Grandpa's Lap

I go back to my grandfather's lap
place of security, serenity
warmth
vibrating with assonance
vowels
sounds
the alliteration of consonants
hitting his lips
his beard bouncing
tickling my neck

this is where my writing begins
every time when I find that authentic voice
buried deep inside daily concerns
constantly interrupted with the needs of the many
outside of pancakes and diaper changes
outside of due dates and tests

inside that carves space-
hearing his heartbeat
through his sweater
connected with poetry
that space is my well

I go back to my grandfather's lap
to find my voice

The seas are boiling

Large methane leaks in the arctic sea .... cause so much gas to rise to the surface that the seas look like they are boiling. https://desdemonadespair.net/2019/10/russian-scientists-find-giant-methane-fountains-in-arctic-ocean-this-is-the-most-powerful-seep-i-have-ever-been-able-to-observe.html

Naturally, it is hidden deep in the news.

A plague of locus hits Texas- (don't have the link to that right now)

What will it be like when the seas turn to blood? Will Nestle continue to bottle it?

we wait

We are staying up late,
waiting for that cool of the night to make it possible for us to sleep
But it doesn't come
It is September
and the cool doesn't come

air thick
humid
a blanket smothering our desire to act

we want to breathe
to move
to hear the birds and crickets chirp

but it doesn't come

we wait

will next week reach the promised lows?

or do I pull out my summer clothes once more

When I am a Grandma

When I am a grandma

I will set out cut glass candy dishes
filled with black licorice
and red hot cinnamon gummy bears
when my grandson asks
if he should put it in the fridge
I'll say "Of course dear,
that's what you do with hot things."

I will make sure I have gum in my purse
so all my grandkids can have a piece
when they get it stuck to their hands
I'll tell them to use a paper napkin to get it off
and laugh at the ensuing hilarity

I will dress differently from everyone else they know
I will show up at school events in houses dresses
with an apron on- bringing fresh-baked goodies

I will give the best hugs
and the best Christmas gifts

because I will the present

Great Pomp

With great pomp
High on their horses of sin
Arrayed in splendors
Of the world- they enter in

Eyes that squint
Ears full of their own wisdom
cannot see hands reaching out
cannot hear the pleas of the kids
     they've locked away
Their hearts beat for money
doesn't break for the ache
     their policies cause

No tears to waste
Not worth the gold

Everyday Joy

Every day there is joy

Sitting on my lap

Snuggling into my breasts

Asking for pushes on swings

Giggles

Alphabets

Car keys

Gas money

College tuition

Holding the hand of Superman

Walking to grandma’s

Playing games together

Sitting side by side

Each absorbed in our own devices

just to be near

To be with family

Is a joy

Stories for our Grandkids?

I helped load a moving truck on Thursday. We thought it was hot enough then. Today we helped unload a completely different moving truck- but today it was sweltering. Part of this moving things around was setting up a king size bed in a garage. And I was joking about the stories my kids could tell their grandkids about the day it was sooo hot, that we had to set up a bed in the garage.

But then I realized that that story would pale without our kids and grandkids will experience. Maybe the garage will melt? Or get covered by feet of hail?

News of the day "Alice and Wonderland on Steroids."
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-48821306?fbclid=IwAR1ByexxK-0QtwpE3_7vssPVyljjGF1gKaeN5GGgVPZoEWP1v2Nonzjyk1U

https://returntonow.net/2019/05/14/koala-bears-are-now-functionally-extinct/?fbclid=IwAR3AJrk_Ur0ZsGAuu-LVXGFyijv91maGoM8HFc2K37jcBtjmJyV2gYbpJBI