Celebrations

Earthmother (for Heidi)

When I think of you, it is with thoughts of butterflies and flowers. I did not know their names until you told me, like a precious secret, like this knowledge was the only true wealth, and how lucky that we could be rich together. Perhaps I would not know to love the world from the roots up, as you do, without your quiet enthusiasm for everything that grows.
It might seem a perilous undertaking of the spirit, to see what beauty is still alive in this world of smoke, and speed, and fear, but as I question if there is hope for us in the times to come, I remember you in your garden, smiling, and showing us that hope is everywhere if you know where to look.

Secret Admirer

I probably won’t admit it in person, but I think you’re pretty great.

Other Worlds

We are not so far away from the world of giants and secrets and magic.

Shine

For everything you’ve done and everything you are, thank you. You are the light that shines.

Higher Path

There is a way up toward the better world we have seen in our dreams, but these stairs won’t build themselves.

Boundless

This is the
kind of love
that just keeps
going.

Natural Bond

Maybe it doesn’t
have to be
so serious.
Maybe we don’t
have to make a big deal
out of spending
the rest of our lives
together.

Real Magic

Life might be
a miracle,
but I never knew
magic
until I met you.

Walking Together

I am proud to see
the one you are,
and the one
you are becoming.
It is no small thing,
this chance I have
been given
to walk the road
beside you.

Dream Life

I don’t know
how to find the world
that lives in my dreams,
but in all of them
you are there,
so I think that
is the place to start.

Long Shot

What are the odds
that in the span of the infinite
galactic tangle of stars
and quasars and black holes,
somehow we found
each other?

Important

One summer our house burned down.
I stood on the curb crying and watching it burn,
and my mom put her arm around me and said,
At least we didn’t lose anything important.

Instinctual

I’m impressed by your creativity, I said.
What’s your secret?
She took a long drag on her cigarette and said,
Being a mom, you learn how to improvise.

Banana Bred

I will never understand
how you managed to deal with us
and not lose your bananas,
but I guess some people
are just meant to be moms.

Mom Strong

If only we could bottle
some of what you’ve got,
we could fix the world,
because there’s nothing else
like being
mom strong.

Welcome Party

If you find yourself wondering when it will be your time,
congratulations, your time has come.

Wolf Angel

this is a wolf angel & it eats the people it’s supposed to help. A wolf angel is not a good angel to have looking out for you.

Waiting to be Kissed

Every time I looked at the picture I thought how I should have kissed her, so finally I hid it in the attic & I wonder if it’s still there with us both so young & her waiting to be kissed.

Unheard Music

Don’t you hear it? she asked & I shook my head no & then she started to dance & suddenly there was music everywhere & it went on for a very long time & when I finally found words all I could say was thank you.

Underwear Parade

I think we should make all the flags in the parade out of long underwear, he said, because then only the really fun people will come.