Author: coloradopoet

I am Cindy. I live in Denver Colorado, where I work as a RN in a neonatal ICU. I am a longtime lover of words, writing, reading and the piano. I am married to the love of my life who originally hails from the UK. We have three children who are tip toeing with adulthood.

Reflections

I sit here with my son Josh

contemplating with him

the way life shapes our thoughts

reflections that are illusions

thoughts that are reality

shaping who we think we are

I think to myself

the treasure this child is

to grow and think thoughts with me

*Josh, Denver, CO*

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perfection

I see perfection

in a single blade of grass

harnessing the sun inside it’s perfect factory

I hear harmony in the rhythmic push and pull of moon and waves

I think about the clouds and the way they mold to fit the wind

I marvel at the city of creatures that lives beneath every mossy rock

life seems simple and achingly complex

*Charleston, SC*

bring and borrow

I borrowed a teaspoon of your faith

I drank the shot of courage you handed me

I put that coin of belief in my pocket you lent me

I wear the scarf of courage you put around my neck

I put on the necklace of peace you brought me

I ate the kindness you prepared for me

I put on the shoes of comfort you gave me

so I can walk back into the world

When we can’t reach the water to sustain our souls

we need to bring it to each other

*my husband and daughter, Denver, CO*

speak

let what must be said

be said

said well

this is an age of twisted meanings

messages and narratives crafted

sly and secret campaigns of the mind

then so they always were

you’d like to see it black and white with that cult you’re in

not a shred of gray in that lovely little ideal world you imagine we came from

the imaginary one you wish to build again

but it ain’t so

you exploit the narrative for your own truth

it ain’t so, sister

your experts can fuss about with their talk

it helps you look away

I’m sorry for your hardness that seeks to put your fine little world in a bubble

it ain’t so

I will use my words

use them well

call out the abundant garbage that shape-shifts in your mind

try to have a bit of compassion instead of looking away

*the botanical garden, LA*

all is well

all is well

and very well is all

when I still find magic in the moon

snow seems to be a billion shattered diamonds

my feet can’t keep the boogie beat away and I begin to sway

the kiss of my man melts me like a marsh mellow on the flame

I’ve got a few souls on this earth who mean more to me than every dollar I will ever earn

words are exquisite, every one, placed carefully, turned over, wrought from inside a soul

all is well

and very well is all

*coast of Oregon*

there’s my line

a small child hasn’t been taught yet

that a human being’s status

can be defined by color of skin, class, caste

ability to articulate well

education

privilege

having the right genitals

a small child innately knows the whole world rests on the good of a small felt kindness, the warmth of protection, acceptance and giving of love, the importance of gentleness, (being young but) treated with respect

children unlearn this as they grow if other things seem to matter more

it is said that we are all made in the image of God

male and female in the image of God

it is said we see his fingerprints in the galaxies

I see them in kindness

I see his fingerprints in equality

I see them in those who lift others

I see his fingerprints in the minds of those who condemn the wretched wrongs

I see his fingerprints in those who call for justice, reject hate, fear and small mindedness

I feel his fingerprints when we give back power, strength and dignity to those it was stolen from

Christ said unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven

there’s my line in the sand

*RHINO, Denver*