Five women
All you need
When the world 
Is falling in

One had lived 
Through similar -
The skin hunger
Is real, she said

Another steeped
In grieving -
Spirituality is
In nature, she said 

Third came in from
Left field -
Find your tribe
And thrive, she said 

Fourth woman still
Recovering -
Walk with me
And breathe, she said

Fifth one filled
With reason -
Swim in the ocean
And live, she said

Today I traded in
My mug of faith
From whence it came
To the thrift shop

Racks of garments
Wisdom sayings
Dust gatherers
To be, or don't be
Someone you are not

A fair exchange 
A dollar hiking cane
To traverse immoveable
Mountain ranges

When climbing
Is the only option

Written by the smile 
Passing decades ripple down 
Toes kick away sandals
Slide to the beat 
Tight jeans flowing sleeve
Pink as lip gloss
Loose curls akimbo
She strides to forefront 
Glance melts chocolate 
Strangers like lovers
Come and go once in time
River bends resist flow
These years gently wind
Slow growth endures all
Still deep in mind

In the wake of turbulent
Departure 
To uncertain destination 
Left to the present
Place, moment, person
Sheer acts of joy 
Tumble, spin, fin
In the eddies 
Playfully oblivious 
Life and love abounds
Right here

Let go of egoism
Stay in comfort zones
Duvee of dreams
Leave me shivering
Say goodbye to you 
In my mind's eye
We were not 
What we thought
Bouquet of humility 
Crisp in the frost
Overnight
I haven't seen you in
The longest time 
Longing for a daily grind
Where warmth of spring 
Rays on face kiss
Novel a hymn of love
To me and the world
Our lives unfurl

Cumulative pain
Drains from body
As I launch
Another escapade
To save myself
From forever losing
That feeling
When I'm with you

A familial verse 
As mother & child
Spousal betrothed
Human & canine 
Breath of the wild
Forever marked
By our affection
Silently engraved
Such as sore sight
Of you in my eyes