This outer toughness
just conditioning
a baby alligator
that’s me
Raised in a swamp
Eat or be eaten!
family mantra, and
Deal with it!
I know it’s a lot
to take in
see the disbelief
in civilized eyes
Resistance to oppression
begets deeper wounds
Fear taught me well
Survival, they say, of the fittest.
(For Reena’s Xploration challenge: featured image is prompt.)
Life’s mountain
a rough climb
body fails to adjust
focused as we are
on destination
Sights a sepia blur
here approaching summit
scree presents new danger
I vote we pause awhile
appreciate our labour
breathe in colour for once.
(Art mine)
Snow drifts in blanketing waves
I’ve forgotten the colour of grass
We plow out paths, add salt
pretend it’s all manageable
Do not speak of risks
how slippery the route ahead
Soon, the thaw will come
temperatures rising, rain
We’ll slosh through the mud
disgruntled and weighed down
Projecting hope in the first sprouts
Spring bearing the promise of renewal.
(Linking up to my weekly challenge: waves. Image my own.)
Calm belies the storm
dis-ease spawning a flurry
fractured ideas
peppered with glints of hope –
with focus, I too sparkle.
(There have been many instances this week that have tested my grit.
I am learning to harness the good moments and hang on.
Linking up to my weekly challenge: I’m learning... Image my own.)
Ingredients for despair –
illness, COVID, loss –
all meted…
Never did follow recipes
I see only openings
potential for enrichment
how the lens has power
to ruminate or celebrate
(Art my own)
Gambled late in life –
one more spin on love’s wheel –
we got lucky
You’ll need protection,
ego said,
and led me down paths
soaked with yesterday’s tears-
annoyances nipping at progress
But I am strong-willed
better than that,
I said, choosing to follow
a different route
The roulette wheel spins
and here I sit, alone
counting my wins
No amount of bargaining
can alter current misfortune
Pray my husband
finds his way back.
(Image my own)
Lean into darkness
faith examining breadth
I will hold you, Love
fears imaginary, truth
luminous – let go and be.
(A prayerful tanka for my inner child.
Linking up with my weekly challenge: repercussions.
Image mine.)
Severe
bone
loss
One more challenge
already exhausted system
accommodating further testing
slow
climb
determination
(Written for my weekly challenge: threes. I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis last year, but due to other, more urgent health problems, treatment was put on hold. Reviewing the situation, my doctor referred me to a specialist, who said I have severe bone loss in my hip and am prime for a break. After a fight with third party insurance, I am finally on board to start a bone building drug. Ah, life! Image my own.)
Concrete is cold, imposing
does nothing for aesthetics
At least we’re protected,
I tell the littles, ignoring
Snot dripping, slime
oozing from unsealed
windowsills, cobwebs
and bits of shedding pink
It’s the best I can do:
four walls and a roof.
Except the ceiling
is bulging, mold and rot
certain to rain down on us
While upstairs, the man
ignores the leaks, luxuriates
in his abundance…Momma
Said marry a rich man,
you’ll be set for life,
but it’s dawning on me
there’s more to it than that.
(For Eugi’s Weekly prompt: dawning. Image mine)
Oil glistens
contaminates
drinking water
250 evacuated
25 years of
boil-water advisory
an elder recites
and now this
We’re not animals,
adolescents rally
but ears turn away
government wheels rust
Neskantaga First Nation
want to go home
to live with dignity
know their human rights
Do they know
a .05% increase
in corporate taxes
would suffice
For the 73%
of First Nations
also lacking
this basic need
Acknowledge
prioritize
address
It’s all they ask.
(Written for Reena’s Exploration Challenge #168. Image and information sourced from :
ctvnews.ca
and Government of Canada: https://canadians.org/fn-water)
One Woman's Quest 