When the sun stands still

this winter solstice should we

pause and change direction too?

~

The pendulum swings

from solstice to equinox

without changing direction.

Does it require

more than a good memory

to recall good memories?

~

It helps if we are

willing to see things whole – not

settle for a partial truth.

“It’s for the birds” might

suggest a higher wisdom

than we are led to expect.

~

Birds, it seems, rarely

work against their best interest.

That seems pretty wise to me.

In this noisy world,

where ever will introverts

find the silence to recharge?

~

If they direct their

attention toward their breath, they

will find a silent refuge.

Could it be that trees

whisper in the breeze of our

all-too-human fallacies?

~

As human failings

Grow from breezes to whirlwinds

Whispering trees must bellow.

Does a lonely tree

standing naked on a hill

feel the chill of winter wind?

~

Though it feels the chill,

its roots run deep, connecting

it to  hill and sky.

If promises were

kept, would some politicians

be out of a job?

~

Making promises

is the political game

but not so much keeping them.

Soon she will return

from high upon the mountain.

What wisdom will she carry?

~

  It all depends on

who or what she listens to

when she’s high up there.

If you want to light

a candle and can’t find a

single match, what do you do?

~

Flames can be kindled

in many different ways:

all you need is but a spark.

Arctic chill descends

wrapping meadows in frost

and people in yards of cloth

~

As cold increases

layers increase too ’til thaw

brings a slow uncovering.

Since mother knows best,

why does it take so long for

others to give it a rest?

~

Best is relative,

dependent on point of view,

She knows what is best… for you.

When storm warnings rise,

does it serve any purpose

to howl cautions at the wind?

~

The best it can do

is relieve stress and prove that

you know what is best.

Oh ye of many

knee surgeries what advice

do you have for me?

~

All pain is finite.

Either some for endless days,

or more for fleeting instants.

Many years ago

Something amazing happened.

Could you tell me what it was?

~

I can say with deep

humility, I know whose

birth of which you speak.

Tell me my learned

son, does someone design lots

of obscure words just for you?

~

There are polyglots

and linguists beyond counting

at my constant beck and call.

Shall we sit idle

As narcissists run amok

Or stand in opposition?

~

When narcissists run

we can’t just sit or stand, we

must also learn to fly.

When Wonder Woman,

Superman and reindeer can 

fly, what’s to stop you and I?

~

Earthbound souls are we:

neither goddess, alien,

nor even mythic cervid.

Will narcotic haze

influence our poetry

for the better or the worse?

~

We’re just a heartbeat

away from purple cows and

polka dotted elephants.

They say Santa keeps

track of who’s nasty and who’s

nice. Doesn’t Trump do that too?

~

Santa keeps a list 

of how people treat others;

Trump’s list is all about Trump.

Why do we insist

on mourning over losses

that were never ours to lose?

~

Because we love, we

mourn for losses not our own

and rejoice for others’ gains.

What’s the best we can

hope for now that we’ve left grim

November behind?
~

For recovery

And healing of many wounds

most often self inflicted.

As we contemplate

the tragedies behind us,

what comedies lie ahead?

~

The fatal flaw is

in us all and will lead to

both tears and laughter.

Any suggestions

for how to recover from

post Thanksgiving blues?

~

Remember, as blue

as we may be, we’re still

better off than that turkey.

Since we can expect

the unexpected, how can

we hope to craft a good plan?

~

Any crafter of

good plans prepares for the worst

and hopes for the best.

What if Santa, like

Trump, decided it was much

better to receive than give?

~

Then he would collect

disappointment and sorrow

for all the hopes unfulfilled.

She regards the sea,

but when viewed through feline eyes,

does she see like thee and me?

~

The world she sees is

much like ours, but she sees what

is, not what she wants to be.

How many turkeys

did it take to fix dinner

on Thanksgiving day?

~

Thanksgiving dinner

was prepared well in advance

by just one tired turkey.

How can one relax

and enjoy the holiday

when there’s so much work to do?

~

Sometimes we need to

forget work and remember

what happens when we don’t play.

Teens with chores – why are

they frequently full of sass

and as slow as molasses?

~

They share a common

core, when it’s time for their chores;

Molasses. sassy. asses.

Would time pass slower

if our mad, frenetic pace

took a pause, and sought out grace?

~

Time will pass as time

will, but if we ourselves go

slow, we might find grace abounds.