Cereus Joys of Caretaking

Cereus Joys of Caretaking

 
 
From the prickly situation
delicate bursts of gentle
beauty  like love’s sweet
whisper emerges
in night’s darkness
 
From the bristly service
everyday full of tasks
fraught with jabbing
thorns of duty and grief 
born of love’s responsibility
 
In the still hours gloom
past twilight’s settling
tired hands tremble
as the heart of the matter
calls forth beauty
 
Love blooms once more
aching comfort in 
a hushed moments rest
 
___________________
 
The delicate cereus cactus blooms burst forth in the night. Being the caretaker for a declining family member has it’s moments. —Dena

 

Sequoia Dreamtime

Sequoia Dreamtime

 
 
 
 
Ancient massive trunks 
towering up to the sky
In your own dreamtime
of centuries passing
 
While temporal flashes 
of color and movement
from noisy two-leggeds 
and skittering chipmunks 
circulate around your roots
And ravens wing through the air overhead
 
I smell the subtle incense of your bark
as it glows reddish gold 
in the afternoon sunlight
And gaze up at all the unspoken mysteries
I will never know
 
May your roots be
ever wild and free, grandfathers,
as you reach for the stars of the cosmos…
 
–Marshal McKitrick
Image – Dena McKitrick
Congregation of Finches

Congregation of Finches

 
 
Congregation of golden finches
perched in treetops
 
Singing full throated praises
to all that is Life
 
Individually, yet together
no special ritual needed
 
– Marshal Mckitrick

 

Garden Lady

Garden Lady

 
 
 
Early Spring morning
Sunlight and fresh air
wafting through open window
 
Someone walking 
through the leaves
of last Fall
 
There stands Garden Lady
with two fists full
of bundled brown
 
Empowered joy
shining on her face
Barefoot on the Earth
and grounded
 
Hail, Spring!
 
 
–Marshal McKitrick

No Questions

Two black butterflies
flitting about the treetops
Early Spring blue sky
 
Standing in the sun
Grateful to be alive
No questions needed
 
In the moment
Nothing else is important
Just breathing and experiencing
 
Thank you, Creator…
 
Marshal McKitrick