an Illinois observation

snow flurries dance upon the wind
bird song floats from the trees
the ground is nearly thawed
now the sun is shining
the flurries already gone
on this chilly March afternoon
must be spring in Illinois
when anything can happen
just talkin’ ‘bout the weather
it’s still Lion Time

March 12, 2013

dog walk thoughts

I walked Blue through the park this morning early, our favorite route, while a cold rain fell. As my peacock adorned rain boots hit the wet sidewalk, after we made it through and were headed on toward home, these words rang in my head in a steady rhythm:
“Grit, Steel, Grace and Love
that’s what Janean Baird is made of.”

Of course it should read, “Janean Marie Thompson Baird” but that’s too long and ruins the word flow.

I’m going to wake up the boys next and plan on unplugging as best I can to make art today, for that is the soothing balm my aching and weary soul needs most.

March 11, 2013

bird song

nighttime rain
stops
morning light
dawns
snow melts
bird song
floats along
trilling:
odes of love
warning:
dog coming
birds a plenty
perched
in tree tops
on wires narrow
flying o’er head
in v-formation
honking
the birds are back
the earth is soft
and muddy
puddles form
in the grass
on sidewalks
as snow piles
disappear
and daytime rain
begins to fall
oh, spring
you are coming
we can feel you
in the warmer air
we hear you
approaching
in the lilting
beauty
that is
bird song

March 10, 2013

LUNA
Blue just KNOWS
when it’s time to head outdoors and see his best girl
oh how she dances and prances at seeing him
he tries to go into Stealth Mode
as if he is invisible and she can’t hear his tags jingle or my booted feet hitting concrete
he hunkers down and crosses the street
trying for slow motion
but he’s tugging, “Hurry up!”
as he beelines toward her fence with complete canine devotion
as soon as we hit her sidewalk she woofs and he drags me on ahead
I hustle as I hold his leash, and can’t help but laugh aloud
the musical sound rings out, in the quiet of the neighborhood at high noon
these two purebred pups
oh my, but they do make me smile
bigger than puppy love
so I call it Dog Romance
not to say I don’t call ‘em Romeo and Juliet sometimes too
or drag Blue away, saying, “Come on, Casanova, it’s time to get on home.”
*sigh*
Love
long nose, pointy eared, tail wagging kind

March 3, 2013 
written standing on the sidewalk at 12:04pm on Sunday afternoon, while Blue and Luna canoodle, the neighborhood Love Pups

dazzle night

enjoy the dazzle of Oscar night
lots of stars and starlets
sashaying upon the red carpet
far away in fantasy land
where dreams are made
or so they say
not here though
not tonight anyway
I turned the television on
to view the red carpet parade
just not in me to ooo and ahhh
at Hollywood’s glittering facade
instead the big dog woofed
several times to make sure I heard
pup took me on a sidewalk stroll
Blue knew I needed moonlight
full moon kind
extra bright
fresh air and quiet calm
as the real stars sparkled
and glistened overhead
brisk air was a balm
good for my soul
real stars
real life
my favorite kind o’dazzle
tonight

February 24, 2013

a quiet smile
on awakening
bloomed into
a full blown grin
as I stepped outside
on the sidewalk
time to walk the dog
the sunshine was brighter
the blue sky exquisite
birdsong filled the air
no wind was gusting
stillness all around
quiet morning walk time
and then…
a sparkle of glitter underfoot
as sunlight hit the snow
oh, how lovely
fairy tale divine
I didn’t feel the cold
thankful for my winter coat
barefoot in my snow boots
so what if it was 15
feels like 8
I truly didn’t notice
some days hold a l’il magic
this feels like one o’them
I’m smiling quietly
in anticipation

February 24, 2013
Written while sitting in my favorite love seat spot, with my legs curled to the side, wrapped in my super soft, pale blue robe, a few shades lighter than the sky. My sweet dog, Blue, fell back asleep too, he’s curled in a ball like a Fennec Fox (we saw them at the zoo, long, long ago).

shhh q-u-i-e-t

it’s a quiet sunrise today
peach gold at the horizon
fading to pale yellow
then brightens and glows
turning the palest of blue
the sky is lightening
beyond that though
the heaven is still
and dark as night

I’m just in from an early walk
across icy driveways and snow packed sidewalks
in the brisk morning air
with my big sweet dog, Blue
now I sit at the kitchen table
a solid oak circle
gazing out the glass doors
to the backyard beyond
and watch the color show
along the horizon
houses and bare trees abound
yet colors come
and hit their crescendo so bright
then gradually they fade to normal
a blue sky and white cloud scene
I don’t move to take a picture
just watch it all unfold
the clock is ticking
puppy napping
one boy awake playing
the other still sleeping
and here I sit
sunrise daydreaming
it’s a quiet sunrise today

December 23, 2012