These came from my neighbor’s yard. I gathered them after her children had to move her to an assisted home. Though she died years ago, she smiles at me every spring through her flowers.
Keeping Community, After She’s Gone
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Category Archives: Family
Trailblazers, still
The rock stars of the 60′, 70’s and beyond are still blazing new trails .
They defied expectations of what it means to be a “certain age” when they were teenagers exploding on the music scene, some still attending school, and, now in their 80’s.
They defied expectations of music creating new evolutions of sound. The Beatles, the Stones, Led Zeppelin, Patti Smith.
They defied expectations of fashion. The Beatles with the hair; Jagger with eye liner, scarves, paisley shirts; Jimmy Page with his dragon suit; Patti Smith with combat boots and t-shirts.
They defied expectations of lifestyle. Paul putting Linda in the band so they could keep the family together; blended families; shared loves; steady, devoted marriage with two children like Patti Smith and “Sonic” Smith.
They blended art into their world with album covers and stage performances.
They continue defying expectations.
Mick just appeared at the Oscars after touring with his new music last year.
Patti Smith just read her poetry at the Milan fashion week and is launching her already sold out year long tour.
So I ask myself, what trail and I blazing today?
Celebrating Love
There’s something magical about being married to your best friend more than half your life.
It isn’t just the shared memories and experiences, it’s the liking, loving and respecting someone that cuts a groove of grounding, stability, trust and then the freedom to explore, change and become a fuller person in this world.
I know I’m very fortunate.
Cafe Crowd Diaspora
We’ve been wandering for nine weeks now
The old place closed without notice
The weekday usuals scattered
by twos and fours
to several sites
around the area
but the weekend regulars
have all landed
at the sister café
three miles
down the road
some staff
from the old place
are here
smiles, hugs, laughter
trying to make
it feel
like it did before
wanting home
in a new place
Growing Family
Little feet
padding quickly on the wooden floor
from his room
to ours
in the middle of the night
standing by my bed
waiting.
I reach down with one hand
and sweep my toddler son
into the middle of our bed.
He lays flat on his back
placing one hand on his dad
and one hand on me.
deep sigh
then falls back asleep.
Bigger feet
lumbering across the wooden floor
from his room
to the kitchen
early in the morning.
Refrigerator door opens
he stands
grazing
on leftovers dipped in ranch dressing he leaves in little bowls
just for this purpose.
Pops a can of flavored water
then back to his room.
Grown feet
softly walking from his childhood room
to the kitchen
where he stands
boils water
for morning tea.
He feeds our cats
whom he misses when he not here.
Looks at his work emails
plays news podcasts.
We are still his home
but he has a new home too
with his beloved
who is our new beloved too.
28 enero 2022
BethenyReid 