Feeling the energy DRAIN. Too tired to GLOVE up and keep punching once again. Sick of the need to EXTOL and glorify the working life. Yet, leisure can make me feel like a LOUSE, a slacker. In the face of disaster and great need, how dare I stop and rest? The truth is l cannot function without lightness and gentleness. Like the sound of a CELLO, or a silly game in the sun with friends, or a sweet HELLO from a wandering cat: these things that create balance and paradoxically,  ground me in what is worth fighting for.

Georg’ann

Last night there was no DREAM,
for there was no sleep
Awake, listening to the sounds of QUITE,
the many layers of noises a house makes, 
it’s rattles and hums, a bit of snore 
coming through the wall
the cat’s soft breathing at my feet
I move, she stirs. No longer alone 
she demands affection, pawing at my hand, 
Begins to purr loudly, and settles 
herself across my other arm
The WHOLE night passes, no angst 
for lost winks, HELLO alarm
good morning new day

Heather

Across the TABLE,
Shadows dance to METER
Heard only by me
In an EMPTY hall

Georg’ann

How did I LEARN to carry myself with POISE,
to glide gracefully into rooms
without knocking into the door jam,
proprioception as altered as my sense of self.

When did I stop stooping as if shrinking could protect me?
Or were my shoulders simply bent forward
under the weight of what they carried?

What is this transformation, no less miraculous
than than a caterpillar becoming a butterfly,
that allows me to flutter, delicately land
on beauty, suck in the nectar.
My WEEPY eyes softly seeking,
An EMPTY cocoon hanging just over there

Heather

Be CLEAR in your intent
Firm in your step
Present a true face
For lies make a poor LEVER
To attract a LOVER

Georg’ann

Warm scones with sweet CREAM
The peach has yet to RIPEN
My LOVER sips tea

Heather

To set too much STORE in the love of a PLAIN man is no hedge against a BULLY

Georg’ann

Thrown off kilter, rips in my rhythm
Interruptions in the ways I carefully COUNT
proportions of energy influx and out flow

Like a dervish I whirl without a spot for focus.
Demands drip like a leaky faucet, steadily saturating
bit by bit, incessant noise
that keeps me up at night

I QUAIL in my bed, attempt to puzzle through,
this is how its played, GUESS work.
Cradled on LUMPY pillows,
wrapped in a heavy comforter.

On the wall above me, a BURLY woman sleeps
under the full moon, lute by her head, stick in hand. No cover.
A lion sniffs her shoulder, curious, not threatening.
Warms her with his gentle breath, blowing sweet dreams he’s not here to BULLY.
Fully exposed she is serene.

Heather

Getting on the PLANE, I HOIST my bag up into the bin. Relieved that there is no one else sitting in my row, I settle down into my seat. Leaning against the window, I prepare to BROOD about my work. I have been hired to clean up some workplace chaos, and it’s a pretty messy set of problems. I wonder what BROOM, as it were, would work best to move the messes out? My new boss had made it clear that he has high expectations and will BROOK nothing less than success. The pressure is definitely on. So deep am I in my thoughts, that it takes me moment to register that someone has joined me in aisle 15. My heart sinks as I recognize the logo of my new company on the sheaf of papers he is struggling to handle while hefting his briefcase up. Hmm. Perhaps this is an opportunity. We shall see.

Georg’ann

The crabapple has established her SHAPE,
a crown that is decidedly ROUND
where I’d wanted a tree with quirky grace
her asymmetrical branches reaching out for me
sky showing in the spaces in between.
Not this dark green ball that hides the birds
and bears little of the promised fruit
I long to see more than the rustling of life
hidden among barren abundance
this matronly tree in her ample FROCK
crinoline leaves unwavering
holds herself steady there by the BROOK
It’s not what I wanted, yet would I deny
safe shelter for the very birds I wish to see

Heather

“Come see!” Maria grabs Freda’s hand and pulls her past the PLANT stand in the hall, almost knocking it over. Maria is so excited and PROUD, she can hardly wait to show off her prize. “Ta da: here’s POLLY.” Freda stopped and stared. “What is this?? I thought you had gotten a bird?!?” “Oh no, why would I do that? You know I have been slowly adding to my saltwater aquarium and this is the new sea anemone! Isn’t it a fine example of a POLYP?? Did you know they are related to jellyfish??” Freda rolled her eyes and started back down the hall, saying “You almost knocked over that antique table. I know it’s not a fish bowl or anything, but be more careful next time. Mom would be furious if you broke that table.”

