Up-rising

I haven’t written much of late

as I wait for the weather to change

and this heatwave to break.

The sweltering days have sapped my strength

and taken my words.

I haven’t written much of late

the weeks stretch long, 

the time I have is not my own–

as all is cancelled or postponed.

But if you’ve wondered where I am,

I’m here, putting out my all:
  I am my mother, grace under fire,

  I am my father, hard-worker, provider—

  I am the wall between storm and the sun
  the shield, the front line; I am the one.

  When this moment threatens to steal my soul

  to suck me dry from deep within,

  I plant myself firm ‘tween the rocks and the wind

  as the rebel inside of me rises again.

© Ginny Brannan 2020

The River of Denial

They called it a win 

when the plague slowed 

and fatalities dropped.

And though there was no cure,

they said we’ll “reopen.”

Now they say it is unlikely

we can beat this back.

How can we, when everything

is an affront to our “personal freedom”

and not even those in charge

can pull it together to set an example?

Yes, we’re Number One again…

—Number One in one-day total increase

—Number One in the overall cases 

—Number One in total mortality

another proud moment in American history.

Safety takes a backseat, and we learn

what we’ve known all along:
 American lives are expendable. 
Keep denyin’ y’all…

keep blaming those Chinese.

It may have started there,

but it’s dug in and hunkered down here,

and it ain't over till it’s over.

There’s enough “blame” to go around...

The president golfs.

Americans die.

Just another day in the U.S.A.

© Ginny Brannan 2020

Based on observations and comments read. Ultimately we are responsible for ourselves. Stay safe out there!

The Pull of the Moon

Half moon hangs heavy in late June sky

while evening birds and tree frogs 

serenade the sultry night.

Memories tumble forth 

of walks along main street

and the village backroads,

a stop to rest on the playground swing.

Was that eons ago, or just yesterday?

I still remember those summer eves

when the stars stretched before us

and time ceased to exist.

© Ginny  Brannan

Image: Mitchell Spector 2012

EnchantedLearning.com 

Stepping Stones

All those many years ago

when days were long and time moved slow

and moments seemed to stretch forever,

families gathered frequently 

for holidays and barbecues

the seasons passed so languidly

seems such an eternity ago

Then school inhabited our days 

friendships forged, some left behind…

Our want of change came from within

ever searching for some sign.

The time ticks forward on the clock.

we learn how harsh that fate can be,

but forge ahead,  as forge we must

and while we’re learning who we are

we’re also learning whom to trust.

Another step, another loss 

but there are gains along the way…

the confidence I’d never had

a gift from one who understands;

so the fool has found her voice

as hourglass metes out its sand.

We watch the seasons as they pass

the joys and sorrows fall like rain

with age comes the capacity

to separate the lies from fact

to learn from all our loss and pain,
while dealing with reality.

And through it all our children grow

the second hand moves faster now—

as sworn protectors of their fate

we’ve little time to contemplate.

The days all seem to merge as one,
we hope somehow we’ve done our jobs

to send them out into the world

but yet our work seems barely done.

And as we let these young folk go

this brand new generation born

—maturing ever fast it seems,

we pray they’ll come to recognize

as we were once so they are now:

filled with hope and bent on change

they wait to realize their dreams.

We hang our faith upon these young

may they do better than we’ve done

and may they keep their souls intact

upon the road they’ve just begun.

© Ginny Brannan 2020

No Going Back

Every day holds the potential

to do better than the last

—what’s passed is past.

We do not control all events,

only how we react to them.

Open minds know that greater knowledge

brings better understanding.

Once we understand the effect of painful imagery on others

are we so selfish that we are unwilling correct it?

If we live our lives in a shell and come to believe that 

our world IS the shell, then learn that there 

is a broad expanse of world beyond that shell

how do we pretend that it just doesn’t exist?

Just like we know that the earth is not flat,

  …it’s as simple as that.

Keep an open heart and mind.
Be kind.

© Ginny Brannan 2020

If we are not growing, we are dying. And if we lose our empathy to put ourselves in another's place, then we are nothing. There is no putting the toothpaste back into the tube. To do so would only confirm our ignorance.

Survival Instincts

The wind blows fierce upon this hill
the mighty trees bend to its will
reminding us how, once again,
nature wields the stronger hand
sowing seeds of ripe discord
to undermine our very core.
Yet like the trees, we take our cue
when life apportions all we do;
and as another storm rolls in,
we rally to adapt and bend
and stave our roots against the wind.

© Ginny Brannan 2020

Grasping at Straws

I find hope in the way the late day sun 

reflects on the rushing stream

a hundred thousand diamonds 

glistening, there for the taking.

I find hope in the robin, tiny twigs in its beak

busily building a nest for the coming brood.

I find hope in the brazen jay

stealing food set out for our feral cats,

lucky that he isn’t their dinner!

I find hope in the wren’s song

singing his cheerful ode to the day 

from the flowering dogwood tree.

I find hope in the stalwart dandelions

determined to take over the lawn

despite my best efforts to keep them at bay.

I find hope in the colors and the light,

in random acts of  kindness 

those reaching out to help others,

people helping people.

Despite our trials, the dark days

past, current, and yet to come,

we are still here, we survive.

All things are possible with you by my side–

In you, I find my hope,

© Ginny Brannan