She who...

needed: new friend

who has cooked at least 30 turkeys
who has washed cloth diapers
who remembers Elvis's TV debut
who knows what no money means
who has stolen a pineapple from the field
who has changed sizes at least five times
who counts their chicks no matter how old
who cries for those in nursing homes
who worries about her own old age
who has had at least three hair colors
who weeps at figure skating
who longs for Tuscany
and who is willing to still dream

purpose: endless laughter and conversation

Nowhere

http://artpropelled.blogspot.com/

little bits of clay
adhered to small blocks
all being washed by the sea
in a place called nowhere
seen by people everywhere
all thanks to a post
on a blog
by an artist
called robyn
magic

Swirling

Free thoughts
swirling
dancing
colliding
years of facts
conclusions
beliefs
suddenly
murky
mysterious
unclear
so who what where am I?

just that dancing particle?

Crow Friend

Hey crow hey crow
what ya goin do
when they come for you

you actin like a tough dude
but I know better
you just shared my mc muffin

Waiting for Spring

Swans and Haiti

giant white wings
angels in the valley
everywhere white clusters
of geese and swans

same planet
in Haiti misery and death
in Skagit nature's glory

no sense no order
gusty winds blowing
confusion and helplessness
giving over

Haiti

Such complete unbearable suffering added to decades of pain and grief; Haiti's people need our prayers and our help. It is hard to carry on when one knows that such death and destruction is
happening not so far away. Our world is pretty small and we are all a heartbeat away from the ravages of nature, war, and hunger. May the aid being sent help in to some degree their suffering.

Resolutions?

into the new-
new year new attitude
unsteadily lurching into the next
wondering if I can recreate
myself anew

that old trick
used brazenly many times
new year new girl
new journal pages
new lists on the fridge
new underwear from Macy's
newly sharpened pencils
new health foods

only questions are
where does the old me go
what happens to
the old attitudes
the over worked dreams
the unfinished projects
the socks with no mates
the clothes that don't fit

where do I store the old me
while I conjure up a new version?
and what if I need the old me again?

Winster Solstice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7Op3Sz3lPM&feature=related

Light a candle
add wood to the fire
pour a cup of cider
bang the drum
watch the bonfires
count your blessings
embrace the darkest of nights
and "burn the clocks"

welcome the light

Yup the nose knows!!!

Snow; pretty snow;not too much but a treat anyways...

Smell of Snow

the kids say my nose knows

I can smell snow
in Alaska my sinuses ached
in Germany the migraines would come
in Hawaii I waited endlessly
in Washington I smell it coming
no Kiro weather reports
are more accurate
dry air shifting
getting moister
then the big wet flakes

and the cameras come out...yay

Greenman

our greenman stands guard
over the garden
season in season out
watching life
witnessing new growth
recording bee hums
counting the daffs
birds shit on him
his skin rusts
nothing phases him
he just stands and waits

I could learn from him

Thanksgiving 09

waiting for the balloons
in Herald Square
stuffing the turkey
wiping down the counters
listening for memories

over the river and thru the woods
I am that place now
tried a new chutney
I already know
they will hate it.

Detachment

photo by betterlivingwithherbs...

dreaming about detachment

armed with layers of connections
duties, responsibilities, shoulds
fully weighed down

wondering what detaching unleashes
naked of the chains, what follows

would one float away like a
freefloating dream?

like dandelion fluff

Crow Woman revisted

my crows follow me everywhere

nagging, egging me on, taunting

caw caw, pay attention

we are the keepers of the sacred law

laughing amongst themselves.. little jokes

hopping to internal street beats

chewing on gum wrappers and carrion

charmers, old as time

November

only a few yellow leaves hang on
deck covered with crimson
webs span all the doors
spider girls spinning like mad
fairy lights hung in all the corners
cider simmers with cinnamon
searching for yam recipes
checked out cheap flights to Mexico

Must be November in Washington

Coping

Edvard Munch. Anxiety, 1894. Munch Museum, Oslo

investigate using more whole grains
check election results
get celica to the shop
call my senator
worry about health care bill
research Green River flooding
create something in studio
find new sources of protein
cry over over Ft Hood shootings

practice serenity
be transcendent?

