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Disney Parade

I saw my mother participate

At the end of the parade

With the energy and joy of a young girl.

She scooped up her granddaughter

Ducked under the parade route rope

Danced into the fray of the parade characters and floats

Without a care in the world.

Pure joy and light radiated from her face.

Enjoying herself in that moment

Joining the party.

Bringing her granddaughter into the joy of the party.

Dad in disbelief. Is that your mom out there?

Me crying under sunglasses.

Happy to see her give in or give way

Never seeing her give in or give way to the joy that is life.

Because her mom died when she was so young?

Because her dad betrayed her?

Because her life with my dad was not what she had envisioned?

Because he was not what she had envisioned?

Because she couldn’t give into joy

Out of fear it wouldn’t last or wouldn’t be enough or wouldn’t be real

But determined that her granddaughter was not going to miss this moment of joy and music and sun and laughter and exuberance.

Me determined to give her more occasions to feel this free.

Written 4/25/2023

We sit on the back porch

Sharing about our day,

Repeating the news of the day.

 

My mind is tired.

Have I heard anything at all?

The varied green colors of Spring are overwhelming.

The flitters of the birds add to the confusion.

 

My favorite people

This comforting spot

My inner chaos.

Written April 2023

A fit man with gray clipped moustache and furrowed brows with a gym bag

Returning a black 3 ring binder densely packed with colored tabs

Expertly zipping the bag closed.

 

His military rigidness, routine and requirements

In the exactly prepared binder

Meant to be here for a creative writing class

Unable to allow for anything messy.

Exasperation in putting his writing binder back in his gym bag

Efficiently zipping it closed.

Closing his bag and mind to this writing exercise

No room for anything but order and precision

Back erect, gaze straight and harsh

No contemplation available

Always in soldier mode.

Written April 2023

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