Multitudes encourage a smile

yet, when isolated,

slashes of words

may cut long past the umbilical chord…….

Primeval surges reach back and tug

as devils are rampant and

thwart my hugs..

I hit my knees..cry out to God…  tears reach my ancestral tree

Skeletons long ashed, gather, reform, transform to bees.

Gathered clusters of colonies

Attack wintery evil ice

wolves clothed as lambs

pretend to be nice..

This time my child will not be the sacrificial link

of this demonic disharmony

Release hold of my blood

Bees conquer and it ain’t even Spring!

Fortitude solidifies the temple

When blood bleeds,

Fear dissipates

Majestic thrones

Invisibly crown

The weakened one, now strong…

And bring her back home.

(*A special thanks to apronsandappetites)

that winks

inspires me to exercise my inks….links…….

An

impromptu stroll on my bike in spite of winter’s ice

connects me to colleague mushroom gatherers

we share a giggle, a guffaw, a hike….

Sun shines,

God smiles,

We are divine, sublime, and get better with time.

This is a nice sink!

WEH in German means “hurt”…and ZAHNARZT means “dentist”….. ..OUCH!!

As spices of equality.

Because of him, I saw the door of possibility open much wider than a crack.

Because of him, I realized that black and white could mesh together

if the naysayers would give some slack.

Because of him,

I attained my B.A. and M.A.(Performing Arts/Dance)

Because of him I understood education is the way.

Because of him

I cut through procrastination

and when I would fall, I would get right back up.

Because of him, I came to understand that preparation is more important than luck.

Thank you, Dr. Martin Luther King

for the inspiration and legacy

and for this accomplishment song I sing.

Though freezing, we focus on the heat while we sit by the fire…

Remember that “cold burn” rush of the slap in grade school from the one who called you a liar?

The pressure “cold burn” rush to the brain

‘cos’  you sipped the icee, or milkshake too fast

You grab your temple area, pray the pain won’t last.

When the receptionist/store clerk decides to take a break

or freshen her lipstick as you approach,

You breathe deep, put on the armor of God,

and convince yourself that she probably needs

a jealous management coach.

Or a complete stranger(again, a female) walks directly in your path

because she wants you to move,

The Holy Spirit kicks in and the words utter from your mouth in kindness,

“Hello, m’aam, don’t I know you?”"( She, embarrassed, moves)

Cold….burn

Inside, though pained, you revel in the glow of the sun,

Realize it will soon be your turn

‘Cos you are always in the hands of the Holy One.

Reflect on the challenges, remember to fast,

And hold on to God’s words

The first shall be last.

Chicch:  “Mildred, This is how you make fava beans.”

Mildred: ”Chicch, This is how you make pinto beans and cornbread. Come, let me play Amazing Grace for you on the piano upstairs…If you act right, I might let you hear me sing.”

Chicch: ”Mill, “Would you like to sip this Apulian wine?”

Mill:  “Chicch, Would you like a bit of this Indian Red chewing tobacco?”

Then, the two of them would have taken a slow gait with their canes to the front porch, plopped down on the swing, and glintingly absorbed the sunset.

Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!

Würth Austellung Krippen aus aller Welt, Arlesheim, Switzerland

Würth Art Gallery  Cribs from around the World, Arlesheim, Switzerland  Ulfert-Buchholz Collection