Georg’ann

Tonight in the checkout line at Kroger, as I looked over People Magazine and all the candy packages, I was reminded of a PHASE from my early 20s in which it was common to eat a POUND bag of peanut
M & Ms, dance around my apartment in POOFY dresses listening to Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and The Bangles while procrastinating on writing my papers. A distant past in which there was no thought of colon cancer, the word POLYP only associated with Scrabble.

Heather

She was distracted by the clouds out the window, idly imagining one to be a SNAKE, one moving at an interesting ANGLE across the sky, and yet another to have the vague outline of an ANIME character that she liked. She jumped when Mr. Rainey’s voice broke into her reverie, bringing her abruptly back to the meaning of ANODE and cathode.

Georg’ann

Out on the PLAIN, heat rising
air not unlike a SAUNA,
weighing me down as it penetrates,
while simultaneously releasing.
An exchange that does nothing
to shift the sense of heaviness
At this time of day, the MANOR
casts a shadow over the peppers
My potted beauties, dangling
in various stages of ripeness. Their brightly colored skins so cheerful.
The ANCHO doesn’t call attention to itself
no need for vivid colors
his fate is to be blistered, stuffed, battered.
a small gnat circles around my lemonade.
To ANNOY may be their only function.
From my porch swing, laden with that hot, heavy air
I feel the ANODE and cathode currents
moving through everything

Heather

It’s hot and very dusty in here. With RAPID movements, I pile up the STRAW, stirring up even more dust. I am trying to uncover a GRATE in the floor of the barn. We are going to move the horses in, and need to make sure that when we wash out the stalls, the water can drain properly. We are new to owning horses, and are trying to do everything by the book. I suppose I should CHART everything so we can make sure we are not missing any steps or screwing up. I didn’t know this was going to be part of my new life, but well, here we are.

Georg’ann

Children love making noise
Give them beads in a QUART size jug
and oh how they shake and shake some more.
Moving randomly, but rhythmically
No classroom CHART, no order making necessary.
Riffing and grooving together
Little musicians find their place

Heather

With so much at STAKE, I hesitate to EJECT him for this momentary lapse. I do not want to set such a rigid tone for our relationship. Who knows what such an action could BEGET in the future?

Georg’ann

There were no SHARP notes punctuating our conversation.
It was as if the peace dove herself had FLOWN in,
weighted with olive branches, perhaps off course

QUIET, oh so quiet, this laying down of swords
Yielding BEGET an awakening
of heart strings, unfurling
fronds reaching for the light

Heather

Tapping my foot impatiently, I shout across the field. We have started marching band practice, and while today is offering a little reprieve from the heat, I know we will all be sweaty and grumpy very soon. “Okay! I am ABOUT to start the TIMER! Don’t TENSE up, or this TENTH practice run will have to turn into the eleventh.” And I watch, alternately wincing and cheering, as the band starts up a special arrangement of Winchester Cathedral.

Georg’ann

To comfort she brought cake, chocolate, of course. MOIST
A large piece sitting on a white PLATE
the border edged with green ivy leaves
PETTY desire to hoard it for myself
not share a single crumb
let it play a DUETT with vanilla ice cream,
sung just for me
Fork glides past my TEETH
The TENTH bite every bit
as pleasurable as the first

Heather

Her PLAIN coat WOULD serve as a protective SHELL – its STYLE belied her shrewd, perceptive mind

Georg’ann

Last night the SOUND of insects
was, frankly, torture
a SPARK of irritation
My exhaustion so great I was dizzy,
bed seemed to be moving
as if it were a boat
slow moving through SLIMY waters, not soothing
the room somewhat spinning too.
I could not get to sleep, trapped in a swamp of sensation
in the STYLE of some black and white ‘B’ movie
my face, close up contorted
in horror and despair
a silent, internal scream thus conveyed

Heather

ADIEU, small minds and small town
I am ready to DITCH this life
And hit the DISCO scene

Georg’ann

You WAVED goodbye
I sat alone with my DRINK
DISCO boogie plays

Heather

I am a BREAD MAKER. When I work with dough, I can slough off and sometimes even ERASE the negative self-talk that can run on a loop in my head. Or, rejuvenate my fatigue. Or, otherwise lift my spirits. You would think that my baking is a way to be kind and generous to others or to fill a need in our house. In truth, it is a way to REACH my own HEART and heal.

