We just passed the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This made me think about anniversaries and gratitude and the good, the bad, the power of celebrations and memories.
ANNIVERSARIES
Anniversaries are a date
from which we can create
memories good or bad
thoughts joyful or sad.
Religions create festivals
Countries call them holidays
anniversaries come every year
some bring good memories
and a happy smile
Some evoke a sadness
and we release a tear
Year after year
time flows by
let it fly
let it crawl
make your choices
to use it well
it won’t come back
except as anniversaries.
FEBRUARY 24th, 2023
I am grateful
sleeping in cool night air
under a silent fan
waking to sunrise shining
over the pristine waterway.
I am grateful
Drinking a glass of pure water
looking out over the lush green landscape
meditating in our silent room
eating fresh fruit and
whatever else I choose
for a breakfast of champions
The day will unfold
according to our plans and desires
Freedom to stay here or go there
To walk safely along a path
sit on a bench outside
waving to neighbors passing.
I now imagine
This same day in Ukraine.
After a year of bombardment
sleeping in a dark, cold basement
Waking up to destruction and devastation
drinking precious bottled water
Hoping no more sons and friends have died
Picking through food carefully gathered
finding enough
for a breakfast of survivors.
The day will bring the unknown
Maybe safety, maybe danger
Maybe horror, maybe delight
No prediction is possible
in this war.
Just gratitude for the next breath,
the next meal
The roof over our heads and no more deaths
today.
THANKS TO THE SILENT ONES
Sunday night garbage
sunset Garbage out
dawn Garbage gone
Early Monday
gratitude overflows
LAUNDRY
I can imagine her grandmother’s
line of frozen clothes
At an Iowan farm in winter
In India
I remember the dhobi
women in saris
Pounding the dirt
And elasticity out
On river rocks.
I empty the washing machine
fill the dryer
Taking this all for granted
Then gratitude flows.
THE RED JACKET
They all know we are older
The 50th reunion red jacket
gives us away,
also maybe the way we sway
from presentation to conversation,
from coffee and cakes,
to drinks and snacks.
Out of 100 graduating in 73
here there maybe 2 or 3
whom I have spoken with
since the 45th.
Some others passed on
to the higher realm.
Two Bob’s I knew well
both departed,
they won’t be here,
Others won’t travel any more
to sit at dinner and a table for 4.
Some classmates living very close
never come to these events,
no matter if invitations are sent.
This is an anniversary that has no meaning
unless you have that inspired feeling,
to see us all before it is too late
and realize that this is fate,
that brought us together years ago
to have this educational boon,
so now lets just meet on zoom!
©MartinStrasmore2023