Friday, February 8, 2013

Pain

What is pain?
Anguish of soul
or body

They're inextricably mixed

I cry out
"Why God?"
"What did I do wrong?"

He answers me in
the sweet silence of
Pain.

Pain is
knowing where you are
and not running from it

Pain accepts
because you cannot escape

Pain crushes
       wounds
       humbles us

Pride, the unwelcome guest
packs up and leaves

Pain releases the
tight fist and
opens us up

to Life

Compassionate eyes
for all suffering

Grace comes

My 6 year old, Raja,
slips his thin arm in mine
"I'll help you, mommy!"

My dear hubby
signals me to see
the golden haze
outside

Rain washed slab stones
shine

Surprise!!

"Come quick, everyone!"
They rush to see

We beckon our neighbors
with an insistent knock

"Look, look" -
It's a double rainbow!

Glorious, bright and full
it fills our sky

"I'm so glad you showed us,"
they say,
"We would've missed it!"

In five minutes it's gone -
Clouds burn with envy

Later, suds flying
Grimy plates washed clean

and, Surprise!

Globe of liquid rainbows
rests on the soap bottle

A wink and a promise

God is in control
And all is well.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Construction Zone

a poem


I gleefully breathe
gaze upon jet streams
like silly string in the sky

Herds of clouds
migrating south

My reverie is jarred
by the CLANK, CLANK
of heavy machinery

I'm walking towards
the Construction Zone.

Last time, son in hand,
"Mommy, mommy, Bob the Builder!"

We wave at the men in waders...
In Waders?!

I'm determined to ask
them today - 

Wind is whipping
sand stings my face
leaf plummets my shoulder

This is (was) the busiest street
in our neighborhood,
Garrison Drive

The construction zone
has blocked all passage
for weeks now

Three men in hard hats
huddle together
it's my chance - 

Polite
"Yes, maam?"

Shoulders sag
looks of defeat
in their eyes

"Maam, 
to replace a manhole
takes 4 days. 
This has taken us
5 weeks."

"That's astonishing!"
I say

"It's all downhill
from here,"
they say

"What is the delay?"

"Maam, there's a natural
spring under this road.
That's the reason 
for the sinkholes."

So now, truck load after
truck load of sand and
dirt coming to stop up
this spring?

In ancient times
springs near cities
were stopped up
before laying siege

But this one is
a matter of convenience

The earth pregnant
with new life

Pushed down
pushed back
for convenience

Nearby St. Augustine
Ponce de Leon
is said to have discovered
the Fountain of Youth

They've built a shrine
around it 
and charge admission

Springs are not
uncommon in Florida

But they're practically
endangered now
protected
regulated

Blame our builders
for not knowing when
constructing our 
neighborhood

But three sink holes
in the past eight years?

Meanwhile, I walk
by a stagnant pond
fish less 
mosquito-ridden

Why not build a bridge
over it (for cars)
bring empty zephyrhills bottles
let kids play & splash?

Or shall we stroll together
laughing as community
in our newly refurbished
amenities center

Southampton Springs
bottles in hand?