Unpolished Opinion

My Laughing Daffodils

~ Unpolished Opinion ~

I follow the instincts that live in my gut

learning to test and trust them a lot

with large matters and small, rely

on their nudging in pondering all

manner of judgement -all open

responses for good or for bad

Our hearts learn life lessons 

by failure and strife -by trial

by error, winning or losing

we strengthen our gifts, hone

confident answers and tuck

instincts to turn to deep in

the gut

JoMae

4/3/20

Today's Poem-A-Day prompt: Write a follow your (blank) poem

Vision of Hope

New Season - New Leaves - New Hope

      ~ A Vision of Hope ~

Our space has been invaded by an invisible enemy

 - the closest we have ever come to war nearby

where some must hide away while the brave

among us fight and die for the future of all

all with a part to play yet health care and

delivery folk and so many who provide

necessities have become our heroes

displaying care and courage for the

rest, protection and help amid this

deadly scourge advancing along

our land from state to state, bit

by bit conquering, holding us

hostage, taking our lives

while many from their 

sheltered spaces, delve

deep into their gifts, finding

new ways to fight the enemy

sharing kindness and hope and

offering their ability to sew, design

new answers - new armor to help in

this battle. Creating an informal army

of resistance true as found in any war.

Teachers quickly mastering new ways of

teaching. Parents learning with their children

between the lines of working with their spouses

from their homes. All of us learning new patience.

In spite of great losses, winning the war in the end,

our lives and the space we occupy forever changed

- enriched by our own creativity, blessed from above,

may we carry the strengths born of this struggle into

the world of tomorrow. Into the future we continue to

build together.  Built from the ashes of this viral war.

JoMae

4/2/20

Today's Poem-A-Day prompt: Write a space poem.

New World Plague

New World Plague

Our world has come undone

old patterns gone awry

new rules are in play

to remain alive

for each may carry an invisible virus

we don’t know who so must behave

as if we have it and stay away from

friends - to isolate, alone at home

to stop the spread and

halt the rampant dying in

this surreal new way of life

this most dangerous of games

JoMae

4/1/20

#apad 1 - April Poem A Day challenge 

Today's prompt: Write a new world poem.

Daily Posting

~ Writing ~

soothes my soul

keeps me sane and

helps me look at life again

JoMae
4/1/20

My goal for April is to daily post something I have written.  Most will be older pieces, from time to time, something new born. These are unpolished, unpublished (except on my blog.)  I know most writers write to be published. Many dream from childhood about producing a book. I’ve always loved to write yet not with that ambition. 

While some write to publish, I simply write for pleasure. For the joy of putting words together like a puzzle. For the rush when letters fall together to say what is on my heart.  To lay feelings out where I can examine them again - and learn. So I can tweak and play with them - moving words, changing some until each letter helps reflect a thought.

It is a lovely thing at this stage of my life, to have a place to store my words. My blog at annaver.blogspot.com along with friends on social media brings great joy to my life as we share bits of ourselves from time to time. 

So here I am. Back from three months of being away from my familiar writing days. It was a wonderful break with my daughter visiting from France and other family we connected with. Judy is safely home again and I’ve regrouped from all my traveling with her. It is good to be planted in my writing chair again. 

Dark Day -Hope Seeps In

Turns out I’ve bounced from one vacation right into the fire of another. My grandson calls this a ‘coronacation’. Thanks, Ben!  I kind of like that name for this place we all find ourselves trying to tread water. I also like the thousands of acts of kindness we hear about each day. The encouragement in the midst of this world wide tragedy. And the caring found in everybody’s efforts to survive. So much creativity to be found while hanging out here with all my online friends!  Thanks everyone.

Even as we mourn so many lost lives, may we see Godde's hand in all the helping hands, all the healing, all the caring, all the love. May we find small joy in whatever situations we are locked into. And may all who are frightened and feeling desperate find help, please Godde. Thank you.  -JoMae

Same Dark Day -Hope Wins

Christmas Presence

CHRISTMAS

PRESENCE

May the

gift

of

Christ's

Presence

be

Present

Within

You

Always

JoMae

12/07

This small greeting was first created as a handmade book mark on parchment backed by firm colored paper.

