THE HEREAFTER

In gazing on our newly-minted progeny,
He sheathed in pink and glowing skin,
Unmarked and unmarred
By life's cuts and bruises,
I cannot help but wonder,
Now that you've slipped life's earthly bonds,
If you have, as he has, silky skin,
A healthy heart and robust lungs,
A whole new set of tomorrows
With their infinite possibilities.

Or, was your destiny fulfilled,
Once and evermore,
When you fled the blight of age and infirmity?

By: Gigi

PRIORITY

Take time to smell the lilacs
And feel the warm bright sun
Take time to look at rainbows
Don't wait 'til work is done.
There'll always be a cobweb
Some fingermarks or rust
Weeds to pull, a lawn to mow
And something gathering dust.
We must remember lilacs
Bloom just once a year
And you can see a rainbow
Only when it's here.

By: Shirley Harvey
Submitted by: Sam

ENDINGS

I remember too well, and sadly,
As the end drew near and nearer
That reading was an effort
And television tiresome,
Phone calls were an intrusion
And doctor visits frustrating,
That all your favorite dishes
Were ashes in your mouth
And your many interests
Were beyond your energy reaches.

But still, you loved,
Unwavering and without reservation,
You loved.

By: Gigi

POEMS

Sometimes poems come so effortlessly
An easy flow of thoughts to words.
Sometimes your ideas hasten your writing
Lest you forget the order of your thoughts.

Then there are times it is tedious at best,
Trying so hard to create a worthwhile passage,
Attempting to transpose your feeling to paper,
Getting tangled in the process of choosing meaningful words.

By: Lu-Ann

GREEN EYED MONSTER

My green-eyed monster emerges, venomous,
bristling with bitterness, quivering in melancholy,
When, in my dark dreams, two lovers embrace,
hold hands, or simply smile their secret smile.
Old or young, they, it matters not.
I envy and I weep, understanding.
There are no tomorrows for us,
nor todays.
only yesterdays, our own sweet yesterdays,
when so many suns dawned on so many adventures.
Yet, never, never, never was it enough.

SEEKING...

The group of all groups!
Made of mature women
With a touch of youth.
Each seeking to find her own truth.

GINNY, the east coast gal.
Extensive vocabulary, a way with words.
Sensitive and grounded.
SEEKING to find her truth.

SAM, the consummate artist.
Perceives design and beauty in the ordinary.
Enjoys people.
SEEKING to find her truth.

LINDA, the scientist.
Intelligent and diverse.
A smile that starts at her heart.
SEEKING to find her truth.

HETTY, a loving person.
A passion for animals.
Understanding and tender.
SEEKING to find her truth.

WILLY, the humble healer.
Valued for her advice.
Loved for her compassion.
SEEKING to find her truth.

LU-ANN, loved teaching children.
Now learning from each of you.
Cherishes your friendship.
SEEKING to find her truth.

As a group, we have our differences.
As a group, we are the same.
As a group, we constantly wonder.
As a group, we'll FIND our truths.

Lu-Ann

Age-Related

On this day as I turn fifty-eight,
Some think I'm the young one,
Others think it's a prehistoric date!

I look in the mirror, and what do I see?
Is that my mother looking back at me??!!

I'm young, I'm old,
Depending on what I'm told.

Is it deception?
Or simply perception?

I guess on any given day, it just depends.
Right now, I'm just a person
Surrounded by good friends.

Sam