Georg’ann

Lena’s favorite SPORT?
She was a world class FLIRT.
I’d given her the gold,
ring around her finger
No threat when I watched
her practice her skills
with perfect form and pace
I never AVERT my eyes
as she makes the final play
scoring points with ease
all in fun, no HEART breaks
With the elan of the most elite
she makes us all feel worthy to play
while knowing she’s in a league of her own

Heather

I DREAM again of being INEPT in front of a room. About to begin a lecture, technical problems sidetrack and delay my lecture. Such an alone feeling, standing exposed, hoping someone will rescue me. But no one else comes to take the WHEEL, distract or sympathize: I am left to face the audience. It feels like such a uniquely human experience: this kind of vulnerability, run as an experiment by my mind, safe in my own bed. I ponder: what is the hypothesis being tested?

Georg’ann

Placing a peanut butter cookie between the halves
of a PLAIN bagel is not a peanut butter sandwich,
though he determined it so.
I’m unable to argue his logic.
“Maybe add a banana” I say
as I walk out the backdoor,
noting the garden needs MULCH
which it won’t get this year.
Settled into the car, check
systems and surroundings
attempting to find safety within
this fast moving SHELL
both hands on the WHEEL
I sit still, gripping tightly
not prepared to steer where I’m headed

Heather

“I believe it is a LEAST Flycatcher,” she said. My FROWN deepened, I squinted, trying to see the tiny bird. “Where?” “There, just above the third BOUGH of the hickory tree.” Swatting at the mosquitoes, dripping with sweat, I began to wonder at the wisdom of using this new HOBBY as a way to impress my latest crush.

Georg’ann

The next PHASE begins
We’ve cooked, now to MUNCH
our HOBBY? Good food

Heather

ARMOR up
Thrust and parry
Throw some SHADE
Isn’t this how we have
A WHALE of a time
Playing paintball??

Georg’ann

Early SHINE, dew on grass
No CHORE to do, Sunday rest
watch a WHALE swim by

Heather

Everyone in the family was gathered to deal with his death. No one has been in this house for decades, our grandfather having preferred solitude and his books to visits from his family. In truth, the air inside was so STALE, that I felt I had to get out. When I BROKE free of the stifling house, I felt so much better. I was certain that this atmosphere would ERODE my ability to think, perhaps forever. Walking around the grounds pensive and preoccupied, I found myself in the area we called Diana’s GROVE. I settled on the ground, releasing myself to the ground. As I stretched out, PRONE, I relaxed to the point that I felt myself starting to drift into the delicious state before dozing. A sharp sound, like a stick breaking, loud and nearby – I both startled and FROZE. Heart pounding, I jumped up, not wanting to be caught vulnerable, on the ground, no matter the source of the sound.

Georg’ann

BEGIN each day with a feel good QUOTE
then move to wordplay, where the SCORE
doesn’t really matter, it’s not the point.
What DROVE me here was you.
My own amusement not always sufficient
enough to sustain daily practices so steadily.
Yes, I start each day searching for 5 letter words
like FROZE with some bit of prose to follow
Knowing it’s not wordplay so much
as full ranging love and life play
that is tapped out in these little boxes.

Heather

Speeding down OCEAN DRIVE in the little red Miata sports car, the wind whips our words as well as our hair. Holding on to my hat with one hand, continuing the conversation, shouting, “we asked them to REFER us” You glance at me, puzzled, “you asked them for a reefer?” “What? No! We asked for a referral!” Well, that of course struck us as funny, and cackling and hooting, we continued down the seaside road. So engrossed were we, that we missed the sight of the FLYER we needed to find the party drifting up and out of the car.

Georg’ann

From the CRAFT fair, this
homage hangs in our FOYER
FLYER unfurls truth

Heather

Do me a FAVOR
Would you,
Could you,
Please?
THROW me a bone
Sweep away my fears
With a BROOM
Tell me that 
You love 
Me
Lift my sadness
Eliminate the
DROOP in my 
Step
Give us a hug
A kiss
Right
Now 

Georg’ann

In almost every scene Chloe wore a gorgeous, albeit HEFTY, wool CLOAK. She admired the clasp fashioned out of an ornate silver SPOON, a single bit of shimmering metal that held the dark material securely even as her shoulders began to DROOP toward the end of each day’s shoot.