Nest of a Nation

~ A Nest for all Nations ~

Newborn Jesus, swaddled and placed in a manger

within the nest so painstakingly prepared through

many generations - designed and protected by

Godde’s own self to receive the promised

Messiah, a long awaited Savior for all

human kind, come to model for us

the way of salvation, the way

back to the arms of our

maker, our divine

FatherMother

Godde

Jesus Christ
Incarnate Word

Hope to all the World

Holy Heir,   Holy Godde

born into a world woven of

human Hebrew fathers - and

of mothers who added blood of

many nations to the incarnation

Hebrew wombs,   Gentile wombs

’til in the fullness of time is born a

Savior - Good News for all people

<><><><><>

Godde’s grand design  and blessing

nurtured within a Jewish nest,  yet 

offering salvation to every nation
as the days were accomplished
for birthing the Christ Child
Immanuel, Godde's Holy
Presence ever with us

JoMae

12/22/18

Ephesians 3:2-13 (re Gentiles and Jews)

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:6

Romans 8:1-17  (re heirs both male and female - not only sons)  Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. . . .  Romans 8:17

Acts 6 & 7 (re Stephan's message before being stoned)

(Nest Image by llh from Pixabay)

Bread Upon The Waters

~ Bread upon the Waters ~

As you cast your bread upon life’s river every day

Do you wonder who retrieves it and is nourished?

Where the morsels, swollen by the water catch?

Where your words find rest and like a buried

seed transform to sprout new thoughts to

grow new life, adapt a new expression

serve as a crutch to form another’s

prayer?

Thank You

JoMae

12/20/19

Thanks and a Happy New Year to all whose writings have enriched my life this year. You’ve helped me think and pray and grow - and sometimes have prompted a few words of my own. Blessings!

New Normal

12/9/19 note:

Dear friends, especially those who are still in your first year, today i ran across this note on how my new normal felt at that point (8/7/17).  On being comfortable with solitude, I still tend to hibernate, but in time have become far more comfortable with it. I’m thinking of all of you still in your early stages of this journey and share it with hope for continued healing, love and encouragement.

~~~~~~~~

August 7, 2017

My New Normal

Most mornings after breakfast, I settle in my chair, open my laptop and think, write etc for a few hours. I might not step outdoors for almost a week if I don’t need to run to the store. All the while feeling slightly embarrassed about it, slightly guilty, sort of a concern that others, if they were aware, would think there is something wrong with me. Wondering, what would people, my own kids, think if they knew how truly I am hibernating here. As if this is something I must explain or make excuses for if asked. As if this hibernation is abnormal. I know it will not always be this way, and yes it is abnormal - from what life was 7 months ago - before John died. But for now it is normal. It is OK.

This now is my day. My work. My purpose. My joy. I can send away that ‘shoulds’ monkey on my shoulder and embrace this abundant time of quiet I have for healing and for writing. I can drop the apologetic stance and mindset I’ve been carrying around inside of me. It feels like a sigh of relief! It is OK! This is now who I am. I will embrace this new routine and gradually modify it over time. I might even go outdoors and read in the sun for a while this afternoon! -JoMae

Something Taken...

 March 21, 2018

Hi my friends. This is a fresh observation for me, a moment of recognizing something new.

Something Taken, Something Given

I think most couples develop the give and take of compromise. Easing off a little here or there to give the other space. Like a beautiful dance or a jazz duet. Often so subtle as to hardly be noticed. It is what we chose for love. It is what it takes for two unique (sometimes opposite) personalities to get along.

In our marriage, John was the quiet one. Took his time to speak. I was the talker - apt to barge on ahead of him. Especially with friends, I tended to be conscious of this and tried to temper blurting out my opinions somewhat. (not always successfully, I'm sure) It was always there. Occasionally annoying, but usually barely noticed - until last night.

I have not been very social since John died 15 months ago. Last night I met with a few friends for the first time and found myself at ease, enjoying myself and deep into good conversation. I noticed something felt different. Only later did I realize what it was. I was not holding back.

The bad thing is I’ve lost my soul mate, the good thing, I think I’m finding my Self in a new and healthy way. It was a lovely feeling actually. To step out from the past (still holding hearts) and step into the future to find this woman dancing solo, free, eager and able to be responsible for her own self.

So while my great love and anchor has been lost, it appears that something good has also been found. Something taken, something given. I am blessed.

JoMae

John's Advent Calendar

John's Advent Calendar

~ Christmas Eve Remembered ~

How many nights, the children tucked

I’d relax with my book and the music

while John slipped down to his shop

still finishing a treasured gift

I’d mute the radio, preferring to hear

him whistling to the carols as he worked

love wafting up - a sweet aroma 

all mixed with paint and sawdust

Finally he’d appear, join me on the couch

grinning ear to ear - pleased with success

confident the paint would dry by morning

ready for a glass of eggnog and a hug

I wish I had photos of all those toy soldiers,

forts and games he produced! Most now 

disbursed to new families that came along

keepsakes for grandchildren

JoMae
12/16/19

John's Advent Calendar Open

These were made for the grandchildren.  Each box to hold a treat and then be returned to its place in reverse.  The final effect revealing a picture of the whole family taken at a reunion.