Thursday, June 7, 2018

My Princess

At three, she danced in the hall, ribbons and frills.
At six, she wore a lion costume and carried a lightsaber.
At twelve, she tackled and bumped on the soccer field.
At eighteen she, well….

No, not the woe is me, sigh melodrama role
More of the strong minded, Golde in town
Or the passionate Mrs. Darbus on stage.

No, not one to sit dreamily in a tower.
More of a get into a plane, start the engine,
And fly around the world with a grin.

No, not one to write sappy notes of castles.
More of a sassy verbal quip, speak your mind,
Fill in the hole and make a park kind of girl.

No, not one to sleep waiting for prince.
More of a “Someone got to save our skins.
Into the garbage chute flyboy.”

            ….well, she is that lion who roars.
She is the Jedi that fights with bright eyes.
She is that risk taker, that fighter, that warrior.

And, yeah, she is everything. She is my princess.

Friday, April 13, 2018

Be

Prepping. Blocking. Understanding.
  The characters’ motivation?
    Got to build, create a life...Be.
Finding a voice...voices...the voices.
   And the emotion...sad...angry/sad
     A little more gravel in the throat?
   Maybe a tad higher in pitch.
    Ah...rush the words, pause, slow.
Blocking, movement, with purpose but natural
   Yes. Heavy footsteps here. Sulking.
      And here, younger, skipping? Perky.
   A laugh before the tears, let the face fall.
And so it goes.

Tournament day. Cubes, chairs and bags
    crash the halls and cafeteria.
Find a place, talk to the wall, motions subdued.
     Out in the open, a fraternity of drama masks.

Round is assembled. Friendly eyes,
   Thespians united, talent recognized.
   Fears boxed away. Courage to the sticking place.
“Judges and timer ready?”
Put my head down and close my eyes.
   Where is my place?
        Is that the judge that doesn’t like me?
    Draw 5 is cute.
One…
   What’s my first line?
        Pizza? Do they have pizza?
    Did I really break into finals?
Two…
     How did I get pulled into this?
     Breathe
   Nothing...empty my mind.
Chin up. Eyes open.

                     …….Be!

Monday, April 9, 2018

The Warrior

Add one more to the Breakfast Club list.
With today’s battles, another is needed.
It’s the curly headed girl or freckled boy
That fights against enemies unseen.


Digital opponents, illness, social tremors,
Anxieties, and modern global madness
Attack the kids, day and dark night,
Pillaging their youth and future.


So, with their entourage, add the Warrior.
That spirit that stands tall and strong.
Armed with faith in self, love of family,
And shielded by knowledge and right.

Sunday, April 8, 2018

Katie, The Warrior

She sails forth, dreamy expression,
a winged cat on her shoulder.
She sails forth, armed with knowledge
and a family map of faith.


Her curly hair and bright eyes
quest the open seas in hope,
searching the rainbow wind
for answers to her questions.


She may be buffeted by storms
and attacked by doubts
She may lose her way in fogs
or trip over hidden steps.


But, Katie the Warrior, is strong
with warm heart and goofy grin.
She takes on the world with grace,
fighting, the truly good fight.


Standing boldly against the wind.
Standing fiercely in her beliefs.
Standing heroic aboard her dreams.
She is Katie, the Warrior.

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Strong

Roller coaster games
go with the season.
Let’s build it up.
Hard practices
Jammed fingers throb
Banged knees
A loss that hurts deep
Together, we grow…
…strong.


Rivals come at us
trying take us down.
Coach yells the mantra.
“Tough D”
“Hands high”
“Cut the baseline”
“Take care of the ball.”
Together, we breathe...
...strong.


Down by seventeen.
A title on the line.
Let’s chip away.
Crash the boards
Teamwork passing
A three
Steal the ball and go
Together, we play…
...strong


On into tournaments,
a David with a stone.
Let’s raise our chin.
Look ‘em in the eye
Let them see the fire in ours
Here we come
A team that plays hard.
Together, we stand…
...strong

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Indestructable

When I fall,
Or am I pulled?
Deep into the dark
Uncertainty of purpose
And identity
No one or nothing can save me.
I am buried
Like a pebble in mud,
Trapped, immobile
Clinging slog.
I can’t breathe!
I surrender,
Hopeless.
And wait to disappear.
Yet, I see me.
I see a tiny kernel
Of me,
Compacted, condensed
And real.
I am...
It’s the part if me
That cannot be crushed.
The essence of stuff
That makes me...
Indestructible.

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Wonder Woman

She brought her daughters to the doctor.
One was sick and miserable, sad face pout.
The younger, six or so, bright eyed smile
wearing her Wonder Woman dress.


It was still bright red and blue, stars white.
Yet, it was worn, wrinkled, weathered.
The cape had a tattered shaggy corner.
The hem seam pulled, thread dangling.


About the waiting room, another eyes watched
as she, quietly, defended with steps and twirls.
The mother, while cradling the eldest, smiled
like the dress, a bit worn, was strong.


As mothers do, she looked about the room
Checking if her youngest was a bother.
Proud and friendly eyes met her’s
saying she is fine. We all are fine.


An elderly woman grinned and winked,
and the mother could see beyond.
Every woman had a Wonder Woman outfit
beneath their exterior of today.


Yes, some are frayed and dented
from years of life and challenges.
Some with proud pink ribbons
or battered bracelets from a fight.


Motherhood and jobs and children
pulled many threads, torn seams.
Yet, proudly she wears the colors true,
head high and shoulders square.


From the door, the doctor came in.
A young women, twenties, was with.
She had on a Wonder Woman T
and a sad face holding tears.


A quirk of fate, created this circle stage
from young to old, fresh to wise.
In the spotlight the little girl stood.
She stepped to the young woman.


Brandishing her bracelet, she spoke,
“Touch yours to mine. Have my strength.”
Mother blinked at her daughter’s words.
Yet, the young woman, grinning, kneeled.


They touch wrists, bracelet to bracelet.
Little girl dabbed the tear of the other.
“Sisters in battle,” said the little Gal.
“Sisters in life,” said the other.


There was no flash or thunder about,
but a wave of energy did surge.
Rocking the souls of the women,
Blessing their essence with power.


All about smiled, knowing, the gift
brought by the little girl in red and blue.
Taller, they became, chin high and proud.
Their strength for life bold and renewed.