saturday

ireland is stunning 
picture postcard perfect 
sun is out - blue skies 
cotton candy clouds 

beige sheep dot lush green fields 
donkeys wander freely 
when not on holiday 
the beauty overwhelms me 

almost st patrick’s day 
52 years my mom died
“passed away” were the words used 
in the kitchen in commack 

full or relatives neighbors friends 
the 5 of us sitting at the wooden table 
the air thick with sadness 
the sound dropped out 

the look of grief confusion terror 
on every tear stained face 
is seared in my memory 
as the dark truth of death descended 

this year i will go to the parade 
wear green grab a pint 
listen to the bagpipes 
and celebrate all that is 

to have followed my instincts 
my all too accurate gut 
to know for certain 
my path forward 

toward peace and safety 
away from chaos and cruelty 
from the endless noise 
that robs ones joy 

have a wonderful weekend 
thank u for the kind comments 
the years of support 
ur following me here on #substack