Stillness

                   “Be still, and know that I am God...”
                             Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

I come to this place every morning,

empty-handed, barefoot, 
long hair uncombed,

to resume my daily visit

through French doors
that smell of tapestry and apple blossoms.

The smell of impending work is

always within reach, but better to breathe
the scent of the lilies in the fountain.

Better to hear the splash of the water

for a moment more, and smile
at the chipping plaster on cupid’s bow.

In my place of stillness,

the tree is always blooming,
the vines are always green,

and the water is always warm.

Retreating through French doors,
I notice too, that they are always clean.

Exiting stillness, I can still smell

the tapestry, though the apple blossoms
and lilies have grown more faint.

 

 

 

 

                     ~~~

 

 

 

 First published in Lifeline; Infinity Publishing (POD) / July 2005

Subsequently published in Coffee-Ground Breakfast / March 2014

"Growth"

 

Growth  

                 For Victoria

 

Your hand rests

upon your belly, protective,
a shielding gesture all mothers recognize.

Shaking your head

at the offered beverage,
you turn instead to a bottle of water.

Moving slowly among the crowd,

you glide with care and grace, serene,
no fear of jostling the precious cargo you carry.

Smile unending,

your peace and joy are tangible
as you move from one guest to the next,

thinking you have kept your secret safe,

presuming no one knows the truth
that has yet to be spoken aloud,

but with each brush of your hand

across your midsection,
I see your smile grow.

One can only assume,

in another seven months or so,
you’ll be grinning from ear to ear.




                    ~~~

 

First published in print in Coffee-Ground Breakfast / March 2014

First published online in Whispers in the Wind -

http://whispersinthewind333.blogspot.com/2014/07/growth-by-cristine-gruber-united-states.html
July 04, 2014