Tea

Tea cups in hand
we lean in towards each other

The stories are eagerly waiting
they need to come out

Such joy at connecting
yet always a risk-never easy

Ah yes common ground
we are not alone

Ah yes women survive
even thrive

The stories are indeed
all that we have.

Into the New . what next?

the new scary gestalt

seeing the whole shebang

praying for skills to manifest

visions so clear I can touch them

muse calling

come and jump into the clay

wondering how I ended up here

red gems and old glass

bronze vessels and textiles

all intertwining

making jewelry,

making talismans

making amulets

making tools for shamans

who ever dreamed

of this

Late Bloomers

second wave of honeysuckle

wafting across walkway

late summer shadows

first glimpses of fall

ripe tomatoes

white phlox

late casa blancas

squirrels ramping up

for annual oak frenzy

red leaves at top of maples

me walking- finally

striding into fall

For Ted 8/24/2009

ABC photo

the common good

commonweal

looking out for others

paying a living wage

stepping out from privilege

taking risks

speaking to power

living with his own demons

and doing it all with

power and passion

and that Irish laugh

this man will be missed!

Cle Elum

http://www.pnwadventures.com/tag/cle-elum/

Darkest blue night sky

songs drift from the river

air creeps in -crisp and full of flavor

snuggled cocoon-like

occasional dog barking

or is it coyote?

pine needles falling like rain

cones knocked down

like missiles by zealous squirrels

ah, Cle Elum

great place for good dreams

Re- connections

Changes, differences, communication gaps

losing touch, losing trust, losing friends

ah reconnecting

tenuous reaching out, hoping to heal

needing the circle of good intention

egos and facades fade when facing

mortality

The Pod

photo by Kim Clements

Orcas

black and white

dipping and diving

ancient ones

witnessing them

brings tears

their eyes dark pools

the young

mimicking the mothers

we are a pod

they are a pod

will we all survive?

The Healing

in and out of pain

in and out of here

in and out of now

in and out of consciousness

in and out of awareness

in and out of dreams

short spurts of sleep

an aching like an an ancient hurt

another bump in the road

another learning experience

on the other side-

pure gratitude

Big Heart

big face

big laugh

big heart

healer woman

matters to many

changed things

may she be in beauty and peace

Sanctuary

http://www.metrocast.net/~hiker/

ice slipped over branches

like gloves

each breath crystalizing

in the throat

silence broken only

by crunching steps

a frozen shine, an altar

waiting for the prayers

of the pilgrims

Dream II

crossing the bridge

mountain mists

hovering over path

like ghosts

coming along for the ride

red rings circling

the birches

careful with each step

Irish moss

bouncy to the touch

flag up ahead

signaling a

change of course

Dream

www.catnaps.org/islamic/ islamimages/12inlay.jpg

silver inlaid on mahogany doors

white shoes to go

with the dress

kisses and longing

big old conference table

tiny apartment

low ceilings

driving madly

down rutted road

sweetness and exuberance

quite the dream

Easy

have it easy

learning to let go

of permanence

a wave rolling in and out

a sunset dazzling and disappearing

a peony- diva fluff then wilted away

new snow fresh then trampled

a family reunion and leaving alone

no holding on

no grasping

only this moment and eternity

The Maze

starwon.com.au/ ~cfrench/Maze.jpg

messy love

complicated devotion

reluctant restraint

silenced views

controlled passions

diminished influence

circular dialogue

endless hope

unparalleled admiration

the maze

parenting grown children

Culture Clash

www.martiniforge.com/.../ tuscany_bird_cage.htm

artificial safety

illusions of sameness

removal of conflict

structured peace

passionate reflection

art as escape

fake bliss

artist not warrior

contradictions abound

what to do?

what to think?

how to act?

Falling

http://www.birdforum.net/opus

falling, falling

plummeting over a cliff

reaching for a rope

a ledge, a toehold

cannot make everybody happy

cannot make everybody safe

so fall it is

what can I see

on the way down?

what can I learn on the way down?

have I come this way before?