Heather

Washing up in the sink and slightly mesmerized by the suds and the swirl of water down the DRAIN, I have a moment of TOTAL panic. Am I ABOUT to lose Aunt Martha’s bracelet? Was that the clasp giving way? I pull my hands out, sloshing water and suds onto the floor. Sweet relief: the bracelet is intact, each small TOPAZ colored bead still strung on the gold chain

Georg’ann

Searching head to toe
for signs of HEART failing
Noting the swollen feet, labored breath, fatigue
most haunting the PASTY pallor.
We watch birds, ADOPT new ways of being
continue to light candles
leave flowers and TOPAZ
at the foot of the golden Buddha

Heather

Lay CLAIM to the moon
COVER your hair with stars
Dance in the fields
Fear not the years
Be the CRONE

Georg’ann

Alone in the CROWD
holding a CROCK of green beans
CRONE has sorrow eyes

Heather

What a DREAM: a SEEDY bagel, a cup of a good coffee BLEND, and to UPEND all expectations, a breakfast companion who has been a FIEND, now turned dear friend

Georg’ann

No amount of SPICE could have salvaged
the stale mushrooms,
fried in old oil, tasting like fish
how long had they been sitting
no crema, no fresh veg
brown nuggets on greasy tortillas
sprinkled with corn kernels and a few strands of wilted cabbage.
So hungry and TIRED
We stared into space, no energy
to converse, not even to complain
A small street bird did delight
unsteadily flying from an uncleared table
with a chip as big as himself.
Impressive to watch him WEILD such bounty,
pecking tiny bits once he landed
by the sandwich board
listing the summer cocktails.
You ordered the peachy rabbit
I went for the Flame of the FIEND

Heather

More than just about anywhere else, I find a sense of PEACE in Paris. It is something more than the obvious reasons, the things that make everyone ADORE the city. For me, it is the river. It looms LARGE in my experience of the city: a constant reference point, a meditative space, a source of wonder, a place to feel the passage of time. I could stand forever on a bridge and charmed by a BARGE moving slowly along.

Georg’ann

Sitting in a line, in a narrow boat on open water.
Confined to this small SPACE,
with a man who exudes hostility.
Learning to move together,
Gracefully following a lead.

Ironic that he’d been my tango teacher,
until his anger drove me away. Now he’s here to help us crew.

Class ends, everyone leaves
my friend and I stay behind,
strip to our skivvies, enter with a splash
We BATHE in the final sparkles of sunlight,
on a beach belonging to a scout camp.
What BADGE might we have we earned
for our all our efforts here?
While more BARGE than scull
Halting, clunky, intermittent flow, in sync
pace set by the tiniest of us.
Even the angry man, always in charge
had to follow, as we moved with delight.

Heather

AWARE and feeling the
Weight of my WORRY
Toes dig into the sand
Soak up the sun
The sea spray
The gulls’ calling
All my worries flow
Off my body
From my brain
Into the WHIRL of
Ocean waves
At my feet

Georg’ann

In my dream I climbed a ladder
all the way to the sky
to carve a peace dove
into a billowy CLOUD.
Wearing a LARGE tool belt
over a skirt voluminous,
layer upon layer of FRILL
a skirt made to SWIRL
the emotions of the wearer,
She who is the steady axis
that sets movement in motion
with a decisive WHIRL.
She who can reach the sky
on a delicate set of rungs
carrying all she needs
to shape her intention

Heather

I walked ABOUT the land, feeling the stress drop off me. It felt good to be back, among the pine trees and hills. I STARE out across the property. I would love to figure out how to TREAD lightly, to build the home I need and plan a garden. Maybe LATER, when I get a bit settled, I can finally learn what permaculture is and see if I can do it. This place is so precious to me, and it feels good to come home, to the red clay EARTH of my childhood.

Georg’ann

A PLAIN bagel, lightly toasted
spread with lots of butter
is where my mind keeps arriving.
even in waiting to be more fully AWAKE
there is no alternative flow of words,
all GREAT thoughts are on reserve.
I’m not even much of a bagel person,
yet I CATER to what is, no striving
to write eloquently of things that matter,
like how few days you have left on EARTH

Heather

Oh do not MOURN
The random words
The words most absurd
Celebrate the JOIST,
Sturdy and strong
Cheer the WOOLY beast,
And bring him along
Serendipity, yes
FOLLY, perhaps
Opportunity, most definitely.

Georg’ann

He twirled and twitched,
as if he were a bird of paradise
preparing for the mating ritual
a large bobbling sort of CREST
attached to his typically BLANK head, bald as it were.
It’d been years since we’d been quite so JOLLY.
With bright pink cheeks
and gingham pinafore
I became the quintessential DOLLY
We laughed ourselves to tears,
catching our breath only to start again.
Oh gosh, oh GOLLY
So long a time had passed
without silliness,
We’d nearly forgotten FOLLY

Heather

We will SHARE
You and I forever
The WRECK
Of our endeavor
That sweet time when
Our love did REIGN
We can NEVER ENTER
Again

Georg’ann

Under the golden lights,
woven through the trees,
We laid out the table,
a white linen SHEET
over plywood, jars of flowers
summer bounty everywhere.
the METER of fireflies twinkling
in the dusk matches my breath
Friends ENTER through the jasmine covered arbor,
as effervescent as the bubbles rising
from a sugar cube in champagne.
ah, such sweetness here tonight.

