Trepidation
Old and
craggy
but friendly
as can be
he comes
trotting up
for treats
and a touch
to his nose
as I retreat
so fast
I trip over
my own feet
and nearly land
on the ground
beneath
his hooves
Gideon’s Challenge – Trepidation
pacific rainforest
Gideon’s Challenge – Cotton Candy
Cotton Candy
Sweet
and melty
it touches
the tongue
in a burst
of sugar cube
flavor
as it melts
one granule
at a time
to take over
the senses
with memories
of childhood
and fun
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Homesickness
Homesickness
Lets slip
quietly
away
into secret
spaces
and dive
into the
shadows
of crevices
that call
like an
invitation
welcoming
us home
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Restlessness
Restlessness
Open wide
and let them in
with eyes
close
and the waiting
begins
with the sound
of a drill
that echoes
in a ricochet
within
the skull
and the dream
it shakes loose
is a wish
for freedom
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Dead Heading
Dead Heading
The garden
flourishes
when you
pinch off
dead flowers
and
diseased leaves
to create space
for new and
healthy growth
to take its place
… and we
are the same
so pinch off
that leaf
that needs
to go
and let another
grow
in its place.
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Whimsical
Whimsical
Turtles
and elephants
catch my eye
and we pause
as I ask
“can we eat
out there?”
because
I long
for the whimsy
offered
and
the waitress
goes
to find the key
Twisting the Leaf 