Summer’s green noises
Early morning birds chirping
Oak tree leaves rustling
Haiku: Natural Music
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Passages
Summertime six years ago
I settled in this space
Unpacked and put my memories
On walls and table tops
In places I found evidence
Of occupant who came before
Tiny holes in closet door
Suggest a place to hang his ties
Apartment life is transitory
I put roots down none the less
Created my new home.
These past six years began a tale
Chapters of unexpected change
So many things I used to do
No longer are within my reach
My apartment is the same
It is I who have a different view
I will re-member cherished gifts
Grieve and lay them to the side
Look out the window at the tree
Watch pink clouds at early dawn
Embrace anew life’s mystery.
The Art of Wheelchairing
Finally in 2015 I gave in and ordered a wheelchair for a trip to Mexico to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I considered it would be useful getting me through Customs. That was the beginning of my shaping a new world view from the sitting-point of a wheelchair.
The first leg of my flight took me to Chicago. But Chicago was having “weather” and I never got there. Instead I spent the day in the Cleveland airport parked in my wheelchair near other wheelchair occupants. My first lesson was that not only elder folk use them. A youngish woman who had injured her leg in a motorcycle accident sat beside me. When she wanted to buy food she loaded her carry-on bag in the chair and pushed off. At lunch time I followed suit feeling only a little self-conscious. My new journey began. Not only is a wheelchair good as a conveyance for carrying luggage and making small trips to find food, but also it is quite comfortable. The arms and foot rests are a cut above the usual seating in the gate area. I discovered the wheelchairs in the Houston airport, where I ended up after Chicago closed down, even have cup holders.
Last weekend I flew to Minneapolis to visit my son and his family. There were delays going and coming back home that left me to settle into my compact wheelchair world. I noticed in the concourse that people were using wheelchairs to push large luggage and small children. Wheels have always been a radical part of moving civilization forward. When I pushed my wheelchair to the Women’s restroom I was having trouble getting my chair into a stall that had a Handicap sign on it but had room only for a person. A kind young mother accompanied by her child in a stroller tried to help me. I confessed that I was not very good at navigating. She replied that I was doing great and she could never do as well. I thought to myself that she had already learned the basic lessons from pushing her children around and just didn’t realize it.
Engaging New World Yet Again
Sixty-four years ago I first commenced
Marched to regal music Pomp and Circumstance
Received high school diploma, adjusted my tassel
And was graduated. The beginning.
Four more years later another time
Marched outdoors on campus
Without Pomp and Circumstance
Received college diploma.
Life became serious.
Brought me independence and marriage
Motherhood of three babies. No diplomas or music
Recognition or sleep.
Years in the middle
Marched to my own drum beat
Weathered whatever my life set before me
Found goodness in living.
Long rich years have passed
I sense a commencement.
My body is slowing
While fine new gifts flourish.
If there is marching I’ll get out my cane
Wear purple and celebrate all that I’ve learned
Applauding the music of birds and the rain.
I don’t need a diploma.
Wings
Once I flew on shiny wings of steel
Wings that bore me far away
To continents and countries new
To places where my heart was intertwined
With people and a life I learned to treasure dear.
Today I fold those steely wings and rest
My tired body bids farewell to travel days
Gently lifting new wings bear me home
To see beauty in the life that welcomes me
And joy in my beloved family.
Spring came the week I was away
Green leaves and flowers everywhere
Sound of birdsong in the early morn
Mind and my imagining are free to roam
Precious new wings expand my universe.
Metamorphosis
I’m back after a good week in Mexico with my sister and brother-in-law, who are delightful traveling companions. The resort was all I thought, another home for me. And I realize it is time to say goodbye. Being there occasioned an existential experience which was a surprise. I’m truly one of the oldest generation. I’m OK with that. When my energy is restored I want to write about it. For now I am grateful to be home, period.
Home Away From Home
Tomorrow I say goodbye to Cleveland and set off for my trip to Mexico. For the past twenty years I have made the same journey. I will remember when I drive through the gates that this place is a special home to me for a week – as much home as my apartment. In the morning I will wake up and sit on my balcony to drink coffee and listen to the birds as daybreak comes. My mind pictures every place and every thing I will encounter there. And I know that after a glorious week I will be ready to return home, until next time.
I say goodbye for now to you, my blog friends. Hasta la vista.
Time Traveling
Abundant memories like post cards in a drawer
Souvenirs remind me of once-upon-times
Bewildering exhausting thoughts swirling around me
Leave me truly feeling that I’m lost in space
I’m packing my suitcase to travel to Mexico
Yet one more time after twenty good years
The flight a challenge to my flagging energy
Can I pull it off once again?
New wrinkle this time – I don’t go alone.
A call from my brother-in-law
Asking me about laundry
Put things in perspective
Later that day walking home from the grocery
Mundane moment the sort that is suitable
For mulling and musing and hoping for answers
Then voila! one arrived when I opened my door.
I breathed in bright energy from the present moment
The space I inhabit is filled with Now.
This is my anchor, the place where I start from
Who knows when or where I will fly?
