family – penned in moon dust

Broken Not Forgotten #pain #poetry #photography

November 5, 2021January 15, 2021 by moondustwriter, posted in orphans, Photography, Poetry

I couldn’t pull away today

your pain a wound made fresh

why not tear my flesh away

heart a tear stained mess

you tore the sinews of my heart

its that way for her too

my children look with longing eyes

brown eyes are turning blue

I couldn’t pull my heart away

your pain is an old tune

he tore at your flesh today

child needs food at noon

we pull together from the shards

women torn by love again

burden of a life so hard

because we trust in man

I couldn’t pull away today

I saw the break was fresh

put my hanky on your heart

well help you in this mess

turn toward a brand new day

for children you must stand

God will take care of you

He will always hold your hand

Women and children can easily be broken by relationships.

God promises that he will never leave us and He will never forsake us.

Put you hand in His. He shoulders the burdens of the downcast

Always

faithful

Lens of Yesterdays #poetry #memories

December 19, 2019December 19, 2019 by moondustwriter, posted in Christmas, haibun, history, Photography, Poetry

“Who is that?” My daughter asks as she filters through 100 year old snapshots.

“I never heard their story. I was only a child when I looked at these photos last.”

“Which side of the family are they from?” She looks for any family likenesses.

“They look like dad’s family. I’m glad these didn’t get thrown away.”

“Who is this?”

“I think it’s my great-grandfather. I don’t know much about him. I think he was a grocer. That’s your grandfather when he was a little boy and this is your great-grandmother. I think you look the most like her.”

My daughter squints her eyes to see some resemblance.

My family and their past is in a black and white capsule. Much of what remains is in a shoe box. The family farm is gone and all the antiques burned up in a fire several years ago. I want to carry forth their past but there is so little that I know.

***

Box of sepia prints

few faces recognized

memories lost

little hands

smile covered with icing

I still hear that voice

brush away tears

people long gone

puddle in kodachrome

One of things that we do with family is look at old family photos. There are so many dialogues. One thing is a constant we continue to make memories even as we look at the past.

Enjoy the memory making with family!!

Can’t Afford My Memories #poetry #photography

December 8, 2018 by moondustwriter, posted in Photography, Poetry

I drove by grandma and grandpas place

so many changes hard to trace

a little girl where flowers bloom

eating ice cream by the light of the moon

music played all the seasons

I loved Rudolph for many reasons

love there didn’t need yeast

family gathered for every feast

today the house I cant afford

rich with memory’s golden cord

Responding to the prompt Afford at The House of Bailey

Time Passing #poetry #writing #photography

June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 by moondustwriter, posted in Photography, Poetry, poets united

The next generation buzzed about

one pre-adolescent squawked off-key

trying their hand at being grown up

our children even in sorrow bring us glee

stories of when they were young

little gazes adoration filled

I miss little hands in mine

I still hear a faint giggle

we are here to honor our father

how many gatherings did he watch

things will never be the same

the family’s protective hawk

we share laughter and tears

they fledge and time passes

parents impotent to protect

the merry go rounds go faster

we sit thinking of the past

telling stories of when they were young

look behind one brief moment

his shadow all alone

I wish you knew him

broken people held in rough hands

maintained order

Poets United Midweek Motif is “Parenting.” We just spent the past weekend celebrating the rich life of my father-in-law who spent his life serving in international disaster relief. We knew many of the stories still it was good to hear that he was loved and respected no matter where he went. We had lots of time for reflecting on the past and parenting as the children circled our chairs.

The Journey Makes All the Difference #photochallenge

May 29, 2015May 29, 2015 by moondustwriter, posted in nature, Photography, photography challenge, Poetry

Always another bend in the road

before we reach those we love

always another step to take

before were are home

always another hill to climb

before we are here and safe

The Daily Post Photochallenge for this week is On The Way. What journeys do you experience on the way?

Time Passage #poetry

May 6, 2015May 7, 2015 by moondustwriter, posted in art, Haiku, nature, Photography, Poetry, poets united

wright bro memorial — Wright Brother Memorial

I stood on the edge of the universe

stars within my grasp

reach for them I did

I never thought to ask

nudging my fingertips

a velvety lamb’s ear

in an old forgotten grotto

nature knows she is here

In the expanse of a gallery

the paint is still fresh

though the paintings are old

where I had my first test

hand-picked stone lined path

each flower has a name

crunch of gravel so familiar

tho I am no longer the same

This place harkens to her footsteps

welcomes me anew

tho time has passed

memories like morning dew

I was taught from before I was able to talk the value of the elderly, the importance of honor, and the lessons I could learn if I listened closely. I am sad for a generation that places so little value for those past a certain age. Because of this attitude, there are lessons unlearned/ history unheard.

There is more reality than metaphor in this poem and a gratitude beyond expression that I hold for those who taught me to reach for the stars.

I’m also sharing a link to rewrite of a fictionalized story of an elderly patient – here