Remember…

How do the years pass so quickly? 
How does the love never fly?
How do we keep on going,
Whenever a loved one dies?

The love is a blessing,
I thank God for it all my days,
It’s wonderful to have it still,
Even after loved ones part ways.

When we all get to heaven,
It will be a great reunion,
We’ll hug, kiss, laugh and cry,
A regular feast of communion.

Until that day, though,
We’ll hold fast our love,
We’ll remember our loved ones,
Living long up above.

We’ll hug, kiss, laugh and cry,
The loves we make down here,
Until the day that we die.

Elaine Wood-Lane

11/24/16

Election Day in the U.S.A.!

What day is this,
that all are nervous,
speaking in shouts,
or tones hushed and querulous?

Why do people so much
wish for tomorrow,
anticipating great joy,
or dreading such sorrow?

The truth is we’ve had many
such election days,
when people were nervous,
fearing the worst,
yet never, so far,
have we become eternally cursed.

In spite of the fears,
we’ve endured on,
we’ve made it through wars,
depressions and worse.

Why fret so today,
we’re going to be okay,
because, people, we live
in the grand U.S.A.!

Elaine Wood Lane sharing her little two cents worth. Hang in there people! We’re going to be fine if you just keep calm, hang your hopes on God and not man, and keep on keeping on!  Spread the joy, spread the love!  

Enjoying the moment with joy!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Somewhere, over the rainbow,

on the other side of the wall,

days are bright and sunny,

no matter winter, spring,

summer or fall.

If my clothes could talk

at the end of the day, 

they’d tell of the rainbows

I saw today.

Some rainbows I noticed,

Others I passed right by,

because I was too busy

feeling serious with a sigh.

There are rainbows nearby,

not on the other side of a wall,

but right in front of our eyes,

if we’ll simply slow down and

look up, whenever the bright colors call.

©D. Elaine Wood-Lane

11/3/16

Let’s not be so serious and worried about the news, the election, the environment and ourselves that we miss the bright, colorful moments hitting us right between the eyes. I’m not advocating irresponsibility or not caring about the world we live in, but let’s remember that it is important to take the beautiful moments seriously too. Here’s a scene I saw thousands of times while I lived the first 45 years of my life in the southern panhandle of Texas. I took these scenes for granted because they were so common. I live at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado now, which are also beautiful and easy to take for granted. When I saw this photo below, however, this is the scene that made my heart ache and my eyes mist because this beauty is part of my soul.

Between a Doze and a Daydream

I came out to my studio to write this afternoon. I started off writing a quadrille poem (44 words long) that would include the word spark or sparkle for dVerse Poetry’s weekly quadrille challenge. I wrote as the breeze wafted through my open door and the sun slowly shifted to highlight the artwork on the wall opposite me. The air was not too hot and not too cold, but just exactly perfect. Missy Cat came inside and found a comfy place to snooze and suddenly I realized I had been staring off into space, halfway caught between a doze and a daydream. What a perfect afternoon and a perfect feeling of peace. I realized I was more relaxed than I’ve been in ages. Did I get a lot of writing done? No. Did I get a lot of plotting and planning done for the 50,000 word novel I’m writing for NaNoWriMo? I have to say I did. Isn’t it amazing how much one can accomplish when we simply take the time to get halfway caught between a doze and a daydream? Happy Monday everybody!    Elaine

My daydream wall…

Missy Cat’s place to doze…

Magnificent Poetry & Prose


I was all set to write magnificent prose,

I have the day off,

It’s blustery and pure,

And I was feeling writerly,

Of that I was sure.

When what to my wandering eyes

Did I find?

No way to get in! 

The lock was unkind!

I tried and I tried,

I jiggled and pulled,

I said kind words,

I cursed a bit too.

So back in the usual

World of my house,

I’ll write what I can,

Quiet as a mouse.
Yes, it’s a frustrating thing when you’ve cleared time and space in your day to write in your special place and then, you can’t get in!  Ah well, we’ll get it sorted out sooner or later.  No worries!  If that’s the biggest problem I have to day, I’ll say thank you and call it good.  

