and in the brief moment
that I stood at the window
gazing at the sunrise
that same pup found a sock
under the la-z-boy recliner
he thought it’d be a nice snack
I disagreed
so out we went
at 6:50a.m.
for a walk around the block
me in my pajamas
mismatched ones at that
and polka dot rain boots
because like a firefighter
boots are easier to slip into
than tennis shoes that tie
especially in the dark
of technically morning time
when puppy less people
are sleeping
I’m caring less what others think
and doing what suits me
I guess I have the puppy to thank
for my growing nonchalance
as well as the moonlit, starlit, sunrise walks
that we’re going on
together

this morning I tried to go back to bed at 6:00
it is Saturday after all
but he woofed
that pup of ours
because he didn’t want me to miss the sunrise
it’s a beaut too
glowing soft peach at the horizon
blending upward into the palest blue
with wisps of pink clouds
for another dash of color
fading now
into regular morning colors
but I managed to wake up in time
to savor another sunrise

my heart socks from yesterday
are on inside out this morning
sometimes life feels like that
when your heart is closer to the surface
and everything hurts a little more
because you’re feeling
turned inside out too
I hate feeling like that
but on the flip side
that’s where the poetry comes from
for we experience the world differently
than those turned right side out
and feel compelled
to put those feelings into words

sometimes I am My Mother’s Daughter
today is one of those days
It’s Valentine’s Day
all day
and I find myself wearing pink
and the heart covered socks
that my mother gave me
long ago
I wear ‘em once a year
on Valentine’s Day
might as well
and as long as I gave into pink
and socks with hearts
I put on lipstick too
yes, my mother would approve
my oldest son is wearing black today
I let him
I sorta wanted to wear black too
the rebel in me
even though it’s not showing
on the outside
it’s there
underneath the pink

As I fished a neighbor’s bank statement from the dog’s mouth this morning, I said to him, “You are quite the garbage collector.” Adding as an after thought, “We should call you, ‘Oscar’.” Then, mumbling and grumbling to myself, “That’d make me, The Grouch.”

I saw a beautiful sunrise this morning
I tried to write a poem about it
An Ode to the morning sky
But the dog barked
The children are up and at ‘em
Leftover donuts for breakfast
Or “dog nuts” as my husband joked
“I have a dog that’s nuts” my oldest son joked back
I was in the kitchen
Trying to type my impressions of the sunrise
While signing notebooks from Friday
Sorting backpack papers
And taking the dog out
Again
Seriously?!
I just wanted to write a little poem
About the fleeting beauty of a moment
Is that too much to ask?
I tried
Muddle headed from not enough sleep
Groggy brained
I managed to complete the thought
Thankful my husband is takin’ them to school today
Put the coffee on as they walked out the door
My husband asked, “What kind are you making?”
I replied, “French Vanilla”.
(It’s my favorite.)
(Cinnamon is his.)
Quiet now.
Calm.
The dog who wakes up at 4:00 is napping now
Now?!
Wonder if there are any donuts left for me…
Coffee’s on
And it’s garbage day
Glamorous life
Wonderful life
I wouldn’t trade places with ya life
Though the one wish
I will admit
Is for an unobstructed view
To the east for the morning sun
And to the west of an evening
So I could drink in the beauty
Of God’s paintbrush
Without trees, houses and swing sets in the way
But they are the stuff of life
Part of His painting
In the foreground
As it should be
On a Monday morning

I’m less of a Zombie Mom now.
Even before I take the first sugar laden bite.
Brewed just four cups o’coffee this morning.
Beauty is, they all four fit in this wonderful m&m mug from my sister.
A souvenir from one of her Vegas trips.
I’ve never been.
See, feeling downright chatty now.
More like myself.
Ahhhh, much better.
~ Janean