Taking Time
Time together
finally
a gift
vibrant
and perfect
as your hands
wash over
my senses
like a sunset’s
gentle kiss upon
mountain peaks
before
night and sleep
soon follow
close behind
Gideon’s Challenge
Gideon’s Challenge
The First Flakes
Delicate bits
hold on
with a tenuous
grip
as friends come
to join
and gather close
to lend support
and weight
to the cause
until not one
but hundreds
then thousands
cover everything
in sight
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge
Nowhere to Go
Sit with me
on the west porch
together
in the rocker bench
a blanket
over our laps
as your arms curl
strong and safe
around me
while we watch
what’s land
turn into
a seaside view
for just a little while
with waves that lap
against the steps below
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge
Flooding Season
Rain
finally rain
it falls in droves
pouring down
to splat
splatter
and splash
as it melts away
the snow and ice
and fields flood
as rivers swell
and I am still
ever so grateful
for each
and every drop
ans step out
barefoot
to twirl
in the grass
with mud on my feet
and my face
tilted to the sky
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge
Goodbye Christmas
Packing up
the mistletoe
glass ornaments
back in their nests
bits of shiny
wrapped in tissue
and garlands
tucked in to rest
the tree comes down
piece by piece
as holiday cheer
is tucked away
but the little figures
of Rudolph
just want
to stay out and play
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge
An Ache of Longing
I feel the need
to cling to you
like lichen
clings to the the bark
of branches
and morning dew
clings to blades of grass
the feeling
creating a sense
of vulnerability
as I seek out
your comfort
so long missed
and withheld from its
fullest expression
for a few days longer
Twisting the Leaf 