Category Archives: poetry
Sail on, my Captain
Sixteen years ago I wrote the following lighthearted poem in honor of my husband Roger and two friends, Roger and Mike, who raced our sailboat in the 1998 National Catalina Race held in Westbrook, Connecticut. They took first for the tall rig division in all three races. Yes, readers, the sailboat’s name was Sloopy, the inspiration for the fictional 36 foot sloop that Liz and Garret live aboard in Murder in Mystic, Murder in Newport and Two Headed Snake of Key West. Our Sloopy was fast and my husband could make a mighty Margarita.
I am sharing this with you in memory of my husband, who passed away on July 1, 2014. Sail on, my captain.
The pressure was on
To win a glass cup
Each silently prayed
He wouldn’t screw up
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The guy thing, you know
Machismo, at best
The challenge would come
They’d be put to the test
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The good Lord was laughing
As they hoisted the main.
These three would need blessings,
And more, it was plain
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Wine made from water
Was easy for sure,
But Roger, Mike, Roger
Three races endure?
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The task was immense
But these were nice guys
He raised His arms up
And Sloopy did rise.
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She raced to the finish
Three bullets to boot
Miracles do happen.
There’s proof in the loot.
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The lesson each learned,
To celebrate life
Believe in oneself
Be good to your wife.
Surviving Loss
Stand tall to do it all
Accepting help with grace
The sense of loss will fade
The healing’s not a race
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Reach out to those in need
Give all that you can spare
Your heart will fill with love
While showing that you care
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Be good to you! Sing! Dance!
In time the joy returns
Your world will right itself
As everyone learns
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Enjoy each day with thanks
A gift is what it’s called
From up above it comes
Stand tall to do it all
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Ever Changing Landscape
Dots along the landscape
Fade to oblivion
Here today
Gone tomorrow
My world in constant flux
Bid adieu to loved ones
Open heart
Receive new friends
Ever changing landscape
Leaves holes within my heart
Never filled
But marching on
Moments Slip Away
Sunrise, sunset
Breathe in, breathe out
Toil until day’s done
Moments slip away
Sunrise, sunset
Breathe in, breathe out
Days, years, decades gone
Begging them to stay
Sunrise, sunset
Breathe in, breathe out
Time stops for no one
Balance life with play
Memories Live Forever
As the moments slip away
The landscape forever changes
I hold onto treasured memories
Those of days gone by
The best is yet to come
My life’s love would say
But the scales have now tipped
Things go the other way
Memories are what I have
Good, bad and ugly
But they are mine
‘Til the end of my time
I wish I knew then
What I now know
Unnecessary time wasted
Exaggerated insignificance
Take heart, dear friend
Make light of the unimportant
For life is too short
Memories live forever
Quiet Place
Retreating to my quiet place
To heal, to rest, restore
Retreating to my special space
Where pain can live no more
Where flowers bloom and birdies sing
No worries can befall.
There’s joyous music. I am king
My kingdom excludes all
My special place is mine, sweet dove
A spot to be alone
A place of peace to feel God’s love
No TV, text or phone
Retreated to my quiet place
To heal, to rest, restore
Retreated to my special space
I’m back, refreshed for more
Not My Time
Hollowed eyes, hairless heads
Fight the demon, Cancer
Shocked lives turned upside down
Reach out to find a cure
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Why you ask, endure it,
Treatment that can kill?
Because it’s not my time
To leave the ones I love
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Time, a gift, is precious
Time to spend with you
Time to finish lessons
Time to save my soul
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Earthly angels help us
Guides in whites and scrubs
Heal mind, soul and body
From early morn to dark
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The hollowed eye brigade
With lion hearts persist
To wage a war for health
Because it’s not our time.
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Ten Fingers, Ten Toes
Ten little fingers, ten tiny toes
Delicate lashes, two eyelids closed
Bundle wrapped tightly, snuggled to Mom
God’s gift, a wonder, miracle born
A soul enters Earth, parents to guide
Journey, learning, a lifetime of growth
Mother obsessing, teaching with love
Babe grabs her heart, never to part
Adulthood arrives, a man departs
With roots and wings gifted from home
Fly away, son, and make your own way
You know that I love you forever
Ten little fingers, ten tiny toes
Delicate lashes, two eyelids closed
Bundle wrapped tightly, snuggled to me
Thanks for two gifts, for I am called MOM
Comfort Zone
Living in my comfort zone
Never reaching out
Circle getting ever small
‘Til it chokes my heart
Gasping, struggling to fight fear
Ego stomps me down
Lifting eyes to brighter light
Trying something new
Inner spirit give me strength
Push the circle wide
View the world with freshened eyes
Cause my soul to dance
Living in my comfort zone
Never more shall be
Chasing all I dare to dream
Trusting wisdom deep
Easter Past
Below is a blog I wrote last year. It touches my heart because it reminds me of Happy Easters long ago. I want to share it again.
Easter Past
Early Spring dew blankets the sleepy landscape
Tires crunch gravel in pursuit of Easter treasure
Wide eyed children scan for plastic colored eggs
Four to compete
Grandpa waits with bags in hand
Money filled eggs hidden high and low
Three boys and a girl will run the race
Four to compete
Ham in the oven kielbasa in the pot
Hot cross buns in the warmer
Tantalizing breakfast smells tease hungry athletes
Four to compete
Tension builds as we all assemble
No peeking, not fair scold the parents
A nonchalant glance, who’d notice
Four to compete
It’s time. The bags are passed
Three boys and a girl race through the yard
Snatching pink, blue, green and yellow
“Til they complete
The four dump their bags on the living room floor
Tear open the eggs to count their reward
Two tallies to take- most eggs and most money
More to compete
Starved from the contest, gastric juices flow
The sumptuous bounty spread on the dining room table
Ten crack eggs for a winner, eat what we lose
Hunger full-filled
The children are grown, gone to carve out their destinies
Grandpa and Grandma moved to angel’s realm
Parents remain to eat ham and crack eggs
Four to compete
Marilyn Dalla Valle 