remission

of our sins, our sinfulness

our separation from Godde

we serve our Sovereign whose

love bridges that separation

to guide us home again

and again and again

time beyond time

~ Amazing Grace! ~

JoMae

4/10/23

'Mary"

 "Mary"

It wasn’t Jesus’ voice, it seems, 

that Mary recognized while

conversing with the ‘gardener’

Was it the familiar loving way 

she heard Christ say her name

that made her know and cry

 Raboni?

To hear our name on the

breath of one who loves

us is unmistakable.

JoMae

4/10/23

An Easter Monday Morning  Reflection - How I love that garden scene in John - and all it means - Enjoy!