Category: Uncategorized

Is spring the time to change?

Wednesday, March 20th is the first day of spring. I am so ready for warmer weather, to not having to wear multiple layers of clothing, and for all the pretty flowers to appear. My birthday is in April so, admittedly, I have always loved spring in a sort of selfish way. But, like so many other folks, I take pleasure in waving goodbye to winter. 

Earlier this week, I was thinking about change and when it turns out to be anticipated and welcome versus shocking and unexpected. I have learned many times over the years that I do not always handle change well. I started to remember certain experiences in my life when change actually turned out to be welcome and unexpected. An experience I had at lunchtime came to mind. 

I was speaking to a woman I have known for quite some time. She had never been the slightest bit interesting to me and, honestly, I had found her to be a bit cold. The two of us began speaking casually about some nonsense. But, before I knew it, we found ourselves belly-laughing about a predicament she always finds herself in—like we hot messes tend to do! We must have chatted for 30 minutes. She might not know it, but her story should be part of some comedy routine; I found myself laughing about her flawless delivery all day. Anyway, we now have inside jokes and found out we both possess hopeless afflictions in life. We will chuckle when we run into each other. 

A lesson I have learned many times is that I am not the best at first impressions. I can be so sure about somebody or something only to realize I am totally wrong. After trying to determine which type of change being wrong is to me, I was certain it is welcome and unexpected. 

Spring is coming. We know this to be true. Many of us are anxiously waiting to greet the new season with open arms. I am going to try to be optimistic about all of what I can’t foresee. Who knows? Maybe a bouquet of surprises has bloomed and is waiting around the corner. Springtime might be the right time to allow changes to be flowers.

Z

Suddenly Light

Suddenly Light

Lights had gone out
once again
It was dark long enough
for me to forget warmth
The idea of brightness
was nowhere to be seen
Until today
I held a random match
I found
Instinctively, I scraped 
its head across a surface
Suddenly light!
I could begin
to remember

Z

The Smile I Found

The Smile I Found

A smile came to me 
on the other side of the trees
after I flew over the stony wall
today, in a daydream
Thank you, dear pilot
for taking me in your helicopter
to meet a special tour guide
I thought I always knew

We walked about and explored
the colors I’d never seen
until the pilot shouted
C’mon, we must leave
I looked back, as I ran—
so scared I wouldn’t remember
the details of my tour guide’s face
Then, I received an indelible smile
to carry away from my new favorite place

Both my last blog post called Puddle of Gold and today’s came from weird, awesome dreams I have been having. I love when I manage to remember and, hopefully, write down my dreams. Like the face of the tour guide, I often find many details of my dreams to be a bit blurry, but not all of them. Also, I was thinking about the difficulty I can have remembering the face of I person I find intriguing, not long after we have met. I am going to keep trying to remember my dreams.

Z

Puddle of Gold

IMG_6317

Puddle of Gold

Have you ever reached a goal
you went after turn out
to be treasure you just couldn’t hold?
The mountain of happiness
you were waiting for Victory to bring
was the gift you never received

Solid dreams drip down fingers
of the hands of those who can’t handle
a temperature of 1945 degrees
You’ll look down and you’ll see
an unexpected defeat:
a 24-karat puddle of gold
right in front of your feet


Z

 

A Friend Creates


An hour ago, I finished reading my friend’s first novel. The time I took to finish was, admittedly, way too long. But, I was determined to read only when I could give my full attention. Falling into the creative work of a friend is something incredibly delicate and special. 

The characters, storytelling, and page-turning quality were present the entire time; I would have found the statement to be true even if I did not know the author. I finished completely pleased with the way everything turned out. However, I really wanted to know what was to come. I imagine my reaction is a goal of any novelist. I immediately contacted my friend and shared my thoughts and feelings. 

I started thinking about how proud I am when a person I know creates something beautiful. These days (and really every day), supporting the people around us who are creating and expressing themselves is beyond necessary. Whether or not thousands of people ever get to read my brother’s essay, see my neighbor’s drawing, or hear my Grandma’s song she learned to play on the keyboard last week is far less important than the support we give each other—at the end of the day.

Perhaps I am being sentimental. But, I will always appreciate the time and energy an artist I know has put into a project. Love is probably the best word.

Z