She Who Sits

she who sits 

in leather

her beauty

not skin deep

eyes that hear you

ears that see you

rarely words

a vessel of compassion

slowly slowly unsheathing

your heart

me-

endless gratitude

Kind Heart

www.bobleroi.co.uk/. ../InnerLight.jpg

kind heart

gentle presence

passing through

like a falling leaf

like a shaft of light

like a spider's web

soft, effortless

I think

we need more of that

Honoring she who...

she who remembers birthdays

and graduations

she who delivers funny lines 

with a serious face

she who listens 

to the truth, tales and outright lies 

she who carries all the stories

even the hard ones

she who has a tender center

and a resilient cover

she who perseveres 

in a ring of fire

she who made a life

out of pure determination

she who writes haiku 

and lives outside the lines

ahhh.

"An old pond

 A frog jumps in

 The sound of water"

Matsuo Basho

 

Clay

speaking gives way 

to forming shapes

allowing the silence 

to ignite the

muse within

new territory

beginner's mind

groping, stumbling 

unsure

Spirit Lake

she told stories about

inuits  and 

swimming holes

Berlin after the war

poor people and 

civil rights

she wove tales 

of courage and ethics

of service and joy

she gave me a burl

from Spirit Lake

before Helen blew

her stack

she called out

have it good..

in memory:  Mary Lee N

She who...

 

colors clashing

acrylic yarn

no itchy wool for her

mix it  up 

express yourself

shout out 

her world 

as tight as a drum

voiceless

powerless

knit one purl two

no will ever

ever hear the rage

afghans do speak

Remembering

under the maple

knees ground in soil

silk scarf wiping tears off stone

echoes of gruffness

longing for connection

waiting my turn 

Mothers Day

lonely sleepy nights 

bouncing colicky baby

agony at

little league 

your kid on the bench

prom dress shopping and hysteria

algebra tutoring with 

resulting brain drain

sobbing daughter

on the couch

donating toilet paper 

for first apartment

birth of grandchild

mothers day indeed

Now

wishes, dreams

maybes, some days,

in the future, down the road

are trumped by

today, soon,

next, immediately, 

currently, now

some sage said:

just do it!

April's Green

april's green has impact

softens light

conveys hope

lifts spirits

hides winter's debris

announces tulips

teases the senses

calls out to the housebound

heralds the arrival 

of may

 

North Shore 1968

old samoan nods

poi dog 

follows him into surf

gone

sun moves toward noon

me- I roll over

yell at kids

more lotion

much later

old samoan and dog

return

he nods

me - I roll over

Potsdam 1997

floating

in river reflections

approaching under sail

to eat your crumbs

meditative

always regal

matilda's friend

john the swan

Exit

the key to the door

the way out

the path

the escape

the exit

the resolution

freedom

is the exit sign lit?

Demeter

she who

makes arbors

protects birds

worries about others

kicks ass

gathers lavender

dreams of pots

waits for cecile brunner

studies glazes

screams bullshit

lives full out.

demeter, give her a break...

(for linda)

Florence 1971

photo thanks to: farm1.static.flickr.com/ 251/453890781_3a0d4b3..

long ago

apple blossoms above Florence.

old Renault, tiny campstove

mother two daughters huddled

laughing.

us in regimented lawn chairs

rented trailer-enduring

me- dreaming of escape

Babylon

first spring heat

mobs of frantic

gardeners

local nurseries

bursting with color

earth still cold.

planters over eager

yet, to see their bliss

clematis magnolias

petunias tomato plants

crammed on carts

loaded  in SUV's

heading home to Babylon

Beefsteaks

Joe's tomatoes were legend

firm, giant red globes

cut the middle slice

add mayonnaise and bread

heaven

now to remember his tricks

and grow my own

In memory of Joseph Hudyma

The glorious sun has returned

Photo by Lana Weed

cats know

about dreaming in the sun

about can opener music

about cars that return 

at 5 o'clock

they know about pleasure and joy

they give and give

no wonder they were worshipped

Spring Hunt

spots of snow scattered

brook whispers: here, here

little tufts of green scattered

on the dandelion banks

the magical treasure-

pussywillows

to be colored with chalk

taken to school

touched and cooed over

the secret place

remains ours

Tough and Tender

tough and tender

like an artichoke

like a cactus

prickly and vulnerable

soft on the inside

or maybe a truffle

chocolate shell crumbles

sweet in the middle

worth the effort?

