From my morning solitary letter tile crossword I draw these little poems, just for fun. We all need at least some little fun each day, and rituals that calm and take us into that inner well of quiet joy are life-giving. It will be fun to see what these little poems become. They shall be in any case; just as I will. Yes, these related words appeared in the puzzle from blind draws, none put back. All used.

That jitter of youth vies for position,

in the verdant dale,

in tents cast along the vein of gold.

Time jets across the earth and eyes

unable to hold the gaze

sense telomeres wear

to frazzled end.

Bright pavilions turn loden.

In this valley of Spring,

quo the oxen tires.

You are old
You have lived and let go
Allowing deadwood to fall away
As you sprout in fresh new directions
You shade the place I lie
Looking up at your elder branches
Your baby leaves
And all the lives ringing in your limbs
Winds have bent you
Storms broken you
But you live on
Strong from swaying
Rooted firm and sure
You shelter and teach me
Your student adores you
Grandfather Tree

 

Snow falling softly

Out the window a bird calls

Come to me my love

If to wake to love we need an other,
the awakened need no one.
So I stay just a little asleep,
to convince you
I need your kisses on my skin.

I chased my heart out of my chest and into the woods.

I hid her in the shadows of old growth trees,

beneath brambles enough to entangle rabbits.

I sat with my heart amid the leaves and vines,

holding her until fires died and birds went to nest

and coyote mothers called their pups to move

in the darkness. Undetected,

my heart and I were perfectly silent,

still as stone.

I learned to leave her there

nestled in the moss against a large oak

of many years my acquaintance.

And without intention, I walked out

and left her as she rested.

I decided to sit with my heart

in the woods again, forgetting

that I’d left her until I found her

there in that hidden spot.

I fell in love and wrapped her in my arms.

Placed her gently in my chest.

Reclaimed.

Sit with me

while the leaves fall

like laughter on our bodies

and our souls grow strong like the trees.