It’s a blustery day here in the 80909!  Windy, dry and chilly.  I love autumn!!!  Have a wonderful day! 

Doris (Dee Dory) Elaine Wood-Lane.  (And that’s just a few of my names. You can call me anything you like, as long as it’s nice!)

I’m Coming Back–I Promise!

Sorry I haven’t been writing much here lately folks, but I promise I’ll be back!  
It’s been one of those months where either the mind is full of brilliant ideas, but the body doesn’t have the energy to take dictation;

or

the body is full of energy, but the mind is totally blank. 

Ever have one of those periods in your life?

I feel the two parts coming back together, however, so, please stand by!  

Love and blessings,

D. Elaine Wood-Lane

10/5/16

Joy

My eyes view beauty through tears.

Yet my heart is joyful.

Golden leaves peek through.

D. Elaine Wood-Lane 9/11/16

My past week has been full of everything you can imagine. In the midst of it, I attended the memorial service for a very young poet friend who was so talented it blew me away. At the service, the same words were repeated so often about this young man: “Blake was so calm, quiet, and wise.” The memorial service itself was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever attended. Family and friends spoke about him and most of them read one of his poems after they spoke. It was a gathering of love, sorrow and even joy for having known such a remarkable young man. As I walked out of Shove Chapel at Colorado College, my eyes full of tears and my heart aching with loss, I looked up at this view and it took my breath away. It’s a perfect visual representation of what lay in my heart. Yes, there is darkness, sometimes seemingly overwhelming in our lives, yet if we have God with us, we also have glimpses of golden joy. Underneath the photo below is a daily devotional from a daily meditation book I read. It so perfectly expresses my underlying joy that I had to share it. The book in question is called, “Be Still And Know,” and was compiled and edited by Michelle Winger.

 

image1

 

Do no grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

Joy is not necessarily happiness. Happiness is dependent on circumstances; joy is not. Happiness is fleeting; joy is constant. Happiness disappears when trials come; joy grows through troubles. Good times bring happiness and laughter; difficulties bring sorrow and grief, but joy resides beneath.

Joy is not an emotion that can be fabricated or faked. It is a deep-seated sense that all things are well because God is in charge. Joy is expressed in praise, song, laughter, a peaceful countenance, a light in the eyes, or a serenity that belies any adversity. It is the substance of the soul that holds us together as we trust in God, who does all things well. Jesus wants our joy to be full!

Thank you, Jesus, for the joy that gives me strength. I choose today to fill my mind with truth, to think about those things that are praiseworthy, and to trust you fully. With a thankful heart, I choose joy!

Quadrille #15 for dVerse Poets – A Son Leaves

We are laughing,
in the last moments
together before
you begin your new life,
in a new city.

You are taking
part of me with you.

At the door, you grab me
into a fierce hug,
then you say goodbye,
and leave.

I cry.

© D. Elaine Wood-Lane

8/30/16

Here’s how to Q44 with us at https://dversepoets.com/2016/08/29/quadrille-15/

Write a poem on your blog in exactly 44 words (excluding title) where at least one of the words is leaves, and link your poem back to dVerse. Visit and get inspired by the other poets. Have fun and remember to come back throughout the week to check out if there are any new entries. We will select one of the poems to be included in our upcoming anthology, and if you are selected we will contact you to get your acceptance.

Unexpected Wisdom From A Meme Producer

You know those tests and quizzes that run amok on Facebook? The latest is one that generates your “life motto” along with a copy of your profile picture. Well, this was mine today. I have to say, I like it and agree with it. Often we believe we have our life path all plotted out and all will go as planned. That has definitely not been the way of my life. My path truly has emerged as I’ve walked upon it and, although there are parts of the path I would not have chosen for myself, it has all lead to where I am today. I like where I am today. So, I will continue to walk the path and see where it leads next. I can hardly wait to see what adventures arise!

Happy Friday!

Elaine