Gray Skies

living with gray

hungering for shadows  

lusting for reflection

remembering desert sunsets

bare feet on hot sand 

arms bared 

eyes protected

where is the sun?

Eagle's Lunch

swift eagle plunge

half dead chicken

like so many things these days

unsettling

baby eaglets' lunch

our dilemma

haunting choices

in world gone mad

Cookie Love

cookie love is about duckies

and sugar quail and butterflies

made in  a long weekend

for people who say

why don 't you sell them

confusing love with commerce

what will we all remember

little bunnies decked out 

with their ears chewed off

Photograph by Michael S. Yamashita

Family

those who heal without your help

those you abandon

those you pray for

those who wake you up in the night 

those whose ghost flits in and out

those who send you images in dreams

those who scent the soil

those whose face appears in your reflection

all of them

family 

Parchment

the dream:

parchment butterflies

all lined up

what shall I call them

pressure to name them

do not forget do not forget

parchment butterflies-elusive

off to artfest

Back to posting next week

Jonquil

daring little bud

smothered with snow

buffeted by winds

stepped on near the footpath

persevere, persevere

it murmurs

at last a cold bright sun

go for it

jump out there

stand tall

make them bend to you

Augsburg 1970

http://image03.webshots.com/3/5/53/2/12755302wojlcgLvLt_fs.jpg

by gator2854

cobble stone bumps

wet snow sticking to eyelashes

giant renaissance doors

scent of old wax

slivers of warm light

faint bell tones

ghosts of old ones

fairy tales and buried dreams

walled city 

comforting

Thank You Andrew

Thanks to Andrew  for mentioning this new blog. I really appreciate it. I leave for artfest 

tomorrow and will be crazed with new ideas.. the muse may burst. JT

High Street

once named high street, uptown

lowdown folks

middle class citizens

those people down under

she stooped over

him heads above

they in the underbelly

fleeting middle america

headlines note uber chic 

underdeveloped whole continents

surfaces, directions, placement

choices?

Shift

"shift" by joan tucker

shifting 

empty tank

lucky dog

bliss potion

not deciding

flow go

Rainbows

photo by joan tucker

rainbows 

marred by

obstacles

in the way 

of hope

passing through

slow down

ever touch a barnacle?

Turn Turn Turn

No better love than love with no object,

no more satisfying work than work with no purpose,

A secret turning in us

makes the universe turn.

Head unaware of feet,

and feet head. Neither cares.

They keep turning.

Rumi

Chimes, Gongs, Silence

chime in 

tune out

hear the breeze

quiet thunder

call of the gong

lone loon

no known source

dinner bell

coming home

Making Pink

Making Pink

Fresh picked strawberries rubbed on white linen with little fingers

Ladies who Lunch

ladies who lunch

no hats big hearts

laments and laughter

little scars big scares

women who perspire

women who inspire

ladies who launch

antipasto platter

no worries

Crow Woman

www.crows.net/images/ manychipcrow.jpg

my crows follow me everywhere

nagging, egging me on, taunting

caw caw, pay attention

we are the keepers of the sacred law

laughing amongst themselves.. little jokes

hopping to internal street beats

chewing on gum wrappers and carrion

charmers, old as time

Down into the pit.. Ishtar

From the summits of heaven
she looked into the pit,
she was a god on the summits of heaven
but her heart was in hell,
O Inanna, on the summits,
your heart in hell!

This lady left earth and heaven
and went down into the pit,
power and titles she left,
she went down into the pit..

post retirement blues

Waiting

waiting for white, red flecked peony

waiting for sun

waiting for enlightenment

waiting to get old

waiting to soar

waiting to find the words

waiting waiting

Musings

Lilacs in Santa Fe

Orchids drooping on orange branches in Coral Gables

Tiger lilies near a brook in Massachusetts

Fireweed fields waving in the breezes in Eagle River

Gardenias covering a bush in Hawaii