and near our house. 

but I wouldn’t take more than I need

definition of abundance
married to humility
and humanity

There’s nothing to fear
when the sun sets, 
it’s simply bringing 

its daily dose of light 
to children
on the other side of the world

besides

all things are sun-made
its atoms keenly sprinkled 
from firefly to cinder spark, 

it glows from the windows 
of stark houses and the lamps of cars,
why even the gravestone 

at your head
casts a long shadow
over these my sleepless nights.

If too short were a small potato, 
and long was the yam.
I vote for a regular old spud stuffed
with butter, pepper,
cream cheese, and ham.

To my beloved parents on their 76th wedding anniversary in heaven
I dedicate my Confidence Manifesto to you 

Confidence empowers me to Love & Care for me
Confident choices place me wisely on life’s game board
My confidence grows based on the beliefs I hold of myself
Positive beliefs encourage me to respect all I am and all I do  

Confidence is courage to ask for what I need and feel deserving to receive it Confident self-respect protects my best interests
Honoring my confident knowledge allows me to speak up, self-assured
Confidence is a B-12 shot of self-respect and positive self-talk

My Confidence Badge is tempered in humility, strengthened in self-respect
To only accept supportive loving behavior and to prioritize my own needs
To speak up when I need to set a healthy limit or boundary  

Healthy Confidence places me in circles where I am heard and supported
To confidently stand up for what I truly believe in
To never compromise or engage in exchanges that demean who I am
To calmly stand in my power as I lovingly and self-assuredly shine my Light  

I need to soon slip on the proper shoes
For time of working is shortly at hand
And neither flats, sneakers, nor heels will do.

What other shoes are there I could accrue?
Perhaps some sandals, with a pretty band?
I need to soon slip on the proper shoes.

For work with toil beneath the sky, so blue,
I know that boots would be what’s in demand
And neither flats, sneakers, nor heels will do.

And baring feet is something to eschew
For dangers lurk in all walks of the land.
I need to soon slip on the proper shoes.

Even more so, if rumors heard are true
That walking miles in others’ is the plan
And neither flats, sneakers, nor heels will do.

For is one piece of footwear really “you”
When such complex a self you must command?
I need to soon slip on the proper shoes
And neither flats, sneakers, nor heels will do.

Mere months til the midline milestone
with a child poised to launch
the rapids of cancer
& divorce behind me now
I am looking around
waiting for an entrance by 
whoever is supposed to take over
when my shift ends
someone
older
wiser
much more organized

a grownup who can navigate 
trusts & annuities
sump pumps
garage remote pairing

an experienced cultivator who has
raised things from seed
staked vines
witnessed trees in all their seasons

then I remember with both great relief
& disappointment that I am the sole
department head
major purchaser
trainer 
coach
general manager
owner
skilled labor 
& personality hire

I loosen my necktie
slip off my heels 
barrel roll to the other side of the bed
click the secret latch on the side table
the top slides open & a hidden bar cart
rises up from within
filled with bottles of not liquor but
collagen supplements
& magnesium oil 
half used glass jars of 
hyaluronic acid wrinkle serum
& retinol hand cream

reading glasses & a c-pap mask 
drop suddenly from a hidden slot in the ceiling
there is a sudden change in pressure
I hug my ergonomic pillow
which may be used as a floatation device
in the event this whole thing 
plummets into the sea