Bright Pink Scarf

Week after week

on Sunday mornings

I show up

Walk right through the door

get another cup of coffee

and take a seat

down as close as I can be

just like I’m supposed to do

holding my head up high

holding AVA tight

None of the church ladies

and certainly not the men

have ever said a word

more than a half hearted “hello”

and I can’t quite figure out

the real reasons why

Maybe it’s because I can’t hear

maybe they just don’t care

maybe I’m not the type

they want around

Heaven knows 

 I sure  don’t try

hard at all

But just this one time

a lady said, 

” I like your bright pink scarf”

and I didn’t hear

because she stood 

so far away

like most people tend to do

If it wasn’t for the man

that sits beside me

week after week

on Sunday mornings

I never would have known

Sometimes I just have 

to stop and think

count my many blessings

know that God alone

knows everything

and loves me just the same

He knows this bright pink scarf

isn’t just fabric wrapped around my neck

it’s a gift from a kindred spirit

that always sits besides me

lip syncs lyrics

loves me just the way I am

and when I’m wearing

something I’ve been given

I’m wearing love and acceptance

and I feel it

down in my soul

like a kiss from heaven

little bit of lovin’

standing out and set apart

like my bright pink scarf

Happiness

Paulo Coelho-  “Happiness is getting rid of the unnecessary”

I find such wisdom in this sentence..such freedom in a few well chosen words and such a desire to follow through on it.

Happiness is indeed getting ride of the unnecessary.  I look in my closet- clothes I don’t love, shoes I never wear and I put them into a bag to give away.

I open the cabinet drawers and take out anything that’s cracked or chipped and I toss it.

Over the next few days before the beginning of the New Year, I’m going to clear the closets, the drawers, the cabinets of anything that is no longer beautiful to me, useful to me, or good for me.

I want to open things and see only what is good and purposeful, nothing that is half broken but serviceable, nothing that is just “okay” but not “good”.

I’m also doing a spiritual journey…seeking out the people and places that belong in my life and letting go of those that don’t.

Maybe they did once upon a time, but not now…maybe they will once again, but not now.

This isn’t easy, but I’ve realized that I know my body and my soul so very well and when I listen, and pay attention, it whispers to me, “Let go. Go on. Speak up. Hold on. Lean forward. Step out. Slow down. Pay attention.”

Part of this impacts others and sometimes it’s hard to stand up for what my heart tells me but the time has come..it always had been there, but it’s clear to me now that I can and should make these choices and seek the happiness that comes from doing what’s necessary and good.

Letting go of what’s unnecessary frees up room in my closet, in my cabinets and, most of all, in my heart for all that really is necessary.

Sugars

He asked for what he wanted

With twinkling eyes

And a mischievous smile

“I want sugars”

He leaned forward

Placed his lips on mine

And gave sugars

Until he had all he wanted

For the moment

I wonder what life would be like

If we simply asked for what we wanted

And gave what we asked for in return

Isn’t it true

As I’ve often heard

That we give

What we wish we would get

We treat others

The way we would like

To be treated

If only people would pay attention

Look at what makes 

Eyes twinkle

Mischievous smiles appear 

All that sweet, sweet sugar

Just waiting for us

To lean forward


Making Sense

Long ago, she had been told

Southern rules

That “good” girls follow

Never mix silver and gold

Don’t wear black with brown

Heaven forbid if you get caught wearing white before Easter or after Labour Day

It just isn’t done that way

Make sure you get as good as you give

Love only the “right” one

at the “right” time

Build your walls high

 Keep your hems low

Don’t forget if you forgive

And ladies don’t drink beer from a can



Yet this morning

She laughed, once again, at the reflection in the mirror


Slid her feet into brown leather sandals

Buttoned the short black dress

Just in case the wind lifted the hem, she worn her salsa drawers

Layered her bracelets

One by one

And the stone necklace that she never went without

She had decided

Long ago

To make her own 

Set of rules

Live her life

Whether anyone understood or not

She forgot when she forgave

Drank margaritas, sweet wine and Blood Honey beer

Every chance she got

She fell in love

One by one

Over and over

Day in and day out

Built a wall of mystery

Lined it with peace

Gathered kindred spirits

Planted roots

So that good things could bloom

Found God in every place

Gave all she could

Received what she was given

After all…it was the only way

That made sense to her

Long ago



7 08 a.m.  3/28/17

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