Heather

It is an IMAGE I don’t want. We are moments away from when the ceremony is to start – the priest on his way to BLESS this, our TENTH grandchild and the special basin has cracked and broken. How will I fix this? Is it sacrilege to find the right EPOXY glue to repair a sacred object? Will eagle-eyed relatives and well-wishers discover the flaw? We have family who are technical whizzes, one who is a CODER for secret government offices, so secret I do not understand what they do or why they do it. But, sometimes attention to detail in one area creates the illusion of keen observation in all areas. Let us do our best to COVER the cracks and flaws. We have no reason to COWER or apologize for our imperfections.

Georg’ann

Ready for a BREAK
in all the ways that plays:
Break out
Break open
Break down
Break apart
Break the mold
Break in the case
Break in the weather
Break in the patterns
TIRED, or perhaps lulled
This distinct moment is
SUPER under the COVER
More rain falling
More winds blowing
Thunder booming
Movement all around
Yet all is still and quiet
Inside, sirens haven’t begun
To rest is not to COWER

Heather

We were settled in for the evening, I flopped in a chair. “Sheesh – what a day.” Harry passed me a PLATE, saying “I TRUST it worked out finding a body double for that scene.” I nodded. “Ooh, nice spread. Thanks, darling. How much do you think I can eat have and still fit into my costume for tomorrow’s shoot?” Refocusing on his question, I replied in between bites, “Look Harry I can skate well enough, but there is no way in hell I can do a QUINT.” He looked at me blankly. “You know, the leap and spin around five times kind of skating. God knows why I agreed to be in a film about an Olympic skater.” He shrugging, asked, “As long as you are doing this, do I get to see the UNCUT thing, whatchamacallit, the rushes?” “Maybe. If you bring some pastries over in the morning that would give you an excuse to hang around for a minute and find out. The director loves a good DONUT, by the way.”
Harry smiled a little uncertainly, unsure if it was the director or me that to be bribed with a donut.

Georg’ann

There’s no need to SHARE
Enjoy fully without DOUBT
This DONUT – all yours!

Heather

As a child, I loved to DANCE outside on a WINDY day – lush grass beneath my bare feet, my hair whipping around in the wind.

Georg’ann

Standing at the counter chopping
Bountiful colors, so many vegetables
beets STAIN my fingers
in one of my favorite hues
A pile of herbs to MINCE,
The kitchen smells fresh, earthy.
the VINYL floor covered in bouncing rainbows
from window hanging prisms
I can imagine myself an elderly NINNY
Puttering in a great straw hat
Will my hair fly in wisps below,
Or be kept carefully contained?
These silly thoughts entertain
as I move the knife up and down,
occasionally looking out at the WINDY day.

Heather

Paddling ROUND the bend, it felt like we had FLOWN! It was exciting to be surrounded by the NOISE of the rushing waters. I knew that I would ENJOY this CANOE
trip and was really pleased that I had ignored the attempts to keep me from going. I simply couldn’t understand the VENOM coming from my sister. I did want to figure it out, but right now, I would just enjoy the moment.

Georg’ann

The STORM, for us, was enthralling. Bright flashes, dancing trees, cleansing rains.
Our fortune was not received
without noting the damage to others. 
To experience joy with the awareness of suffering, 
this is the AXIOM by which we livethe only way we can, in fact
Ensuring we are inoculated against VENOM. 
Vipers all around yet still the orchids bloom 

Heather

I had a DREAM —
It is midnight
A cemetery
I am leaning
To BRACE myself
Against the cool stone
Of a GRAVE,
Mists rising around
Eerie sounds
A chittering
A chattering
I step forward to see
Ghosts PRATE idly
Around a tomb
As if around a table
A game in progress
I creep towards
The creepy scene
Peering through a GRATE
When as one
They turn
Towards me – IRATE
That I would dare
To disturb their game
Of bones

Georg’ann

A stone HEART in a small CRATE
arrived today.
It was packed with such care.
Opening it, oh how the sound of styrofoam did GRATE.
It was meant as an apology,
in response to a recent exchange
in which he chose to ORATE
rather than converse.
I was IRATE at being silenced.
This heart in squeaky styrofoam encapsulates
the full arc of our relationship

Heather