Tuesday, November 30, 2010

11/30

Again, I await the arrival of a friend
The arrival of a presence here. Not you, alas,
But nonetheless, good.

Tonight it is an old friend, reconnected joy,
Coming with the gift of compassion, wise and
Willing to listen.

Her being here, sharing this home, just a day
Or two is kindness that gives my heart respite,
A sweet perspective.

Monday, November 29, 2010

11/29

The horse I sit moves into the afternoon sun, grazing
Tall grass. A friend phones some business. I wait content
In warm light.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

11/28

In the morning sun light, our friends, (she is yours, too)
Embraced me and in the coolness of the bright fall day
Left for home.

Left me here in this home, a quiet place where I will learn
To rest, learn to wait, open to what may come, knowing
Friends will help.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

11/27

A year ago, a year ago I remember, Dear, how excited you were,
And I for you. I remember, every day, you. But your opening day deer?
Is not ready

11/26

An ordinary day, we woke, he brewed coffee, lunched,
She and I shopped, visited your museum, dined with friends,
An extraordinary day.

Friday, November 26, 2010

11/25

Why did I so feel the need to keep this tradition this year?
Why? We found it good to keep, rarely with many, but those few
Ever so dear.

In our souls, in our words, were you there, for the grace
Of our friends, I give thanks and it is true, we remember our loves
In our hearts

Thursday, November 25, 2010

11/24

Briefly this friend and I speak, of being here longer,
Once would never have thought of staying but now can
Allow the possibility.

Neighbors, stop by, the sun shines warmly, dogs play.
We all walk mown pastures, shoot clays over stubble fields,
Help one another.

Through a day of beauty we move together, friends
Accompanying friends through all manners of passes,
Supporting each other.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

11/23

Did clean and neaten our home for our friend and
You would ever so loved meeting his friend.
She is caring.

And for her good heart to come so far, leave her own,
Consent to travel with our friend, their kindness spent here,
I am thankful.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

11/22

Early rise to walk along a river park, to paint cool waters,
Warm colors, happy in the moment, friends near to share
A morning's beauty.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

11/21

Moving off into a quiet Sunday morning is special,
The roadways clear, easy, the day bright, sweet arriving
To friend's welcome.

A soft joy recognizing her home, admiring quiet spaces.
Hearing neighbors', shopping the mart, dining with friends,
Sleep deeply rested.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

11/20

So often am stuck floating aimlessly, just get through the day.
Lost in the middle of where? Here, nowhere, no longer does life skim
Heart to mind

With the ease of innocence, simplicity of aims. I do know now
time was sweeter. Now wits mired in mud, feet lost in fog, find
Trusting me hard.

Time is needed to wend the way, find the compassed cause
Able to hold a soul steady. Now, perhaps, must satisfy to just
Hold fear better.

Friday, November 19, 2010

11/19

I will not say this day was not good, but it was filled.
Took another widowed one to the opening, she talked,
We all laughed.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

11/18

Mark the time gone by, the evening warm enough to sit
Outside as the sun sets. A talisman of transition soothes
My lonely soul.

Mark the time, weeks no traveling done. Mark my own
Company can suffice, even preferred. If given in small steps
I am okay.

Mark the time, strive for the plausible, the hour, the day gained in
Increments of solace between the wide steppes. Too far forward
Looks too empty.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

11/17

Week ago sat in the station as friends played their blues show,
Watching the fine play possible between couples. Ours is gone,
Glad theirs isn't.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

11/16

In the midst of blues, of tentative steps approached,
Two events occur, and as so often happen, in their time,
Not really mine.

A friend calls talking of a spectrum wide of issues, says
My voice, I sound stronger, tells of those he loves, how to
Trash stuff, lol!

And I clean my palettes, set paints, bring up images stored
Since last winter, they have been frozen to my soul waiting,
Now to emerge.

Monday, November 15, 2010

11/15

Not a simple morning, telling someone who did not know. Came back,
Re-raked in a high snit. Remember, over a year since had one of those.
You would laugh.

But, you see, this chore was mine alone to do this year, next year
may be different, but the doing, the carrying out of this deed this time
Needed doing alone.

Needed only you for company, and the swirling, whirling flight
Of starlings, whose undulating flights delighted you that last morning.
This too, I remember.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

11/14

Awoke realizing that raking, for me, is reparations done
For missing you. Petty, I begrudge help given kindly. But, a
Little, I do.

Entered the day unsettled and unnerved, adrift.
In inches the day looms long, along with learning to live
Within my solitude.

Afternoon, a gift of riding good horses, of friendship,
While evening sets below the horizon in golden glazes
Faith feeds us.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

11/13

Shrouded these times ever in sorrow, though not
always apparent, have at times lamented the loss
Of a friendship.

Too soon, as these friends we knew come saying
Come over, or we are coming, however, all meaning
We are here.

11/12

The summer's travels gave space, a place not our home,
Time to learn of living without your physical presence.
Time to consider:

Can I possibly live here alone, not forever, but for time
Enough to let my mind settle? It is too isolated, too large,
Too much work.

Yet, so beautiful, room for home, studios, good neighbors.
There could be worse places for learning living alone, what I
Want for myself.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

11/11

We, we, we...we were. No longer.
No, no, no...no longer am I a we.
Only Linda alone.

Only now see well enough the beauty
Of We to know the worth yet in becoming
Only Linda alone.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

11/10

Bone-cold are the waters off Scusset Beach
But come not close to that given by last winter's
soul freezing chill.

Years ago Catherine and I sat that beach and she
Remarked: I've been widowed and I've been divorced,
Dead is better.

They are gone and can no longer hurt you.
Felt then, I understood but now? Now much more
I would ask.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

11/9

For friends who come by and do wish to be near,
For the flute's beautiful soaring sound, I give thanks
For hours so blessed.

Monday, November 8, 2010

11/8

Early up, prep a simple breakfast, pack an after-ride nosh.
They like the bread. Along the Atlantic, sea-sprayed, we ride
Into the wind.

Hope their time here was pleasing, but am full
For now, of others, however pleasant all their
Stories so different.

So evening again on your bench as the ruddy-red sun slips
Below the far treelines, below the energy of the day,
I wish rest.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

11/7

A friend calls, has sold two of my paintings.
The neighbors' guests arrive, settle in upstairs.
We ride horses.

Guests in this house, we all dance small courtesies,
Allowing time together to spiel smoothly. This is
A new endeavor.

Friday, November 5, 2010

11/5

It is getting colder, fine it is November
And ever did I like this time for being outside,
For golden hours.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

11/6

Ten months out on this strange sorrowed sea,
A journey which will raise new horizons but never
Our home port.

11/4

Friends call, while we talk, for that time
I am connected, their lives and mine entwine.
It feels good.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

11/3

What will this day bring?
Hours long and quiet, filled with
Small things done.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

11/2

Still in a place with little or no footing, still
Barely feeling a bit of toehold, a wisp of light,
A hint of path.

Monday, November 1, 2010

11/1

Upon your bench I sit, glass of wine in hand, writing,
Sad, wishing, glad for having your love, for having such
Sunsets before me.

Ah, setting suns we'd both exclaimed the beauty. Colors now dim,
An owl hoots, cat purrs, a duck quacks and I am so tired,
The glass empty.

Time to take the go-go's in and rest.
Tonight I am overwhelmed
Over my head.