Category Archives: Poetry

Everydays

Watering plants,
washing dishes,
and going to the 
grocery store.

All parts of our everydays.
For years they were 
only chores to squeeze in
between all the other responsibilities of life.

Now, life has slowed
and I see that my chores 
are now my joys 
in my everydays. 

dewl31523

Primitive

This morning when I awoke before dawn, it was dark and cold,
with gusty winds and no power.
Back to the primitive world before electricity, telephones, TVs or internet.
Quiet, beautiful, dark, scary.
I realized how spoiled we really are
In our modern world.
The power came back on,
but these visitors still live in the primitive world and…survive.

dewl 12/2/22

Dreamers or Conquerors?

How many times have I said I want to write a book?
Hundreds, thousands, a million times?
How many people besides me say they want to…

Write a book, a screenplay, a poem?
Be an actor, an artist, a designer, an architect,
a doctor, a lawyer, a veterinarian?
Start their own business, travel the world,
retire to a tropical climate?
Help the poor, weak, sick, or mentally ill?

How many of us follow our
dreams and fantasies and make them reality?

Are all of us just dreamers?

How many of the dreamers follow through?
Are they still dreamers then?
Or conquerors of their dreams instead?

I’ve decided to become a conqueror of my dreams!
How about you?
Shall we begin?

dewl 3/24/22

Teach Your Children

Teach your children well. If necessary, use words. Mostly though, get them involved with other children of all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic groups, political groups, and differently abled groups. It will teach them love, acceptance, and respect for others that they won’t find on their own.

I was never exposed to people of color until I was in the third grade in 1970. My teacher, Miss Bazy, was the first black person I ever met and I was terrified simply because she was different. At the end of the first week of school, she asked me to stay after class. I was a shy, quiet kid who never got in trouble so I was scared. Everyone left and she asked me to come up to her at her desk. All 35 pounds of me was shaking with nerves. She didn’t say a word, but took my hand in hers and held it for a minute or two, smiling gently all the while. Then she turned my hand over, palm side up, and asked me, “Did your hand turn black because you held my black hand?” Of course I shook my head no. She then said, “Honey, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m just like you except God colored me differently than you.” Then she gave me the sweetest hug I EVER got from a teacher before or since. I burst into tears because I was so ashamed for being afraid. She just held me and patted my back as I told her I was so sorry. I believe the most important thing I learned that year took place in a 10 minute lesson. She was a great teacher, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve especially never forgotten that moment.

Ever since that day I’ve understood we are all the same in many ways. We are all human, have basic needs, wishes, emotions, attachments, and gifts. We all deserve respect and dignity, compassion and empathy. We all need to teach our children well. That is how we will change the world now and in the future.

It all starts here…

COVID19 anyone?

These are strange days we are living in, aren’t they? How are you doing so far? I pray with all my heart you or your family hasn’t been ill with this dastardly bug. I know, unfortunately, that’s not likely. I think most of us have known someone who has been ill or has not survived it. So, how do we cope? How do you cope?

There are many ways to cope and those ways are as varied as there are people in the world. Some people get introspective. Others reach out to others more than ever, even if isolated. There’s cleaning, working, learning, shopping therapy, eating, cooking, binge watching TV and movies from thousands of outlets, reading, writing, taking up new hobbies, sex, sleeping, walking, hiking, rock climbing, driving, praying, meditating, singing, and worshipping God. I am sure I’ve barely scratched the surface here. The coping skills I’ve mentioned don’t even consider the mandatory items many of us have to consider such as working from home, homeschooling our children, laundry, and paying bills. It’s a wonder we’re coping at all!

Here’s what I’ve observed from my home and my little window to the world. Families and friends have grown closer and more loving. We’ve checked in with one another more. We’ve slowed down and, shockingly, enjoyed it! We’ve experienced more gratitude, shared with others more, and rediscovered pastimes we thought were outdated and old-fashioned just before this crisis began. We’ve discovered innovative ways to carry on in our professions. I’ve actually loved all the TV shows aired from homes. I’ve delighted in getting to observe the stars in their natural habitats without stylists and makeup artists. It’s awesome!

I’m not going to skip over the hardships though. I know many of you are lonely, stressed, and depressed. You’ve lost jobs, homes, and independence or even freedom. My heart breaks for those in nursing homes, senior living homes, and those in memory care, mental institutions, prisons, and, of course, hospitals.

I don’t have a pithy answer for those who’ve experienced these hardships. All I can honestly say is hang on! Don’t give up! One thing I do know for certain is this too shall pass! If a day seems too long to hang on, how about the next hour or five minutes? As my mother used to say to me, “Light somewhere and take a minute to settle down!” She knew if I would sit down, quit moving, be quiet, and take some deep breaths, I’d feel much better. She was right! If any of you know me in real life, you know I have a hard tome being still, even when sitting. I jiggle my legs, swing my feet, and dance in my chair! I’m getting better at being still though. Age has helped!

Well, I didn’t intend to write a novella here. I just wanted to check in on everybody and let you know I’ve been thinking of you, I love you, and I pray for all of us every day and night. Hang in there! This too shall pass!