DUTIFUL, OR FREAKING OUT, OR. . . .

Been dutiful, heroic.

Got a lot done.

Useful, at times.

Been frantic and fearful.

Was immobilized and unproductive.

Useful? Necessary, apparently.

Now holding preciousness of each moment,

Acknowledging "Of course!" factor.

Listening to inner voice.

Honoring wants and needs.

Simple, really, though not easy road 

Between there and here.

Ann Beth Blake

(c) February 8, 2014

GLUE GONE, HEAD CLEARING

Instead of stitches or staples,

Recent incision closed with glue,

Which remained for four months;

Now gone, leaving neat, narrow

Line where scalpel entered breast.

Previous incisions left keloid spans,

Wide reminders of several abdominal

Intrusions and removed cyst on arm.

Must be genetic: younger brother has

Similar mark from sitting down on 

Broken glass piggy bank, slipped from

My hands while he played in bathtub.

Also, from after-effects of radiation 

And from new meds, I guess, felt 

Slightly sedated; fiercely fatigued;

Dozily ditzy; one definitive degree 

Removed from alert; tiny pause

Prior to, "Oh, yeah, right, THAT!!"

Last Thursday, awoke to myself;

To real-time processing; to habits,

Reassuring and dependable, formed

By synapses quickly and efficiently

Closing, once again; to sighs of relief.

Two definitive signs of progress and healing,

Markers of moving forward and regrouping.

Winter eventually wanes, and Spring springs.

As much as possible, all is right with the world.

Ann Beth Blake

(c) February 6, 2014

MULTILAYERED MORN

Dawn saturates striated clouds

With Pacific-Northwest-salmon hue,

Mirrored in eastward-facing skyscrapers' windows.

Above western horizon,

La Luna hangs in ethereal silhouette,

Nearly hidden by almost-opaque overcast.

Suspended droplets of marine air

Blanket city with bone-chilling atmosphere,

Quieting combustion engines' usual cacophony.

Contrasting with muted weather pattern,

Ever-present blue and green jerseys of local football team

Broadcast upcoming crucial competition with orange and black 49ers.

Ann Beth Blake

(c) January 18, 2014

RESILIENT BALLOONS

Helium balloons given on last day of radiation;

Droopy at initial presentation, but perky two

Months later, lasting evidence of celebration.

This-Smile's-for-You sphere soon deflated;

Remaining four primary-colored star-shaped 

Orbs, jauntily aloft, reminder of ongoing support,

Of positive attitude and optimism, of healing,

Of energy, of resilience, of reality, of longevity.

Good investment, those balloons, Sissa and Toots!

Ann Beth Blake

(c) January 14, 2014

GRATIFYING FINDS

Persistent and active search yielded nothing. Yet during

End-of-year/beginning-of-new-year sorting and re-storaging, 

Surprisingly and delightfully came upon two missing partners and

Misplaced pair of meaningful and cherished ear lobe adornments.

Re-found pair and one recovered partner, designed and 

Lovingly hand-crafted by dear and artistically-creative friend.

Other recovered partner linked to 2007 trip on Norwegian cruise

At beginning step of heart-felt connections with Swedish kin.

Why largesse of more than one pair of earrings for two ears?

Pleasing and affordable symbols, memorable associations,

Souvenirs from special people or from specific experiences;

Final finishing flair for each ensemble's pattern and tone;

Exact matching of wardrobe's infinite shades of greens;

Range from daily mundane to sparkling celebratory bling.

Multi-faceted images and emotions activate while choosing 

Daily accessory: enjoyable, pleasing start to each new day.

Ann Beth Blake

(c) January 13, 2014

AFTER PARTY

Lone faceted-plastic beverage cup

On back corner of TV/stereo center

Cum holiday fireplace mantle.

Spontaneously-reproducing Christmas

Tree needles appear in middle of floor

And carpet, mocking clean-up effort.

Continuing to slowly regain order.

Afterglow of reflective mood continues:

Personalized poetry stanzas sent to guests;

Spontaneously-produced images of

Past, present, and future appear in

Mid-mind, augmenting reverie and review.

Continuing to slowly regain new order.

Ann b. Blake 

(c) January 6, 2014

REMARKABLE NON-REMARKABLE BIRTHDAY PARTY

Only 69, not half-way-between 

Or the start of a new decade,

Merely 69, the end of the 60s;

Gratefully present and active.

At home, comfortable, at ease;

Family and friends ebbed and flowed,

Talked and laughed, philosophized 

And poked good-natured fun.

Best of life personified in synchronistic

Perfect alchemy of people, timing, and 

Combinations: renewing and cultivating,

Already well-known or new to each other.

Some special ones missing for reasons of

Location, commitment to self- or other-care;

Connected through love and energy via

Phone calls, cards, and abiding knowledge.

Two days to prepare, two days to clean up.

Restful order, although partly due to stuffing

Excess in closets or sending forward to recycling.

Still finding Christmas tree needles?!?!

Phenomenal birth anniversary at very end of year,

Perfect date for conscious and intentional life.

Pause to celebrate individual life as well as

Collective life; another year passing and evolving.

At last, at 69, birth anniversary timing seems just right:

End of personal and calendar year offers opportunity 

To pause, reflect, assess, discern, course-correct, 

Embody, build and plan for Bucket List experiences.

Gathering of family and friends in person and in heart,

Just right and redemptive of past years' grumblings.

Full heart, full life, fortunate beyond measure;

Gratefully present, active, and looking forward.

Ann Beth Blake 

January 4, 2014