Autumn Afternoon

Quickly she kept up with the elders
as they were engrossed in conversation
Each held her hand
but neither understood
she did not feel as if they were
all together

They spoke a language she barely understood
most likely so she couldn't comprehend
Hand in hand stepping quickly
laughing at each other
but not with her

Then suddenly Grandma
without any explanation
bent towards the ground
when she lifted a gift was
in her hands

Two crisp reddish orange
fall leaves were handed to the girl
A smile crept through her
tiny face
A sweet song escaped her lips
The elders let her skip
contentedly just in front of them
swinging a leaf in each hand

They all walked together now
each content
each at peace
happily enjoying
the autumn afternoon

Where do You come From?

I come from islands I've never seen.
I come from hard work and determination.
I come from a thirst for education.
I come from a complicated nation.

I come from stubbornness and pride.
I come from sunshine and ocean tide.
I come from creativity.
I come from uncertainty.

I come from dreams and imagination.
I come from love and happiness.
I come from broken promises.
I come from ideals not to be dismissed.

I come from laughter and music.
I come from heartache and tears.
I come from yesterday and tomorrow.
I come from here.

Getting to Know You

Getting to know you
Didn't think it possible
Common ground
How could this be?

Getting to know you
And all your idiosyncrasies
Turns out
You are a lot like me.

Getting to know you
Glad for the opportunity
It's nice to feel connected
to family.

Adrift in Limbo

The wind blows

yet I feel no cold

neither do I feel

the heat.

 I am numb to 

its temperature.

I know it exists

because my

clothing shifts in space

but as to hot or cold

I do not feel a trace.

The sun rises;

is it warm upon my face?

I know the heat is there

in every radiant flare.

I know I should

be warm

but my body does not care.

I am here

and it is there.

The moon comes up;

a  soft, silent circle.

Is that the man staring

down at me

or just my sensitivity

to what I wish to perceive?

Moonlight clear and bright

bringing shadows to the night.

I am not filled with fright

nor do I feel delight.

Emotionless seems to be

my current plight.

Awake yet dreaming

constantly teaming

with incessant thoughts.

Asleep yet aware

of that I do not dare

make concrete

within my turbulent thoughts.

Adrift in limbo

my stance

akimbo

I need a symbol

on which to pray.

How do I get to 

where I need to go?

When will my path be
clear I need to know?

How do I get to 

where I need to go?

Time moves quickly

and yet I'm going slow.

How do I get to where I need to go?

Adrift in Limbo.

My stance akimbo.

The door seems closed,

please open a window.

Family

Smiles that look oddly familiar
surround me at dinner
Some of us have gained a few
and some of us got thinner
Jokes and stories from the past
make us all feel like a winner.
You've got my eyes,
Is that my walk?
 Never noticed before
 we had the same Cadence
when we talk.

Being with family 
In good times and bad 
Makes you remember 
Just what you have
 Makes you feel grateful 
For good or for bad 
 Cherish the moments 
They flee fast and free 
These are your people 
Strange as they may be 

These are the ones 
You call family

Round and Round in the Center Ring

Your stubbornness makes a mule
seem like the finest diplomat

Round and Round in the center ring
We keep sparring but eventually
someone must hit the mat

You won't admit that there is a problem
and I am tired of being the one
who's trying to solve it

Eventually the verbal punches
will take their toll
Bob and weave here we go again
Is this the one that makes it all the way to ten?

I'm just as stubborn as you
but you know that
A bell rings and to neutral corners we go
but the referee won't always see what hits us

Round and Round in the center ring
Our only way of problem solving
verbal and emotional
we both know how this must go
we keep sparring but eventually
someone must hit the mat

Silly Reality

Tired
Dejected
Heart unprotected

Shouting
Pouting
Constantly doubting

Lies
Cries
Constant compromise

Fears
Tears
Compassionate years

Emotion
Devotion
No magic potion

Silly
Reality
That's some family

On the Road

Traveling
Slowly
Traveling
Quickly
Surrounded by family

Highly entertaining
Headed for parts unknown
All of us not quite grown

Traveling
Gladly
Laughing quite
Madly
On the road
Fast and free
Traveling
With family

Dementia

Repeated
Reminded
Repeated
Reminded

Morning
Noon
And
Night

Time is unkind
To the aging mind

Repeated
Reminded
Repeated
Reminded

Morning
Noon
And
Night

Family's disconnected
My future's unprotected
A pattern I've detected
Will I too be dejected?

Time is unkind
To the aging mind

Give Thanks

Give Thanks

That's what the Pilgrims and Natives did

but not the myth

 that we all live.

Give Thanks

For Life and liberty,

for  love and laughter,

for triumph through disaster.

Give Thanks

Don't just think materially

think kindness and generosity

think friends and family.

Give Thanks

Buddha or Allah, Mother Earth or Brother Wind

 Krishna or Isis too

Pick all, one or any God or not it's up to you

Give Thanks

Everyday not just on Thanksgiving 

Thankful is the way 

We all should be living.

Dia de los Muertos

Passed away
No longer with us
Gone to a better place

No matter what
We use instead
The meaning it cannot replace


Passed away
No longer with us
Gone to a better place

Today's the day to
remember those who've
passed into this state

Passed away

No longer with us
Gone to a better place

Remember lives of those we've loved
Who cared for us as best they could

Remember lives of those to young
To have left us in the first place

Remember lives not just today
but always for you see

The memory is the
life legacy.