Things that can be perfect
Morning tea,
almost too hot, almost too strong
Watching an oceanside winter storm
Being not yet finished with a too good book
Coho jumping over all that dares to hinder their quest
Laughing with those friends, at that moment,
about things no one else understands
Walking a familiar trail at twilight
A song grabbing that which is deep within
Lemon meringue pie,
my mom’s lemon meringue pie
Enduring together when life seems more than we can bear
Sunlight on fresh snow, at the break of a new day
A place that is “our” place
Saltwater and sand guarded by a solitary heron
Finding a friend after all these many years
Sleeping through the night, any night
Family gatherings of choice, not obligation
A note, a text, a kind word
Second, third, and fourth chances
A knowing glance
A memory shared
Another birthday
That last goodbye
Until It Doesn’t
Once again, calendars and the cosmos go through their paces.
Another year shifts from winter to spring.
The consensus says this is the time for renewal, and joy.
Reality may be different, for some, maybe many,
oh, so different.
Disappointments, betrayals, hurts, and loss,
all refuse to follow celestial shifts and
the scheduling of days.
It looks like I may opt out of the celebration,
this time around.
Flowers still bloom.
Birds still sing.
Death still comes,
too soon, in too many forms.
And life goes on, until it doesn’t.